Americana band

Whiskey River

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About Whiskey River

A taste of "Retro Americana" (Country, Folk, Cajun, Blues, bit of Irish and whatever else we fancy!). Make YOUR event extra-special!
Whiskey River 's profile picture
Americana band
Cwmbran
Public liability insurance of £10 million

"Whiskey River" have a fantastically versatile musical DUO at it's core (Martin Blake and Aidan Sheehan, both are accomplished vocalists and multi-instrumentalists). As heard at Clubs, Bars, Festivals, Theatres and private parties across the UK and abroad. "We've had many great evenings at the Redcatch Club, but I felt that the Whiskey River boys were perhaps the best ever. Superb musicianship and singing, excellent variety, stylistically innovative and not least, great fun. High expectations were met in full" Trevor Carter, The Redcatch Folk and Acoustic Club, Bristol, October 2021 Depending on YOUR needs, our DUO could happily expand our line up by bringing in a range of excellent musicians and become a trio, quartet, quintet or sextet. Get in touch to discuss what you need If you like Americana, Folk, Retro Harmonica Blues, Cajun Classics, Rockin' Country faves and reinterpreted Rock Classics given a Roots twist maybe with some Irish music and fab Eastern European tunes thrown in for good measure (often with a touch of good-natured, humorous asides) then we are the band for you. Venues we have played include Tenby Blues Festival (Wales), Harpin' By The Sea Festival (Hove), Mid Wales Blues Club (Brecon), Shrewsbury Blues Club, Aberjazz (Wales), Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Phil Mack TV Show (SKY TV), Raamsdonksveer Cajun Festival (NL), Saulieu Cajun Festival (FR), Gloucester Cajun Festival, Opwijk Cajun Festival, (BE), Bristol Cajun Festival, Beer on the Wye Festival (Hereford), Mayfest Blues Festival (Herts), Applefest (Hereford), Newport Tredegar House Folk Festival (Wales), Canterbury Festival, Lord Mayor's Thames Festival (London), Harmonica UK Festival (Birmingham) and many more. The band are professional artists and Musicians Union members with PLI. We offer professional quality, high-standard musicianship, have our own PA and reliable references can be provided on request. We'd love to play for YOU!

Whiskey River
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5 out of 5
8 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
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5.0

Whiskey River 's Reviews

From Encore customers:

GL
George L
3 months ago
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5 out of 5

Whiskey River were excellent for our event. We had an outdoor garden party with a Rodeo theme. They fitted out really well playing a great mix of music, the guests all loved them. Was a perfect afternoon of music. They were very professional and communicated well. All very friendly and would recommend to anyone looking for country type music. Thanks guys

Reply from Whiskey River
3 months ago

Hi George, thank you for your glowing review of our performance. Whiskey River loved playing for your event. Everyone liked the wide selection of Country music which we played for them all on a beautiful sunny day. You arranged a brilliant event, what a fantastic occasion and it was good to hear so many positive comments from your guests at the party concerning our music, which ranged from Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Nancy Griffith, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, George Jones, Bill Monroe and lots more besides. Totally suited to your "Wild West Rodeo" themed event. Great to see everyone had dressed in Cowboy gear too. We were very happy to be a part of it. If you ever want to book us via Encore again, we'd be happy to make a welcome return at some point. Thanks George, "Keepin' it Country!" Aidan and the band (Whiskey River").

From other customers:

AL
Andi L
1 month ago, for a Bar / Club / Venue event in High Town
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5 out of 5

Hi there Whiskey River, AppleFest 2024 I'm writing to express my immense gratitude for your hard work, skills, incredible talent, and the fantastic music you performed on the main stage in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd at the AppleFest Launch Day over this past weekend. The event went off without a hitch, and we've been receiving many wonderful comments and compliments. For now, I look forward to working with all of you again very soon. Best regards, Andi - AppleFest, Hereford, 2024.

