Albert Lee, by common consent one of the world's finest guitar-players, needs no introduction to Country Music & Rock fans. Albert fronts his own band Hogan's Heroes, some of the best known and most respected Rock'n Roll and Country musicians in Great Britain.

Originally formed by steel-guitarist Gerry Hogan to play at his annual festival in 1987 (hence the name!), Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes have over the last sixteen years successfully and relentlessly toured Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, not to mention Finland, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Yugoslavia, plus of course Ireland and the UK.

In April 1988 they starred at the 20th International Festival of Country Music at Wembley and at associated Country Festivals in Munich and Zurich. In June 1992 the band played Glastonbury Festival, the prestigious BBC 1 American Festival held at the Crystal Palace Bowl alongside good friends Little Village and Emmylou Harris. They also appeared that year at the Montreux Jazz Festival, where their performance received worldwide TV and radio coverage. An appearance at The Prince's Trust Concert at Wembley on the 'Night of 100 Guitars' featured as their special guest good friend Dave Edmunds. The band even headlined The Yilas Jazz & Blues Festival in Lapland! They continue to work the festival circuit, in 1999 appearing both at Mad About Guitars (music live '99) and at The Wirral Guitar Festival. In May 2000 the band headlined Martin Taylor's Kirkmichael International Guitar Festival. Coming right up to date, they went down a storm at Cropredy 2003, Fairport Convention's annual festival, receiving much acclaim from audience and fellow artistes alike. Also in 2003, Albert and the guys received a great response at the Stroud Fringe Festival (UK) and The Nidaros Blues Festival in Trondheim, Norway, exciting audiences in their usual manner. In 2004 festivals include The Americana Festival, Newark, England, The Garden Blues Festival, Marseille, France, Mirande Country Festival, Mirande, France and 20th Internationales Country Music Festival, Albisguetli, Zurich, Switzerland. The band was well represented making an appearance at the 'Rock Island Line' tribute concert to Lonnie Donegan at The Royal Albert Hall, London in June 2004.

The band has also made many TV appearances all over Europe, including Live from Wembley (BBC), Town & Country (ITV), Later with Jools Holland (BBC), Kenny Live (RTE Ireland), Kelly Live (N.Ireland), In Concert (Yugoslavia), Ohne Filter (Germany), Go Kvall (Sweden) and the British Country Music Awards with Marty Stuart (BBC). They have two albums currently available on Heroic Records, "Live at Montreux", and the latest red-hot studio album "Tear It Up", which emphatically does what it says on the tin! Their DVD 'Live in Paris', recorded at The New Morning in Paris in December 2003 showcases their amazing talents.

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes additionally have to their credit two songs in the Richard Harris film 'Savage Hearts', which received wide acclaim at the Cannes International Film Festival. The band is renowned for attracting celebrities from the world of music to their gigs, each member of the band being well known and respected for their involvement in the music industry. Star names such as Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Don Everly, Lonnie Donegan, Chris Farlowe, Gary Brooker, Marty Wilde, Nancy Griffith, The Crickets and Rodney Crowell have all at one time or another jammed with the band to the sheer delight of both audience and band. Whenever and wherever they appear on

ALBERT LEE
2002 Grammy Award Winner. 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' from the CD Earl Scruggs and Friends won a Grammy on 27th February 2002 for Best Country Instrumental Performance (Earl Scruggs, Glen Duncan, Randy Scruggs, Steve Martin, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Gary Scruggs, Albert Lee, Paul Shaffer, Jerry Douglas and Leon Russell). Albert is undoubtedly one of the finest guitarists the world has ever seen. Voted Guitar Player Magazine's 'Best Country Guitar Picker' five times, Albert also received two consecutive nominations for a Grammy Award in the Best Instrumental category and in October 1995 received a coveted Gold Badge Award from B.A.S.C.A. (The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors). In 1997 Albert was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by B.C.M.A. (The British Country Music Association). Albert has earned the worldwide respect of artistes, musicians and fans alike, across many different styles of music. He is truly a musician's musician, with an impeccable pedigree achieved over many years' both touring and recording. Well respected by fellow musicians and fans alike, he never ceases to amaze with his unique style and enormous talent. In November 2002 Albert was amongst other world class names appearing at the Royal Albert Hall in the 'Concert for George', a tribute to George Harrison.

