WestRide Country Music Duo

Spa Town Country Music Club Sunday 1st July 2007 Ricki Sylva Memorial Show.

Club favourite and Buxton’s own Leanne Denver opened to nights show. Looking lovely dressed in black she took us with her on a musical journey of the more modern country sounds, performing songs from the Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain and Keith Urban. We heard a superb and show stopping version of ‘Amazed’ amongst her well thought out set. Leanne Enjoying herself immensely she gave a great all round entertaining show tonight. Leanne’s worked hard on her act over the last couple of years. You can tell she’s loving performing and her voice now is very good indeed with its added maturity and experience of doing gigs and she’s certainly come a long way from the nervous young lady who stood on this same stage two or three years ago. I would recommend her now for any club or festival, you will not be disappointed.

Neil Marshall another young man going places fast. This young man only 27 years old stormed the club. Neil made many friends tonight and I predict this young man will be a house hold name in county music within a couple of years.  Opening with ‘Acky Breaky Heart’ followed by a good version of George Straits ‘Adalida’ and ‘All my Exes live in Texas’, I enjoyed ‘Wrong Place Wrong Time’ a Mark Chestnut song and ‘Me Neither’ a Brad Paisley song. Neil ended his fine show with a foot stomping ‘Jambalaya’ that had everybody singing along with him.

Paul Thompson whose daytime job is in teaching came all the way from Liverpool again to support this show and charity. Paul was full of a cold but put on a barnstorming show for the club. Paul Thompson is a Rock n Roll act par excellence and a superb guitar player. His class act of 60s nostalgia and classic Rock was enjoyed by all, you could see every bodies feet taping and smiles on the people’s faces. Paul Thompson’s voice is very good and his guitar playing excellent as is his stage presentation. I liked his version of ‘Rock Around With Holly Vee’ and ‘Wake Up Little Susie’ in particular. He encored with ‘Seven Nights to Rock’. I would love to see this man perform again a fine act that was enjoyed by all.

WestRide are one of the clubs favourite acts now and are Vikki Sands and Rob Kay. Rob’s above average guitar playing compliment Vikki’s fine singing. Opening with ‘Two Stepping Texas Blue’ and ‘There’s your trouble’ they proceed to thoroughly entertain the club with a well thought out selection of songs. They proceeded to take this club by storm.

Rob Kay’s instrumental of ‘Apache’ received rapturous applause and for me was the highlight of a great evening’s entertainment. An Outstanding version of ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ stays in my mind. They encored with ‘Redneck Woman’.

Frank Hambleton thanked everybody for attending the show and for being so generous with their donations and raffle prizes that had helped make such magnificent sum of money for this year’s charity. He said the acts were very special people indeed and had given freely of their time to help others.

Finally with The full assembly on stage to perform a barn storming version of That’s All Right Mama with all the acts taking turns on lead vocals.

The raffle was gigantic the biggest at the club ever and a credit to the clubs members and supporters. Some of the ladies this year ran a cake stall that was completely sold out, and all adding to this great night

The club have now raised thousands of pounds in Ricki Sylva’s name and long may they continue to do so.

Harold Salt 

• Posted by westridecountryduo on 15/10/2007.
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Spa Town Charity Night 2nd July 2006

Spa Town Country Music Club Sunday 2nd July Ricki Sylva Memorial Show The annual Ricki Sylva Memorial charity show took place this year on Sunday 2nd July at Spa Town Country music clubs regular venue the four stars Palace Hotel Buxton Derbyshire. The show was an outstanding success once more with £900.00 raised for this year’s club charity Wythenshawe Hospital Acute Coronary Care Unit. Over the years since Ricki sadly passed away the club have raised thousands of pounds in his name, usually either a cancer charity or a heart care charity. Ricki passed away in November 1994 from cancer. He was a great Spa Town club favourite and a dear friend of Frank and Ann Hambleton and the most wonderful country music singer, but above all one of nature’s true gentlemen. Ricki was a little man with a big heart, and an even bigger voice who will never be forgotten by anyone who had the great pleasure of knowing him.

A young man opened tonight’s show with a huge future in this business, Neil Redman Only twenty-six years old and a dead ringer for Hank Williams senior to boot. Neil proceeded to take this club and the show by storm from his opening song to his last with songs from Alan Jackson, Chattahoochee, and The Race is On George Jones, Family Tradition a Hank Jnr song. His Merle Haggard Oki from Muskogee was simply superb. Neil encored with Country Roads and received thunderous applause from this appreciative club who took him to their hearts. How Frank finds these acts no one knows, but he has a star in his books with Neil Redman, a young man going places without doubt.

