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Tom and Smiley 

Line-up 

  • Tom Travis - guitar/vocals
  • Tom Bowker - guitar/vocals 

Session guys for album Tom and Smiley ' Country Style' SAGA records

  • Nick Strutt - Mandolin
  • Brian Golbey - Fiddle
  • Brian Booth - upright bass  

Dug out my brother's LP. It's called Tom and Smiley ' Country Style ' their second release on SAGA Records, one of those budget labels, like MFP or Pickwick. You could pick em up anywhere - Woolies or down the paper shop, Boots, anywhere!

Their first one was called 'The Bluegrass Sound Of Tom And Smiley' (just the two guys) and apparently really sold well .

Then they did this one (Country Style) after which they put out a 'Best Of' so they must have sold a few units.

David Bowker

Tom Travis is still playing Bluegrass and runs a Bluegrass club in the Stockport area. Tom Bowker (Smiley) played mostly 5 string banjo but could play almost anything with strings on it. He went on to play Dobro with PJ Proby. Brian Booth, who played bass with Tom and Smiley, still plays with Tom Travis from time to time. Tom Travis, Brian Booth and I all worked for the same advertising agency in Manchester in the 60s; Smiley worked for a different agency.

Tom and I did duo gigs from time to time and Brian sometimes gigged with a quartet that I was with. Later, in the early 70s, Tom and I got together again in a band called 'Spice' that was recorded by Roy Crewdson, late of the Dreamers.

Pete Crooks - 11/3/09

 

  • album1

 

 

Comments

0
Linden Birns
5 years ago
Hi, my late dad, Rael Birns (died in Johannesburg, 29 June 2020 from COVID-19), managed Tom & Smiley before we emigrated to South Africa in 1972.  I remember as a young boy, spending endless hours watching in awe and listening to them rehearse and perform.  I recall it was a big deal when they managed to record the two LPs and have vivid memories of family and friends sitting in our living room listening to them on the days they were released.  I've still play those LPs.  Other musicians who were in the same circle who were frequent visitors dossing at hour house included Diz Dizley, Jonny Silvo, Pete Ryder, Derek Brimstone, Ralph McTell (he penned "Streets of London") Mike Harding, Murf & Shaggis (the latter being Davey Johnstone, who went on to become Elton John's guitarist and musician director).
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Charles Swindells
4 years ago
I think the attached photos are of the duo. I saw them in the late 1960's at Old Parkonians rugby club in Birkenhead. Tht is where these photos were taken.
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I remember playing banjo in a
3 years ago
Quoting Linden Birns:
Hi, my late dad, Rael Birns (died in Johannesburg, 29 June 2020 from COVID-19), managed Tom & Smiley before we emigrated to South Africa in 1972.  I remember as a young boy, spending endless hours watching in awe and listening to them rehearse and perform.  I recall it was a big deal when they managed to record the two LPs and have vivid memories of family and friends sitting in our living room listening to them on the days they were released.  I've still play those LPs.  Other musicians who were in the same circle who were frequent visitors dossing at hour house included Diz Dizley, Jonny Silvo, Pete Ryder, Derek Brimstone, Ralph McTell (he penned "Streets of London") Mike Harding, Murf & Shaggis (the latter being Davey Johnstone, who went on to become Elton John's guitarist and musician director).
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