BLACKTHORN BAND

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photos by Toby Amies

Blackthorn perform their melodic brand of Irish, Scottish and English traditional music at festivals, folk clubs, weddings and private functions all around Southern England. All the band are multi instrumentalists, and a provide a varied and traditional feel to the music. Founder members Fergus and Mannie McClelland have been performing traditional music for many years, and also play in ceildh band ThingumaJig. Philippe Barnes - a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards joined in 2001, Alex Percy - previously a member of young folk band Beltaine, stars of several major festivals, joined in 2003 and the line up is completed by the return from the USA of Sarah Mooney.

Far From Home - Blackthorn’s debut album, and a collaboration with whistle maker Phil Hardy was released in March 2004.

	Fergus McClelland - Melodeon, Fiddle, Bouzouki, Guitar, Banjo, Vocals. Fergus has been playing traditional music together with his wife Mannie for over 30 years. He is also a member of ThingumaJig. "Ciaran Curran's (bouzouki) style and Pete McClelland's differ greatly - and yet both players are absolutely spot-on." - Aidan Cossey, paythereckoning.com
	Mannie McClelland - Anglo Concertina, Bodhran, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals, Dance Caller. During the week she now works as an educational psychologist, and is a natural at dealing with any children in the audience. She has been playing traditional music together with her husband Fergus for over 30 years. She is also a member of ThingumaJig.
	Alex Percy - Fiddle, Guitar. Alex made his name with Beltaine performing with them at several major UK festivals, and went on to form the new folk rock act Rocas.
	Philippe Barnes - Flute, Tin Whistle, Guitar, Bodhran. Philippe has recently been seen on TV on the Des and Mel show on ITV1, was a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards 1999 with All Jigged Out, is a member of ThingumaJig, and regularly appears at the Komedia in Brighton with Candela, a nine piece flamenco group. "I've heard nobody else who can make the Boehm flute sound like the true traditional thing ... the sheer musicality is exceptionally impressive..." - John Brophy, Irish Music.
	Sarah Mooney - Flute, Tin Whistle, Guitar, Bodhran. Sarah returned to Blackthorn again in 2005 after spending time in the USA playing with Buffalo based band Trefoyle. Sarah's traditional style of flute and guitar playing has developed through leading regular sessions in Buffalo and Brighton. She is also a founder member of Rocas.



As we were: At the Lamb Inn 1996	Posing 1999: Colin, Triona, Mannie, Fergus	2007: Fergus, Sarah, Philippe, Alex, Mannie


1995 to 1999: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Fran Stocker : Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar	1999 to 2000: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Triona Joyce : Whistle & Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar	2000 to 2001: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Sarah McClelland : Guitar, Flute & Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar	2001 to 2003: Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle & Bodhran Sarah McClelland : Guitar, Flute, Bodhran & Uilleann Pipes Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Melodeon, Bouzouki, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar & Mandolin	2003 to 2005 Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle Alex Percy : Guitar & Fiddle Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Melodeon, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar, Mandolin & Bodhran	2005 to ...: Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle Alex Percy : Guitar & Fiddle Sarah Mooney : Guitar, Flute, Whistle Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar, Bodhran