PS
Pat S
8 months ago, for a Bar / Club / Venue event in Castan Rd
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5 out of 5

Thank YOU! You gave us a wonderful night, some even said you (Whiskey River) were the best guest so far. Praise indeed. x Pat (Pat Smith, Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun)

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Whiskey River 's Song list

Ghost Riders In The Sky (Johnny Cash, Country Rock)
Woolly Bully (Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, Tex-Mex)
Tequila (The Champs, Tex-Mex)
Across the Borderline (Ry Cooder, Tex-Mex)
Meva / Mbube (South African Kwela)
Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash, Country)
Mannish Boy / I'm A Man (Muddy Waters, Bo Didley, Blues)
Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash, Country Rock)
The Thrill is Gone (BB King, Blues)
Li'l Queenie (Chuck Berry, Rock)
The Galway Girl (Steve Earle, Irish)
Got Love If You Want It (Slim Harpo, Blues)
Shake Your Hips (Slim Harpo, Blues)
Flames of Hell (Cajun)
Battle of New Orleans (Country, Cajun)
Can't Judge a Book (Rock, Blues)
Bright Lights, Big City (Blues)
Au Chant De l'Alouette (French Folk Song)
Jambalaya (Hank Williams, Country-Cajun)
Wild Horses (Rolling Stones, Rock)
Green River (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Rock)
Various traditional Cajun music (Americana)
Shebeg Shemore (plus lots of Irish music, trad folk)
City of New Orleans (Steve Goodman, Country)
Iko Iko (Creole music / Americana)
Sugar-coated Love (Lazy Lester / Fabulous Thunderbirds)
Play With Fire (Rolling Stones, Rock)
C'est La Vie / You Never Can Tell (Chuck Berry, Rock)
Fine, Fine, Fine (Fabulous Thunderbirds / Rockin' Sidney, Rock)
Beer Barrel Polka / Skoda Lasky (traditional Czech Polka)
Tom Hark (South African Kwela music)
Hej Sokoly (traditional Polish Polka)
Diggy Liggy Lo (Doug Kershaw / Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Cajun)
Fairytale of New York (Pogues, Irish)
Stop the Cavalry (Jona Lewie, Christmas Song, Pop)
Freight Train Boogie (Delmore Brothers, Country Blues)
Downtown Train (Tom Waits, Rock)
Baby What You Want Me to Do? (Jimmy Reed, Blues)
High-heeled Sneakers (Tommy Tucker, Blues)
Hoochie-coochie Man (Muddy Waters, Blues)
I Made a Big Mistake (Cajun, Traditional)
Born on the Bayou (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Foo Fighters, Rock)
Twenty Flight Rock (Eddie Cochran, Rock)
Poke Salad Annie (Tony Joe White, Elvis, Rock)
The Back Door (DL Menard, Doug Kershaw, Cajun)
110 In the Shade (John Fogerty)
Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Rock)
Dead Flowers (Rolling Stones, Rock)
Last Night the Bottle Let Me Down (Merle Haggard, Country)
Your Cheatin' Heart (Hank Williams, Country)
Walking After Midnight (Patsy Cline, Country)
Highway 54 (Wayne Hancock, Country)
Blue Christmas (Elvis, Rock, Xmas Song)
Route 66 (Bobby Troupe, Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, Rock)
The Promised land (Chuck Berry, Elvis, Johnny Allen, Rock)
Christmas Medley (traditional Christmas tunes medley)
Oh When the Saints / Li'l Liza Jane / Junco Partner / Dey All Axed fo' You / Didn't He Ramble? Stagger Lee and many other fabulous New Orleans Jazz standards.
Long Black Veil (Johnny Cash, Country)
Flip, Flop and Fly (Big Joe Turner, Jump Jive)
Cal'donia (Louis Jordan, Jump Jive)
I Want You to be My Baby (Louis Jordan, Jump Jive)
Midnight On the Water (Traditional Texas waltz)
Canadian Reels (traditional fiddle tunes)
Various Irish Hornpipes and Reels.
You Win Again (Hank Williams, Country)
Tennessee Waltz (Country)
Sylvia's Mother (Country)
Goodbye (Steve Earle, Country)
Dixieland (Steve Earle, Country / Irish)
Johnny Come Lately (Steve Earle, Country / Irish)
Copperhead Road (Steve Earle, Country, Rock)
Three Little Birds (Bob Marley, Reggae)
Don't Worry, Be Happy (Bobby McFerrin, Jazz)
