BLACKTHORN BAND
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 photos © Toby Amies |
Blackthorn perform their melodic brand of Irish, Scottish and English traditional music at festivals, folk clubs, weddings and private functions all around Southern England. All the band are multi instrumentalists, and a provide a varied and traditional feel to the music. Founder members Fergus and Mannie McClelland have been performing traditional music for many years, and also play in ceildh band ThingumaJig. Sarah McClelland joined in 1999, Alex Percy in 2003, and the line up is completed by occasional members, Jacky Hynes, Mal Darwen, Dan Plews, Leeson O'Keeffe and Philippe Barnes Far From Home - Blackthorn’s debut album was released in March 2004. The River That Runs Below - The second album was released on August 4th 2008 |
 | Fergus (Pete) McClelland - Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Fiddle, Banjo. Fergus has been playing traditional music together with his wife Mannie for over 30 years. He is involved in the organisation of three folk festivals. "Ciaran Curran's (bouzouki) style and Pete McClelland's differ greatly - and yet both players are absolutely spot-on." - Aidan Cossey, paythereckoning.com |
 | Mannie McClelland - Anglo Concertina, Bodhran, Dance Caller. During the week she now works as an educational psychologist, and also leads her “Music with Mannie” children's music workshops at folk festivals. She is also a member of ThingumaJig. |
 | Alex Percy - Fiddle, Guitar, Bass, Melodeon. Alex made his name with Beltaine performing with them at several major UK festivals, he is a founder member of young folk rock outfit Rocas and has performed with them at Sidmouth, Trowbridge, Larmer Tree and other festivals. |
 | Sarah Mooney - Flute, Low Whistle, Guitar, Bass. Sarah’s traditional styles of flute and guitar playing have developed through leading regular sessions in Buffalo, USA and Brighton. She is also a founder member of Rocas, and the daughter of Mannie and Fergus. |
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| As we were: At the Lamb Inn 1996 | Posing 1999: Colin, Triona, Mannie, Fergus | 2007: Fergus, Sarah, Philippe, Alex, Mannie |
| 1995 to 1999: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Fran Stocker : Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar |
1999 to 2000: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Triona Joyce : Whistle & Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar |
2000 to 2001: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Sarah McClelland : Guitar, Flute & Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar |
2001 to 2003: Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle & Bodhran Sarah McClelland : Guitar, Flute, Bodhran & Uilleann Pipes Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Melodeon, Bouzouki, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar & Mandolin |
2003 to 2005 Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle Alex Percy : Guitar & Fiddle Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Melodeon, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar, Mandolin & Bodhran |
2005 to ...: Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle Alex Percy : Guitar & Fiddle Sarah Mooney : Guitar, Flute, Whistle Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar, Bodhran |