Biography
Born to a Sussex cowman, British fiddle player Brian Golbey absorbed early American country music during his childhood. By age eleven he had already acquired skill on both the harmonica and the old-fashioned melodeon his father favored. A guitar, still uncommon in 1950s Britain, became his next instrument, and he soon added the fiddle. His first professional appearances occurred in 1953 at local events celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. After completing military service, Golbey entered the 1960s folk movement and began performing at local folk clubs in 1966. The following year he formed a partnership with banjo player Pete Stanley that included tours as well as radio and television engagements. Together with friend Jim Marshall, Golbey also opened Great Britain’s first country music club. In 1970 he ended the collaboration with Stanley to launch a solo career devoted to British country music; his first recordings appeared that spring. The next year he visited the United States, where Ernest Tubb arranged a guest spot on the Midnight Jamboree, which in turn led to performances on WWVA’s Wheeling Jamboree and the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. Upon returning to Britain, Golbey assembled a trio with Patsy Montana and Mac Wiseman that toured until 1975, when he and Allan Taylor established the folk group Cajun Moon. The ensemble issued one well-received album before dissolving in 1976. Golbey and Stanley resumed working together in 1977 and continued touring Europe until the mid-1980s, after which they restricted their schedule to occasional festival and club dates. In 1993 the BCMA presented Golbey with its Committee Award in recognition of his contributions to British country music.
Albums