Adapted from The Grantham Journal - Friday 22 February 2013
"Grantham band Tennessee Stud stands up for country" Tennessee Stud was put together by a group of musicians who were already well established on the local music scene. The band stayed together for a few years before its members moved on to other things. Recently Tennessee Stud was resurrected and now the musicians want to take on more gigs and give country music a boost in the town. Original member Mick Footitt says the venues that used to play host to country music are few and far between these days . Mick said: “We are trying to raise the awareness of people in country music in this area because the venues have gone and the music is not played on the radio any more.” Mick, who sings and plays rhythm guitar, is joined in the band by Peter Weatherall on bass and Peter Wallwork on keyboards. Mick started playing in a skiffle group in Grantham in the ‘50s. Peter also got started in Grantham in the ‘50s and played in a band alongside another big name in these parts, Trevor Leeson. They have recruited two new members in Reg Stratton from Boston on drums and Tony Harris from Shepeau Stow on lead guitar. The band have a gig lined up at Belton Golf Club on Saturday, March 2, and hope to attract a full house of about 150 to see them. The band plays traditional country music with covers of songs by Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Garth Brooks and others.