Biography
Born in 1960 in London, England, Feltham developed tastes rooted firmly in American sounds despite his English upbringing. Drawn toward country music as a profession, he mastered the harmonica and achieved notable skill on the instrument. As founder and co-leader of Nine Below Zero he gained recognition across the British blues scene. In the early 1980s he became a member of blues-rock guitarist Rory Gallagher’s group, remaining with him for more than ten years of tours and recordings. After Gallagher died in 1995, Feltham rejoined Nine Below Zero alongside two former Gallagher sidemen, bassist Gerry McAvoy and drummer Brendan O’Neill.
During the 1980s and 1990s he established himself as a sought-after studio musician throughout the UK, contributing to many album sessions as well as film and television scores, work that extended into the early 2000s. Concert appearances and recordings linked him to British performers including Marc Almond, Robbie McIntosh, Roger Chapman, the Christians, Deacon Blue, Manfred Mann, New Model Army and Oasis, plus Italian vocalist Zucchero. His soundtrack credits include the films Judge Dredd (1995) and The Mighty (1998).
Although he performs on harmonica across blues and pop, interview remarks indicate that Feltham remains at core a country artist, a side he pursues by working regularly in the United States. In the early 2000s he stepped away from Nine Below Zero to front an occasional trio featuring bassist David Levy and drummer Richard Newman, an ensemble that moved him nearer to a country style.
During the 1980s and 1990s he established himself as a sought-after studio musician throughout the UK, contributing to many album sessions as well as film and television scores, work that extended into the early 2000s. Concert appearances and recordings linked him to British performers including Marc Almond, Robbie McIntosh, Roger Chapman, the Christians, Deacon Blue, Manfred Mann, New Model Army and Oasis, plus Italian vocalist Zucchero. His soundtrack credits include the films Judge Dredd (1995) and The Mighty (1998).
Although he performs on harmonica across blues and pop, interview remarks indicate that Feltham remains at core a country artist, a side he pursues by working regularly in the United States. In the early 2000s he stepped away from Nine Below Zero to front an occasional trio featuring bassist David Levy and drummer Richard Newman, an ensemble that moved him nearer to a country style.