2012 - have we really been doing this for 21 years?! 2012 has started with a blow for the band, with the news that our lead guitarist and mandolin player Mick Stanger has regretfully decided to leave. Mick’s personal circumstances and family commitments have made it increasingly difficult for him to find the time, and he’s decided to make a clean break. We understand and completely respect his reasons, but that doesn’t mean we’re not gutted. Mick has made an enormous contribution to Billy in the Lowground over the last few years, and we’re really going to miss the astounding sounds and amazing music he’s created with us, as well as his great personality and terrible taste in jokes..! If you ever change your mind, Mick, the shed door is always open! Meanwhile then, we’ll be soldiering on as a 4-piece, and we’re looking for a replacement for Mick, who’s going to be a tough act to follow: You’ll need to be a very good lead guitarist with years of gigging experience, preferably another instrument or two up your sleeve, willing to help out with backing vocals, rehearse in a freezing cold cowshed, hump gear, and play gigs in pubs and festivals all over the South West and occasionally beyond. All that for not much financial reward, of course... but if you’re a musician you already know that! If you think you fit the bill, or know of someone who does, please get in touch, see the CONTACT THE BAND heading at the bottom of this page. 2011 was a pretty good year for us - highlights were Farmfest in Bruton, Somerset (see pic above by Ollie Hulme), the Woolley Festival and the Lechlade Festival, plus a couple of gigs with The Men They Couldn't Hang - see Ian's blog for details... Gigs for 2012 are trickling in steadily, so keep an eye on the gigs page, and 'like' us on Facebook for further updates)... (Thanks to Chris Parratt for the pic above taken in Weston Super Mare) Elsewhere on the web we're now on Reverbnation, which seems to be taking over from the spam-infested wasteland that is myspace (we've still got a myspace page, but we don't bother maintaining it any more) 2010 was a good 'un... (Thanks to Siobhan for the pic above of Keynsham Festival) Our last bit of recording was done at Nam Studios, near Bradford on Avon - a lovely little studio with an impressive client list (Robert Plant, Julian Cope & Van Morrison among others, and KT Tunstall's 'Eye to the Telescope' was recorded here), and it went very well. All 3 tracks are still available on Last.fm, or you can hear them on our Facebook page or our MySpace page FIDDLE LESSONS! Want to learn Irish style fiddle? Contact our Ruth: ruthiebehan@yahoo.co.uk Or visit her MySpace site: http://www.myspace.com/ruthiesfiddlelessons CONTACT THE BAND For gigs etc. by emailing Chris at chris@billyinthelowground.com or get in touch via Facebook