I have a new single - out today - The Bevin Boys (Bill Pettinger's Lament) available for download HERE or check out all the usual digital platforms.
“And don’t the soldier Boys look fine, you don’t get medals down the mine”
My tribute in song to The Bevin Boys was commissioned by Martin Pettinger, whose father, Bill, was one of the 48,000 18-25 year old boys chosen, by lot, to work down the mines instead of being conscripted to fight in WW2. It was incredibly moving to meet with Martin and hear him, often close to tears, unfold the story of these unsung war heroes.
These ‘Bevin Boys’ (named after the Minister of Labour and National Service in the war-time coalition government, Ernest Bevin) carried out vital and very dangerous work down the mines during the war, yet they were targets of abuse from the general public, who mistakenly believed them to be draft dodgers or cowards, and they were frequently stopped by the police as possible deserters. Their contribution to the war effort was not recognised until 1995 (50 years after VE Day) when the Queen mentioned them in a speech, and they were eventually allowed to formally participate in Remembrance Day at The Cenotaph in London.
So we have chosen today, VE Day, to release the song across all digital platforms.
Thank you to my talented and great friend Phil Beer for weaving in the beautiful fiddle line.
Thanks to my son Joey for the cover art.
Please contact Katie HERE for all press/media/radio enquires as well as gig bookings.
Talking of which, the diary is filling so keep checking regmeuross.com/events for live and online gigs. I will continue to do some 'Song Bus' concerts as it has felt so wonderful to draw in a beautiful, friendly and international audience in that way. Those of you who've hopped on the bus with me in previous months will know I've got plenty of new material to play you.
Hope to see you out there, on the bus or at a real gig!
With love, and Shine On!
Reg x
photo: Rachel Snowdon
G I G S
Coming soon:
May 26 (online) Reg Song Bus TICKETS
May 27 (online) Uxbridge Folk Club INFO
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June 3 (live) Kitchen Garden Birmingham TICKETS
June 4 (live) West Kirby Arts Centre TICKETS
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July 10 (live) New Forest Folk Festival TICKETS
July 16 (live) The Gather, Ennerdale - INFO - tickets coming soon
July 17 (live) Warwick Folk Festival TICKETS
