This current band evolved from the original that was formed in the early 1960,s with the three Morris Bros and Dave Hatfield, Jerry Alsford. All UK Bluegrass Veterans now.
The band at that time had a good amount of success on the British Bluegrass and Country Music circuit plus the privilege of doing Radio, TV shows for a number of years. They were one the early bluegrass bands to play at the Cambridge Folk Festival when American Bluegrass - Country Music was the mainstay of the proceedings before Folk took over back then.
A series of events occurred and the bank broke up and reformed into High Country who also had a good time around UK.
The Morris family shortly by now had moved to Cornwall onto a small holding where Dave bred Hereford cattle and Glyn hound dogs .A very bluegrass kind of thing this.
Trev was in the US working on a ranch in Montana.
Several years past and not ever away from Bluegrass as such and they had a festival one time in, 79. Plenty of bluegrass musicians came down for weekends.
In recent years after regular day jobs and other impediments Dave joined 3 Tuns of Grass with Johnny Butten and Dave Hatfield for a couple of years. But the real call to get the old band together was too much for the two remaining bros having done a few shows together on one of the A1 festivals and a big reunion at Club Riga Southend. This was a milestone again and Glyn suggested that the band seek some newer guys as the others Trev and Hattie were still within the business but
working with other bands . So in the past few years the band had to source and retrace some old well-trodden paths by contacting their old fiddle player Jerry Alsford,
fresh from working on the country circuit for many a year. Finding a bass player in Cornwall was hard work but Jerry's old band member Eddie Ryan came along on bass.
But still looking for a mandolin man for the front line and not many in the neighborhood to choose from they had the good fortune to have the services of another player but up in Basildon. Joe Hymas although working in other outfits joined the band and has worked with them for sometime now and enjoys being part of it all.
Despite the long distances it has worked out very well and this has no real problems.
Plenty of show dates started to go their way in UK for starters i.e. Dartmouth Music fest, a CBA showcase and other show dates.
The Boys last year made a trip to Rosine Ky for some shows and a great show date at Lonnie Jones's(Hard Drive) at his Grand OL, Garage in Madison.Tenn.
Returning to UK they played the Cornish Festival, Mickleham and some club work with the new bass player Steve Till from Devon. This was good news as he is local to Dave n, Glyn.
The band is looking ahead to be involved in all things Bluegrass this year and ready to be in Coulsdon for you folks.
Just to recap on the band members names for you right now and we have Dave Morris, guitar, vox and the emcee. Glyn on the 5 string plus vox and Jerry Alsford fiddle, Joe Hymas mandolin and vocal refrains with Steve Till, upright bass and vox.
Adherents to the single mike set-up.
Not the multi mike array as they think that looks like a load of people waiting for a bus.
Also know as the “Men in Suits”, well nearly, three at least. “Dungaree Man” Joe, plus Jerry offset the front line Duo and the bassman. This is for the benefit of those of you who do not wear Raybans indoors.
See you soon and regards from the MORRIS BOYS