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Hi

Due to the fact that The Silver Shadows are not playing out as often as we would like, Eric (bass), Mark (drums), Chris (keys) and I (rhythm) have formed a Country / Cliff & The Shadows / Rock 'n' Roll band. We are based in or around the Bracknell (Berkshire) area. The idea is to be mainly a Country band but to be able to play the 'other stuff' on demand in an effort to make us more flexible and therefore more employable. WE WANNA PLAY!

The new band is called CENTERFIELD. We've chosen our setlist, we're panting to get out there and gig but we need a great Country lead guitarist to bring us to full complement.

The person we are looking for can be any age but MUST know Country music. A rock, blues, jazz etc. guitarist who thinks "Hmm I think I could play Country" is absolutely not who we are looking for. You may have been playing Shadows or other music for years but the person we are looking for has ALSO been playing Country music for long enough to know exactly what's required in a good Country band, knows when to play and when not and is prepared to put in the work to learn the numbers we want to play.

If this sounds like you, please get in touch with me via PM. If you can sing lead vocals or harmony as well - I'm VERY keen to talk to you. If you can't but you're a good Country guitarist then please contact me anyway - we need you!

Best wishes
Chris

Got everything you need Chris only there's a catch..I live on the other side of the pond!
Just kidding mate..I'd oblige but you know it won't work,haha!!
Good luck with hunting Chris!

Thanks, Ernie!

Shame the solents in the way lol, shame would have been right up my street but good luck Chris in your search for a good Vince Gill sound alike ,some wicked country music out there at the moment
Kind Regards Nigel and Maureen (Mid Anglia Club )

Thanks for the reply, Nigel

Finding the right lead guitarist for Country music is as hard as finding the right guitarist for Shadows music. The really good, naturals are like hen's teeth. However, we're so determined we want the right person that we have decided to put the band on hold until that person sticks up a hand and says take ME!

Cheers
Chris

P.S. That Solent has a lot to answer for. Someone should put a bridge across!

Hi Chris just a thought ,when i used to play on the country scene ( in the south) a magazine used to be available called Southern Country . This magazine used to revue all the band and clubs etc in the southern area .In the rear of the magazine Country Guitarists Bass Drums used to advertise for bands etc . I dont know if this is still published but if it is it may help you .Also if you visit a country club in your area they would sell this

Cheers Nigel

Hi Nigel

Good news - I have a copy of Southern Country right here. Will have a look in it now. Thanks so much for the tip. Will let you know if there's anything in there.

Cheers
Chris

I'm not a candidate for this gig, being located about as far from the UK as is possible, however, I think you may need to be very specific about what style of player you are looking for when you try out or advertise for someone...

I have played various styles of country music over a number of years in the past, and there is a world of difference between typical lead guitar styles which suit various eras and types of country music...

For instance, the speeding Vince Gill/Brent Mason/Albert Lee thing ain't gonna suit much of the ballads so often played in country music.
You're perhaps better off with some tasteful Grady Martin or simple Luther Perkins style picking for that stuff, which also suits a lot of classic older country material..or some Chet style fingerpicking for that matter.

Yes, OK, if it's modern Nashville 'hat band' rocky country, then you'd expect blazing Telecasters - and unless you are also getting a pedal steel player, then the lead player will need to be able to emulate some pedal steel licks too..

Hi there

Yes - we're playing a little of both types you mention and we even have some Albert Lee too!

Cheers
Chris

cockroach wrote:I'm not a candidate for this gig, being located about as far from the UK as is possible, however, I think you may need to be very specific about what style of player you are looking for when you try out or advertise for someone...

I have played various styles of country music over a number of years in the past, and there is a world of difference between typical lead guitar styles which suit various eras and types of country music...

For instance, the speeding Vince Gill/Brent Mason/Albert Lee thing ain't gonna suit much of the ballads so often played in country music.
You're perhaps better off with some tasteful Grady Martin or simple Luther Perkins style picking for that stuff, which also suits a lot of classic older country material..or some Chet style fingerpicking for that matter.

Yes, OK, if it's modern Nashville 'hat band' rocky country, then you'd expect blazing Telecasters - and unless you are also getting a pedal steel player, then the lead player will need to be able to emulate some pedal steel licks too..

Have a listen to Vince Gills ballad work on any country waltz he has recorded and his pedal steel licks .How about Brent Masons work with Alan Jackson and how about the softer side of Albert Lees pedal steel licks ( with E L Harris ) Sure these guys can pick but they sure can play for the requirements of the song .
the number of diverse sessions and albums that they have played on shows this