Brian Mann Born in Hollesley, Brian went to school at Farlingaye in Woodbridge and has lived in Suffolk all his life.Having had a great interest in music from an early age, it was while working amongst USAF personnel at the Bentwaters base that he caught the country music bug.This was the beginning of a journey that would take Brian into performing, presenting and promoting this eternally popular genre of music."I think country music is so popular because the lyrics can be related to something that has happened to somebody sometime during their life," he said."The musical content can be any tempo which suits your listening mood and the style can contain links with folk, blues, pop, jazz, rock, reggae and soul."Brian has performed country music since the late 1970s.His most memorable times have been backing the legendary George Hamilton IV on a two-week tour in 1989 and more recently playing on a cruise ship in the Caribbean.In February 1990, Brian's music interests steered him to Broadcasting House in Ipswich, where BBC Radio Suffolk was being launched and so started presenting Suffolk Country with Brian Mann. Kevin Barry Kevin was born and grew up in Coventry.He started playing classical guitar at the age of seven. During his school years, Kevin took to playing other instruments too, such as the violin and the trumpet, and was often taking parts in the school orchestra and shows.He was also listening to country music continually, due to his parents musical taste, and eventually learned a few tunes on the banjo. At the age of 14, Kevin was invited to play banjo in a bluegrass trio, which was when he sang his first solo. It was also during the time with this band that Kevin made his first TV appearance.After spending many years in mainly country bands as a bass / banjo player Kevin was eventually asked to play with The Down County Boys, a well respected bluegrass band, whom he had admired for many years.They toured all around Britain and spent a month touring The States where he met Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs and many more country / bluegrass performers.In 1988 Kevin moved to East Anglia and promptly joined an established band called Stealer. Whilst playing the clubs, theatres and festivals he met with New Dawn (Julie and Lindy Dawn), two lovely sisters with great voices. He eventually joined them, as lead guitarist, to form The New Dawn Trio. They toured around England and many neighbouring countries with different lineups for 18 1/2 years after which New Dawn dispanded.Kevin now enjoys playing the clubs, theatres and festivals as a solo act. I love the music and the many friends I meet through it..... Kevin Barry