Bryn Haworth

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Bryn Haworth is a Christian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and pioneer of Jesus music in mainstream rock. Born in Darwen, Lancashire, UK, he has released some eighteen albums and several singles since the 1970s as well as guesting as guitarist on many other albums by rock and folk artists. He continues to tour in the UK, appearing mostly at smaller venues, Christian centres and at prisons. He has also appeared three times at the UK Greenbelt festival. His chosen instruments include guitar (particularly slide or bottleneck guitar) and mandolin.

He was presented by BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel on his show in 1974 and 1975 [1] and made two television appearances on the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test. Also in the 1970s, Haworth appeared on the weekly ITV show "Pop Gospel", presented by Berni Flint.

Together with wife Sally, Haworth has engaged in extensive musical and evangelical work in prison settings [2]. Haworth has his own website [3] and is featured in the current Crossrythms artists catalogue [4].

A sample of Haworth's music, together with a list of 2008 live concert dates, may be found on his MySpace Music page [5]. A appreciation of Haworth's work, including the acclaim of a number of music professionals, may be found at [1]. A review of The Gap album can be found here: [2]. A review of a 2006 concert in Plymouth can be found here: [3]

Contents

[edit] Career

Haworth came to London from Lancashire in the late 1960s to join "Les Fleur de Lys", a motown/soul band which became house band for Atlantic Records in England. When the band folded, Haworth travelled to California, USA. He toured extensively in the US as guitarist in various American bands, including the Jackie Lomax Band, and Wolfgang, (managed by the legendary Bill Graham) appearing with such artists as Led Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane, Taj Mahal and The Moody Blues. In 1973 he returned to England and was signed to Island Records for whom he made his debut album "Let The Days Go By".

A further album for Island, "Sunny Side Of The Street", was recorded in 1974. He then continued his career as a solo recording artist with A&M Records with whom he recorded "Grand Arrival" (in Nashville with J.J.Cale's producer Audie Ashworth) and "Keep The Ball Rolling". During this period he made numerous radio and TV appearances, and toured extensively in UK and Europe supporting such artists as Traffic, Bad Company, Gallagher and Lyle and Fairport Convention.

Haworth has recorded with a number of well known musicians including Chris de Burgh, Joan Armatrading, Ian Matthews and Gerry Rafferty (notably on Rafferty’s "On A Wing And A Prayer", "Over My Head", and "Another World"). He has also toured as part of the band with Cliff Richard.

Haworth also has a long song-writing pedigree and has had several of his compositions recorded by other artists including Lulu, Sandy Denny and Mary Black (for the latter on her 1999 album "Speaking With The Angel").

In 1974 Haworth and wife Sally became Christians and this life-changing experience brought a strong gospel influence into his music. From 1989 to 1992 Haworth worked with the SW London Vineyard developing the worship and prison ministry, and leading worship at many UK conferences. He now travels extensively performing concerts both solo and with a band and also leads seminars and guitar clinics throughout the world, in a wide variety of venues including concert halls, colleges, churches and prisons.

He made a brief UK tour in September 1997, with a line-up of Haworth (vocals, guitar) Jeff Hamer (guitar), Terry 'Tex' Comer (bass) (previously of the band Ace) and Henry Spinetti (drums).

He has recorded ten further albums (see discography below) including "Songs & Hymns" which was recorded at Fairport Convention's Woodworm Studios in Oxfordshire.

The CD "Water From The Rock", a compilation of faith tracks, was the first release on Haworth's own new record label, "Bella Music Ltd". A long awaited CD of brand new songs "Keep The Faith" was released in 2006.

[edit] Solo discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

  • "Grappenhall Rag" (1974)
  • "Give All You Got to Give" (1975)
  • "We're All One" (1978)
  • "Woman Friend" (1978)
  • "Come See What Love / Full Day" (1978)
  • "Keep the Ball Rolling" (1979)
  • "A Real Giveaway" (1979, with Albert Lee, 9 Track Limited Edition Promo)
  • "Unchained Melody" (1979)
  • "City Boy" (1979)
  • "It Could Have Been Me" (1980)

[edit] References

  1. ^ BBC Radio 1 Keeping It Peel
  2. ^ A day in the life of - Bryn & Sally Haworth
  3. ^ The Bryn Haworth Website
  4. ^ Cross Rhythms Website
  5. ^ Bryn Haworth MySpace Music page