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Based in the Chippenham and Melksham area of Wiltshire, Shake the Barley are: Phil Deverall (vocals, guitar, melodeon, bodhran), Debbie Warren (vocals, violin, recorders), Rosemary Preston (vocals, flute, mandolin, bodhran) and Stuart Preston (vocals, guitar, acoustic bass, octave mandola, bodhran).

The four met when Debbie asked friends Rosemary and Stuart to accompany her to the "Folk at the Oak" folk club in Corsham in June of 2004 to play a few songs together. After about half-an-hour's rehearsal, and with the assistance of Debbie's husband Chris, they performed three tunes/songs that were well enough received that Phil, a long-time character in the local folk scene, asked if he could join their "band".

After much searching, the four settled on the name Shake the Barley for their venture. The title is taken from a traditional tune, The wind that shakes the barley, and they feel that this nicely sums up their basic approach: movement, light-heartedness and - with a little lateral thinking - alcohol!

The group bring an eclectic mix of influences to their music (from hard- and progressive rock to classical, filtered through a number of different folk styles), which results in a distinctively varied selection of interpretations of both traditional and original music - all four members being contributors to the repertoire.
Their first public performance was at Bradford-on-Avon for an event raising money for the plight of people in Afghanistan, which this was followed by a guest spot at "Folk at the Oak". Since then, they have played in many local venues and folk clubs, including the Melksham carnival and Café Musique at "The Cause" in Chippenham.

For more information, to obtain a demo CD or to enquire about a booking, please contact the band members:

Phil Deverall
01380 870734
phil@deverall.on4free.co.uk

Stuart & Rosemary Preston
01249 446386
stuart_stop_preston_at_ds-s_stop_com

Debbie Warren
cdjm_at_f2s_stop_com