One of America’s most iconic contemporary blues musicians, Seasick Steve, is to headline this year’s Southern Fried Festival in Perth.
An overnight success in the UK after his Glastonbury appearance while in his 60s, the former hobo has captured the world’s imagination with his gritty, honest songs about his days living rough doing casual work, sometimes playing his music on a home-made, one-stringed guitar.
After a 40-year musical journey, Seasick Steve suddenly struck a chord with a worldwide fanbase after living in Europe for the past decade, achieving awards and acclaim on a global scale.
He heads a posse of top acts also announced for the third annual festival of American roots music held at Perth Concert Hall over the weekend beginning Friday, July 30.
All roots music bases will be covered in this weekend of song, dance, food, workshops, children’s events and Scottish hospitality with a Southern flavour.
Saddling up for the opening concert in Perth Concert Hall on the Friday are Carolina Chocolate Drops, still basking in the success of their 2010 release Genuine Negro Jig.
The Holmes Brothers’ blues, gospel, soul, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll and country blend in perfect harmony to create their special sound.
US bluegrassers Craig Duncan and Friends, country singing sensation Elizabeth Cook and Bristol’s Phantom Limb play the late-night music club Late and Southern Fried on Friday night in Perth Theatre.
Scotland’s Paul Buchanan (of Blue Nile fame) and Justin Currie (Del Amitri) join Elizabeth Cook and Rachel Harrington plus Holly Williams, grand-daughter of Hank, Yolanda Quartey and others for The Roots of Elvis on the Saturday in the Concert Hall.
Holly also performs Late and Southern Fried in Perth Theatre that day along with celebrated ballad singer Tim Eriksen and country rockers The New Madrids, featuring former Revivals front man Ian Hutchison.
Photo used under the Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user cathcuk