Phil Thomas

Phil′s been playing in various live bands since the age of sixteen and has played most styles of contempory music including jazz, rock, blues, and most enjoyably some spells at pit drumming for theatre and pantomime.  He is a recent convert to country, and really enjoys the kind of feel that country music drumming needs, the bass drum tight with Dick's bass guitar, usually with a big fat back-beat that a line dancing team can really get hold of.

As a recent addition to the band, he′s fitted in really quickly and together with Dick on bass, very much sees his role as 'driving' the band along – he likes to sit back and enjoy the feel of a mile deep groove with Dick, and listen to the great vocal harmonies.

Musical influences are his late father, primarily an organist but also a first class all-round musician, The Who, Peter Green, The Eagles, Lone Star, Tricia Yearwood, Steve Earle, and finally Linda Ronstadt and Shania Twain, who've both played such a major role in bringing country music into the mainstream.

Phil's favourite albums include Joan Armatrading's first, the Eagles first and The Who's 'Who's Next'. (There's a big soft spot for the late great Keith Moon!)  Favourite drummers?  Where do you start..... Dave Mattacks for his great feel and sensitivity, Joe Morello for his amazing technique, John Bonham for that big, big sound and amazing right foot, and Pete 'Ginger' Baker because his cross rythms are off the wall and he sounds like nobody else!  

Phil plays a rosewood six-piece Eddie Ryan custom built kit, (he reckons no-one makes drum shells that sound as big as Eddie's,) with a Ludwig supraphonic metal snare drum for that fat backbeat. Oh and Zildjian cymbals, what else!