The Notting Hillbillies
Encyclopedia
The Notting Hillbillies was a country music
project formed by Mark Knopfler
, who was then lead guitarist and singer of the Dire Straits
, with Brendan Croker
, Steve Phillips
, and Knopfler's bandmate Guy Fletcher
. They made just one album, Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time
. This album was released on Vertigo
(Warner Bros.
in the US) in 1990, before returning to concentrate on their primary musical outlets. The Notting Hillbillies have reunited several times for charity gigs. In May 1997 the Hillbillies went on an 11 show tour in the UK.
The Town & Country Club in Leeds on July 3 only featured the Knopfler-Croker-Philips trio.
The set list included the only known live performances of two Dire Straits
songs : "Ticket To Heaven" and "How Long". The Notting Hillbillies had previously performed "When It Comes to You
" in 1990, before it was actually recorded and issued by Dire Straits
on their final album On Every Street
, in 1991.
The concert at The City Hall in Newcastle
on July 6 featured Alan Clark
on keyboards, his only appearance with the band. Ed Bicknell
and Marcus Cliffe
were also present. This was the last time that Clark played with Knopfler within a full band.
In 1993, two shows were performed, both without Guy Fletcher
.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
project formed by Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler
Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
, who was then lead guitarist and singer of the Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
, with Brendan Croker
Brendan Croker
Brendan Croker is a musician from Leeds who has recorded albums under his own name and with occasional backing band The Five O'Clock Shadows. He was also a member of The Notting Hillbillies...
, Steve Phillips
Steve Phillips (musician)
Steve Phillips is an English blues and country musician. He is mainly renowned for being part of supergroup Notting Hillbillies along with Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler and Brendan Croker.-Biography:...
, and Knopfler's bandmate Guy Fletcher
Guy Fletcher
Guy Wilson Fletcher is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known for his position as the keyboardist in the British rock band Dire Straits from 1984 until the group's dissolution, and his involvement in nearly every part of Mark Knopfler's solo work to date.-Biography:Fletcher was born into a...
. They made just one album, Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time
Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time
Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time is the first and the only studio album by The Notting Hillbillies. It was released in 1990.-Track listing:# "Railroad Worksong" – 5:29 # "Bewildered" – 2:37...
. This album was released on Vertigo
Vertigo Records
Vertigo Records today is a UK-based record label operated by Universal Music UK.-History:Vertigo Records was the name Philips Records chose in the late 1960s for its record sub-label to counter the progressive labels of its rivals EMI with Harvest Records and Decca Records with Deram...
(Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
in the US) in 1990, before returning to concentrate on their primary musical outlets. The Notting Hillbillies have reunited several times for charity gigs. In May 1997 the Hillbillies went on an 11 show tour in the UK.
The Town & Country Club in Leeds on July 3 only featured the Knopfler-Croker-Philips trio.
The set list included the only known live performances of two Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
songs : "Ticket To Heaven" and "How Long". The Notting Hillbillies had previously performed "When It Comes to You
When It Comes to You
"When It Comes to You" is the title of a song written by Mark Knopfler and recorded by American country music artist John Anderson. It was released in April 1992 as the third single from his 1992 album Seminole Wind. It peaked at #3 on the United States Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart...
" in 1990, before it was actually recorded and issued by Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
on their final album On Every Street
On Every Street
On Every Street is the sixth and final studio album by British rock band Dire Straits, released in 1991 . It made #1 on the UK Albums Chart.-History:...
, in 1991.
The concert at The City Hall in Newcastle
Newcastle City Hall
Newcastle City Hall is a concert hall, located in Newcastle upon Tyne which has hosted many popular music and classical artists throughout the years, as well as standup and comedy acts. Opened in 1927, the City Hall was built as a part of a development which also included the adjacent City Pool...
on July 6 featured Alan Clark
Alan Clark (keyboardist)
Alan Clark is an English musician who was the first and main keyboardist for the British rock band Dire Straits.- Biography :...
on keyboards, his only appearance with the band. Ed Bicknell
Ed Bicknell
Ed Bicknell was on the Hull University entertainments committee, arranging bands for the students, when he first got a taste for the music industry. Moving to London, he worked as a drummer for Jess Conrad and then as a booker for John Sherry Artists, finding work for a number of prog-rock/college...
and Marcus Cliffe
Marcus Cliffe
Marcus Cliffe is a professional musician, currently the bass player in The Manfreds, a reunion of members of the 1960s pop group Manfred Mann . He has also worked with, amongst others, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, and Rod Stewart...
were also present. This was the last time that Clark played with Knopfler within a full band.
In 1993, two shows were performed, both without Guy Fletcher
Guy Fletcher
Guy Wilson Fletcher is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known for his position as the keyboardist in the British rock band Dire Straits from 1984 until the group's dissolution, and his involvement in nearly every part of Mark Knopfler's solo work to date.-Biography:Fletcher was born into a...
.
Band lineup members
- Mark KnopflerMark KnopflerMark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
: guitar, vocals - Guy FletcherGuy FletcherGuy Wilson Fletcher is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known for his position as the keyboardist in the British rock band Dire Straits from 1984 until the group's dissolution, and his involvement in nearly every part of Mark Knopfler's solo work to date.-Biography:Fletcher was born into a...
: keyboards, vocals - Steve PhillipsSteve Phillips (musician)Steve Phillips is an English blues and country musician. He is mainly renowned for being part of supergroup Notting Hillbillies along with Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler and Brendan Croker.-Biography:...
: guitar, vocals - Brendan CrokerBrendan CrokerBrendan Croker is a musician from Leeds who has recorded albums under his own name and with occasional backing band The Five O'Clock Shadows. He was also a member of The Notting Hillbillies...
: guitar, vocals - Ed BicknellEd BicknellEd Bicknell was on the Hull University entertainments committee, arranging bands for the students, when he first got a taste for the music industry. Moving to London, he worked as a drummer for Jess Conrad and then as a booker for John Sherry Artists, finding work for a number of prog-rock/college...
: drums - replaced by Danny CummingsDanny Cummings-Musical biography:The first Latin percussion instrument that Danny Cummings ever acquired was a second-hand conga he persuaded his parents to buy him for his 21st birthday. "I remember thinking that black fiberglass drum marked the beginning of a new era for me," says Cummings...
for the four 2002 shows. - Marcus CliffeMarcus CliffeMarcus Cliffe is a professional musician, currently the bass player in The Manfreds, a reunion of members of the 1960s pop group Manfred Mann . He has also worked with, amongst others, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, and Rod Stewart...
: bass - Chris WhiteChris White (saxophonist)Chris White English jazz/rock saxophonist who toured with Dire Straits from 1985–1995, and who has played with many bands and artists, including Robbie Williams, Paul McCartney, Chris De Burgh and Mick Jagger.-Biography:...
: Saxophone - Paul FranklinPaul Franklin (musician)Paul Franklin is an American multi-instrumentalist, known mainly for his work as a steel guitarist. He began his career in the 1970s as a member of Barbara Mandrell's road band; in addition he toured with Mel Tillis and Jerry Reed. He has since become a prolific session musician in Nashville,...
: pedal steel (studio album and 1990 tour only)