Spider & Danny Britt perform their show. "Texas Americana meets The Blues" as part of the Orkney Blues Festival 2024. This wonderful festival runs over 3 days in the Orkney Isles. It is the most northerly blues festival in the UK.
Danny Britt (USA) & Spider MacKenzie (UK) - Texas Americana meets the Blues
Danny grew up in South Central Kentucky playing everything from Classical, Bluegrass, Country to Rock and Roll. After playing in assorted bands in Kentucky, Danny made his way to Texas in 1980. Following a couple years touring with the legend Jerry Jeff Walker (who wrote Mr Bojangles) as his road manager. He began writing and playing his own music as a part of the Austin music scene. By the early 1990s was performing his original music on a regular basis. Today he is very much a part of the “Live Music Capital of the World”. On the 29th of November 2001 the Austin City Council and Austin Mayor Gus Garcia even proclaimed that day “Danny Britt Day”. Danny is a classy musician with a wide repertoire. At a show one will hear him mellifluously sing beautifully crafted, self-penned songs along with his own heart felt interpretations of music from the likes of Guy Clark and Town Van Zandt. All mixed in with a large portion of Texas Rock n Roll and Blues.
Spider MacKenzie is no regular harmonica player but rather one who has a unique ability matched with an inimitable talent to convey the emotion of a song. Hence it's not surprising numerous, notable artists are keen to choose to work with him. To name a few: the late great Scottish blues and jazz singer Tam White, Perrier award winning jazz singer Niki King, Martin Stephenson & the Daintees, actress Elaine C Smith, Andy Gunn and Dik Banovich. In the United States he has worked with Texas music legends such as: Shake Russell, Gary P Nunn, Bill Kirchen, Michael Hearne, Bill Hearne, Chris Gage, Bob Livingston and Tom Peterson the South Dakota Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recipient. Orcadians of a certain “vintage” may even remember him 30+ years ago, as the harmonica player with Aberdeen Blues Band, Mojo Pep. With them and alongside fellow Mojo Pep member Gerry Jablonski they performed at what was the Phoenix cinema. In Germany and Europe, he can often be seen with fellow Aberdonian Steve Crawford in their duo Steve Crawford & Spider Mackenzie.
Spider met Danny in the US and the pair now regularly perform in Texas. Both are delighted to take their show “Texas Americana meets the Blues” to Orkney. You can expect a melting pot of world-class, American Folk, Blues and Country seasoned with Texas Rock ‘n Roll.
Some press and comments:
“Danny's guitar and voice touches the pulse of the listener, complemented by Spider's virtuoso harmonica.” – (Edinburgh Festival)
“I still prefer the sensitive virtuosity and imagination of Aberdeen’s junior James Cotton, Spider MacKenzie” (The Sunday Time)
“Showcases Danny Britt's versatility and talent” (New Texas Magazine).
“Spider is clearly a virtuoso harmonica player” (Blues Matters magazine)
“This Austin dude is just damn good at what he does. Danny has one of the most beautiful and smooth voices in Austin, plays great guitar and together with his mates he provides a 'must have' for fans of Austin folk” (Independent critic)
“Spider – a polite, unassuming guy… Until you put a harmonica in his hand. At that point he’ll take a song, and make you feel it. In your bones.” (Texas Lifestyle Magazine)
“Powerful vocalist and a sensitive interpreter of lyrics” (Country Music Gazette, on Danny)
“Harmonica virtuoso”, “Star of bloos moothie” - The Aberdeen Evening Express
For more please see -
www.spidermackenzie.com & www.reddawgmusic.com
