Both albums now available. Limited edition card digipack format.
1. U.K. fans can get them direct from us on CD. £10 inc UK P&P. email us here or at thepapatruck@yahoo.co.uk. Orders also taken by cheque or paypal (will send you paypal account email)
2. U.S. and the whole world can buy through CD Baby link above.
"Great CD! GREAT MUSIC!!! You can quote me on that!" Gracie Muldoon. WWB.
"I've finally got the album, Yay! It sounds fantastic!!! All I've been listening to since! " K.S.
" It is just a highly enjoyable album altogether."
Geoff Morris
WALL-TO-WALL BLUEGRASS
www.worldwidebluegrass.com
"Rebound Love is still humming round my brain!" M.B.
"the humour is good-natured and ebullient, furnishing songs such as ‘Rebound Love’ with the same droll quality you’d find on a John Hartford record....with bands like this emerging, the future of home-grown bluegrass looks bright!" www.americana-uk.com
"Love the album fellas. Sounds great in the car." M.W.
"I had gotten an invitation to become a friend and when I went there I LOVED your music and decided right away to go get the cd!" C.C.
Dan is available for professional guitar and 5-string banjo lessons. Most styles of guitar; acoustic and electric, from classical to metal.
Also available for recording sessions. Want some banjo on your band's track or just want to improve your playing and learn the neck?
Please send a message with any enquiries.
..
The Truck Story
Papa Truck is a bluegrass band playing original material, based in South Buckinghamshire, England. The band first came together when Martin Selman brought his songwriting talents along to jam with newly converted banjoist, Dan Abram. Having played the guitar for over 20 years, Dan was charmed and inspired by the earthy sounds on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack, and as a result bought his first banjo in 2004. Their first full line up was formed with Simon R Poulton on double bass, and Mark Leppard on guitar. Deciding on the name “Papa Truck”, for no other reason than it sounded “bluegrassy”, the band performed around their local area to a warm reception, bluegrass being a rarity in the Home Counties of England.
In 2006 the band's line up changed to its current status; Martin (lead vocals, guitar and mandolin), Dan (banjo), Ryan Quartermaine (harmony vocals and guitar), and Sparkie Dalton (harmony vocals and double bass). The formula has proved successful, both in music and friendship.
Ryan had been playing guitar in various bands in and around the Berkshire area, and has excellent harmony skills. He was asked to join the band after several successful try-outs at a regular local gig.
Sparkie, simply had to join the band, as he was the only person they knew with a real double bass, regardless of the fact it was originally just an ornament gathering dust. Sparkie had been playing electric bass for many many years, in many many bands, and had expressed an interest in joining Dan and Martin several months earlier. The pair snapped him up.
When writing songs, the band take their inspiration from the many great bluegrass players and bands out there. They then add their very own blend of influences from artists as diverse as The Beatles and Van Halen. Their well crafted, refreshing and uplifting songs are evidence of the band's love of many styles of music, and when asked to describe their sound, they simply say - "British newgrass!"
As well as playing numerous venues in their local area, where they have a strong and devoted following, Papa Truck have appeared at bluegrass festivals around the UK and Europe, including Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, North Wales Bluegrass Festival, Omah Appalachian and Bluegrass Festival in Northern Ireland, and The 2nd Vilnius Bluegrass Festival in Lithuania. As part of their trip to Vilnius they performed three original songs live on National Television. Papa Truck were also invited to support Tommy Emmanuel’s yearly “Tommy Fest” in 2008.
They now have two albums available (recorded 2007 & 2009), featuring all original songs written by Martin and Dan.
The band's new album (Stand Out of the Shade) sees them in a well-rounded light, with songwriter Martin Selman at the helm. With the help of the rest of the band, Martin has crafted a collection of thoughtful songs, which tell stories of life, love and music. It is certainly a worthy follow-up to their debut album, which was recorded two years earlier.
Papa Truck are now looking forward to the future and to further exposure.
Whether you are listening to their tracks, or watching a live performance, you are always guaranteed to have a smile on your face and one foot tapping.
Choonz entered in an Irish Music Battle of the Bands!
Hi, Choonz have entered an Irish music battle of the Bands competition online Youtube Link
The winners get 5 nights playing at the Monte Carlo Casino in Las Vegas. This would obviously be quite nice. Seriously though, we would really love this opportunity and this would give us the publicity needed to start our career as a touring band.
WE NEED YOUR VOTE!! Please take the time to forward this to some people in your address book. Voting ends in a few days so please don't delay. It only takes a minute to register your vote! Anyway, enough grovelling from us. To vote for us Click Here and select Choonz. Cheers!
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
Christmas is coming soon. Are you looking for a Christmas present and would like to help handicapped children? Than please request the list of donations in kind from HelpCharity, www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity , by sending me an e-mail at Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de . Many donations in kind are autographed.
If you don't have the chance to request the list of donations in kind, please add HelpCharity to your Top Friends!
Thanks for helping me to support handicapped children!
Christian
Founder of HelpCharity Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 (0) 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 (0) 171 6903352 E-Mail: Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Internet: www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity Internet: www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
You might enjoy watching some of my films (use the on screen controls to skip between them):
Hey Dan, great to have you as a myspace friend. I remember you from my first SFSS this year. It was an amazing week wasn't it? Maybe see you again in 2010? Do hope so. Will Papa Truck be doing some gigs in the NW sometime? Take care and best wishes to all x
Yeah baby! Never knew there was such amazing bluegrass in Buckinghamshire! Here's hoping our paths will cross someday, I think the Plains and the Truck would go down well on the same bill for sure!
Online Now!