© Gortin Design
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In another aspect of my life (without a costume), I am Rob the Bones.
I was nicknamed " The Bones" when I started playing at music sessions and folk
festivals in the 1970s. I learned to play the bodhran, and later
picked up the bones, eventually perfecting the two-handed method.
Bones are commonly played in Irish traditional sessions. In the past, they were
often seen in northern English industrial towns including my original home,
Stoke-on-Trent. They were called
"clappers" or "rickers" or "knackers" and were made of slate, bone or wood. |
The Boat Band at Bantry Mussel Fair |
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In the late 1980s, I played with 'The Boat Band', a Cajun/Zydeco/Creole group
from Cheshire. As well as the bones, I played Cajun triangle and washboard
(or rub board), which I learned from Greg Stephens. Over the next few years,
I joined them on many tours around Britain and Ireland.
After settling in West Cork, Ireland in 1994, I started gigging occasionally with
'Dreamcraft', touring Europe, Britain and Ireland. I now also guest from time to
time with 'Two Time Polka', a Cajun/folk band from Cork.
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Dreamcraft  |
With Dreamcraft at 'Elastiek Muziek'
Festival in Hilvarenbeek (NL)
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As the bones have now become a part of my persona, I am seldom seen in public
without two pairs of bones ready for action. |
Rob Coppard, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Ph: (+353) 27 67867 / (+353) 86 331 7161
robbones@eircom.net
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