It seems unbelievable to think that it was eight years ago that Paul Spencer contacted me virtually out of the blue with his idea of running an ‘Americana-type’ music festival. We met up and discussed it fully over a cup of coffee. He explained that he wanted to book the kind of acts that would reflect the eclectic musical policy of Maverick magazine, which at the time I owned and edited. He added, that with my permission, he wanted to name the festival after the magazine, though he didn’t intend that the festival should in any way be a part of the magazine’s organisation. We came to an informal agreement and Paul said that he would like to call on my vast experience in selecting and booking acts.

So it was that just over a year later, over the weekend of August 29-31, 2008 the first Maverick Festival was held at the Easton Farm Park in Suffolk. Myself and Paul had spent many months in the selection of the acts and we were both delighted that we had managed to secure the services of Texas singer-songwriter Sam Baker with a full band to close the show on the Saturday evening. I think it would be true to say we were pleasantly surprised at how successful this first festival was, despite the fact that due to some teething problems (and even a little inexperience) it did make a small financial loss.

In the ensuing six years the Maverick Festival has grown, but it has retained the original concept of being both a music fan-friendly, family-type festival with the emphasis on intimate settings rather than big, bold and garish. Over the years Paul Spencer has carefully brought together well-known names from the Americana field whilst also introducing new and relatively unknown acts. Unlike other festivals, there is no ‘headline’ act, instead the emphasis is on quality and eclecticism, which obviously appeals to the dedicated music fans, many of whom have attended every year.
Amongst the diverse acts that have appeared at the Festival mention should be made of an unknown Ed Sheeran who appeared that very first year, Gretchen Peters, Gail Davies, Hank Wangford, Charlie Dore, Toy Hearts, Rachel Harrington, Chris Scruggs, the Haley Sisters, Otis Gibbs, Alana Levandoski, Drew Nelson, Bex Marshall, Cara Luft, Two Fingers of Firewater, the Southern Tenant Folk Union, Eve Selis, Melanie, BJ Cole, Police Dog Hogan, Stompin’ Dave Allen, Rick Hall, Sadie & the Hot Heads, Carrie Rodriguez, Elizabeth Cook, Devon Sproule, Eilen Jewell and the Good Intentions.

The informal tie-in with Maverick magazine came to end a couple of years ago as the musical content of the magazine gradually evolved to encompass the growing UK fan-base for today’s Nashville mainstream country music and the coverage of Americana music was not as prominent as before. But I have maintained a close relationship with Paul with regards to the selection of acts, very much in an advisory capacity.

Over the years the Maverick Festival has maintained a high quality of musical acts encompassing both newcomers and established performers and presenting a wide diversity of musical styles that all fit comfortably beneath the Americana umbrella.

This year is the seventh year and again the Festival takes place at the Easton Farm Park from July 4-6, 2014. There will again be an array of world class musical talent, comedy, dance, film & workshops and showcases with more than forty international artists across five stages, indoors and out, which includes the brand new out-door Sweet Home Alabama stage.

Amongst the acts appearing this year will be American singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier, whose songs have been recorded by such diverse acts as Jimmy Buffett, Blake Shelton, Boy George, Tim McGraw, and Candi Staton. Holly Williams, the granddaughter of Hank Williams, whose latest release THE HIGHWAY debuted at number one on the Billboard hit-seekers chart. Acclaimed British singer-songwriter Peter Bruntnell, whose album NORMAL FOR BRIDGWATER, was highly recommended by VH1 and Rolling Stone.

There will be the fantastic Country/Americana duo and twin sisters, Ward-Thomas (Catherine and Lizzy), who were recently added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist, having also recorded a session for Terry Wogan and interviewed on the station’s Nashville UK documentary.  Another sister act is Larkin Poe with their rootsy bluegrass-intoned music; the ever popular Rainbow Girls; Danny & the Champions of the World; Reverend Peyton and his Big Damn Band; the Wynntown Marshals; Police Dog Hogan; Sarah Jane Scouten; Peter Bradley Adams; Robby Hecht; David Berkley; Flats & Sharps; Brooks Williams; Massy Ferguson; Dan Beaulaurier; and Marty O’Reilly & The Old Soul Orchestra. 

For the second year running the AMA-UK conference will be held at the Easton Farm Park throughout the day of Friday July 4 preceding the Maverick Festival. The AMA-UK is dedicated to raising public and professional awareness of Americana music supporting all who have embraced its calling, particularly the growing number of UK-based artists who have been inspired by the music.
The day will include a keynote speech from the award winning American singer Mary Gauthier plus contributions from the one and only BBC Radio 2 DJ Bob Harris and legendary musician and songwriter Benny Gallagher. Top Americana writer Brian Hinton, honoured with an MBE in 2006 for service to the Arts, and author of South By South West and Country Roads will also be in attendance. Along with a host of other top music industry people, these individuals will all be available to share their experiences and expertise on the day. In addition, there will be live daytime performances from New Jersey star Dayna Kurtz, Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin (winners of the BBC Folk award for best duo) and acclaimed UK singer-songwriters Jess Morgan and Adam Sweet.