News
Bank Suite @ The Magnesia Bank, North Shields - August 29th
(Posted 05/08/08) Tickets for the band's home-turf appearance at The Magnesia Bank in North Shields on Friday 29th August have gone on sale today @ £5. Contact the venue on 0191 257 4831 to reserve yours!
Visit the Live Dates page for information about all the band's shows around the UK.
27/07/08 - Americana Weekender, The Sage, Gateshead
(Posted 27/07/08) Peter and the band were invited to play the Jumpin' Hot Stage at this prestigious festival in a spectacular location, featuring the cream of North American roots music.
Also on the bill were Cherryholmes, Elizabeth Cook, Justin Townes Earle (son of Steve) and Sarah Savoy. It was a great day of music!
12/06/08 - Peter'n'Albert
Peter was special guest at Albert Lee's concert in Gateshead last night, playing piano and singing Frankie and Johnny.
Here's a photo...
08/06/08 - New Photos - Phoenix Theatre, Blyth
The band played a rare home-turf concert at The Phoenix Theatre in Blyth, Northumberland, last night.
The band debuted a couple of new songs which may well appear on the next CD.
25/05/08 - New Live Review
The Peter Donegan Band - The Jam House, Edinburgh, 9th April 2008
'The family name is the same, the cheeky grin and on-stage banter similar, plus a set list comprising his father's famous songs but there the comparison has to stop. This was not a tribute act.
Lonnie's son has taken the songs dusted them off and given them a 2008 makeover. For those wanting new versions of familiar songs which, in every sense of the word, formed the foundation of all that is good in British music today then they need look no further. This has been achieved by selecting choice cuts from the likes of The Weavers, Huddie Ledbetter, Woodie Guthrie alongside traditional songs discovered by the Lomax brothers and singing them with the same passion and respect that infused every concert by Lonnie.
These songs are a blend of pure folk, blues, country and lashings of foot stomping rock and roll, which leave you feeling great. As with the Springsteen's Seeger Sessions, it is good to take a look back at where we've come from and remember a time when everybody could make music with the simplest of instruments.
I will not insult your musical knowledge by doing a set list with material that was a very worthy homage to skiffle and it's rightful place in British musical history. Instead I will say simply that I truly had a great time at this gig. Peter carries the legacy that is Lonnie Donegan with pride and honour.'
Graeme Scott / Americana UK
24/05/08 - New photos added... Scrapbook!
We have a pile of interesting photos lying around from our travels (interesting to us, anyway), so we've found a place for them to live: The Scrapbook.
22/05/08 - Rare North-East concert - The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth
It's been quite a while since the band has performed in the North-East, but Saturday, June 7th sees them play at The Phoenix Theatre in Blyth, Northumberland. Tickets are available NOW from the box office. Click here for details.
22/05/08 - Sunday For Sammy - Newcastle City Hall - DVD Now available
'Sunday for Sammy 2008', featuring the band alongside stars of stage and screen including Tim Healy, Timothy Spall, Kevin Whately, Christopher Fairbank, Billy Mitchell, Brendan Healey, Denise Welch and Alan Clark (Dire Straits).
Peter and the band played 'Puttin' on the Style' and 'Rock Island Line'. Here's a clip...
The DVD is available NOW from www.billymitchell.co.uk.
19/04/08 - Review of the band's show at Bridgwater
'...the band drew an unprecedented wave of applause from the sell-out crowd...'
Read more in The Bridgwater Mercury.
03/04/08 - Calling all venues - new poster available to download
A shiny new promotional poster is available for download from the promo page.
If the band are playing at your venue, this poster will print at high quality up to A3. It's a 2.92MB .pdf @ 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat is required.
16/03/08 - What you've been saying
Here's some comments we've received from people who've come to some recent shows. Some were emailed directly to us, and others have been posted on our message board:
'Some friends and I went to see the band in Tring, Hertfordshire, last night. He was 'hot' right from the start. Wonderful night, great choice of songs, plenty of enthusiasm, very talented men, all of them. We couldn't keep our feet still. He did his dad proud, but he's a brilliant performer in his own right. Keep going boys.'
'Wonderful gig at 'The Rock' at Maltby. Especially enjoyed was the slow Lonnie Johnson blues - absolutely stonking! Thanks to Peter and the band. Come back soon!'
