Musician and song-writing legend Graham Nash OBE has been announced as the headliner for The British Country Music Festival, as he returns to the town of his birth to perform at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
Nash, who rose to fame as a founding member of both the Hollies and Crosby, Stills and Nash(CSN), was awarded the “Legendary Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music” award at
Americana Fest in Nashville and the “Lifetime Achievement Award at the UK Americana Awards in 2017. Nash was inducted twice into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his work with Crosby Stills & Nash.
Marina Blore, co-promoter of The British Country Music Festival said: “This will be the first time that Graham Nash has performed in Blackpool as a solo artist. The last time was a member of The Hollies in 1967.” She added: “Our festival celebrates UK song writing talent in country, Americana and all its sub genres. The North-West of England is known globally as the birthplace of some of the greatest songwriters the world has ever known. Graham Nash is one such legend and it is an honour to welcome him back to Blackpool to pay homage to him on home ground.”
The Friday night headliner is Irish born country singer Donna Taggart. Global recognition of Donna’s talent beckoned in 2016 with the release of her hit song “Jealous of the Angels” from the album Celtic Lady 2. In just one week the song had surpassed 25 million plays online and went to Number 1 in the US Billboard World Album Catalogue for three weeks!
The British Country Music Festival, now in its fourth year, continues to favour homegrown
headliners, whilst providing a platform for UK grass roots artists to attract new fans, and in some cases move from support stages to main stage slots in subsequent years.
Empress Ballroom performances will include Megan McKenna, Simeon Hammond Dallas, Jade
Helliwell and The Dunwells. Sunday’s headliner is yet to be announced. However, an already
impressive lineup includes Robbie Cavanagh, New Zealand’s Kylie Price and Mercury Prize
nominee and former front man of I Am Kloot, John Bramwell with his new band The Full Harmonic Convergence. He is releasing new music this year which attendees will be amongst the first to hear live.
