Tennessee band tours the Downs for charity

A group of American musicians have banded together to tour pubs across the South Downs on foot and raise funds for charities close the each community’s heart.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jun 2015, 10:27 BST
Mike Willis of Good Company travelling through South Downs on music charity tour SUS-150622-103836001Mike Willis of Good Company travelling through South Downs on music charity tour SUS-150622-103836001
Mike Willis of Good Company travelling through South Downs on music charity tour SUS-150622-103836001

Good Company by name and good company by nature, the group of several musicians led by Mike Willis are returning for another year after they raised £5,000 on their 2014 UK walking tour.

“I love the pubs, the ale and the people you meet along the way. We don’t have this culture in America, the bar scene is very different over there,” said Mike whose wife Emily was born in the South East of England.

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Each musician hails from another band or enjoys a solo career, but for a few months out of the year they come together and fly out to the UK for charitable work.

“Musicians tend to ask the community to support them before they support the community,” said the 34-year-old.

Mike originally thought of the idea to come to England and tour as a good excuse for a holiday.

“We’re all excited about paying back the good experience by supporting local communities,” he said.

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Performing a meld of folk, soul and R&B, Good Company strip back songs to their basic ingredients for a roots sound.

“We have got the full tour from Eastbourne to Winchester. It’s going to be non-stop for us for a few months.”

Good Company will be stopping by 20 locations, including Storrington and Steyning. For details, visit www.goodcompanynashville.com

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Related topics:South DownsAmericanMusiciansEngland