The Wilson Family
Saturday 20th April, 2024 at 7:30pm
(Doors and bar open at 7:00pm)
An English folk music group from Billingham, Teesside, they have been singing and performing a cappella folk songs since 1974. Over those decades the group members have consisted of sister Pat and five brothers: Tom, Chris, Steve, Ken and Mike.
The accepted benchmark for powerhouse unaccompanied singing, they were awarded the Gold Badge of the English Folk Dance & Song Society (EFDSS) in 2017, the highest honour the society can bestow. The present-day group are the original core members, Tom, Chris, Steve and youngest brother Mike.
They regularly headline festivals and clubs across the UK and Europe, and in 2011 appeared at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms. In 2013 the family were invited by Sting to sing on his critically acclaimed album ‘The Last Ship’. They performed the show with Sting at a series of 10 benefit concerts, held at the Public Theater, New York. It was broadcast by the BBC in December 2013.
They have a family sound and a natural, bone-deep understanding of music and harmony. And it‘s quite something: Sting
There‘s a musical honesty about them that links past and present together. They are among the people who go about singing traditional songs that move me – which I really love, because that‘s what I try to do. But what appeals to me about them, apart from their musical skill, is their honesty. They are what they are and do what they do and say what they say and it‘s very direct and I love that. They‘re not pretenders. : Dick Gaughan
The Northern Wilsonia – a vocal orchestra! : Peter Bellamy
Singing with the Wilson Family makes life a whole lot easier : Lou Killen
Tickets (£15) should be booked with Peter Burnham, preferably by email to peter.burnham@gmail.com . Alternatively telephone him on 01665 711388.