January 9- Sacaulait - Cajun trio
- January 16
- Leon Rosselson - Legendary songwriter
- January 23
- WAZ - Whetstone, Allcock and Zorn
- January 30
- Lee Collinson - Ace guitarist
- February 6
- Shave the Monkey - Music and movement
- February 13
- Cantoris- Four-piece harmony
- February 20
- Doug Smith - New kid on the block
- February 27
- Isla St Clair- Superb singer
- March 6
- Allan Taylor - Another fine songwriter
- March 7
- Junction 24- Ceilidh at the Arbrook Hall, a Ram Club Saturday Special
- March 13
- Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies - Yet
another great songwriter
- March 20
- Whiskey Before Breakfast - Irish trad outfit
- March 27
- The New Bushbury Mountain Daredevil Band - Ram Club regulars
- April 3
- Paul Cherrington & Pamela Ward
- April 10 (Good Friday)
- Mike Silver
- April 17
- Chris While & Julie Matthews
- April 24
- Crawdaddy
- May 1
- Enda Kenny
- May 8
- Huw & Tony Williams
- May 15
- Mad Pudding
- May 22
- The Albion Band
- May 29
- Isaac Guillory
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June 5
- Sean Tyrrell
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June 12
- Sally Barker Band
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June 19
- Carmina
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June 26
- Chris Sherburn & Denny Bartley
- July 3
- Dangerous Curves
- July 10
- Open Road
- July 17
- Wizz Jones
- July 24
- Maggie Boyle
- July 31
- John Fiddler
- September 4
- Cath Munday and Jay Turner
Based in Australia, Munday-Turner (as they are best known Down Under) combine the singing/songwriting talents of Cath Munday and Jay Turner. Cath from Brisbane is also a violinist and piano player. Jay is an accomplished guitar player and hails originally from the UK where he retains a staunch following. First time at the Ram for this harmony duo formed in 1995.
- September 11
- Steve Tilston's String Thing
The return of the exceedingly gifted Steve Tilston, known on the club/festival scene as much for his 22-carat songwriting skills as his gilt-edged dexterous guitar arrangements. Up his sleeve, we hear there is a clutch of new songs on which Steve will be aided and abetted by the virtuous and classically trained talents of Richard Curran on violin and Steve Anstee on cello.
- September 18
- Ian Bruce
From the land of the north wind, we are delighted to welcome back singer/guitarist Ian Bruce. Ian has a rich, soaring and expressive voice, a top-notch repertoire and a winning way with audiences. His songs are mainly his own, yet he is equally at home with interpretations of other material, including traditional.
- September 25
- Bert Ramsey and Neti Vaan'
We are certain you will also go for this up-timey transatlantic music duo. Bart Ramsey on piano, guitar and vocals and Neti Vaan’ on fiddle and vocals have cooked up a well-seasoned melting pot of original American songs and border-hopping fiddle tunes. Expect any darned thang from New Orleans-style piano mambos to Texas two-steps and roots-rock ballads, served up with wit and spontaneity.
- October 2
- Pauline Cato & Tom McConville
Ace fiddler meets champion Northumbrian piper. Tom and Pauline have gigged incessantly over the past few years and have just put the finishing touches to a successor album to the acclaimed By Land And Sea. Fine musicianship and songs, tightly arranged sets of tunes, and all round good craic.
- October 9
- Acadian Ramblers
Based in the Netherlands, Acadian Ramblers are a comparatively new five piece Cajun/Zydeco band comprising Steven Hollanders, Stephen van Haestegt, Rene van Tilburg, David Buyle and Wim Nagtegaal. Their mission in life is to have fun producing the joie de vivre and music of Louisiana. New album just out entitled Ghost Dance.
- October 16
- Martin Simpson
Best acoustic guitar and slide player the UK folk scene has ever produced? It has to be Martin Simpson. Fiendishly brill in practically any style - breakneck blues, blistering bottleneck, achingly beautiful slow airs, to list but a few - Simpson remains in a mesmerising class of his own. Catch him in the intimacy of the Ram on his 1998 UK tour.
- October 23
- Clive Gregson
Also on tour from the States is Clive Gregson. Clive took the club by storm in November 1996. A year later he did the same thing. So third visit for this revered guitar player (and one of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s fave songwriters). Clive made his mark with Any Trouble, Christine Collister, Richard Thompson et al. Now based in Nashville and hacking it wonderfully as a soloist.
- October 30
- Dave Burland
As befits a one-time police officer, Dave Burland is famous for his arresting performances. With those rich mahogany vocals and his distinctive guitar style, Dave has always possessed that elusive capacity for producing Definitive Versions of some truly great songs, whether trad or contemporary.
- November 6
- Joe Burke & Ann
Conroy-Burke
Joe Burke - he of Joe Burke's Hornpipe, a tune well known to all session players - is one of Ireland's great button accordion players, a top man who can captivate an audience. As a bonus, Joe's wife Ann Conroy-Burke - herself an all-Ireland accordion champion - will be supplying fine vocal and guitar accompaniment.
- November 13
- Simon Mayor & Hilary
James
Beware of the over-used "viruoso" tag applied so liberally to musicians. But be assured that Simon Mayor and Hilary James are the real McCoy. Simon, a genuine virtuoso on guitar, fiddle and, most notably, mandolin, complements the classy vocals of Hilary James, who plays guitar and upright bass. An exceptional duo.
- November 20
- Tabache
Tabache are fiddle player Aidan O’Rourke plus flute, fiddle, whistle player and singer Claire Mann. Over the past few years, they have been specialising in trad/original Scots and Irish music, some of which can now be heard on a fine debut album Are You Willing?. Essentially a duo, Tabache normally wheel in a nifty guitarist to accompany them.
- November 27
- Coope, Boyes & Simpson
Fifth time at the Ram for C B S. Come raise the rafters with the best purveyors around of invigorating, right-on a capella stuff. Spot-on harmonies, radical lyrics, memorable songs. Since their last visit, they have also produced their long-awaited traditional album Hindsight.
- December 4
- Ben & Joe Broughton
The brothers Broughton grew up playing music together. Joe is that too-clever-by-half fiddler who has wowed Ram audiences before when here with the Albion Band and Keith Hancock’s Famous Last Words. Ben is no less gifted on guitar and other stringed thingies. Plus songs a-plenty.
- December 11
- Craobh Rua
A warm welcome back to Craobh Rua, an exciting 4-piece Belfast band who tour extensively in Europe and the US, alongside the likes of De Danaan and Phil Cunningham. Great songs on banjo, pipes, mandola, guitar and whistles.
- December 18
- Christmas Party
Party night at the Ram! And as ever, we’d be mighty pleased to see just as many as can make it for some seasonal song, drink, food and laughter. Cameo spots from, among others, Benny Gallagher, Lee Collinson and hopefully your goodselves. You may also care to help Bob Wood mark the escape of his CD When The Moon Sits Fat On A Scudding Cloud.
- For auld lang syne, my friends...