The Biggin Hillbillies were formed in 1998 having previously played as Anglo Irish Pact (AIP), with John McDonagh on Mandolin & vocals, Bob White on Banjo, Ray Butcher on guitar & vocals and Nye Davies on Bass. They are occasionally joined by Billy Taylor on the Fiddle.

Whilst their mainstream is bluegrass music, their varied repertoire includes country and folk numbers, 50’s and 60’s pop, Irish favourites and jazz standards. As well as bluegrass standards from Flatt & Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers & Bill Munroe they also include numbers from the likes of The Country Gentlemen, Banjo Dan Lindner and Don Reno, plus of course the ever requested ‘Duelling Banjos’ and ‘Foggy Mountain Breakdown’.

Their Country list draws on the hits of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, John Denver, Jimmie Rodgers, Don Williams as well as lesser known items from the likes of Buck Owens and The Red Clay Ramblers. Billy Taylor brings a lifetimes knowledge of Irish music to the band and solid favourites such as ‘Whiskey in the Jar’, ‘Muirsheen Durkin’ and ‘The Masons Apron’ form cornerstones of their repertoire. They also include a few jazz standards like ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’, ‘Sweet Sue’ and ‘Bye Bye Blues’ in the list, often inspired by Bob’s in depth knowledge of old time favourites going back to his days of tuition from a ‘Black & White Minstrels’ banjo artist.

The boys have recently added two original numbers to their repertoire, ‘Billys Night Out’ (note this has been downsampled to allow quicker download) and ‘On This and Every Day’ penned by Bob and John respectively. Bob’s number is included on the bands first CD which can be reviewed by clicking the above link. The band is available for gigs throughout the South East and have performed at concerts, pub gigs, club events, private parties, barn dances, weddings, barbecues and outdoor fetes. They are very flexible and take a pride in making each gig a success.

From 1998 until 2007 the Hillbillies had a monthly bluegrass evening at the ‘Pilots Pals Bar’, Biggin Hill Airport thanks to the hospitality of host Joe Merchant. Their monthly meet is now held at Farningham Village Club where friends and guest bands join together for an evening of picking and acoustic fun. Many thanks to Stewardess Lyn and the committee for their support. The Boys are also enthusiastic supporters of the local bluegrass club scene and perform regularly at clubs in the Kent Area. The Band have recently performed at Festivals in Scotland, Gloucester, North Wales, Milton Keynes, and Surrey.