For our 30th birthday on 21st October 2013 we updated our 'Compleat History of the Ram Club' booklet (PDF format, 10Mb). Click to view or download - it's a 'must read', with a list of all the guests we have ever had plus some stories and pictures!
Below is a list of the past guests from September 2006.
Transatlantic duo return after captivating Ram debut
James and Dan have extraordinary backgrounds that colour their performances - Dan is from Maryland, is brother of
the late Eva Cassidy, and has a swing band; James is from Shropshire and played with Uiscedwr; and the pair met in
Iceland. James has a sweeping voice and plays guitar and Dan has his own style of fiddle playing. When they made
their Ram debut in May 2013, the audience was captivated by James's English wit and Dan's dry humour and American
drawl - and his mesmerising facial expression while playing.
http://hickmanandcassidy.co.uk£9 members/£10 non-members
Engaging performer and songwriter with a sweet sense of humour
Jez is nominated for two BBC Folk Awards - to be announced on April 22 - singer of the year and best original song.
We'll know the results by the time he visits and we wish him luck. But win or lose, his song "The Pitmen Poets" will
sound just as good when Jez brings his easy north-east magnetism to our stage. He's a polished and moving songwriter,
with beguiling stories and an easy, relaxed singing and playing style.
http://www.jezlowe.com£9 members/£10 non-members
A powerful voice 'custom-built to sing folk songs'
Gavin has been described as having "the sort of voice that is custom-built to sing folk songs" and a musician "who
truly respects the songs and their heritage". His self-penned songs are simultaneously traditional, original and
distinctive and his playing and singing style - a powerful voice and mastery of a range of instruments - has a maturity
beyond his years. Gavin's bandmates are Tom Kitching (fiddle), Nick Cooke (melodeon) and Tim Yates (double bass),
who create a precise and delicate but full and rich sound.
http://www.gavindavenport.com£10 members/£11 non-members
Strikingly rich vocals and a haunting, relaxed playing style
Mellow, relaxed and sometimes haunting all describe Sarah's singing and playing style. Accompanied by her beautiful
custom-made guitar - regularly tuned to DADGAD - the richness of her vocals is striking. Sarah's international
upbringing might explain her eclectic musical influences, which include folk, jazz, traditional, contemporary, classical
and even medieval - just listen to her song "In Derby Cathedral". She is touring with her fourth solo album "Walking
Into White" just released and winning reviewers' plaudits.
http://www.sarahmcquaid.com£8 members/£9 non-members
Freshness and vitality from this energetic fivepiece
The glorious harmonies created by the combined voices of Sara Byers, Mary Wilson and Paul Hoad give a rare
freshness and vitality to Suntrap's sound. The fivepiece is completed by Robin Kelly (fretless bass, cello), and John
Sandall (violin, viola). With Sara also contributing accordion, guitar, whistles and bohdran, Paul playing guitar,
harmonica, and kick drum, and Mary playing violin, Suntrap give energetic and varied treatments to songs both
old and new. As Ivor Cutler said of them: "I felt cleansed."
http://www.suntrap.org£9 members/£10 non-members