Tap and Spile
Hull, England
Rob McNurlin/Luna/Dave Prince
by Glen Williams

"Well for anyone that didn't get the chance to go down to the Tap & Spile pub in Hull on Friday 18th June, they missed out on an experience of a lifetime.

Appearing at the Tap & Spile were country & bluegrass artistes from Kentucky, Rob Mcnurlin, Dave Prince, and Luna (female part of this trio). This trio of American artists were on a whistle tour of the UK promoting their music.

Like many people at one stage, I thought country music was for wimps until I started to get to know some amazing American artists from all genres of country music, some famous, some unknown but nonetheless they certainly know how to do their thing.

Rob Mcnurlin is a tall man with slightly rugged features but with his Stetson, his black shirt blue denims and his boots he fits the classic look of The Man In Black, Mr Johnny Cash who Rob got to know some years before Johnnies death and as Rob said Everyone wanted to be Johnny when they first started out in country music but they soon realised there could only be one Johnny Cash.

Rob has recorded at Johnny Cash's studio and he became friends with Johnny's son, John Carter Cash who produced Robs latest CD and soon Rob is due back in the Johnny Cash studio again to record another.

During their short stay here in Hull I got the chance to sit with them in my living room and pick up a guitar and play a few songs with Rob Mcnurlin, and believe me I have not picked up a guitar in years but it was well worth the throbbing finger ends to play some great country and bluegrass tunes together with this guy. I learned quite a lot about Rob in this short time and like many from the Kentucky region they are so humble and down to earth that nicer people you could not ask to meet.

On Thursday 17th June I was able to get them onto the Alan Raw BBC radio show Raw Talent for an interview and like Dave Prince who was here one year ago with his own band Night Train also from Kentucky, the interview was great, and hopefully the listeners of the Raw Talent show thought the same too (there were in fact a few who heard the interview who turned up to see them play).

Like I said, I have been spoiled because I have been lucky enough to get to know some well known American country & Bluegrass artists. I always look forward to when I get messages sent over to say they are bringing over someone new for me to meet and get to know.

This is quite unlike British musicians - these guys don't let you know they are good or say they are the best thing since sliced bread, they are so pleasant and humble and really appreciate anyone who likes their music. They don't need to say they are good you can hear that as soon as they strike the first chords.

I have met Dave Prince now on three occasions after being introduced to the band Night Train by Richard Young from the famous American country rock band The Kentucky Head Hunters. Dave is a great guy as are the rest of his band, Bobby lee Adkins (Drums & Vocals) and George Ray (Bass guitar & Vocals)

Dave Prince is a guitarist of world class and there are no other words for him, he makes guitar-picking look so easy in fact I wonder sometimes if he was not born with a guitar in his hands.

Unlike many country music guitarists, Dave's guitar style is unique - where you can put other guitarists together and you could not distinguish between them, Dave Prince's own style cannot be mistaken for anyone else's.

Dave brought a battered old Fender Telecaster with him on this mini tour and a Marshall amplifier that most people just use for practice at home but he made such sweet music on that battered old guitar and that little box it was sheer joy to the ears.

Dave is also quite tall and very distinctive with his long curly brown hair halfway down his back but that's where he differs from the rest because he just does not look like a country artist he looks more like a rock guitarist in his black shirt and denims and a pair of old baseball boots.

All three are from what we here in the UK know as Hillbilly country and if Dave were dressed in dungarees he would fit the part of a Hillbilly perfectly. But Once again he is no hillbilly he is just Dave Prince, guitarist extraordinaire!

Now Luna and I have met on one other occasion (last Christmas) but this was the first time I have seen and heard her play. I was greatly impressed by what she does and hopefully soon her CD will be available. Luna is a tiny little thing - probably not quite 5ft tall with blonde hair and fits the part of a country singer perfectly. Her vocals are distinctive and she has that southern drawl that makes American female country singers just what they are.

While she was here she took the opportunity to see how British nursery schools work. She is a Pre-school teacher back in the states and this has given her an insight on how we do things here and also a few good ideas to take back to her school back in Kentucky. She wants to say high to all the staff and children she met at Highlands Primary School here in Hull .

Every time we have people like these three here in Hull, staying with us, it's great but then we know they have to go home again and we go back to conversing through the internet or the occasional phone call. But it is always sad to see them go because these people are so nice and quickly become part of my own families extended family of musicians from around the world.

They will return and we look forward to them visiting us and entertaining the people of Hull. As they were leaving this morning they asked me say hello to all the great people in Hull they have met and the new fans they gained from their show at the Tap & Spile; WE WILL BE BACK.... "

Glenn Williams
www.thisisull.com