Albert is also an accomplished piano player and has a fine singing voice with the ability to switch from a soulful ballad to 'tearing it up' rock 'n roll style. Albert has excited audiences for many years as a member of Chris Farlowe's Thunderbirds, Country Fever, Head Hands and Feet, Eric Clapton's band, Emmylou Harris's Hotband, and The Crickets. Co-writer of Country Boy and writer of many other great songs, Albert's career extends to appearing and recording with many of the finest artistes in the music industry, including Glen Campbell, Dave Edmunds, Dolly Parton, Bobby Bare, Joan Armatrading, Ricky Scaggs, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, The Blue Caps, Robert Wells and Earl Scruggs. Albert has also toured extensively with the Everly Brothers since their reunion concert in 1983.

Albert is a popular member of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, thrilling audiences with his playing and singing. He features prominently on the band's CDs and video. In great demand by other artistes, he has played on countless sessions not only in Nashville but all over the world. Albert has fronted his own band Hogan's Heroes (a talented group of musicians in their own right) since the late eighties. Albert has five solo albums to his credit and two albums with Hogan's Heroes in addition to numerous albums with the artistes mentioned above. His latest album, Heartbreak Hill, released on the Sugar Hill label in October 2003, is one not to miss. Contributing to this great album is the cream of the industry, a tribute in itself to the rare talent of a great man.

GERRY HOGAN
Founder of Country Fever, a member of the 1980?s rock 'n roll band Matchbox, and the very reason for the name Hogan's Heroes (!), Gerry is universally acknowledged as the doyen of British steel players. He is also an accomplished guitarist. He was a later arrival in the Fatso line up, which included Brian Hodgson and Peter Baron; this is the band that became the basis for Hogan?s Heroes.

Gerry has worked recording, radio and TV sessions and live gigs in the UK, mainland Europe and the USA since 1960. He was a 'resident' back-up steel player at the Wembley International Country Music Festival for many of the first ten years and then appeared as part of various bands at the show during it?s last ten years.

Gerry is a regular performer at The International Steel Guitar Convention in St Louis; for many years he has also organised and played host at his own annual Steel Guitar Festival in Berkshire, a real gathering of the faithful that has brought to the British public the cream of players from all over the world, including Buddy Emmons, Paul Franklin and Lloyd Green. He is truly a great ambassador for his instrument and for the industry.

Gerry was a member of Emmylou Harris?s Hot Band on her 1984 European tour. He also played on the Everly Brothers' album EB84 (produced by Dave Edmunds), in addition to co-producing five tracks of a Sonny Curtis album.

Gerry is frequently featured on tours by visiting US acts, notably Heather Myles in recent months, and has over the years played recording sessions for artistes as diverse as Head Hands and Feet, Ricky Scaggs, Jimmy Nail, Tracey Ullman, Pulp, Wet Wet Wet, The Proclaimers, Mott the Hoople, Marty Stuart, Nanci Griffith, Dave Edmunds, The Woolpackers, and many more.....

BRIAN HODGSON
Brian has been successfully involved in the music industry for many years as a musician, artiste, composer and producer. In his early years he toured and recorded with Billy Fury, Marty Wilde and many others. In the '70's he worked with George Harrison, Eric Idle, Neil Innes and Fatso on the acclaimed BBC TV series 'Rutland Weekend Television' which featured the first appearance of 'The Rutles'.

Brian was a member of '80's rockabilly rebels Matchbox and wrote and produced many of their records. He also co-wrote and produced 'Why Do I Always Get it Wrong' which was the runaway winner for the UK of the 1989 Song for Europe.

In 1992 Brian was elected onto the Council of BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors) and in 1993 he co-wrote and produced a hit single for Manchester United - 'United We Love You' (and he doesn't care who knows it!).

Brian has written/produced for a wide variety of artistes including Shakin' Stevens, Dennis Waterman, Billy J Kramer, Johnny Halliday, Lonnie Donegan, Peter Sarstedt, Mike Berry, Sonny Curtis, Hayden Thompson, Christopher Lee, Matchbox and Kirstie McColl, including Lonnie Donegan?s last studio album 'Muleskinner Blues'. More recently he has been writing and producing for film, TV and video/DVD. Credits include 'Savage Hearts', 'Beyond Belief', 'Fauna', Vinnie Jones 'Great Balls of Fire' and the theme to Jeremy Clarkson's BBC TV series 'Clarkson'.

