Geoff Rodgers - singer and songwriter

acoustic music

Geoff is 49 years old, (but the man who guesses your age at the seaside always gets it wrong), and he lives in between the Midlands and the North West of England where has made quite a name for himself as a folk singer, performer and songwriter on the folk club, local pub and festival circuit. Formerly part of the popular duo, "bit on the side", who made one CD, "Running through the heart" featuring 6 of Geoff's own songs, he is now mostly performing solo. 

Email (email@webfolk.net) for details of how to book him.

Geoff's own songs have proved particularly popular with many audiences and he has had considerable success in songwriting competitions. He was runner up at the Poynton Folk Festival and has twice been a semi finalist in the UK songwriting competition.

A couple of recent reviews...

"Geoff did a half hour spot of his own compositions that had us all enthralled, very neat guitar work and highly original lyrics left us wishing Geoff would visit Hartlepool more often for us to hear more of his brilliant tunes". (Foggy Furze Folk Club - Hartlepool September 2006)

Geoff's entertainment was relaxed and uplifting, nice to sing along too. (North Staffordshire MS Society Charity function - October 2006)

In particular his songs reflect his own personal experience and interests, they are often laced with humour and passion, the mining industry, Newcastle United and the Angel of the North all get a mention, as does his commitment to justice and fair trade, with many songs being based in the North East of England where Geoff was brought up. 

Geoff also does 'cover' versions of other people's songs, from Bob Dylan, (who else), to Lindisfarne, (Alan Hull once bought him a beer),  and Creedence Clearwater Revival, (his teenage rock heroes), to Jez Lowe, (a contemporary of Geoff's at the Nursery Inn, Hartlepool).

He was born in "(British) West Hartlepool"  and has lived in Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Shields, Cambridge, Clitheroe, Leek, Newcastle under Lyme and now lives in Spalding, Lincolnshire.

His parents were very involved in Amateur dramatics and Geoff has continued that musical tradition, branching off into the folk clubs. He has always been a performer. Dad still sings in choirs and shows at the age of 80!

Geoff's shows vary from traditional material to contemporary songs, folk, blues, rock, pop, even the odd jazz standard can be thrown in, and plenty variety and humour. He rarely works to a set list but being the human juke box that he is, (you wish) he can vary his show to suit the audience.

He has supported the likes of Vin Garbutt, Jez Lowe, Bob Fox, Ben Murray & Rosie Doonan, Ryzhome, John Kirkpatrick, Loxley (The Shot Dogs) and many more.

Instrumentally, Geoff plays acoustic guitars by Fylde, Avalon and Crafter, (and a couple of other things) as well as bouzoukis by Fylde and Sherwood and also a Fylde mandolin. His electric guitar is a Parker.

Being the 'octopus' that he is, Geoff also plays acoustic bass, tin whistle, mouth organ (blues harp), cajon (a drum you sit on, or is it a seat you drum on?), bodhran (Irish drum) and various other pieces of percussion. 

Thank goodness for multi track recorders! 

For gigs, Geoff has a superb PA system from db technologies which is suitable for small (noisy) to medium (listening) venues. 

For Tech Spec needs please ask but basically its a couple of 13 amp sockets. For any bigger venues, you provide the PA and Geoff will plug into it.

Geoff hopes to record an album of his own songs soon, with the working title of  "the poor boy at the gate".

If you want to sing one or two of Geoff's songs just credit him as the writer and please let him know.