Angeline the Baker (Bluegrass)
Eight More Miles to Louisville (Bluegrass)
Old Joe Clark (Bluegrass)
Shenandoah (Country)
Banks of the Ohio (Country)
Blackberry Blossom (Bluegrass)
Banjo Signal (Bluegrass)
I’ve Been All Around This World (Bluegrass)
Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Old Timey version of Elvis)
Factory Girl (Rolling Stones, Bluegrass version)
Battle of New Orleans (Country)
Will the Circle be Unbroken? (Country, Americana)
I Am A Pilgrim (Americana)
Wayfaring Stranger (Americana)
Goin’ Up the Country (Blues, Americana)
Mardi Gras 2nd Line Parade (Creole)
Speed of the Sound of Loneliness (Americana)
La Valse Criminelle (Cajun Waltz)
Got Love if You Want it (Blues)
Canadian Set (Fiddle Tunes)
Midnight on the Water (Folk)
Iko Iko (Creole)
Li’l Liza Jane (Creole)
Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Rock)
I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water (Country)
Cleoma (Folk)
McGee’s Reel (Cajun)
Voodoo Chile (Rock Zydeco)
Bon Ton Roulet (Zydeco)
Grosse Erreur (Cajun)
Mystery Train (Rockabilly)
Les Flammes d’Enfer (Cajun)
I’m Comin’ Home (Zydeco)
Eunice Waltz (Cajun)
Riot in Cell Block Nine (Blues)
Walk of Life (Rock / Cajun)
Dance All Night / 3rd Rock Sun (Zydeco)
Call Me In the Morning (Zydeco)
Zydeco Farm (Zydeco)
Seneca Square Dance (Folk)
Irene Goodnight (Folk)
Lincoln Town (Rock)
Ring of Fire (Country)
Jole Blon’ (Cajun)
Skoda Lasky (Folk)
Allons A Lafayette (Cajun)
Traveller Playboy Special (Cajun)
Nadine (Rock)
Baby Please Don’t Go (Cajun version of a Blues)
The Gambler (Country)
Sympathy For the Devil (Rock)
J’ai Passe Devant Ta Porte (Cajun),
Lafayette Waltz (Cajun)
Les Veuves de la Coulee (Cajun)
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane (Americana)
You Better Move On (Blues)
All My Love’s in Vain (Blues)
Hey Joe (Cajun version)
Ripple (Folk, Rock),
Chanson De Mardi Gras (Cajun)
I’ll be Your Baby Tonight (Folk Rock)
House of the Rising Sun (Folk, Rock, Blues)
Gloria (Rock)
Tupelo Honey (Rock)
Sporting Life (Blues)
Sittin' Here in Limbo (Country)
Freight Train (Country)
You Can't Take That Away From Me (Jazz)
Brand New Pill Box Hat (Dylan, Folk)
Times they Are a 'Changin' (Dylan, Folk)
Cocaine Blues (Blues)
Can't Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis, Rock)
Ain't Misbehavin' (Jazz)
Walk On (Blues)
Chicken Song (Blues)
Allons Danser Colinda (Creole)
Crawdad Hole (Americana)
The Fishing Song (Americana)
St. Louis Blues (Blues)
Stealin' Stealin' (Blues)
Roseville Fair (Country, Folk)
Lakes of Pontchartrain (Folk)
This Land is Your Land (Americana)
Monkey and the Engineer (Country, Folk-Rock)
Railroad Bill (Americana)
Stand By Your Man (spoof version, Country)
Shebeg Shemore (Irish)
Ashokan Farewell (Folk)
The Weight (The Band, Folk-Rock)
Star of the County Down (Irish)
Raglan Road (Irish)
Fields of Athenry (Irish)
Down in the Willow Gardens (Bluegrass)
China Doll (Grateful Dead, Rock)
On the Road Again (Canned Heat, Blues, Rock)
Sugar Bee (Cajun)
Paper in My Shoe (Zydeco)
Hound Dog (Elvis, but it is a Zydeco version)
One Night With You (Elvis)
Rainy Night in Soho (Pogues, Irish)
Plastic Jesus (Country, Folk, Americana)
Midnight Special (Blues)
CC Rider (Blues)
Meet Me Where They Play The Blues (Blues)
Bury Me Beneath The Willow (Country)
What Shall We do with the Drunken Sailor? (Folk)
This Land is Your Land (Country, Folk)
Deportees (Folk)
Move It On Over (Hank Williams, Country)
Lost Highway (Hank Williams, Country)
Alberta (Blues, Cajun version)
I'll Show You How to Walk the Dog (Blues)
Bulldoze Blues aka Goin' Up the Country (Americana)
In The Pines (Americana)
Bon Ton Roula (Creole)
Walk of Life (Cajun version)
Early In the Mornin' (Jimmy Reed, Blues)
Comin Home (Clifton Chenier, Zydeco)
Dance All Night (Western Swing / Zydeco)
Death, Don't Have No Mercy (Blues)
