Artist / Band Of The Month
June 2008
Root'n Toot'n
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Our first break came at The Skipton Festival in August 2005 which was actually our first gig as Root'n Toot'n and as the saying goes "we've never looked back since.
We've maintained our vision of performing old style country music, but added little bits in along the way to encourage audience participation and to create a visual impact on stage.
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Mandy Stroud
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Mandy, born 8th July 1962, originally from Leicester brought up in Loughborough, lived in Germany for 3 years, then moved back to Leicester where she studied Single Honours Degree in Visual Arts.
Following that Mandy went on to earn a Masters Degree in Fine Art at De Montford University in Leicester. Now working with friend and colleague Kathryn in their own company "WIldcall" which specialise in video media productions and ongoing work with special needs families and children in Leicestershire. Now living in Darlington since 2005.
In her pastime, Mandy likes gardening and playing computer games.
Mandy's musical experience started at school with the clarinet and soprano sax where she achieved Grade 5 status.
Mandy has been playing double bass for about 10 years. She started her playing career with Nick Peck in a 4 piece country band called "Dusty Rhodes & The Hepcats" and then made her mark with "Smokey Mountain Boys" until end of 2003.
In 2005, Mandy formed Root'n Toot'n with partner (now husband) Col
Mee.
Mandy has a son aged 27 and a daughter aged 22
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Colin Mee
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Col, was born 21st June 1963 in Norton, Stockton-on-Tees and educated at Norton Comprehensive School where he learned to play drums and played an active part in the school band and orchestra. Left school in 1979 and started work at Crossley Builders Merchant in building sales.
Now working in the same industry with James Burrell Builders Merchant
as sales manager.
Col's musical career outside school started with a band called "The Mix" a trio of school mates playing a mix of rock n roll and rock music, the highlight was playing a gig at The Club Fiesta in Stockton.
He then joined a band called "Screeming Hillbillies" as double bass player for a short while before moving back to the drums with "The Sure Shots" from 1983 until mid 1992, highlight of that period was being on live TV on "Ben Elton's Saturday Night Live". The Sure Shots are still performing today!
Whilst playing with "The Sure Shots" Col started a rockabilly trio in 1987 called "The Skip Rats" with Joe Guillan and Mickie Downey which is still actively gigging today.
Col has a son aged 16 and a daughter aged 12
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Joe Guillan
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Joe Guillan was born 8th January 1967 in North Shields. Joe studied graphic design and worked as Graphic Sign Writer. Now runs his own small haulage business.
Joe started his musical career in 1981 with his own band "Alabama Skittles" as singer guitarist playing jump jive and rock n roll. He then joined "The Sure Shots" in 1984 whom he stills performs with today. He was also co founder of "The Skip Rats" in 1987 with Col Mee.
Joe has a son aged 15
<center> Root'n Toot'n </center>
We like to travel with our music and distance is no problem for us, obviously dependant on costs. In 2007 we performed ay the Skjaak Countryfest in Norway and this year we are booked to perform at the Halogaland Countryfest in Northern Norway.
In the UK we have travelled to most places and this year we include Isle of Wight, West Wales, Cornwall, Kent, Ayr so as you can see we travel almost anywhere in the UK. We're also booked to perform at Americana 2008 for our 3rd consecutive year.
Thank you to Colin & Mandy for the input below you will see their contact details, if you have not seen this super trio before then believe me they are well worth booking as your audience will be eating out of their hands in no time - Mary.
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Contact Details:-
Tel. 01325 464906
Col. 07973 404109
Mandy. 07817 063143
E-mail info@rootntootn.co.uk
Web http://www.rootntootn.co.uk
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<center>More information may be found on the Forum</center>
nice to have friends 
