Album Notes

Quite simply one of the busiest characters on the British Folk Scene since the 1980’s, Richard Grainger was born in Middlesbrough, an industrial town on the North east coast of England. Living with his elder brother Peter and his mother and father. His father a steelworker and all of the family were in some way musical.

At school Richard showed little interest in any of the subjects except as you can probably guess- music and English. He sang in the school choir and at home with the family, taking up the guitar after hearing early Dylan and Carthy recordings.

Richard toured the northeast folk clubs and was invited to join the Teesside Fettlers a very popular Folk Group in the 1980’s.He’d followed in the footsteps of Vin Garbutt and his mentor Ron Angel and his songs achieved wider recognition in the process.

In 1984 his first solo album was released by FELLSIDE , produced by Paul Adams it received great reviews – some comparing him to the incomparable Nic Jones and Martin Carthy.
Before long, Richard was touring throughout the UK at folk clubs and major festivals and was regularly heard ‘live’ and on record on BBC’s Folk on 2.

During the 1990’s Richard added performances with well known folk -musician Dick Miles and then the accordeon genius ,Chris Parkinson. Both partnerships were recorded and received critical acclaim.

Since 1998 Richard has been filling the roll of artistic director to several festivals. Local authorities and arts organistaions use his expertise in developing new events and staging new productions.

He has written several musical plays. Among the most notable are ‘The Journey Home’ – a rewrite of Homers Odyssey which was premiered in Sicily at The University of Catania in 2003.
His latest work inspired by the work of The Ryedale Folk Museum tells the tale of The Yorkshire Whaling Industry.’The Moorland Whalers’.

Richard released his first entirely solo album WAR HORSE in January 2008 an album that has been well received.

Richard is a fine musician, great singer and an innovative performer who likes to perform to a wide audience. He’s always genuinely enthusiastic and happy to oblige.

Richard plays driving folk music with a passion.

For more information Contact World Roots Management on 01287 660060