Timeless music and vintage clothes October 2012

“If I was good, a special treat would be to go into the cupboard where my Aunt’s bits and pieces were kept and allowed to look in wonder at the old film star books, clothes and accessories. My Aunt was a model and a buyer for Rackhams so she always had the very best in what was in fashion at the time. It all seemed so glamorous and grown up.”

When visitors to the Stamford Arms enjoyed the performances by the Ann Duggan Band they probably never realised that, although her accent is a giveaway that she is originally from Birmingham, Annie lives just up the road at Markfield.

She describes her music as a seamless mix adding country, folk and rock, played with a powerful combination of energy, melody and lyricism. Although an artiste most readers won't have heard of she commands respect in the music industry. Reviewer Bob Jones wrote “I had never heard of Ann before and it was a rare treat to see a fine artist for the first time” about one of her Birmingham performances last year for the Blues in Britain magazine.

A childhood which had always been involved with music gave way to a "normal" job, marriage and a young daughter by her late teens. But 20 years later she had a strong feeling that she should be trying something else, and a chance meeting with Norfolk based songwriter Colin Granger re-sparked her interest in performance. After performing a few shows with Colin and getting a good response Ann realised she could have something special. The collaboration provides Annie with a unique source of original quality material. “Every thing has changed for me,” she reflects. “I gave up a secure career, parted (amicably) from my husband, and took to the road as a musician. Sometimes I think I’m more like a character in one of Colin’s songs than the person that sings them!”

She has been overwhelmed by the positive response and support she has received across the UK and in the United States which she puts this down to the interactivity of her gigs and the enthusiasm the band carry no matter what situation, adding "You could be playing to two people or 2,000 it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy what you're doing."

Annie loves vintage clothes,too