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Caroline Riches (Fiddle, vocals)
Caroline's early musical influence came from acapella singing in church and a close-harmony group at school. She was a violinist in the Liverpool Schools String Orchestra and also learned the piano. At university she sang in the college choir, then joined a local Choral Society after moving to Bedford, where she also played the violin and harmonica in a church music band.
One of her more unusual musical experiences was walking through the streets of Bedford playing violin in a Sikh funeral cortege. You never know where music may lead you....... Caroline joined Ragged Staff when it formed in 2008. Taking part in a fiddle masterclass with Peter Knight and attending Irish sessions in local pubs have enhanced her enjoyment of traditional music. This year she hopes to attend a vocal workshop run by Maddy Prior. |
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Mike Nacey (Guitar, mandola, percussion)
Mike began performing in school in 1960s Liverpool, in the choir and as violinist in the orchestra. This quickly led on to playing in bands, and in 1979 moved to Bedford as bassist with jazz-rockers 'Quasar'.
Recent projects include fringe theatre band 'themsounds' (a spin-off from Beds Youth Theatre), occasional folk band 'Chunky Sweater' and backing squeezebox maestro Brian Peters at local gigs and on his latest album 'Gritstone Serenade'. Mike has an MA in Music at the Open University.
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Ned Lawton (Tin whistle, bodhran, uilleann pipes (given a fair wind), vocals)
Born Oldham, Lancashire and now residing in Silsoe, Bedfordshire. Founder member of Sheffield based folk group Hartshead Pike in the early 70's. Played around the folk clubs in Sheffield, Manchester and then later in Bedfordshire and London. Active in the Luton Irish music scene in the late 70's.
Musically dead for 30 years but reborn with the creation of Ragged Staff. Claim to fame - Cathal McConnell, from the Boys of the Lough, once played Ned's 'c' whistle in the back of a car on the way to his gig in Sheffield. That was enough for Ned to want to strive for greatness. "It's a long journey".
Early influences were Planxty and The Bothy Band.
Ned runs the NAF (Not a Folk) Club in Silsoe (www.nafclub.co.uk)
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Past members |
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Joe Dunne 2008-2010
(Guitar, bass guitar, bodhran, vocals)
Childhood summers spent back home in County Wexford, Ireland influenced Joe's love of music. It was always 'on tap' drifting out from bars and the local halls hosting 'big' bands at the weekends. Visits from legendary Irish travelling fiddle player Pecker Dunne left a lasting impression on Joe. A master class from Steafan Hannigan encouraged Joe to take up the bodhran.
During a recent trip to Belfast Joe was honoured to meet and play with that great local band Blackthorn. Other international highlights include a trip to San Francisco where Joe's cousin said he had found him a gig. He later found out this was minding the entrance door. |
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Neil Higgins 2008-2010
(Guitar, banjo, mandolin, mouth organ, vocals, autoharp)
Born in Sheffield, Neil grew up with the influences of 60s music and in particular the folk boom of the time. Brief flirtations with rock bands never quite worked out and floor spots in folk clubs were the outlet for performances. There he met the late Tony Capstick who became his greatest musical influence.
Using his skills as a toothpick designer to earn a living Neil continued with his music in his spare time never losing that secret yearning for musical stardom. Eventually as middle age approached, he finally saw sense and realising such fame and musical fulfillment would never be his, he joined Ragged Staff. |
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Martin Banks 2008-2010
(Melodeon, bouzouki, guitar, vocals)
Martin has been involved with the local folk music scene for many years. He was half a duo, Ragged Robin, which played many clubs and festivals around the country. He was also a long-time member of ceilidh dance band, Jack o'Legs, which played for many a good barn dance around the area, as far afield as Hull. Martin performs solo at local folk clubs.
Martin now sings with acapella group 'Old Harry's Crew'. |
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John Rickatson 2008
(Vocals)
John was a founder member of the band and was lead vocalist on many of the bands songs. With a powerful voice he could easily do justice to any ballad.
His first love was drama and still performs with Silsoe Drama Group.
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