Mainbrace actually sound like sailors when they sing sailors' songs. Shouldn't that have a lot to do with it!

Mike & Tony are from South Wales. They've sung sea songs together for many years. Mike is a fine singer of Irish songs as well.

Bob Conroy and I first met Mike & Tony at the Sea Music Festival at Mystic Seaport in 1997 when we were all on the bill. Our mutual friend, Roy Harris, sang with Mainbrace at that time and he was anxious that we get together. Like Martina Ryan (above), we liked them right away not only for their singing but because they're great guys. The four of us sang together at Lancaster and Brest last year and we will probably do so again at Saltburn and Bremen later this year.

Mainbrace are finishing up a CD of maritime songs. Much of the recording will be Mike and Tony singing together but the disc also includes a number of shanties with a chorus of Roy Harris, Jeff Warner, Jerry Epstein and myself.

All the best,
Dan Milner