Dolly, The Show - A tribute to the leading lady of Country, Dolly Parton

On Dolly, The Show we have a fantastic and talented team... we posed the questions to find out more....

	Jeanne Jordan - Vocals, Dolly Parton Nickname: Dolly Date Of Birth: January 1955 Place of Birth: Ashton-U-Lyne Where do you live now? Mossley Date you started out in music? 5 years old singing and dancing 1968 at 13 being paid. What instruments can you play in the show and general? No instruments, I'm a songstress How did you start in music / country music? Through friends of my parents who put me on stage then introduced to country music while working in Arizona. Why did you choose country music? There is so much passion and everyday life in the songs. Have you worked with any famous names? Andy Gibb, Val Doonican, Cannon & Ball, Bernard Manning, The Real Thing, The Casuals, Tony Christie, Tommy Cooper, Larry Grayson, The Black Abbots, The Grumbleweeds, The Ivy League, Bob Monkhouse, Frank Carson, Jimmy Cricket, Freddie and the Dreamers.... can't remember anymore. Will that do ha ha! Do you have a favourite / memorable experience, funny story etc? While in Los Angeles with Andy Gibb I went with him to show he was compering called Solid Gold, very much like our Top of the pops. I sat listening to a band I had never heard, after hearing them I popped my head in their dressing room and said to them you were really good lads. Only to find out later I had just watched Foreigner sing Waiting For A Girl Like You. Who did you grow up listening to / who is your idol? Motown and Striesand What is the best and worst part of touring? Best is doing the shows and seeing loads of different places, worst is my seat in the bus - I must put in for a recliner! What is your claim to fame? My time I spent with the Bee Gee Family What do you do in your spare time (if you have any!!)? Wish I could say sleep but those days are gone - I had more time when the boys were little. What can’t you be without if you were stranded on a desert island? Lipstick Anything else .. I have worked in the USA, Sun City - South Africa, Malta, Germany, Denmark and cruise ships. Trained by an Opera singer when I was 11. Met the Gibbs when I was 15 and recorded at Polydor Records. I spent time in London with them and in the studio also the States, remain friends all these years. She was present at many recording sessions including the recording of Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers’ hit, ‘Islands in the Stream’, which was written and produced by the boys. Jeanne also stars as Dolly in the award winning Solid Gold Country Legends show, which performs in the UK’s major theatres.

	BJ Thomas - Vocals, Kenny Rogers Nickname: B J Date Of Birth: How dare you!!! Place of Birth: Manchester, England Where do you live now? Saddleworth Date you started out in music? 1968 What instruments can you play in the show and general? Guitar & 5 string banjo How did you start in music / country music? Came into it through the 70's Manchester Irish circuit Why did you choose country music? Just fell in love with it Have you worked with any famous names? Everybody!!! Do you have a favourite / memorable experience, funny story etc? I came into the business through my cousin who is a pro drummer, when I was young he used to take me on sound checks etc which got me hooked…I was once chased of the stage by Eric Clapton for messing with his gear. Who did you grow up listening to / who is your idol? The Eagles, Lynard Skyned, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson. Idol… Kris Kristopherson… so many great songs What is the best and worst part of touring? Best…travelling playing & partying, worst no sleep What is your claim to fame? In 1999 I was at the Champions league final in Barcelona and also played a concert at Old Trafford the same week, in the afternoon, backstage I was the first person in Manchester to lift the trophy....straight out of its UAFA flight case!!! I still have the pic on my wall. What do you do in your spare time (if you have any!!)? Watch Man Utd & play golf What can’t you be without if you were stranded on a desert island? Man Utd, a woman, a guitar, beer & curry Anything else .. BJ & Jeanne have toured the world with their own show, performing in over 20 countries so far. BJ joined his first professional country band at the age of 16 and his roots are in Blues and Country Rock. It was on a tour of the South Western American states that BJ and Jeanne first conceived the Country Legends show, which has been a hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

	Luke Thomas - Guitar Nickname: pook man Date Of Birth: October 1988 Place of Birth…. Manchester England Where do you live now? Saddleworth Date you started out in music? 1994 What instruments can you play in the show and general? Electric & Acoustic Guitars How did you start in music / country music? Came into it in Mum & Dads band when I left School Why did you choose country music? Heard it all the time and couldn’t get away from it, so had no choice. Have you worked with any famous names? A Few Do you have a favourite / memorable experience, funny story etc? Watching Brad Paisley in Mississippi Who did you grow up listening to / who is your idol? Brad paisley, Brent Mason, Vince Gill……Idol Brad he’s the best What is the best and worst part of touring? Playing & partying, the worst, moaning old people! What is your claim to fame? Being chosen to play in Nashville at CMA Fanfare….. meeting all the stars!!! What do you do in your spare time (if you have any!!)? Watch Man Utd, play guitar and chill wi mi mates What can’t you be without if you were stranded on a desert island? Man Utd, a Guitar, I pod & beer Anything else you want to add... Luke's blinding guitar work and fine vocal ability is already making him a big name amongst country music fans. He has been described as the best young country guitarist in the UK, returning from Nashville where he was rubbing shoulders with the finest pickers in the world.

