Johnny Dickinson
In a year that seems to be high on quality blends rather than single malts, Johnny Dickenson brings together some peaty celtic influences with some smokey blues.
It's a combination that has already seen Johnny justifyably nominated for a Radio 2 Horizon award. A fresh face and sound amongst more established and recognised names.
As part of a number of different blues bands, Johnny was on the receiving end of a number of plaudits. He was offered a solo deal, but felt the offer tied him too much to a traditional blues idea. He headed back home to Northumbria, where he started developing his own ideas.
Illness gave him a chance to examine his life, priorities and that lead to him recording the well received album Castles & Old Kings, probably a very different album thanks to that year's delay.
Johnny Dickinson has kept himself busy working on new material. When performing Johnny normally appears solo, but has worked with Fin McArdle and Neil Harland, who also performed on his album.
POST FESTIVAL VERDICT
Johnny performed a blues masterclass that no doubt earnt him a few more friends. Slide does not always sound this good.