John Dowling - Bromborough Folk Club - 14/12/2005

A banjo player extraordinaire! John is a world champion, having taken on the best of America and beat them hands down in a blind competition, he was playing for us in order to "raise a few bob" so he can go back and defend his title in 2006. He deserves the accolade too, his playing sounds so unlike that of any ordinary banjo player, his instrument sings to his touch - he played carols and christmas songs, demonstrated traditional playing techniques and them brought on local legend Russ Williams (slap-bass) and Jimmy? on guitar and they became foot-stompin' good old boys for a few numbers, including the over-played Duelling Banjos, but this one featured the Eastenders Theme... Its hard to see how John could be successful in the pop music sense, but he should go far and wide with his playing, and it has been an absolute pleasure to see him play.