Grateful Fred’s have been pioneering Americana and Roots music in Formby, Southport and Liverpool since 2010 and during that time have presented some of the best US, Canadian and World artists.
On the first Wednesday of every month, join the Fredhead’s at The Atkinson for a wonderful night of live acoustic music.
Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow create a fiery, fearless sound of Americana, folk and country blues. Their musical chemistry is a spark that sets the stage ablaze with a spontaneous high-energy. There literally is no one performing today creating this kind of acoustic music. Their repertoire is genre busting. There’s the bluegrass-swing of Gillian Welch’s “Red Clay Halo,” complete with aw-shucks whistling. The Celtic-blues of their self-penned “Anniesland”, a song for the late-great Rab Noakes. Their metal-like riff-driven arrangement of Molly Tuttle’s “Dooley’s Farm.” And audiences love it! At the Blue Room Sessions in The Netherlands, at Cambridgeshire’s Ely Folk Festival, at The Atkinson in Southport as well as North Yorkshire’s Victoria Hall. At Paisley’s Arts Centre and St. David’s Hall in Cardiff, audiences can’t get enough of the high-energy Williams-Catlow collaboration.
The duo have three recordings to date. Ghost Owl, from 2021, was nominated “Instrumental Album Of The Year.” Ready For The Times, called ‘a cracker’ by Living Tradition, followed in 2022. Greens And Blues came out in 2024 and was praised by At The Barrier for its ‘cosmic violin’ and ‘delicious guitar’. In 2026 Brooks and Aaron will release their fourth recording. Tentatively called Working In Wood, the duo team up with the amazing Jon Short (John Martin Project) on dog-house bass and features fan-favourites like “London Road,” “Deep River Blues” (with full-on Everly Brothers-style harmonies), and a ‘south of the border’ reading of Emmy Lou Harris’ “Love And Happiness.”
Aaron Catlow is the founder of festival-favourite Sheelanagig, celebrating 20-years on the road, and has a long-standing duo touring with guitarist Kit Hawes. Other credits including playing with Grammy Award-nominated Yola, Mad Dog Mcrea and Afro Celt Sound System. Brooks Williams, from Statesboro Georgia USA now living in Cambridge UK, is a “Top 100” acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter known for his solo shows as well as his collaborations with Vera van Heeringen, Hans Theessink, Sally Barker, Guy Davis and Sloan Wainwright.
Named the “Best Live Act” by RnR, Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow represent “live music at its best,” says Americana UK. Their shows are infused with pathos, humour and buckets of talent. Guaranteed to get you out of your seat. “A thing of beauty!” Folk Radio UK
“The audience begged them to return to the stage.” Big Wheel Blues, Isle Of Man
“One of the best nights ever!” Grateful Fred’s, The Atkinson, Southport
“At the top of their game!” RAFA Club, Cleethorpes
“How such a complete and sensational sound can come from just two voices and two instruments is awe-inspiring.” AmericanaUK
