The Coal Porters

The Coal Porters are a British based Bluegrass band formed in 1992. Widely accepted to be the best Bluegrass band in Britain, the Coal Porters are actually led by an American from south of the Macon-Dixie Line. Singer and mandolin player Sid Griffin is a native of Louisville, Kentucky - the very heartland of the Bluegrass world - although he has been a resident of South London for many years. He first came to international recognition at the head of legendary Paisley Underground band the Long Ryders of "Looking for Lewis and Clark" fame more than 20 years ago.

Vocal duties are shared with Scotsman Neil Robert Herd, who also plays guitar, and fiddle player Gemma White. The band are completed by banjo man Dick Smith, dog-bassist Paul Sandy and second fiddle player Hana Loftus.

They have a well earned reputation as a passionate, entertaining and exciting live band and one of the highlights of their sets is a Bluegrass reworking of The Undertones "Teenage Kicks". New album, "Turn the Water On, Boy!" has been received as their best to date. The album features a cover of Silver Raven written by former Byrd Gene Clark who Sid has known for many years since his L.A. days with the Long Ryders.