The Debenham Festival is a small but well attended event where every one seems to know each other.  The caravans start to arrive on Wednesday and then on Thursday night the music starts.  DARREN BUSBY was the artiste for the night and got the festival off to a cracking start with his super brand of country which was something for every one.

During the first break the Ghostriders country music club marked the 21st festival with a presentation to all the stewards for all the hard work that they put in to make the festival the success it is.  All too soon Thursday night came to an end.  Every thing was going well except for the weather, the dark clouds hovered above and down came the rain in sheets however this did not dampen the spirits and soon it was time for Friday night the band to-night was BUTCH'S COUNTRY a five piece band who just know how to entertain and did just that for the whole evening.

With the inclement weather the decision to move the Saturday afternoon show inside was taken and we were entertained by LONGSHOT, a superb trio who were followed by JOHN 'C' KING who was at his best for two sets. John was followed by the very versatile band from Kent STRUCH-IT-RICH. All the acts did two sets and the afternoon went so quickly.

With just one and a half hours between the afternoon finishing and the evening start the breakdown of the bands and the installation of the evening ones had to go like clockwork and did just that.  First up was the magical band GARY PERKINS AND THE BREEZE and with virtually no break the next act was on stage and it was the local master of country KEVIN BARRY. He quickly filled up both of the dance floors with his lovely country music and with the audience calling for more it was a job to get him off the stage. He was followed by Gary's second set and every one could see how the band is nominated for the British Country Music awards every year all five members of the band gave us 100% and the night finished with many calls for more.

Sunday showed more signs of the wet stuff so it was back inside for the show in the afternoon this featured THE BAR HOPPERS a lovely trio from Norfolk who sing real country songs, these were followed by STEVE KEYS who used to be the lead singer in a band called Above the Law but now that Steve is solo he is doing very well.  The last act to come on was AMARILLO, a duo who entertained us very well with all the acts again doing two sets each.  Then what seemed to be a short break the last act of the festival was on stage and was the very talented SPEED LIMIT who entertained us for the rest of the evening.

During the evening a charity draw took place and with a donation from the Ghostriders C.M.C.  Enough money was raised to buy a RESMED Pump.  This pump will change the life of a person who suffers from sleep apnoea. The money has been given to the Ipswich and East Suffolk Hospital here in Ipswich.  It leaves me just one thing to say and that's a big THANK YOU to all who attended this event and made it the success it is.  Next years date is the 14th to 19th July 2010, if you want to be there book early so you are not disappointed.  Bands booked are Country Company, Clear Cut, Sapphire, Pat James, American Routes, Jeff Gallant & the Norfolk Cowboys, Rosie Horne, Nashville Numbers, Rancher, Kevin Barry, & Double Barrel. Thanks again for all your support with the Resmed Pump. Bless you all.

Ed Cuffe