'Didn't know what to expect but was stunned by a superb tight performance. Recommend everyone to see if poss. Rachael superb on violin. Call again soon.' (re: Maltby show)
'Many thanks to all the band for a great show last weekend...Ii hope its not too long before we see you again..' (Beadnell)
'I want to sincerely thank You for an absolutely incredible performance at Rothbury Roots last night. Everybody on the very top of their game - vocals, super-tight musicianship, amazing energy - you gave us all an evening to remember. It was truly memorable...'
'What a wonderful night! The band were so much fun to watch and the songs were excellent. Thank you.'(Kirkby)
Thanks for all your comments... keep them coming. It's great to hear from you!
12/02/08 - Sunday for Sammy 2008, Newcastle City Hall
Peter & the band performed 'Puttin' on the Style' and 'Rock Island Line' at the show, which took place on Sunday 10th February.
It was filmed for DVD, to be released later this year. Also appearing at the show were Timothy Spall, Tim Healy, Kevin Whately, Denise Welch and many more.
02/02/08 - A message from Rothbury Roots
The band have just played at Rothbury Roots, one of Northumberland's leading live music venues. It's now into it's seventh year, and has previously had visits from, amongst others, Kathryn Tickell, Sid Griffin & the Coal Porters, Lindisfarne Acoustic & Johnny Dickinson.
The band were extremely well received, and promoter Kevin Roberts has since posted this on our messageboard:
'Hi Guys! I want to sincerely Thank You for an absolutely incredible performance at Rothbury Roots last night.
Everybody on the very top of their game - vocals, super-tight musicianship, amazing energy - you gave us all an evening to remember.
It was truly memorable, and you so richly deserve every single success that the music business can throw at you. And somewhere up there, a certain Lonnie will be a very proud man indeed! My Best Wishes to you all, and rest assured I'll be in touch for a return!'
Thank you Kevin, and everyone at Rothbury Roots. It's a remarkable venue.
17/11/07 - New MySpace site
We've finally got around to creating a MySpace site... it's right here.
08/10/07 - What's that racket?
There are many, many musical ingredients that go into the Peter Donegan Band's Electric Skiffle stew.
Have a look at the Band pages, where there is now a bit of an insight into the listening habits of each member...
01/09/07 - Review of the band's Americana International appearance
September's edition of Country Music People Magazine has a review of July's Americana International festival, including the following, related to Peter & the band's performance:
“An act that had no problems holding the crowd was the Peter Donegan Band.
...From the outset, it was clear this was not a tribute band – which Peter feels would be disrespectful to his father. Rather, he mixed original material with classic Lonnie numbers like ‘Bring A Little Water, Sylvie’, ‘I Wanna Go Home ’, ‘Frankie And Johnny’, ‘Tom Dooley’, ‘Putting On The Style’ and ‘Have A Drink On Me’.
Not only did he pull the largest crowd of the Saturday to the main stage area but, just like his father before him, with a cheeky sense of humour and unbounded energy, he kept alive the spirit of skiffle which had such a great impact on British pop music, as well as creating a real feelgood factor which the audience clearly appreciated.
In mannerisms, vocal deliveries and physical appearance, there can be no doubting that this is Lonnie’s boy, and tonight his father would have been proud of him.”
Al Moir, Country Music People Magazine, September 2007
30/08/07 - Band Biography (.pdf) available for download
The band's biography is now available to download in .pdf format from the promo page.
(90K .pdf - Adobe Acrobat required)
16/07/07 - MoorsholmLIVE! - review & photos
We're planning to get some photos and tales from our travels over the last couple of weeks onto this site soon. In the meantime, the folks over at MoorsholmLIVE! have beaten us to it, and added a review and some stunning photos from last Friday's concert.
It's a remarkable venue, and we had a great time - thanks to all involved!
31/05/07 - Download an exclusive song... free!
Visit the Music & Video page to download an exclusive recording of Rock Island Line... for free!
26/12/06 - Interview with Peter in Blues Matters Magazine
Read it here>>>
15/12/06 - Interview with Peter in 
Today's edition of The Times features a full-page interview with Peter. Read it here>>>