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G E O F F W A T S O N Biography
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Geoff Watson (The Hebden Bridge ' Hurricane' ) Geoff comes from deep reaching musical roots in the Liverpool area ,England, with Grandfather Bill Evans a published composer for the theatre and father Frank Watson a natural pianist who played on ships/bars in the second world war. Although his first instrument was the piano, he soon became a self-taught guitarist at the age of 11 years and now writes and performs his own oringal material in a mixture of acoustic / contemporary / blues /folk. In the group 'Sapphire Rock'n' Roll Band', at the age of 14 he had played almost every social club in and around the Merseyside area and they (Neil Marshall,Moira Daly,Sue Kenwright,Dave Noble,Mike Bee,Geoff and ace manager Sybil Mather!) achieved third place in a UK National Songwriter /performers competition in London. Here the group claimed their recording session prize and worked with producer Simon May (writer of the Eastenders theme music), recording at the famous Regent Studios in London (an old stones hangout). After many other musical ventures Geoff played in the successful "Big Bad Blues Band" who commanded packed audiences at Merseyside venues. During this period as a separate project, himself and other band members Neil Marshall and Brian Porter released a one-off single "Wandering Star" attired in top hats & combos as "The Three Marvins" mimicking the character of Ben Rumson from the film 'Paint Your Wagon' ( With 'B-side 'Lump it' a holiday spoof track by Geoff) they appeared on Granada TV and played at UK South Coast shows and radio stations.
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Geoff Watson uses exclusively Taylor 714 and 814 electro-acoustic guitars for live performances and in the studio.
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Whilst being a campaigner at the UK Vegsoc HQ, he was interviewed on BBC Merseyside as "The Green Man" on the first UK Vegetarian Day with his own dance track "Natural Vegetarian"- a bouncy rap song about famous name vegetarians. Following from this he lived and worked in Washington DC, USA where he played and recorded the deep environmental lyrics of "Song For Gaia". Back in the UK in Sheffield, on a student grant he went solo and wrote the track 'Metropolitan' - a powerful track about the trams and city life in the city. From here he moved to Nottingham and wrote many other tracks including 'Happy Holidays', 'Love Never Dies' and 'Where Are You Babe' which kick started his solo career. Finding a new spiritual home in Hebden Bridge he then ran the local musicians night there as MC at the Trades Club and here ecorded his first demo album "Let Your Soul Walk On" in a single day at Woodman’s Studio in Elland. The title track was based on empathising with the homeless and other songs reflected much on the struggles of human life . Getting onto the programme at the Riverside Festival in 2003 he played acoustic sessions alongside the likes of Helen Watson (albeit no relation!) and went on to perform several times at the Heptonstall and Eastwood festivals in Calderdale. He stormed through all the heats in York to gain third place in the final of the "Turn of the Year" acoustic performer's competition in York held and later supported The Emily Smith Band at the National Centre for Early music. Following appearances in the 'York Live' weekend as a 'Guerrilla Musician' he was filmed and appeared on a slot on York TV. After appearing at Towersey Festival 2006 selected to be a 'showcase' performer he recently performed at the lively 'Festival On The Moor' at Kirbymoorside. # 2007 Recently back from playing in New Jersey, USA and on local TV and new Album Release 'The Hurricane Effect'....watch this space...
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