The Moonshiners are a four-piece bluegrass band, who have established themselves on the bluegrass circuit with a reputation for their lively performances. They play traditional and modern bluegrass mixed with innovative tunes, including original compositions. Their set includes a broad spectrum of ballads, driving instrumentals and songs.
The band features singer/songwriter Ian Mairs on guitar and lead vocal. The Scruggs style playing of Phil Sakerski on five string banjo and resonator guitar. One of Scotland's finest players Alasdair Kennedy on mandolin and fiddle, and the infamous Jimmy Moon on double bass.
The band has played at many music venues and festivals in Scotland and further afield, as well as pubs in and around Glasgow.
"the freshest sound in bluegrass music Ive heard in some time comes not from Kentucky, Tennessee or West Virginia, but from the other side of the Atlantic in Glasgow, Scotland"
(American Bluegrass Magazine 1999)
The Moonshiners produced their first CD in 1998, "Singing in the Lane" featuring 18 excellent tracks, including some well known instrumental numbers, a couple of brilliant tunes written by Phil, and 4 songs written by Ian - including his Scottish bluegrass song "Wee Hielan' But'n'Ben".
The lineup consists of
The Moonshiners have played at .
Shetland Folk Festivals
BBC Radio Scotland Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Millport Country Festival
Guildtown Bluegrass Festival
Isle of Bute Country Festival
BBC Radio Scotland Annie Webster Show
Tour of West Cork, Eire
Catskill Bluegrass Festival, New York, USA
Aberdeen Alternative Music Festival
Highland Festival, Inverness
BBC Radio Scotland - Celtic Connections - with Martin Stephenson
For CD or booking information contact:
The Moonshiners
Park Lane
974 Pollokshaws Road
Glasgow G41 2EU
Tel :
Ian 0141 649 6626
Jimmy 0141 632 9526
e-mail :
philsakerski@compuserve.com
moonguitars@btinternet.com