Club favourite, and Buxton’s own Leanne Denver followed Neil Redman. Looking lovely tonight she took us with her on the more modern country sounds, performing songs of the Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain and Keith Urban. We heard Crazy and Jambalaya and a superb version of Amazed. Enjoying herself immensely she gave a great all round entertaining show tonight. Johnny Hughes Ricki’s brother made the long trip from Brean in Somerset to sing a couple of songs and support the show in memory of his beloved brother. His version Workingman was truly outstanding and brought tears to the eyes of many. If tomorrow Never Comes was also outstanding vocally. Your kid would have been proud of you Johnny.

Paul Thompson from Liverpool was the only act onto night’s show I had not seen before. Paul is a Rock n Roll act and volunteered his services for this show to Frank Hambleton when visiting the club a few months ago. His first class act of 60s nostalgia and classic Rock was enjoyed by all. Thompson’s voice is very good and his guitar playing excellent as is his stage presentation. I liked his version of Rock Around With Holly Vee and Wake Up Little Susie in particular. He encored with Seven Nights to Rock. I would love to see this man perform again, A fine act that was enjoyed by all.

WestRide are fast becoming one of the clubs favourite acts and are Vikki Sands and Rob Kay. The above average guitar and Keyboard playing of Rob compliment Vikki’s fine singing. Opening with Two Stepping Texas Blue, they proceeded to take this club by storm. Rob Kay’s instrumental Apache received rapturous applause. An Outstanding version of If Tomorrow Never Comes stays in ones mind. They finished off the night with the full assembly on stage performing a barn storming version of That’s Alright Mamma with all the acts taking turns on lead vocals including Frank Hambleton. I must say the night went off really well and was staged managed superbly. The raffle was massive and a credit to the clubs supporters in supporting it. The club have now raised thousands of pounds in Ricki Sylva’s name and long may they continue to do so.

Harold Salt

• Posted by westridecountryduo on 11/10/2007.
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Spa Town Country Music Club, Buxton

Shared the evening here with Darren Busby - what a great guy!!

WestRide 'filled the void' here in May 2005 when Alan Cameron went down with a nasty virus.

Here's what Harold Salt said.

I must confess to never having heard of this duo although I seen their name advertised at clubs and I believe they have been around country music for quite a few years now.  Opening tonight's show with Fly like a bird a Boz Scaggs song I believe WestRide completely stole my heart and the clubs, they are a truly outstanding duo without doubt.  Vicky, a charming young lady with the most honest and pure country voice I have heard in years.  Rob who is the other half of this scintillating duo plays lead guitar superbly together with his keyboards and synthesizer these two people are as tight as the proverbial drum musically togethe.  WestRide's two sets were truly entertaining.  Highlights there were many in both their two well thought out sets.  Rob performed a stunning instrumental of Apache and Vicky sang with Frank 'If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me'.  It was Frank's birthday by the way, but he didn't let on how old he was.  Frank tried to sing with vicky but I think he was too busy blushing to do anything more.  But it's without doubt he was certainly enjoying his self being sung to that is.  WestRide are an act to look out for, an act blessed with above average talent who I am told were given an immediate return booking back to this club later in the year such was the impact on these discerning fans and the club organizers....Darren finished his last set with the Elvis tribute that had the club on its feet.  Bringing back WestRide to join him in the last song of a wonderful show, they sang together 'That's alright mama and had them dancing on their feet... 

• Posted by westridecountryduo on 11/10/2007.
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Gladstone Club, Northwich 2005

First time visitor to Gladstone Club, here's what was said....

The following week came, another first time visitor in WESTRIDE from Macclesfield.  A very lively duo with super guitarist and the irrepressible Vikki singing all the vocals.  They were saddened by the recent sudden death of their sound man, John who used to add some harmony vocals from his sound desk.  A very good mixture for both the dancer and the listener as we enjoyed Nancy Hays 'Come Dance with Me', Joni Harms 'Two steppin Texas Blue' and Gretchen Wilson's 'Redneck Woman'.  Good backing tracks with Rob's sharp guitar work filling the room.

CHRISTMAS EVE (2nd visit)

Christmas Eve was party night with Macclesfield's WESTRIDE adding to a great atmosphere.  A lively duo with super guitarist Rob and the irrepressible Vikki singing all the vocals.  A very good mixture for both the dancer and the listener as we enjoyed Nancy Hayes 'Come dance with me, Joni Harms 'Two steppin' Texas Blue' and Carl Perkin's 'That's all right Mama'.  Good combination of backing tracks and 'live' with Rob's sharp guitar work filling the room.  Three changes of authentic clothes for Vikki with a sudden change into an elf for the Bellamy Brothers 'If I said you had a beautiful body' getting assistance from for the song with a 'mug' from the audience, you've guessed it, ME.  A very good night, putting everyone in the right mood for the Christmas Festivities. 

