September of Sound 2025 Showcase

Ron Kill began playing guitar late in life and writing songs soon after. Meeting Rod Graham 7 years ago, they formed Two Hats and Ron performed then for the first time in public.

Since then, Ron has played many gigs and open mics: solo, with Two Hats, the (short-lived) blues band Highway 46 and latterly with Steve Collins as The March Hares. He has written songs throughout this time, one of which, Call Me Later, was recorded with Highway 46 and played a couple of times on Radio Shropshire.

Ron has been a regular attendee of Shrewsbury Songwriters since the beginning and will be playing at least one song that came out of those sessions.

Two Hats Facebook: www.facebook.com/twohatsband

Charlie began writing songs in Shrewsbury in 1966 – a never recorded and rarely performed 10 song concept album “Greek Lover” exploring emotional responses to being “dumped”! After a 40-year hiatus he took up the guitar again in 2006. A Dean Friedman Songwriting Course in France re-ignited his creative spirit.

Teamed as lyricist with Phil from Machynlleth (ex-Gold Records contracted songwriter), the reaction “Now I know what Bert Bacharach felt like when he met Hal David” both surprised and encouraged him to persevere. Charlie wrote & performed 3 songs based on Benson Bebbington’s poems at the inaugural Big Busk. At successive Busks over 3 years Charlie produced an 11-song compilation “10 Bensons”.

He remains ready to drag out “Happy Days” (a cheery number about alcoholism & homelessness) at any time whether asked to or not! His songs veer from the deep introspection into his depression/anxiety, to humorous, slightly sideways views of life. He treats public performance as aversion therapy for his fears of public performance.

Eleanor is a local singer-songwriter, pianist and music teacher. Since childhood, Eleanor has been writing intimate, emotionally raw lyrics and poems, incorporating her questions and musings on life. Since meeting at school over a decade ago, Eleanor has collaborated in composition and performances with Joss, guitarist and fellow musician. For Eleanor, making music gives her an emotional canvas, and a special opportunity to connect with others. She’s now beginning work as a local music teacher and embracing the folk scene in Shropshire, keen to get herself back on stage once again to share the world through song.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ele.sound

Joss is an aspiring musician with a varied musical history, spanning multiple genres and instruments. He has played as a guitarist in cover bands and written indie-folk with his friend and collaborator Eleanor as a teenager (see above), composed his own music acoustically and on Logic Pro X, and played bass/composed with a jazz-tinged indie-rock outfit whilst studying Music in Leeds called Arnold Ziff. In whatever form it may come, Joss’ music betrays an ear for melody, a passion for harmony, and a genuine love of music.

Christopher Crompton is a singer-songwriter, musician, writer and poet from the West Midlands. He has toured across the UK and the USA with shows combining original, contemporary and traditional music. Christopher is also the organiser of Next Level Folk Club in Stourbridge.

Website: christophercrompton.com

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@christophercrompton

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChristopherCromptonWordsandMusic

Instagram: www.instagram.com/christophercromptonmusic

Alan is a local songwriter, poet and writer. In his short but eventful solo career, he’s somehow stumbled his way to local cult hero status, with a difficult to define genre of his own which often teeters into many styles but always upholds the great English storytelling tradition. His songs may be upbeat, quirky or surreal, yet still often deliver serious messages. He loves to engage with audiences and sometimes creates work on the spot. He’s been nominated for local awards and has performed at the Troubadour in London, on BBC & 6Towns Radio, Ludlow and Llangollen Fringes, as well as folk clubs and showcase events locally and further afield – and has recently been supporting touring artists.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alanjenkinsmusik

Instagram: www.instagram.com/alanjenkinsmusik

Sonya is a singer songwriter, writer and artist. She’s known for her emotive songs that take her audiences on contemplative cathartic journeys of the heart from lyrically rich contemporary ballads, to bluesy tunes of love lost & found. From the bitterness of betrayal, to the mellow sentiments of resolution, the passion of new found love, and the empowerment of redemption and self valuing. Playing acoustic guitar she draws you into her stories with vocals that have been described as ‘Honey Sweet & Blue ‘ to ‘ Beautiful & Haunting ‘ … “There’s something really captivating about her … you get locked in … Her distinctive tone and sound penetrates the soul. “ ‘ Micaela Wylde – BBC Radio Shropshire ’ . She’s performed at intimate bars, events & festivals including the Ludlow Fringe, Landed, Burning Woman, Festival at the Edge, Witch, Farmer Phil’s , Llangollen Fringe and the International Music Eisteddfod.

Website: sonyasmith8.wixsite.com/website

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SonyaSmithSinger

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCuGdHkbZbpphQ2Z-xo8Rxsg

Scruffian was dragged through a hedge backwards, but somehow he’s still clinging on to that guitar. Carving songs from the raw materials that come to hand, he winds his tangled strings around questions that have no answer. These songs arose from climbing trees, riding concrete rivers and mowing meadows the old fashioned way. When you lose yourself, you’ve won.

Website: scruffian.com

Intagram: @scruffian

TikTok: @scruffian

YouTube: youtube.com/scruffian

Nikki is a local songwriter, portrait artist and live music event promoter. For the content of her song writing, she draws on relatable experiences as well as the emotional challenges of living with disability which produces some very honest and heartfelt songs. What she crafts is emotive, passionate and moving. Over the years Nikki has developed a connected and buoyant rapport with her audiences which makes her performance both scintillating and a genuinely memorable experience.

Nikki has performed alongside and opened up shows for artists such as Jamiroquai, Level 42, Kaiser Chiefs, James, Supergrass, Miles Hunt, Nick Harper, Jon Gomm and many more. She has graced the stages of venues and festivals up and down the country such as The Wolves Civic Halls, The Wulfrun, The Jamhouse, The Glee Club, The Robin 2, Tamworth Assembly Rooms, Solfest, Nozstock, Lakefest, Sistafest, Farmer Phil’s Fest and Sunrise Celebration to name a few.

Website: www.nikkirous.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nikkirousmusic