Friday Afternoon, 2pm - 5pm

BJ Locklin - rapidly becoming a festival regular BJ comes originally from Scotland but now makes his home in Bangor. With his lively, all action approach he is the ideal artist to welcome festival goers from around the country.

Friday Evening, 7.30pm

Kalibre - This band from the South West of England have one of the best steel players in the UK in Bob Dixon and are fronted by Bob Reid who has a great authentic country voice in the Garth Brooks mold.
Brian Hughes and the Lone Sharks - The buzz band in British country at present. Brian and the band from Scotland have a record deal in Nashville and turn out the great contemporary songs and performances that visitors to the honky tonks on Broadway in Nashville are used to hearing.
Iona and Andy - Voted Britain’s favourite country music duo in the 80’s our festival hosts and comperes as always have put together a band of top musicians including Dave Rowland on pedal steel, Iain Bradshaw on keyboards and Tudur Morgan on guitar.

Saturday Afternoon
Ben’s Bar
The memory of Ben Rees is kept alive by these great artists:

Chuck Micallef and Dave Luke - No stranger to the festival Chuck from Toronto Canada is joined by the brilliant Dave Luke, one of the few British musicians to have played at the Grand Ole Opry.
Phil Lloyd - Founder member of cult British band Mustang, Phil now pursues a successful solo career mixing great, strong vocals with Yorkshire humour.
Dance Ranch - Once again Maggie from the Triple M Dance Academy in the West Midlands will be leading the dance ranch playing the music and teaching the line dancing, this time with help from BJ Locklin.

Saturday Evening, 7.30pm

Albert Lee & Hogans Heroes - Guitar legend Albert Lee first made his name as part of Emmylou Harris’ hot band with Rodney Crowell and Ricky Skaggs. Ricky later had a hit record with Albert’s iconic ’Country Boy’. He now lives in California and tours with the Everley Brothers. His band of top session players is led by steel guitar maestro Gerry Hogan.
Nick Barraclough and the Burglars - Nick has one of the most recognisable voice in British country music. For over 10 years his was the voice of country on Radio 2. He now has his own 3 hour weekly show on Smooth Radio and still makes features such as Country Jukebox for Radio 2. His band the Burglars play an eclectic mix of acoustic and bluegrass.
The Fabulous Picasso Brothers - A great band from the North of England with a big sound, combining country music with Elvis influences and rock ’n’ roll. A band to get any audience’s attention and hold it throughout their electrifying show.

Sunday Afternoon in the theatre, 2.30pm

Kimmie Rhodes Band - Fabulous singer/songwriter who comes from Austin, Texas. She has written songs for and recorded duets with such great as Willy Nelson and Emmylou Harris, Trisha Yearwood and Waylon Jennings. Her new album ’Walls Fall Down’ has been highly acclaimed.
The Haleys - One of the big hits from last year’s festival, Yorkshire sisters Joanne and Becky have beautiful voices and lovely harmonies and will be accompanied by Crystal Gayle’s former guitarist the brilliant Brian Smith.
Alistair James Trio - A young man from the area making a big name for himself with his fine voice and terrific self penned songs.