Love Potion Number Nine (Rock, Doo Wop, Retro Pop)
Riot In Cell Block Number Nine (Blues, Rock 'n' Roll)
St. James' Infirmary (Blues)
Down the Road Apiece (Amos Milburn, Boogie Woogie)
Help Me Baby (Sonny Boy Williamson II, Blues)
Last Fair Deal Goin' Down (Blues)
Shame, Shame,. Shame (Jimmy Reed, Blues)
Take Out Some Insurance (Jimmy Reed, Blues)
Take This Hammer (Lead Belly, Blues)
Early In the Mornin' (Blues)
Shiver me Timbers (Tom Waits., Rock)
Big Mamou (Cajun, Traditional)
I Know You Rider (Americana)
Speed of the Sound of Loneliness (John Prine, Country, Folk)
Moondance (Van Morrison, Rock)
Brown-eyed Girl (Van Morrison, Rock)
Let It Rock (Chuck Berry, Blues, Rock)
The Letter (The Boxtops, Rock)
Pancho and Lefty (Towns Van Zandt, Americana)
Ophelia (The Band, Rock)
Jesse James (Americana)
Call Me The Breeze (JJ Cale, Country Rock, Blues)
Mardi Gras Parade Second Line (New Orleans Music)
The Harder They Come (Reggae)
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Dylan, Folk-Rock)
Debuque (Canadian traditional reel)
Growlin' Old Man and Grumblin' Old Woman (Fiddle Tune)
Happy Birthday to You (P and M Hill, celebratory song)
Auld Lang Syne (R. Burns, Celebratory song)
Silent Night (Xmas Song)
Jingle Bells (Christmas Song)
Silent Night (Christmas Song)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Christmas Song)
Two French Baroque Folk Songs (French traditional).
L'Alouette Sur La Branche (French Traditional)
J'ai Passe Devant Ta Porte (Cajun Waltz)
I'm Ready (Blues Rock 'n' Roll)
Fete De Mardi Gras (Creole Song)
Saute Crapaud (Cajun Folk Song)
Gentile Alouette (Canadian Folk Song)
Cripple Creek (the Band, Americana song)
Home, Sweet Home (Fiddle Tune, Americana)
She Thinks I still Care (Americana)
He'll Have to Go (Ry Cooder / Tex-Mex version)
I Want You (Dylan, Folk Rock)
Eighth of January (Fiddle Tune, Americana)
Turkey in the Straw (Fiddle tune, Americana)
Arkansas Traveller (Fiddle tune, Americana)
Evangeline (Americana)
Streets of London (Folk)
Six Days On the Road (Country Rock)
Don't Mess With My Toot Toot (Zydeco, risqué)
Streets of Baltimore (Country)
Freakin' at the Freakers Ball (Dr Hook, risqué)
Poke Salad Annie (Country Rock)
Georgia (Blues, Jazz)
Dirty Old Town (Folk)
J'etais Au Bal (Cajun)
Be My Guest (New Orleans music)
Let The Good Times Roll (L. Jordan, Blues)
Juke (Little Walter, Blues)
Easy (Shaky Horton, Blues)
Careless Love (Blues)
Stormy Monday (Blues)
Trouble in Mind (Blues)
Big Boss Man (Blues)
Diddy Wah Diddy (Americana)
Happy Meeting In Glory (Americana)
Stand By Me (Rock)
Jesus On the Mainline (Americana)
Vigilante Man (Americana)
The Dark End Of The Street (Rock, Soul, Blues)
Molly Malone / Cockles and Mussels (Irish)
Forked Deer (Banjo Tune)
Elzic's Farewell (Banjo Tune)
Duelling Banjos (Banjo Tune)
Hideaway (Freddie King, Rocking Blues)
Pink Cadillac (Rocking Blues)
Dance, Dance, Dance (Steve Miller Band, Country, Bluegrass)
House of the Rising Sun (Americana)
Forever Young (Dylan)
All Along the Watchtower (Dylan)
I Want You (Dylan)
Blind Willie McTell (Dylan)
Like A Rollin' Stone (Dylan)
Chimes of Freedom (Dylan)
Simple Twist of Fate (Dylan)
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright (Dylan, Folk-Rock)
The Hackberry Hop (Cajun)
Traveller Playboy Special (Cajun)
Contradanse De Canray Fontenot (Cajun)
Reel De Joi (Cajun)
Catfish Blues (Blues)
Port Arthur Stomp (Cajun)
Lover's Waltz (Cajun)
Not Fade Away (Cajun version)
Defying Gravity (Bluegrass song)
Almost Done (Americana)
Billy the Kid (Americana)
The Cup of Tea (Irish Reel)
Cooley's (Irish Reel)
Flowers of Edinburgh (Scottish Reel)
The Derry Air (Irish air)
Viola Lee Blues (Blues)
Merry Blacksmith / Cooley's (Irish Reel set)
The Banshee, The Hunter’s Purse, The High Reel (Irish Reel set)
AND MANY MORE!
(NB Please note that all of these songs depend on which of our line-ups you have selected).

