Wheatbread Johnson

From Chicago, Illinois - the home of the blues - WHEATBREAD JOHNSON (now based in Ireland with his international touring band) is a big man, with a big sound. Influenced by amongst others Lonnie Mack, Jimmie Vaughan, Otis Rush, Albert King, Eric Clapton et al, Wheatbread is in pursuit of that elusive thing that all guitar players worth their salt are after; soul. Preferably turned up to 10. Right on. Wheatbread very nearly made it to the Isle of Man for the 2003 festival but it didn't quite work out. Wheatbread blew us away with his voice, his guitar and his songs. Again, click on Wheatbread's name above for more details.

Smokestack redux for 2004

The very welcome return of outstanding UK three-piece SMOKESTACK is confirmed. This will be great news for everyone that saw and heard these three guys in 2003. In a highlight packed 2003 Fest this band stood out and that was some achievement all on its own. So many people have asked if Smokestack will be returning its a relief to now be able to give a definitive "yes". Check 'em out by clciking on their name above, on the Artists button to the above left or by clicking here

Tim Hain

From the deep south - Surrey - TIM HAIN & THE WORX were another very lucky find but sadly, as you will see in the 2004 Gig Report , we didn't get to see Tim and his band as they were stranded in London on an aircraft that eventually was deemed unserviceable and the flight was cancelled. But Tim's Blues credentials can be checked out on the page dedicated to him - click on his name above or on the Artists button above left or on the Programme page .

Emily Druce & Steve Jones

EMILY DRUCE & STEVE JONES arrived safely on the Island to headline the Bridge and make another very enjoyable appearance down at the Shore Acoustic Stage. They brought their new CD, "songs from the silver band room" , as well as their custom made Jones guitars and a marvellous, festival stunning, repertoire.

Felix Slim & Big Darryl

FELIX SLIM & BIG DARRYL Felix "Slim"and "Big" Darryl Williams came from Spain for the 2004 Festival. Felix is a top Spanish bluesman currently based in Southern Spain and has played with many marvellous musicians. With Darryl, a ragtime guitar specialist amongst other things,

Felix Slim at The Mines 2004

they played the very well known Cazorla Blues Festival which is the biggest Blues Festival in southern Spain. They also played the Sotogrande Blues Festival in summer 2003 with the Sotogrande set being shown, in its entirety, on San Roque T.V. They played both the Shore and The Bridge Inn as well as making a very well received appearance at The Mines on Festival Sunday in the brilliant sunshine.

Smiling Jack Smith

SMILING JACK SMITH Smilin' Jack has worked as an opening act for some of the biggest names in the music business, including B.B. King, John Mayall, Bonnie Raitt, John Hammond,Jr., Charlie Musselwhite, Johnnie Clyde

Smiling Jack Smith gives us a solo taste (at The Shore on the acoustic stage) of his gig with the band later at The Bridge

Copeland and the Reverend Gary Davis and he is coming to Bushyfest in May 2004. Despite our concerns Jack made his connection at John Lennon Airport with time to spare for a beer and made a lot of new friends over the course of the weekend as well as playing some really great sets at The Queens, The Bridge and The Shore


MOLLY BROWN
If Watermelon Slim was the outstanding individual performer of the 2004 Festival (possibly the

Molly Brown step into the slot vacated by the stranded Tim Hain & Worx on the Main Stage 2004 and make a very fine job of it too - click to ENLARGE

outstanding performer of the six year history of the Festival) with their new extended line-up for 2004 and a commitment to live performances of energy, passion and entertainment Molly Brown were the stars for me when, with no notice whatsoever, they jumped into the Main Stage slot opened up by the stranded Tim Hain and impressed the sell-out audience with their own brand of good-time, feelgood music. They then went off to headline at The Bridge Inn where they seemlessly hit their stride straight away. The following night they headlined the Acoustic

Molly Brown

Stage at the Shore Hotel , where, following a blinding, crowd jumping set from Truman Falls, they stole the show once again. We love Molly Brown . For me they personify the Big Wheel Blues Festival with their 'will do', 'can do' attitude, their determination to have a really great time and a real, committed love for the music, all music.

The Cahonies

THE CAHONIES Adrian, Kev and Phil the alter egos of The Cahonies were headlining the Queens on Saturday night and made their first appearance on the Bandstand Free Electric Stage in the Riverside Music Room Blues Pavilion on the warm and sunny Saturday afternoon. Most people were outside in the sunshine but they still gave their all and those of us inside got the best deal - mind you, the sound outside was good too.

In addition to the headline acts there were a whole raft of musicians whose contribution to this weekend's feast of music was of crucial importance. In alphabetical order they were:

AL LAWRENCE

ASAP

COCAHIBA

CREAMY HEADS

DUBIOUS ORIGIN

ICTUS

JACKIE OLIVER

JELLYPOND

JURBY MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS

KATE CLAGUE

LIEBEZEIT

LUX

MALAKA

MOONSHINE

Mr RIFF

OUTWARD SIGNS

REBELS WITHOUT APPLAUSE

ROADHOUSE

SHEDMEN

STEAMROLLER

STONECHASE

SWEAT BEES

THREE FAT GREEKS

TRUMAN FALLS

WALTER EGO

WARREN OWEN

• The Main Stage Gigs - 2004
  
  
• The Bridge Inn Gigs - 2004
  
  
• The Shore Hotel Gigs - 2004
  
  
• The Queens Hotel Gigs - 2004
  
  
• The Mines Gigs - 2004
  
  
• The Bandstand Sessions - 2004