Nov 12th: The Cattlestops, Helen Dorothy and Neil Billington, Nycki Proctor
Originally formed on the Kapiti Coast back in 2004 The Cattlestops focussed on a country-rock and Western swing repertoire consisting mostly of original songs penned by bass player James Cameron and guitarist Andrew London. Legendary Hamilton County Bluegrass Band fiddle player Colleen Trenwith provided a signature sound which, combined with fiery lead guitarist Dave Berry and drummer Evan Williams can be heard on two albums; 2005’s “Cattlestoppin" & 2007’s "Back to Rosetta Rd”. The latter contributed significantly to the soundtrack of locally-shot feature film "Second Hand Wedding" and was nominated as a finalist for Country Album of the Year. The band played constantly around the lower North Island, Arts and Music festivals around New Zealand and the Norfolk Island Country Festival in 2007.
The Cattlestops went into recess around 2009 when Colleen moved to the USA to study, and later to teach bluegrass music at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. James and Andrew continued doing the odd gig together and, late in 2015, began writing and recording again with a lineup of musicians they had been collaborating loosely with for some time. This included Wayne Mason (keys), Ross McDermott (steel guitar), Lance Philip (drums) and guitarist Nick Granville.
The album ‘Dancing in the Rain’ shows both songwriters in pensive and occasionally nostalgic mood, with genres ranging from rural acoustic country and J.J. Cale-style ’swamp’ grooves to driving blues and country rock reminiscent of B.B King and the Allman Brothers.
In late 2024 they have reunited with original drummer Evan Williams, and are playing mostly as a four-piece with local legend Wayne Mason on keys, relishing their back catalogue of original western swing and
They will probably be playing a range of Americana-influenced originals, with a smattering of rhythm and blues and country rock classics.
Nycki Proctor
Nycki is a singer-songwriter from Upper Hutt.
Her singing journey has taken her from busker to backing vocalist, to a musical theatre performer. You may have seen her performing as one half of The Fergusson Drive, you've probably singing some great self-penned songs on her own.
Nycki’s original songs speak from the heart and put music to the stories of her life.
Helen Dorothy and Neil Billington
Helen Dorothy has been on our stage before. She has been in the UK but is making her return to Mainly Acoustic.
If you've never seen her perform, prepare for a wonderful evening: she is a truly amazing songwriter. With her clear, pure voice she is a master at crafting deep, observational songs that somehow feel as light as gossamer. But her secret ingredient is her very skilful fingerpicking technique, often using two capos together to produce surprisingly rich, textured sounds from six simple strings. Her ability never fails to delight casual listeners and life-long guitar players alike.
As they say, she is worth the price of admission all on her own but she will be joined by Neil Billington, one of Australasia's most talented harmonica players.
If you've hung around folk circles, you will almost certainly have seen Neil blowing his Chicago style blues. With Helen Dorothy, he is free from the blues idiom and his playing is a indeed thing of wonder, wringing out every bit of emotion and the most gorgeous melodies from his harmonicas.
This is going to be amazing.
VC.
