AMERICAN roots musicians Appalachia will be making a welcome return to Kingshill House in Dursley with a performance on Saturday 20 June which they promise will get the audience smiling!

Appalachia has been referred to as “bluegrass with a twist” and this suits them just fine. They offer their own inspired take on American roots music, combining blues, bluegrass, jazz and unique originals into a potent brew.

United by a passion for bluegrass music, the four members of Appalachia come from very different musical backgrounds so it’s not surprising that when they play together those influences result in a delightful and eclectic sound.

James Slater plays guitar and harmonica and has a love and encyclopaedic knowledge of Americana, particularly California singer songwriters like Jackson Browne.

Richard Burley plays guitar and mandolin and has a deep love of jazz and improvisational music. Danny Ward plays guitar and banjo and is an acoustic bluesman to his fingertips.

Richard Craine has always had a passion for bass as the heartbeat of any band sound. Having earned himself a Grade 5 on the Double B-flat tuba at the tender age of fourteen, he is often to be found around the Bristol scene playing bass with a selection of the city’s finest singer/songwriters either on stage or in the studio.

When they mix it all together on stage something magical happens and a new musical hybrid is created, one which audiences immediately relate to and love.

The band has delighted audiences at Kingshill House in the past. Weaving their spell on guitars, mandolin, banjo, slide guitar and upright bass, the boys never fail to entertain.

The performance starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £8.50 in advance or £10 on the door. For more details contact Kingshill House on 01453 549133 or email admin@kingshillhouse.org.uk