Shawn Phillips

Shawn Phillips is one of most fascinating and enigmatic musicians to come out of the early-70s singer/songwriter boom. The mere fact that he was a musician as much as a singer and songwriter made him stand out, and helped him attract a dedicated following. His refusal to shape his music which crosses between folk-rock, jazz, progressive, pop, and classical to anyone else's expectations allows him to hold onto a large and dedicated cult following, without ever achieving the stardom that his talent seemed to merit.

Phillips has recorded twenty albums and worked with musicians including Donovan, Paul Buckmaster, J. Peter Robinson, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Bernie Taupin, and many others. The Texas-born singer-songwriter was described as "The best kept secret in the music business" by the late rock impresario Bill Graham. In the 1960s Phillips worked as a session player on several Donovan albums including Fairytale, Sunshine Superman, and Mellow Yellow, performed at the Isle of Wightfestival, sang on "Lovely Rita" by the Beatles, and was cast to play the lead in the original production of Jesus Christ Superstar (he had to withdraw due to his heavy recording and touring schedule). In February 1969 Phillips wrote and performed, with The Djinn, the music for the controversial Jane Arden play Vagina Rex and the Gas Oven at the Arts Laboratory on Drury Lane.

Kinloch Nelson's 45-year career has run the gamut from classical recitals and folk concerts, to club and festival dates with country, rockabilly, jazz, rock, and rhythm & blues bands. Over the years Nelson has played with such notables as Tom Paxton, Luther Alison, Buddy Guy, Wayne Hancock and long-time influence Danny Gatton.