Whiskey River 's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£1187.50
Up to 2 hours£1250
Up to 3 hours£1500
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

People like our musical diversity. Many bands are a "Soul band", a "Blues band" and so forth, yet we can be many things depending on what you need and what line-up is decided upon. We have a good way with the audience too, being user-friendly and communicative. We also know how to get the audience involved so they enjoy the event.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

BBC Radio (Stoke / Shrewsbury / Wales / Hereford and Worcester etc). Canterbury Festival, Raamsdonksveer Festival (NL), Opwijk Louisiana Night Cajun Festival (BE), Saulieu Cajun Festival (FR), Gloucester Cajun Festival, Bristol Cajun Festival, Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Pontardawe Folk Festival, Tenby Blues Festival plus many clubs and theatres.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lazy Lester, Slim Harpo, Muddy Waters, Clifton Chenier, Little Walter, Hank Williams, Steve Earle, The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson, Balfa Brothers, Chuck Berry, Bill Monroe, Neville Brothers, The Meters, Cajun music, Bluegrass music, Zydeco music.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Raamsdonksveer Cajun and Zydeco Festival in Holland, with bands from the USA, all across Europe (we have played it twice). Packed crowds who all loved our music. We were also interviewed for the local radio and had an article written about us for BLOCK (a Dutch Blues music magazine) in Holland too.

Do you have different line-up options?

Yes, "Whiskey River" does have a duo, Martin Blake on electric-acoustic guitar and vocals + Aidan Sheehan on accordion, harmonica, flutes, Irish whistles, mandolin, guitar, percussion / jaw-harp. We also offer a trio, quartet and bigger band options, adding fiddle, sax, banjo, drummer, bass, percussionist (subject to availability) to suit your requirements.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

We always try our best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let us know. If they change on the day and are several hours out we will require a fair extra fee to be negotiated between the "engager" and the "leader".

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

We do have an iPod and can play a selection of suitable music via our PA before and between our sets which is inclusive of of our band fee. We cannot play our iPod after our sets nor can we provide a DJ service.

How much time do you need to set up?

Ideally, an hour to an hour and a half before we play is required for us to set up and soundcheck. We prefer this to be before the audience comes into the room. Then when the audience arrive we will sound just right. If required, we can play our iPod to get the audience in the mood for our live performance.

Can you roam around while you perform?

Due to our having a drummer, double bass and knowing that I play several instruments which need to be kept near me, we need to stay next to our PA and not walk around.

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

Being a professional band, our songs have been worked on, arranged, practiced and performed many times. We take pride in doing our best to ensure an excellent show is enjoyed by all. We tend to read the audience as the show progresses. To present you with the best show possible, we politely request that you'd leave the song choices to us. Thank you :¬)

Is all of the equipment (e.g. PA & lighting) included in your quote?

If we are required to bring a PA with us, yes, it is included. We also have some floor stage lights again, no extra charge. If we are going to use your PA we need to know that it is safe and suitable for our use. Using your PA / lighting will not reduce our quote. We will also need to discuss space in which to set up our PA.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

People choose us for the material that we already play, yet it's worth enquiring about our potentially playing your "One Very Special Song". We may already know how to play it. Otherwise, if we feel we would be able to learn and perform it well then there is a £30 additional fee for our rehearsal time.
Musicianship
Genres:
Americana, Folk, Bluegrass, Country, Folk rock, Rockabilly, Traditional Irish folk, Blues, Acoustic, Vintage, World music
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Event types:
Bar / Club / Venue event, Wedding, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Concert, Recording session, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Birthday party
See all event types