Bryn writes“I thought I’d share with you good people the great time we had with our first USA banjo picking guest Ross Nickerson from Reno, Nevada. The boys had a whip round and flew him over for a holiday here in the North West of England for a ‘pick’ and a pint. A 6000 mile journey and after his first pint of lukewarm English Bitter, he damn near went straight back!! (I’m only kidding). A great bloke and one superb picker and nice guy.

“We just love banjo pickers here and it was fantastic to hear a proper USA picker with that drive and style. He made the band playing with him, Bakers Fabulous Boys, sound great!! In fact he didn’t want to go back home... but he will be back...

“PS I have a new saying... ‘Country Rocks but Ross Nickerson Rules’ ... well he does in our village anyway...”

Bryn normally has free camping also at his weekend “do’s” but this time there was free hard-standing Caravanning only - the PTB had conspired against a proper camping area. But that didn’t stop NWBN stalwarts Andy Crowe and Mark Currie pitching two dome tents on the pub lawn! One could sleep in the concert hall, but overall the effect was fewer ’grassers in attendance. The only ‘outside’ clubs represented were Chester (Tony Keysell, David Brightmore, me and Jean!) and Prestwich (the Rainy City were booked to play). Billy Vosper turned up from Preston and Arthur Robinson was there, of course, booked to sing in the concert, as were interns Baker’s Fabulous Boys and a host of other regulars. More-or-less local clogging team Mind The Step danced in the courtyard, where several jam sessions were held also.

The free main concerts were held on the stage in a nicely-sized hall adjacent to the pub. Bakers Fabulous Boys, comprising Lorraine Baker (bass/vocals), Jonny Hulme (banjo), Stuart Williams (guitar/vocals) and Russell Williams (mando/vocals), played and did very well indeed. If I had to pick a “star” it would be Russ, if only for his dynamic, aggressive singing and animation - he was the only one acoustically ‘plugged in’ so was able to move around and ‘mak show’ (the term used by the manager of the Hamburg venue Beatles played in for the heavy animation he wanted - that Fab Four not only brought the house down - they brought the stage down too!) The band played a selection of obvious instrumentals and regular Bluegrass songs, most of which were on the less soft side of Bluegrass. I was surprised to hear the Bill Anderson number Slippin’ Away, an intrinsically repetitive song we once learned but abandoned because it really does depend upon the hard, driving harmony that only a full band can provide - BFB executed it very well. Russell sang several self-penned numbers including Five Hives, all with the hard edge, but best of all (to this writer) was his rendition of the old Bill Monroe classic Mule Skinner Blues. You’ve heard of Roadhouse Rock? Well, I’ve christened their style ‘Roadhouse Grass’! Later the BFB accompanied Arthur Robinson as he performed his spot. Despite not feeling very well Arthur sang as well as ever.

Photo: Russ Williams & Ross

Star of the weekend was, of course, Ross Nickerson. Ross is a very quiet, softly-spoken guy who is very easy to get on with. He was quite happy to sit in jam sessions without banjo and just listen, keeping himself to himself. Ross had attended several HOP functions already so was well-steeped in the format, not to mention beer and other booze! Maybe that’s why he was so quiet... After meeting Ross and seeing the banjo he was playing I understood why Dave “Digger” Crowley had been mithering me to sell him my Gold Star! For that’s the axe that Ross sports, though his has a thinned-down neck which makes it easier to play. At one point Ross and I had swapped Gold Stars and he was playing mine. In classic faux pas style Billy Vosper arrived and, looking at me while pointing at the banjo Ross was holding, proclaimed “That’s the best one by far!” Oooops!

Ross is a superb picker based on the Scruggs style but with full skills in other areas too. Clean, varied picking led to an appeal beyond the mere impressive noise that often passes as great banjo work. He was happy at any level expertise from playing the at the top down to joining in and taking simple breaks in novice sessions. If ever you’re over in Reno give him a call on 702-851-3988 or drop a line to PO Box 41024 Reno, Nevada.

Derek Brandon, Chester

Updated 23rd Jan 1999