	Steve 'Warby' Warburton - Drums Nickname: Warby Date Of Birth: October 1950 Place of Birth: Oldham, Lancashire Where do you live now? Mossley, Lancashire Date you started out in music? 1959 What instruments can you play in the show and general? Drums & Keyboards How did you start in music / country music? Began music lessons at 9 years old, turned professional at 15. Why did you choose country music? Influenced by Floyd Cramer (Pianist) Have you worked with any famous names? Many names from the 60's Do you have a favourite / memorable experience, funny story etc? Everyone was either drunk or on drugs! Who did you grow up listening to / who is your idol? I grew up listening to and going to see Jazz artistes and Big Bands: Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Brubeck etc. My present day favourite is Steely Dan simply because their music has so much content. I tend to favour more traditional Country artistes like Martina McBride, George Strait etc. What is the best and worst part of touring? Best: Some beautiful theatres. Worst: Travelling and not having enough time for a nice meal with a bottle of good wine. What is your claim to fame? I’ve been a professional musician for 45 years. What do you do in your spare time (if you have any!!)? Motor Racing & Drinking (not at the same time!!), collecting wine. What can’t you be without if you were stranded on a desert island? Wife/Wine/Music – not sure in what order though! Anything else you want to add...Throughout my career in music I’ve worked all over the world, playing all styles of music, through Jazz, Pop, Classical to Country. I have written two books on music, have a recording studio and have worked as a musical director / arranger for over 20 years. When I’m not touring, I am usually writing arrangements for performers working on cruise ships.

	Iain Bradshaw - Keyboards Nickname: nick your own !! Date Of Birth: 25th July Place of Birth: Glasgow Where do you live now? Runcorn Date you started out in music? 1964 Wednesday What instruments can you play in the show and general? Show = Keyboards, Organ. General = Guitar, Flute, Drums, Piano How did you start in music / country music? Started local group (The Dodo's) Why did you choose country music? Town music was busy at the time! Have you worked with any famous names? Poacher, Supercharge, Charlie Landsborough, Raymond Froggatt, Sarah Jory, Billie Joe Spears, Marty Wilde, Faith Browne, Real Thing. Mutt Lange, Richard Branson, Iona & Andy, Root and Jenny Jackson. Tom Cobbley Do you have a favourite / memorable experience, funny story etc? I worked with Marty Wilde in Australia, when we left we were piped right through Sydney airport by a Scottish piper in full regalia. Turned quite a few Aussie heads that did. Kim was also with us, she went on to do big things herself. Who did you grow up listening to / who is your idol? Tamla & Soul mostly. My idol is anyone who hangs around and does nothing What is the best and worst part of touring? Best is seeing different places and countries, worst would be the view from the back of a van for several hours. What is your claim to fame? Bill Haley borrowed my amp What do you do in your spare time (if you have any!!)? Walk my dog, Dylon What can’t you be without if you were stranded on a desert island? My trusty lifeboa, Ted.

	Our Girls... starring Gemma (Merchandise) & the Dolly Mixture Dancers Name: Gemma-Louise Scholes Nickname: Gob Of The North Date Of Birth: April 1991 Place of Birth: Oldham Royal Hospital Where do you live now? Diggle, Saddleworth + Gorsey Bank Farm, Mossley Date you started out in music? 27th March 2009 What instruments can you play in the show and general? Does Dolly, The Show and Country Legends CD's count ha ha? How did you start in music / country music? Being Luke's girlfriend helps he he. Why did you choose country music? I didn’t really choose it, it chose me but I do like it Have you worked with any famous names? Nope not yet. Do you have a favourite / memorable experience, funny story etc? Me n Aid Have quite a good time dancing like total idiots in the wings. Trying to get Emily changed quick for the last 4 songs in Dolly. We always have a laugh n a giggle when we put her dress’s on wrong and backwoods and things. Who did you grow up listening to / who is your idol? Leann Rimes was always a good one when I was about 10ish….just didn’t realise she was country What is the best and worst part of touring? Best - Travelling all over the country meet all different people from all walks of life and always a different scenery to work in. Learning the role of being a technician as well as being a merchandise manager. Worst - Nothing really. Just travelling to and from shows if it’s a long way and we’re not staying out. What is your claim to fame? Being on Country Legends/Dolly, The Show websites, and being in the March 2010 Up Country Magazine he he. What do you do in your spare time (if you have any!!)? When we aren’t on tour I work in the office when needed with Jeanne & BJ. I'm also a barmaid at a pub near were I live. Meet up with friends and chill out. Watch TvV& Sleep that’s about it. What can’t you be without if you were stranded on a desert island? Mmmm…Difficult 1 he he.... Clean underwear & my Ipod if I'm aloud 2 things =)!! Dolly Mixture Dancers Adding that little bit of glamour and glitz to the show are our delightful 'Dolly Mixtures Dancers'.

The show team come out into the Foyer after the show so you can meet them in person, take photos and sign programs. Why not email us your pictures for our Gallery? Click Here

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