Grateful Fred's: Americana & Roots Music

Grateful Fred's have been pioneering Americana and Roots music in Formby, Southport and Liverpool since 2010 and during that time have presented some of the best US, Canadian and World artists.

On the first Wednesday of every month, join the Fredhead's at The Atkinson for a wonderful night of live acoustic music.

The Club Night
7.30pm – Shadow Captain
8.00pm – Penni Neale
8.40pm – Interval
9.00pm – Charlie Dore

Charlie Dore
Charlie Dore is one of the UK's most respected singer songwriters. In an unusually diverse career her songs have won two Ascap awards, an Ivor Novello nomination, both the Overall Grand and the Folk Prize from the International Acoustic Music Awards. Her 2017 album Dark Matter won both Album of the Year and Best Lyrics from the US Indie Acoustic Project, while her most recent album, "Like Animals" won her 2021's FATEA Female Artist of the Year & Best Lyrics from the US Indie Acoustic Project. Currently launching the UK Short Circuit Autumn Tour '23 with her co-pilot Julian Littman.

While her own albums favour her more eclectic/roots leanings, she is one of a handful of UK writers to achieve success across many genres, defined by the range of artists to have covered her songs including Tina Turner, George Harrison, Celine Dion, Lisa Stansfield, Paul Carrack, Ricky Ross and Jimmy Nail, notching up along the way a UK No 1, a US No 4 and Top 10 hits in Italy, Germany and France. She has also composed for three BBC drama series and two films. Her own hit, "Pilot of the Airwaves" is still featured on Radio 2's core playlist and a worldwide radio favourite.

She has also worked as an actress in theatre, film, (the award-winning Ploughman's Lunch, playing opposite Jonathan Pryce) TV drama, Radio with Eric Idle and co-founded London Comedy Impro venue, The Hurricane Club, performing alongside many comedy icons including Bill Bailey, Stuart Lee and Robin Williams.

Charlie continues writing for and with other artists and also enjoys mentoring emerging songwriters when she's not recording or touring with her own band. She is currently writing 'Background Noise', a series of essays about her life offstage.

Penni Neale
Penni Neale is a captivating singer-songwriter, who first embarked on her musical journey in the vibrant landscapes of New Zealand during the 1980s. However, her heart eventually led her back to the North Wales coast, where she has become a beloved fixture of the Welsh Folk Scene.

Penni's performances are more than just music; they're a delightful blend of song and humour that truly engages her audiences. Her repertoire is a rich tapestry of songs, drawing inspiration from her deep roots in Folk, Jazz, and Country.

With a voice that captures the essence of her experiences it will add a personal touch to her musical repertoire.

Shadow Captain

We are delighted to welcome back a big supporter and friend of Grateful Fred's, Stuart Todd, aka. Shadow Captain.

Shadow Captian is the brainchild of Liverpool singer-songwriter and musician Stuart. Starting out playing in folk clubs and acoustic nights, Stuart worked with classical guitarist Neil Campbell in the acoustic duo Campbell Todd.

He began fronting his own group The Freebies; to promote his first solo album A Question Of Time, before the formation of Three Minute Hero and eventually Shadow Captain.

During the 2010s, Stuart Todd found success as an award-winning promoter with Graham Holland and Liverpool Acoustic. He currently plays bass for singer-songwriter Mark Pountney and the group Only Child. Shadow Captain recorded the albums April Moon and Artifacts with top producer and engineer Andy Fernihough. The tracks Hey Django and The Room's Too Bare have received radio airplay on BBC Music Introducing.