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.
We can think of no better way to kick off our new season than with the extraordinarily talented TIM, along with Scottish singing sensation ISOBEL CROWE and hot guitarist PETE GAZEY. Last here in June 2010, they gave us one of our 'gigs of the year', so we just had to have them back asap! TIM plays guitar and button accordion (among many other instruments) with a joyous virtuosity unconstrained by boundaries and rules. He has been soaking up music like a sponge since he was knee high to a leprechaun and has shone as a musician for the likes of Michael McGoldrick, Lunasa, Sharon Shannon, Mary Black, Julie Fowlis and Altan to name a few. Expect a brilliant evening of Traditional tunes, world music, jazz, Tim's own wonderful instrumentals (often written as presents) and songs, all performed with 'edge of seat madness'. His guests put in their musical oars for all they're worth to create a feast of inspired, soulful & highly accessible music.
http://www.timedey.co.uk£9 members/£10 non-members
BOB is a true journeyman in the sense that he has probably played at every club and festival going. A Ram regular he is an exceptional entertainer first and foremost, with a treasure trove of songs old and new, all delivered in his wonderful velvet voice and laced with Geordie wit and banter that will have you in stitches! A great guitarist too, his last solo album, 'The Blast', got rave reviews and airplay. Steeped in the essence of the Tyne and with a musical pedigree second to none, Bob has twice been nominated as 'Singer of the Year' at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and is a masterful interpreter of traditional and contemporary songs.
http://www.bobfoxmusic.com/£8 members/£9 non-members
Continuing our 'The Future is in Safe Hands' theme, we are pleased to present a Ram debut for up-and-coming singer/songwriter and breath of fresh air, RUTH. Starting out on the live circuit at just thirteen years old, she performed at local folk clubs in the East Midlands and soon began securing slots at leading Festivals. In 2006 Ruth reached the finals of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and began touring regularly. A fine pianist and guitarist she sings a mix her own songs, folk 'standards' from the Sandy Denny stable and traditional material sweetly and enthusiastically, with a nice line in self-deprecating humour. Tonight she is accompanied by cellist Hannah, who weaves her haunting sound through the music like silken thread. "Fantastic, really special. I was just totally blown away", said one KATE RUSBY. We hope you will be too.
http://www.myspace.com/ruthnotman1£8 members/£9 non-members
... are FLOSSIE MALAVIALLE & KEITH DONNELLY. French Flossie and Geordie Keith are familiar to Ram audiences, both have 'Le Gift of le Gab' and it is true to say that never a dull moment is had in either of their presences! 'It's good to talk' yes, but both of them are excellent singers and musicians too, with repertoires wider than the Channel. Keith used to be in a duo called Waterfall and has written some cracking songs in his time, and this musical entente cordial is based on the premise that sometimes they would actually like to sing more! They met in 2001, she liked his songs, he liked her style, and when the talking lulled they decided to team up, pleasantly surprising audiences with their material - hence the name 'Dark Horses'. Their first album consists of 12 songs written by Keith and sung by Flossie, apart from one in French sung by Keith! Truly a triumph for musical twinning and the talk of the town.
http://www.keithdonnelly.com/Flossie£8 members/£9 non-members
From County Down, Northern Ireland it is a pleasure to welcome back COLUM. He has that rare gift of empathy which makes it seem you've been friends for ever, filling the room with warmth, humour and good will. He is a great songwriter and performer whose songs can be sweet, sad or inspirational, sometimes giving you a gentle prod to think about things. Like the rest of his Sands siblings, Colum is a peacemaker and conciliator, believing that music is a uniting force. And with many a yarn to share with a twinkle in his eyes, one thing is for certain - you'll leave much happier than you came, probably with a copy of one of his many CDs!
http://www.columsands.com£8 members/£9 non-members