Peter Brine (accordion)

I was born in Hull and started in music late as an orchestral viola and trumpet player.  I came to Leicester in 1965 to study Greek and Latin at Leicester University but rapidly shifted to acting and music and founded the then New University Orchestra, becoming its first conductor and musical director. 

After graduating in classics, I continued conducting in the Leicester area including directing the City of Leicester String Orchestra until 1991. 

In 1983 I was invited to accompany the Jerusalem Jammers WI Ladies Garland (morris) team as a fiddle player and shortly after that took up the piano accordion.

This led to an interest in folk music and I am now the regular keytboard and drums player for Steel Hedgehog as well as band leader of Anstey Royale Chalfont morris team, band leader of the Jerusalem Jammers and member of Bakanalia and Herbaceous Border morris bands.  Major performed works include 18 youth theatre musicals, 2 adult plays, 4 pantomimes and 1 symphony. 

Future projects include completing a play 'The Innocent Agent', completing my second symphony and submitting my doctorate (in an aspect of English Criminal Law procedure.)

John Hunter (Banjo, fiddle, guitar)

I am 64yrs young now and love playing music! Dad made me a guitar from a “Hobbies Fretwork Kit” when I was about 13, and learnt my first chords on this. Difficult as the frets kept dropping out! However I persevered and progressed through different models the years, eventually gaining an interest in other stringed instruments – violin, mandolin and banjo. Don’t ask me to play “Duelling Banjos”, ‘cos I can’t. I play tenor banjo rather than 5 string, (Type in Tenor Banjo on YouTube and dredge up some of the old timers such as the guy in Spike Jones and the City Slickers).

Biggest regret, not having formal music training when I had the chance, in my formative years

Short lived fame in the band “Mid – Life Crisis”, formed whilst in prison (was only visiting), and currently playing lead guitar in a Gospel band. Village halls I have to say, are my favourite venues, and consider it a good evening if I see peoples’ feet tapping and everyone on the floor dancing.

Isobel Chambers (Bodhran, guitar)

I was born in Liverpool and moved away to join the WRAF when I was 17. I had piano lessons when younger but there was always something else and more interesting to do rather than practice scales, so I gave it up.

I met John McDonald (Maca the Caller) 8 years ago and he re-kindled the love of playing music to such an extent that I now play bodhran and guitar in the band and I "dabble" with the accordion, bowed psaltery, tin whistle and tenor mandola.

My biggest regret is that I can't tell my Mum and Dad how grateful I am for the music lessons I had when younger, that they couldn't really afford.

I love playing and seeing people enjoying themselves, and just having fun.