Bogus Callers
The Bogus Callers Country Dance Band has been around for many years under a variety of names. While based in south-east Northumberland, Bogus Callers have gigged from Coldstream down to Huddersfield, Newcastle to Middlesbrough and Sunderland to Darlington.
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The Band's dance sets, added to over the years, comprise essentially of traditional English tunes : in other words, airs from all over the British Isles with a bit of American, French and Spanish thrown in for good measure.The Bogus Callers line-up of melodeon, fiddle, drum kit and bass creates a distinctive and very energetic sound which has enlivened wedding receptions, birthday parties and all sorts of celebrations for more than ten years.
THe Bogusd Callers Are:
Robert Furniss is leader of the pack. Robert uses his vast experience of country dancing to make sure that the music fits the feet of even the least accomplished dancer. He plays a D/G Oakwood melodeon.
James Furniss is Robert's son. He has been playing bass guitar with the band since before he could see over the top of the instrument. James is now the band's web site developer and sound engineer too.
Bill Wooldridge is the band's multi-instrumentalist, normally taking second lead on tenor banjo or octave mandola but switching to English bagpipes, whistles or fiddle if required. Bill can usually be bribed not to sing....
Jack Ruddick is a real pro - he teaches drums and percussion for a living. The rest of the band is proud that Jack prefers to play for Bogus Callers instead of the many other bookings he is offered.
Judith Furniss (Robert's wife - you guessed) is the band's regular caller. Liberated from the stage by her radio mike, she is happiest circulating amongst the dancers. Judith has a large range of both traditional and recent country dances.
