Holly Carter w/ Special Guest Abi Budgen - Nelly's, Stratford Upon Avon

'Holly Carter is an award-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Bristol, UK. Two-time recipient of ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ at the Americana UK awards (2023 & 2024) she is widely recognised as an exceptional fingerstyle guitarist and one of the UK’s only professional female pedal steel players. Drawing deeply from the well of the folk tradition, she harnesses an approach to song as a powerful tool for education and the preservation of legacy. Along with a showstopping approach to guitar that follows hot on the heels of the likes of Chet Atkins and John Fahey, her music weaves joyously catchy melodies with thought-provoking lyrics that pay homage to a diverse collection of musical and personal heroes. As a session musician, Holly has performed and toured extensively with some of the best on the UK and US circuits, including Lady Nade, Michele and Romeo Stodart (The Magic Numbers) and Elles Bailey. Notable International performances include appearances at Nasvhille’s Americana Fest (2022) - preceded by a quick detour to New York’s Vitruvian Sound Studios to record on a couple of tracks for indie-folk troubadours Bandits On The Run - and Germany’s Women in (e)motion Festival (2023). Her live shows are a masterclass in using joy, humour and music to foster a sense of community and hope, creating a profound sense of connection with the audience; it’s easy to see how she has drawn comparisons with others for whom music is innatelyconnected with social activism, such as Billy Bragg and Marisa Anderson. Her extensive work in community music settings and for charities such as Live Music Now has informed an approach to music as a right, not a privilege, and Holly is a proud advocate for the importance of keeping music accessible for all. This show will be part of a run to mark five years since the release of Holly's debut EP 'All of You...and Me', which will be re-recorded and re-released to mark the occasion. It will also be a chance to sample some 'never heard before' songs that will feature on her second full length album (due for release in 2027) before they've even made it into the studio; a way to celebrate both old and new. Holly will be joined by Joe Wilkins on guitar for this intimate show.' ---------------- Singer, songwriter, guitarist, poet, Abi Budgen is an artist in the deepest sense of the word, her work a beautiful explosion of everything that makes us human. Perhaps piedmont blues legend Phil Wiggins describes Abi’s music best: "vibrant and strong and good for the heart". Abi's innovative style reflects a lifetime’s love and study of traditional blues and gospel music, of which she is also an internationally respected teacher; as well as her passion for rock n roll, punk, poetry and early jazz. Alongside her powerful live performances, Abi’s recordings have received radio play on BBC 6 music and BBC Radio Wales. Her song 'Cry' features on album 'Music Minds' with artists including Andy Fairweather Low, Chris Difford and Tom Robinson. “Hauntingly on point” - Jasmine Gardosi (former Birmingham Poet Laureate) "Wonderful! The torch is being passed. Full speed ahead!" - Stefan Grossman Doors 7pm 18+