Hank Wangford, The Messages & Dash
Hank Wangford, the twisted Godfather of the English alternative country music scene, has been picking at the dark and troubled soul of Country music for more than thirty years. Hank’s messianic derailment onto Country music came from befriending Gram Parsons in the early seventies. After this he spread the word with two groundbreaking TV series, the first on Country music in Britain, "HW’s A to Z of C&W" and "Big Big Country".
The Messages are Donegal’s Seanan Brennan (KÍLA) on guitar and bouzouki, Denise Boyle on fiddle and mandolin (SíFiddlers) and Cavan lass, Fiona Maria Fitzpatrick on harmonies and guitar.
Joining Hank and The Messages will be Noel “Dash” Dashwood, Britain’s premier dobro player. Hank & Dash have recorded a new duo album due for release in December, Promises Promises.
The show will feature songs from Hank’s latest album Holey Holey, and shiny new tracks from Promises Promises, plus songs from his extensive back catalogue, and featuring original songs from The Messages.
Of Hank's performances the New York Times said:
"If you want originality, something that still has the bite and twang that drained out of so much country, the sharp cutting wit and the rawness of hard country, then there is only one man to see. His name is Hank Wangford."