• Posted by westridecountryduo on 11/10/2007.
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North & South Caravaners Country Weekend - Hamilton House Farm July 2005

Had to put this picture in - it was taken at The Hamilton House Farm Country Weekend - the weather was superb, the venue a barn, the audience brilliant and we stayed up way passed 4am - still playing!  Cracking night.  WestRide slept in the van in the barn while their sound guy John slept on the stage.  The following day WestRide chatted to their new found family, slept in the field and basically waste time before heading off to the gig at Hampton Road, Blackpool on Bank Holiday Monday.

 

Sadly, John passed away the following year.  This was probably one of the last photo's taken of him while he travelled with WestRide.

• Posted by westridecountryduo on 11/10/2007.
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Farmers Arms, Northwich

Some great nights were had at the Farmers Arms, sadly the venue is no longer a country venue but the crowd still gather at the ever popular Gladstone Club - any photo's for the WestRide 'Gladstone club' gigs would be appreciated for an additional 'Gallery'....Here's what Rick said 'WESTRIDE from Macclesfield were the final visitors for the month...A superb lead guitarist in Rob and the irrespressible vocalist in Vikki are a great combination for a good night of Country Music.  I last saw WestRide a couple of years ago (at Bidds -debut night) and what an improvement there has been.  Vikki wanders around the audience singing to each individual in turn whilst Rob produces some amazing, slick lead work for Suzy Bogguss's 'Somewhere Between', John Michael Montgomery's 'I swear' and Heather Myles's 'Who did you call darlin'.  An interesting addition was sound man John adding some of the harmonies .

• Posted by westridecountryduo on 11/10/2007.
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One Hoot Rebels, Chillington August 2005

August 26th 2005 we had our presentation to New Cross Neo Natal Unit. The entertainment for the evening was Westride Duo who gave a brilliant performance. A cheque for £1200 was presented by Sharon to Mark Edwards, Divisional Manager for Women and Childrens Services. This will go towards the purchase of a ventilator that will cost £17,500. The evening was a great success, we received positive feedback about the buffet and the entertainment.

• Posted by westridecountryduo on 11/10/2007.
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High Peak - What the club writer said...

On the Saturday, the 28^th May, our duo was Westride. What an act! The male half of the duo played while the female sang. She was more a character from the old West than just a singer, and switched from demure cowgirl in a pink suit and boots and brown hat, to Native American complete with chopper, and finally to cowgirl cum saloon girl with black hat and waistcoat, and black skirt lined with blue.

Frosty looked pretty cheerful when she danced with him to Joni Harms 'I Wanna Sing for You' while later on Steve's eyes nearly popped out of his head when she sat on his knee to sing 'If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body.'

When dressed as a Native American our singer did a fantastic 'Harper Valley PTA' which she sang and acted out. In fact it was her whole facial expression and actions which really brought all the songs to life and kept the audience spell bound. She wasn't bound by the stage since her mike with the long lead allowed her to wander all over the floor.

The guitarist meanwhile went in for some good guitar picking. I noted this during Crystal Gayle's 'Wrong Road Again' when I must have managed to tear my eyes away from the singer.

Mind you, Westride did manage to make sure that our DJ Kalamitty didn't hog the limelight by building up the speakers so that we couldn't see him! Those dancers who like a hoedown had a great time dancing to Lorretta Lynn's 'Y'all Come,' complete with audience participation during the singing.

• Posted by westridecountryduo on 11/10/2007.
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WestRide Country Music Duo

Vikki Sands and Rob Kay had been working together as a middle of the road act for several years, successfully entertaining audiences across the North West, Wales, Lancashire and The Midlands but their hearts have always been in country music.  Rob picked up some fantastic country guitar licks and tricks while in Nashville some years ago enabling him to develop (and to continue to develop) his own unique style.  Vikki was a country singer when they first met, at that time they decided to work on the local MoR scene but Vikki never really lost that country edge and as a result it didn't matter what music they played, it still sounded country.  So they switched to country music and changed their name to 'WestRide'.  For a short while they worked on both the MoR and the C&W scene and are now totally committed to Country & Western Music.

They have spent time, thought and energy putting together a range of old and new country songs that real country & western music fans will appreciate.  They already had a lot of traditional country music in their original act anyway, songs by Crystal Gayle, Billie Jo Spears, Tammy Wynette, Lynn Anderson, Loretta Lynn, Jeanie C. Riley, Donna Fargo, Willie Nelson, Carl Perkins, Boz Scaggs...so they added some newer material by Joni Harms, Trisha Yearwood, Suzy Bogguss, Heather Myles, The Judds, George Strait, Merle Haggard, John Michael Montgomery, Emmylou Harris...and so on, including one or two beautiful Irish songs, as well as some incredible country guitar instrumentals including (just for our American Indians) the ever popular 'Apache'.

• Posted by westridecountryduo on 14/04/2006.
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