Peter Fergus McClelland


Peter Fergus McClelland - Vocals, Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Fiddle, Melodeon, 5 string and Tenor Banjo.

Born and brought up in Essex, Peter Fergus McClelland has spent most of his life in Sussex, singing and playing folk music and songs with his wife Mannie as a duo, and with ongoing projects ThingumaJig ceilidh band, Blackthorn Band and Montana Rain. Most recently he's begun performing the songs from the two recent solo albums with his trio.

As a co-founder of Hobgoblin Music with his wife, Mannie, Peter Fergus McClelland's work took him to many hundreds of folk festivals over the years where he absorbed a vast range of influences from the best singers and musicians.

He began writing songs in 2008, and recorded his first solo album Carolina Sky in 2016, His second solo album The Turn of the Tide was recorded in 2017.


Mentions for work with The Blackthorn Band:

Aidan Cossey, paythereckoning.com "Ciaran Curran's (bouzouki) style and Pete McClelland's differ greatly - and yet both players are absolutely spot-on."

Tim Readman, Penguin Eggs (Canada) "Fergus McClelland gives us a fine version of the ubiquitous spouse drowning song, in this case entitled Johnny Sands, and very well delivered it is, too. Another highlight is The Neat Little Bunch of Rushes, made famous by Nic Jones, with its thinly disguised sexual symbolism."

Dave Johns, Folk Monthly "The CD is interspersed with the delightful voice of Fergus McClelland, singing traditional songs in his inimitable style."

Michele Breeze, Music Maker "Some good harmonies between Fergus and Sarah on the "Banks of the Sweet Primroses".


photos © Toby Amies