I'm an ex-pro rhythm acoustic/vocalist, based near Kingston, Surrey, looking to go gigging again. The kind of stuff I'm into is country/bluegrass in and around the John Hartford/Dillards style, lyric/song based, done to a pro standard. I'm looking for a musical partner to put a duo together doing maybe one or two gigs a week - I have contacts on the pub circuit in my area, and I'm also reasonably good at gig-hustling.

First thing I'm asking is for someone with a decent voice - I'd like to share lead vocals and to put plenty of harmonies in (I'd imagine the thing would come across as a harmony duo). I also need someone with a lead instrument and I'm figuring mandolin would be the most versatile - mandolin doubling fiddle would be amazing. Any of you haystack dwellers seen that needle? I'd ask Bob Loveday but he's not just playing with Sir Bob now, Van Morrison's got his dibs in as well and Steve Simpson's just too busy for words.

I'm not necessarily after any virtuoso playing, the ability to do the fiddle tunes convincingly would be fine. And realistically, I'm open to ideas from anyone who has one or two of the bluegrass instruments nailed down, a decent voice able to do lead and harmony and a love for this kind on music.

Material isn't a problem - I have zillions of ace songs and I don't mind sharing them. A lot of it is going to be fairly heavily arranged (although it mustn't, of course, SOUND that way!) so a commitment to rehearsal before gigging is going to be vital (I'm looking at this as a long-term thing).

If this sounds like you, or if it sounds like someone you know, please get in touch. Call me Ron Hopeful, but you gotta try, aincha?