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Steve Phillips & his band in Norway.
1. Introduction
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This story starts in 1968 when a young news reporter called Mark Knopfler interviewed a blues guitarist called Steve Phillips.
The two became lifelong friends but their musical journey started with them forming an acoustic blues duo called 'The Duolian String Pickers'.
Mark Knopfler's first record was recorded with Steve Phillips on 12 string guitar.
By the seventies Knopfler had formed Dire Straits and was exploring his skills as a song writer, some of which would feature references back to Steve Phillips.
Despite the enormous success of Dire Straits the two bluesmen still found the occasional opportunity to get together and perform in public their brand of classic roots and blues music.
By the nineties, Knopfler wanted to produce Phillips' next studio album recording. This resulted in the formation of 'The Notting Hillbillies' which through the nineties and now into the new millennium have seen several tours widely across the UK.
Steve Phillips . Mark Knopfler . Guy Fletcher . Brendan Croker
When the 'Notting Hillbillies' project wasn't 'on the road' Mark was still interested to explore his musical roots with friends. He formed the 'Mark Knopfler & Friends' band which would feature Steve Phillips.
Throughout all of this time since the 60's Steve Phillips has maintained a high profile in the blues and roots markets performing at numerous festivals and clubs around Europe and beyond.
His most recent visit to Norway in 2007 discovered a group of young professional musicians based between Oslo and Bergen. After so much good music was played to thrilled audiences in Norway it was agreed by all of us that we should try and continue with new projects in the future.
The two projects are:
1. The Sultans Of Swing featuring special guest Steve Phillips
2. Steve Phillips and The Blue Moon Playboys
The Sultans of Swing are great for festivals which attract a wide audience from families to the young and old just wishing to have a good time. The Sultans of Swing are a great band for corporate events throughout the year.
The music consists of a mix of classic Dire Straits, Notting Hillbillies and Mark Knopfler band songs blended together with some classic vintage blues, boogie, swing and a lot more. Featuring Vidar Ruud in much of the lead role covering the works of Dire Straits.
The second option which features Steve Phillips mostly in the lead role is a band performing an infectious blend of the classic blues seen with the Sultans but without the Dire Straits songs. This band will be seen at various blues and music clubs.
Now meet the band .....
Vidar Ruud (Lead vocals and guitar)
Olav Torgeir Kopsland (Slide, rhythm and pedal steel guitars)
Ingar Blix (Bass guitar)
Alf Magne Hillestad (Drums)
Lars Andre Kvistum (Piano and Hammond organ)
L - R: Steve, Olav, Vidar, Alf, Ingar and Lars.
And so, the stage is set for the band to play .......
