Band

Mike Edwards is the founder of Rigadoo! & bassman/vocalist. He's been playing since the '80s (1980s that is, not the 1880s) and as well as appearing with many original & cover bands since that time, has guested with other artists. Bands include: Miami Beast, Luke Warm & The Reception, District 13, Pete Duffle & The Anoraks, The Toads, Detour, Out In The Cold, All 3 Cylinders (whom he still occasionally plays with), The Wreckage aka Outcast Band & The Good Times. He was also one half of the contemporary folk duo 1 Two Many with Mike Mullan. Mike plays a Status headless bass, Hohner Jack headless & a Fender Precision fretless.

Mike Mullan is a singer-songwriter who has also been a member of Miami Beast, Luke Warm & The Reception & District 13 along with Mike Edwards. He started the duo 1 Two Many, which had considerable success on the folk circuit in the late 1980s. After an enforced lay-off, Mike's now back into music (via starring roles in several high profile musicals in the NW of England). He's starred in Sweeney Todd and Scrooge! Mike plays a Takemine acoustic six-string guitar & is a prolific songwriter & lyricist.

Lyndon Webb is well known around the Monmouth area as a superb musician and producer. His prowess on guitar, violin, mandolin and keyboards made him a key member of the band when Mike Edwards started Rigadoo! with a set of recording sessions at Lyndon's studio. The big Rigadoo! sound is largely attributable to Lyndon's amazing ability in the studio, & this has now transferred to the live stage. Lyndon also plays in various band line-ups, including The Good Times, Hickory Stick Boys, Live Loungers & Seren. He has quite a guitar collection! He usually plays a Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Les Paul on gigs, occasionally supplemented by an Epiphone semi-accoustic (as well as fiddle & mando of course!)

Sam Jones, our talented star drummer, was spotted by Mike Edwards at an open mic session in the Forest of Dean & was asked to play the studio tracks for "Follow The River" - after which she jumped at the chance to perform the numbers live with Rigadoo! when it took off as a band. Sam's played gigs with various local bands such as Massai, and lays down a mean rhythm!

Rigadoo! special guests and deputies

Rigadoo! is a very organic band.... you'll spot us in many other local bands as well as doing solo spots here and there. In addition, we have some very special friends who help us out on occasions when we're "short-staffed", & we just love these folks to bits !

Jane Pearl brings a touch of internationalism to Rigadoo! (she hails from Kentucky, USA) as well as superb vocal harmonies - but also has an amazing repertoire of her own original music, which we perform alongside the two Mikes' songs. Jane's recorded numerous albums, as a solo artiste & with bands such as Indigo Mojo & Kentucky Fryd. When she gets the chance, she also plays her Cartwright banjolele, an amazing little instrument that can be heard above all our other electric sounds! Heavy Metal fans watch out ... she now has the first Cartwright Electric Uke!

Josh Beddis is our latest "deputy" ! Josh is an extremely talented & versatile young drummer who is able to cover for Sam at the drop of a hat (Sam works shifts in her "real" job!). Josh made his debut for us on Jan 16th at Chepstow and picked up all the numbers (and some unexpected new ones) very quickly!

Josh plays with many other local musicians & is part of the "house band" at the Miners Arms open mic nights.

Graham Mizen occasionally guests with Rigadoo!, and he is very capable of deputising for Mike Mullan or Jane Pearl when they're tied up with other commitments. Graham has a superb singing voice & a great acoustic guitar sound (he uses Yamaha electro-acoustics) & has previously worked in various duos & bands around the Forest of Dean.