"Your performance was acknowledged by our guests to be of the highest standard making a significant contribution to the night."
We are Playback
A musically solid 5-piece band with tight vocal harmonies throughout their act.
About us
Playback are a musically solid 5-piece band with tight vocal harmonies throughout their act.
All are ex-professionals with individual members having worked throughout the USA and Canada with the likes of Kenny Rodgers, Dolly Parton, Don Everly, Tammy Wynette, Kris Kristofferson, Don Williams, EmmyLou Harris, and in the UK, The Nashville Teens, Hot Chocolate, Pickettywitch, Eddison Lighthouse. Not forgetting working residences in hotels and night clubs across Europe.
Members of the band Ken, Kevin, Emily, Stuart and Steve are all local from the North East of England and add their years of experience to the act where they specialise in close vocal harmonies bringing songs from the 1960's, 70's, 80's, right up to the present day, with music from 'The Beatles' to 'Fleetwood Mac' to 'The Rolling Stones', to 'The Eagles' to 'Adele' to 'Queen' with a dash of 'Soul', a pinch of 'Tamla-Motown' and a slice of good old 'Rock and Roll'.
Whether you get up dancing to great music with a solid beat or sit and listen to their wonderful harmonies, Playback will add to your evenings enjoyment.
Meet the band
Kevin Fox | Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
A native of Darlington, County Durham, Kevin has played in local bands before emigrating to Canada in 1976 where he continued to sing and play in bands in the Toronto area...
Kevin Fox
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
A native of Darlington, County Durham, Kevin has played in local bands before emigrating to Canada in 1976 where he continued to sing and play in bands in the Toronto area.
A winner of the "Toronto Star Search" with a recording contract awarded and subsequent single releases now found him playing at large music festivals and other venues which brought him into contact and performing with major US and Canadian music stars.
He performed on the Toronto radio station CFGM show "Opry North" many times. This show is Canada's equivalent of the "Grand Old Opry" in the USA.
As a songwriter Kevin has had a number of his songs recorded by Country Music Star Ronnie Prophet and one song in particular reached number 5 in the Country Music Charts and was nominated for "Song of the Year". This led him to sing, play, and do TV work with Ronnie. He joined up with Ronnie to come over to the UK to play at Mervyn Conns "International Festival of Country Music" at Wembley, which was host to some of the biggest names in Country Music.
He is a lover of harmony's and greatly influenced by The Everly Brothers, which took him to The Beatles Searchers, Hollies and CSNY to nowadays The Eagles.
He lived many years in Canada and moved back to the UK in the 90's.
Joined "Playback" in 2012.
Ken Tait | Drums
Ken started his musical career in the mid-sixties with Newcastle based "In-Sect", mainly playing the Northern club circuit. He has supported many top line bands of the era...
Ken Tait
Drums
Ken started his musical career in the mid-sixties with Newcastle based "In-Sect", mainly playing the Northern club circuit. He has supported many top line bands of the era including Nashville Teens, Edison Lighthouse, Picketywitch.
He became a founder member of Mothers Lament in the early 70s, which took them to playing alongside Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera, Pilot, Wishbone Ash, Osibisa and Free.
A highlight of his career was supporting Jack Bruce at the now defunct Redcar Jazz Club.
Joined "Playback" in 2011.
Emily Whitfield | Vocals, Harmony
Emily is a prodigious talent belying her youthful years. She has a wonderful capacity to capture the soulful feel of Ella Fitzgerald right through to the power of Blondie and edginess of Amy Whitehouse...
Emily Whitfield
Vocals, Harmony
Emily is a prodigious talent belying her youthful years. She has a wonderful capacity to capture the soulful feel of Ella Fitzgerald right through to the power of Blondie and edginess of Amy Whitehouse.
She studied Performing Arts at College before deciding to pursue a career in music.
For the last four years Emily has been singing with Duos, Trios and bands in festivals and clubs around Durham, Newcastle and Manchester performing a wide range of Genres.
With her powerhouse vocals, imaginative harmonies and eye catching stage presence, Playback are proud to include Emily in their new line-up .
Stuart Gaydon | Bass Guitar, Vocals
Stuart has played Bass, Lead/Rhythm guitar and Keyboards in a variety of bands covering different styles at many functions at Hardwick Hall and other prestigious venues and festivals...
Stuart Gaydon
Bass Guitar, Vocals
Stuart has played Bass, Lead/Rhythm guitar and Keyboards in a variety of bands covering different styles at many functions at Hardwick Hall and other prestigious venues and festivals in and around the North East for many years.
From playing in his 1st band at school to recently having a song collaboration that was aired on the TV show “BBC Introducing”.
Stuart has continued to develop his passion for playing and writing music and welcomed the opportunity to play with Playback.
He states his "sole desire is to help the band get people up dancing and keep them there”.
Steve Farrow | Lead Guitar
Steve's early musician influences include a multitude of genres from 50s/60s/70s to country to heavy rock, he has been playing guitar since the age of 13 and enjoys all kinds of music...
Steve Farrow
Lead Guitar
Steve's early musician influences include a multitude of genres from 50s/60s/70s to country to heavy rock, he has been playing guitar since the age of 13 and enjoys all kinds of music and is always up for a challenge.
Formerly a pro and now semi pro musician, Steve has toured the UK in various bands playing in clubs, pubs and festivals and now has joined Playback as lead guitarist.
More recently you will have seen him playing with Teesside based bands such as The Delmonts and Platinum.
Listen
We have provided a selection of our song list for playback below.
Reviews
Hear what others have to say about us.
"It's a long time since I have enjoyed a band as much as yours. Wonderful harmonies, great music, professional act. Everyone had really good time. We will be definitely booking you again."
Morris Race Scarth Hall Beer Festival – Staindrop
"You managed to keep the veterans from talking about their conflicts. Praise indeed. Compliments all day and night about your band. I have been asked if you are available for 2014."
Tony Sandy Forces Veterans Day – Staindrop
"Outstanding, what a night, you had the crowd dancing from the first song, the place was bouncing. I can’t believe the amount of people that have asked me to book you for the next festival and we will. Thanks again for a fantastic performance, wonderful music and a great night and look forward to you playing the next festival."
Tony Furphy Baydale Beck Beer Festival – Darlington
"Just a short note to express our appreciation of “Playbacks” highly professional gig, at the Marske Centre May 17th.The vocals, the harmonies the instrumentation and the selection of music ranging from the Everly Brothers to Tina Turner was absolutely fantastic. Thanks for a very entertaining & successful night."
John Hullah Marske Leisure Centre – Marske
Contact
We are available for booking and can cater for any occasion.
Call 07467 600761
Alternatively, use the form below to send us a message.