Singer Owens to return for two shows

Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Dean Owens will return to Shetland in April to promote his new album.

Owens was last in the isles to perform his sell-out show inspired by one of his musical idols Johnny Cash.

But his association with Shetland goes back further when he and his then band The Felsons played at the Shetland Folk Festival.

Now he returns to help launch his new album Into the Sea, recently recorded in Nashville and produced by Neilson Hubbard and featuring such musical luminaries as award winning guitarist Will Kimbrough and famed stateside vocalists Kim Richey and Suzy Boggus.

On Friday 10th April Dean will perform a show in the Muckle Roe Hall accompanied by Arthur Nicolson.

For his Mareel concert the following day he brings with him The Whisky Hearts Band, an incendiary new live band featuring the likes of long-time collaborator and Felsons’ band-mate Calais Brown on guitar and backing vocals,

Jim McDermott (ex Simple Minds and Justin Currie) on drums, Amy Geddes (fiddle), Sean Pugh (keyboards) and the late Jack Bruce’s (Cream) nephew Nico Bruce on bass.

Shetland Arts music development officer Bryan Peterson, said: “It’s splendid to be welcoming Dean back. His last visit to Shetland proved to be extremely popular, and I’m really looking forward to hearing his new material with

The Whisky Hearts Band. With such a crackin’ line-up of musicians it’s sure to be a memorable night.”
Support for the Mareel gig comes from the Sheila Henderson Band.

Owens’ album is set for release on 27th April, but there will be advance copies for sale at his Shetland shows.