Heart Strings - the finest Dutch Bluegrass

Heart Strings – Elly Beurskens and Bruno van Hoek - are the top Bluegrass duo from the Netherlands - with special guests Guy Rogers and Dave White.

As the name of this duo implies, Elly Beurskens and Bruno van Hoek play their music – straight, clean and simple – from the heart, using their voices and the stringed instruments that are so typical for old-time country and bluegrass: banjo, dobro, mandolin, and guitar.

Both had been very active in different bands for quite a few years, when they met in the Amsterdam folk scene and discovered their mutual passion for honest acoustic music. Since 1985 they've been active together in bands like: Reckless Fingers, Skyland and currently Half A Turn.

As a duo, Bruno and Elly are playing songs and instrumentals in the traditional duet-style of for instance the Louvin Brothers and the Lilly Brothers. Contemporary compositions are part of their repertoire as well, but are interpreted in such a way as to fit into their overall traditional style. The focus is on the harmony vocals, their inventive handling of the stringed instruments, variation in the choice of songs, and a sober but tasteful approach to the American country tradition.

Elly has been an accomplished singer/songwriter for many years. Her songs appear on all the duo’s albums. Bruno writes most of the duo’s instrumental tunes, combining the traditional bluegrass style with more modern influences.

Elly plays guitar and clawhammer banjo, Bruno plays bluegrass banjo, mandolin, dobro and guitar.
Apart from being ‘regulars’ in the Dutch folk, country and bluegrass scene, Heartstrings have appeared on stages in Austria, Denmark, England, France, Germany  and the USA.

More about Heart Strings

Web site: www.myspace.com/ellybeurskens

Booking and venue details

The entrance fee for the evening was £9 (£8 for full members) and the event started at 8 pm, with doors opening at 7.30 p.m. 

The Hinckley ACT
Based in the Sketchley Meadows Business Park, Hinckley ACT is a high quality music venue that offers an informal and intimate atmosphere for concerts and for the monthly club nights, where musicians can come along  and ‘take the stage.’ 

Established by company chairman, Keith London, on the premises of his firm Advanced Carbide Tooling (A.C.T.), the venue provides full stage and seating facilities, plus top quality sound and lighting equipment.

There is a licensed bar and ample free car parking.
Telephone 01455 234 000 and ask for Karl London, John Shipley or Keith London. Or email us at info@hinckleyact.co.uk