The Hillsiders

[David Roberts]

Hi Dave,
Yes it was quite a place, with it's own set of unique characters. Nothing quite like it these days.
Feeling old now.

David.

[bazzrd9th]

Hi Guys
They were about the best band around for many years. Yes they payed umpteen shows with GH. I was chatting to George last year at the Americana Show after we'd done our set and spent quite a while chatting about the old times and he had nothing but praise for the Hillsiders. When I was with Kenny Johnson and North wind in the seventies, we did two tours with George, and while he wasn't the most exciting guy on stage, He was a real pro and you couldn't wish for nicer guy. We are hopefully doing a show with him later this year.
Ronnie has severe joint and blood problems that restricts his playing now and even curtails his engineering work to some extent. He certainly is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet and a mine of information, sound advice, and has a history of professional work almost unsurpassable in the UK. He's been there, done it, seen it and collected all the T shirts.
Have you ever heard of Eddie Clayton ?......no.....well he was Ronnie's partner for quite a few years and was responsible, with Ronnie, for many Bennett innovations. He was also one of the sweetest steel players I've heard. He was also a great guitarist. George Harrison was asked in the sixties who his favourite guitarist was and he said 'Eddie Clayton'. If you get Ronnie to sit down and tell you some of his stories, it would make a fascinating read and it would basically be a potted history of country music in the UK. He certainly deserves some recognition for his steel work and playing achievements.
Cheers
Barry
P.S
We are backing Landon Dodd at the United Services Club, Widnes, on Monday 25th April (Check out his you tube and website, he's up in Scotland the weekend before) and Dale Watson is due over again later in the year.

[ZBSD-10]

Hallo Dave ,
Κηαλια Καρονια !, or, as we say in proper lingo, Happy New Year !
No, we don't have snow (ever !), it looks like Albania and Scotland are hogging it all, and welcome to it y'all !
It is a freezing 16C here today and a watery sun, we'll cope no fear !
All the best
Frank. Corfu

[Dave Nutt]

Frank, well! its getting warmer here now, and!!!!! they tell us the rain and wind will die down towards the end of the month.
So its not all that bad 'nadolig llawen' I think thats correct.

Anyway whats all this got to do with the Hillsiders? mmmmmmmmmmmmm?????? ha! they played in Wales a few times.

Dave.