The Acoustic Festival Of Britain

The Acoustic Festival Of Britain announces an added major attraction, the sensational 20yr. old Blues Boy, Dan Owen from Shrewsbury, will play on Saturday 1st June. A meteoric rise to international stardom for this young bluesman was seen live on the Andrew Marr show recently, on his return from America , where he was special guest of Willie Nelson. He performs ‘rootsy’ blues infected songs on guitar with the help of his home made ‘stomp box’ and occasional harmonica. April 2013 saw Dan recording in Nashville with Grammy winning producer Vance Powel. He said: “It’s weird how it all happened. I got on a plane for the first time last week and was in Nashville which is an amazing place. We went to Willie Nelson’s 80th birthday party with Neil Young, Sheryl Crow and Nora Jones, some amazing people that I have known to watch but then got to see them in front of me.”
Dan played guitar and sung the Willie Nelson song Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die at the end of the party. He was also invited to play the song on the Andrew Marr programme and is also taking to the road with ZZ-Top as an opening act for their European dates. Dan will also perform at Glastonbury among other festivals and release his first recordings on ‘BluesBoy Recs’. He has played and recorded with Bruce Springsteen, and Sheryl Crow in Nashville in recent weeks. The Acoustic Festival of Britain at Uttoxeter Racecourse May 31st – June 2nd is the ultimate showcase for the British un-plugged music scene. This year’s festival sees a mix of old and young artists featured, from headliners The Hollies and The Proclaimers to the youthful footstompin Rusty Shackle and young musician of the year Polly Money. The rootsy feel is welcoming to the folk music fans who can see some of their favourites, Rory McLeod, award winning songstress Patsy Matheson and the Irish music band of the year The Rovin Crows. The infamous John Otway and former folk-punks Martin Stephenson and Sex Pistol Ed Tudorpole will create a grin on faces over the Saturday with their witty songs and stories. Several generations will have favourites to look forward to seeing, Curved Air from 1970s then The Christians and Belle Stars from the 1980s and 1990s, The Quireboys from the millenium and stars from the last decade include Gareth Gates, Baka Beyond and guitar supremo Rodney Branigan. Two of Britains got talent stars will feature, Pelico the acoustic group and 13 years old guitarist and singer Laura Thalia, both play on Saturday, as do the fabulous Babajack , award winners of 2012 British and Best European blues band , as featured on Jools Holland. Childrens entertainment is as always a big feature at the event, this year an added bonus of a Big top is welcomed, to go along with the scores of workshops, painting, bubble mania and fun palace . Children are only £1 entry.