He has also had the pleasure of playing with Lonnie Donegan, Marty Stuart, The Blue Caps, Buddy Emmons, The Bobby Cochran Band, Dave Edmunds and Mike Berry and the Outlaws which included 3 gigs with Sir Paul McCartney to celebrate the music of Buddy Holly.

PETE WINGFIELD
One of the most sought-after keyboard players in the business, Pete is perhaps best known to Joe Public for his worldwide hit in 1975 'Eighteen with a Bullet'. Starting with late-60s Blue Horizon band Jellybread, he held down stints in the early 70s with the Keef Hartley Band, Colin Blunstone, and Maggie Bell, before going on to tour extensively with Van Morrison and the Hollies.

From their classic 1983 Albert Hall reunion concert through to 2001, Pete was ' along with Albert ' a member of the Everly Brothers band, touring extensively in the US, UK and Europe and playing on the Brothers' three '80s albums. He also joined Albert and Gerry to back Emmylou Harris for her '84 European tour.

As a session player, Pete has appeared on records by literally hundreds of artists across the musical spectrum, among them more contemporary chart acts like Gareth Gates, Will Young, Lighthouse Family, the Chimes, and the Beautiful South, UK soul divas Mica Paris, Shara Nelson, and Des'ree, bluesmen B.B.King, Buddy Guy, Freddie King, and Jimmy Witherspoon, classic pop names Elkie Brooks, Cliff Richard and Hot Chocolate, rock 'n rollers Little Richard, Billy Fury and Rocky Sharpe and the Replays, folk-rockers Lindisfarne, Richard and Linda Thompson and Ian Matthews, and American soul legends Johnny Bristol, Edwin Starr and Bloodstone. Pete was also a founder member of 70s funk outfit the Olympic Runners now much sampled by the hip-hop generation.

In addition, his songs have been recorded over the years by artists as varied as B.B.King to Olivia Newton-John, Patti Labelle to the Everly Brothers.

As a producer, Pete has a solid and consistent track record of hits, starting with Dexy's Midnight Runners' 'Geno' in 1980, and including the Proclaimers' 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)', the Pasadenas' 'Tribute', Alison Moyet's 'That Ole Devil Called Love', Paul Young's 'Oh Girl', Mel Brooks 'Hitler Rap', and the Kane Gang's 'Closest Thing to Heaven'. No slouch as a songwriter either, Pete has had his songs recorded over the years by artists as varied as B.B.King to Olivia Newton-John, Patti Labelle to the Everly Brothers.

In '99 Pete's normally low profile was raised somewhat when none other than Sir Paul McCartney asked him to play on his 'Run Devil Run' album and subsequent promotional appearances - culminating in the historic return gig at Liverpool's Cavern Club. All of which made Pete famous for five minutes all over again!

Finally, Pete has since the early ?90s been closely involved with German rock superstar Marius M Westernhagen as session player, band MD, and co-producer on three multi-platinum albums, 'Affentheater', 'Radio Maria' and 'Keine Zeit'.

PETER BARON
Since he started playing the drums in the early sixties Peter has played many types and styles of music.

In 1972 he became a member of Marty Wilde's band where he first met Brian Hodgson. This band went on to become Fatso, and with the arrival of Gerry Hogan ultimately became Hogan's Heroes. During the seventies he was also working extensively in the recording session industry playing for radio, television, on films and with bands.

He made regular appearances on BBC Children's television during the seventies and eighties, but eventually made the decision to give this up in favour of live playing.

As a result of his varied live and studio work he has been fortunate to play with many bands, orchestras and artistes, in styles of music as diverse as Charles Aznavour, Marvin Hamlish, Spike Milligan, Neil Innes, Ray Ellington, The BBC Radio and Concert Orchestras, Geno Washington,B.A.Robertson,Leo Sayer, Dave Edmunds, Joe Brown, Sam Brown, Lulu, The Three Degrees, The Nolan Sisters, Kit Hain, Elaine Page, Salena Jones, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, The Bay City Rollers, David Allan Coe, Marty Stuart and Lonnie Donegan.

He was a member of the Elkie Brooks Band in the late seventies, leaving to join American based band Night which featured Chris Thompson, Robbie McIntosh and the late Nicky Hopkins. This was followed by a spell with English Classical Rock band Renaissance with whom he recorded two albums and toured both Europe and the USA. Both Night and Renaissance enjoyed a lot of success in the USA.

He has been a regular performer at Gerry Hogan's annual festival of pedal steel guitar, and continues to work with many of the finest musicians from both sides of the Atlantic.

 

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