Dave Sharp goes into the recording studio this week to begin work on a new record with "Roots Band" musicians Chris Allen (The Jerry Donahue Band), Norman Cooke (Goldblade), and guitarist Scott Poley.

Dave will be making live appearances, Spring / Summer, with the "Roots Band," which will feature a flexible line-up of musicians including the Zimmermen, the Two Bob Band in addition to musicians from Scotland, Manchester and the South of England. Detailed information on all the musicians Dave is currently working with will be posted soon.

In addition to band appearances, Dave will be performing acoustic duets / trios with various musicians under the name of "Dudes with Guitars," including a series of dates in the Manchester area with singer / songwriter Paul Sudlow.

Look out for additional acoustic line-ups, including guitarist Scott Poley and Middlesborough singer / songwriter Ricky Doolan.

Later in the year, Dave will be making apperances with Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets) and Chris Helme (The Seahorses).

Lots going on this year, folks! Stay tuned.

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Following a great weekend at Largs playing 3 acoustic shows at the Victoria Hotel, Dave returns to Manchester for the first of a series of shows to take place in the North West over the coming months. Dave plays Manchester's newest hot spot, Sub61, on Thursday Night at 9:00 p.m.

Later the same night at Sub61, Dave will play an additional show when he'll be joined by singer / song-writer Paul Sudlow who previously performed with Dave at Shangri-La.

This marks the first in a series of events at Sub61 which will be promoted by Mancunia, an organisation formed to promote Manchester music.

Don't miss this exciting event on Thursday!

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A big thanks to everyone at the Gathering who showed up for Dave's "Midnight Special" show last Friday. Dave really enjoyed the show and enjoyed meeting and saying hi to everybody. He passes on a big thanks to Mike and Jules for inviting him to be there.

Dave is currently up in Scotland playing his favourite haunt in Largs, which is fast becoming his home away from home. He'll be performing two shows at the Victoria Hotel this weekend.

Check in regularly with the Gig Guide as shows will be coming in throughout the month for the year ahead. Dave is planning to record this Spring before heading out to play festivals this Summer.

Other things to watch for will be some band shows in and around the North West as Dave works in some new live material. More details about Dave's band work to be announced soon.

Hope to see you all on the road! Travel easy.

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Dave Sharp returns to Wales on Friday, 29 January, to play a late-night set at the 2010 Alarm Gathering. The late slot in Ballroom will give Dave an opportunity to stretch out and play material from Downtown America and Hard Travellin’. He will also be previewing material he is working on for a forthcoming album.

“Exclusive to Alarm Fans”:

The “One Step Closer” guitar up for grabs.

Alarm fans attending the Gathering will have a unique opportunity to own the guitar Dave used to write “One Step Closer to Home” in 1984. This 1907 Savarez hand-built Spanish-strung guitar will be on display throughout The Gathering weekend and will be available to view and play on site by appointment with a representative at The Alarm Information and Merchandise Centre. View details and specs for the “One Step Closer” guitar below.

Don’t worry if you miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as one of Dave’s favourite recording guitars will also be available to play and own. This specially customised Yamaha “Delta” has been a favourite studio instrument on Dave’s recording sessions during 2009 and will be featured on this year’s upcoming studio releases.

This is your chance to own a genuine piece of Alarm rock-n-roll history. Both guitars are a solid investment as their value is sure to increase with time.

Details:

The “One Step Closer” guitar:

Hand-built Spanish parlour guitar
Built by V Respaldiza in Madrid 1907
Set up by Mark Wilmott
Machine heads engraved silver “strip””
Hand-crafted mosaic rosette
Rosewood split back
Mahogany sides
Ebony finger board
Original case
£700 ono

Yamaha “Delta”:

Machine heads Schaller M6
Nut and saddle by Earvana
Body based on the 1930s Gibson L-00 small-shoulder concept
Case included
£450 ono

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Best of the season's greeting to you all.

We'd like to thank every one of you for all your hard and fast support through 2009, and we'd like to welcome you to join Dave Sharp's Express Sleigh Ride to a Cool Yule into 2010.

Highlights of the month will be Dave's 'Cool Carolling X-mas Eve Show'at the Station in Ashton on December 24th.

Another must-see event will be Dave's follow-up appearance with his good friend Miles Hunt at the Birmingham O2 Academy on December the 17th for the Wonderstuff's Homecoming Party.

Throughout December Dave is currently on tour with the Rats featuring Simon Crowe and Gary Roberts, hot new guitarist Darren Beale and Animals' front man, Peter Barton. On the December 10 Norwich show, Dave will be joined onstage by the Roots Band's guitar star, Scott Poley.

On December the 21st Dave will be making his first appearance with The Blockheads in Bristol at the Never Mind the Bollocks X-Mas Party . . . Dave first saw The Blockheads at The Who's legendary Belleview show in Manchester when they were known as Kilburn and the High Roads . . .

Get on the sleigh ride, folks, and jingle-jangle yourselves all the way through to a Cool Sharp Yule and an amazing 2010.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all!

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Dave is heading up to Largs in Scotland once again for a full weekend of shows at The Victoria Hotel. For these dates Dave will be teaming up with Ayreshire band “The Sharps.”

"It's going to be a busy week. I have 5 days to rehearse with the boys before kick-off on Friday. I met the band up there on my Scottish trip in July. We had a great time jamming between my shows, so when promoter Tam Skinner suggested we should play a full show, I was delighted.”

More Scottish dates are in the pipeline with shows with the Rats plus solo and band appearances planned for November and December.

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Dave Sharp is to host a 3-hour "Woodstock Special" on Manchester Radio Online's "Ripman Show" from 7:00 till 10:00 on Monday, 14 September, whilst regular host Paul Ripley is away on assignment.

The show will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legendary Woodstock Music and Arts Festival which took place in August, 1969.

Featured will be music and discussion relating to the momentous 3-day event plus a live acoustic session from Roots' Merseyside "country" band, "The Good Intentions."

During the special Dave will host a round table. The discussion topic will centre around the weeks' news from the music press of 14 August 1969 and from 14 September 2009.

Guests at the round table will be Manchester music promoter Paul Derbyshire and recent immigrant to Manchester Island, Middlesbrough singer-songwriter, Rikki Doolan.

Listeners are invited to comment live via email or telephone during the round table conversation which is likely to provoke some heated and controversial debate.

Listen live at Manchester Radio Online

Contact Dave Sharp, Monday, 14 September, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. at Manchester Radio Online:

Email: Studio@manchesterradioonline.com
Tel: 0161 202 1677

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More radio appearancees are on the horizon. We'll keep you updated as they are booked.

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For anybody who missed Dave's appearance on Celtic Radio's Mary K Burke show, it is now available on their Listen Again service.

Just visit Listen again to Dave on Celtic Radio.

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Dave is in Scotland at the end of a very successful mini-tour of Scotland.

To finish off the tour, he will be appearing on Glasgow's Celtic Music Radio tomorrow (Sunday 2nd). He will join Mary K Burke on her show between 7 & 9pm. Dave will be chatting with Mary & playing a couple of live songs.

Listeners in the Glasgow area can get Celtic Music Radio on 1530AM.
The rest of us can "tune in" at www.celticmusicradio.net

Fans can e-mail the show on studio@celticmusicradio.net

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