Andy Doherty
Born into a second generation Irish family Andy learned his first Irish tunes from his parents’ Gallowglass Ceilidh Band EPs, reluctantly performing them on the harmonica at school at the age of seven. He took piano lessons for a short while, became an oboist for the school orchestra and played double bass with the Blackpool Youth Orchestra.
In his mid-teens he taught himself to play guitar in the style of Jansch and Renbourn. He went on to play bass guitar, performing all over the north west with two Blackpool function bands, Fiesta and Satellite. He gained valuable experience from occasionally playing bass with high calibre musicians such as Bob Clarke from the Grappelli Band and from accompanying well known cabaret performers. He also returned to the piano at this time studying with concert pianist, Katrina George.
Andy returned to his Irish roots in the ‘80s, teaching himself the fiddle.
He performed on fiddle with many Irish and folk bands such as An Cuiga and The Wassailers, with whom he sang and played live in a radio concert.
Andy formed his own outfit, Cornerstoneband, as well as standing in with Beer for Breakfast and Blackpool band, Thistle. He regularly plays with Cornerstoneband at ceilidhs and in residence at Thurnham Hall in Lancashire, alongside his work with Coppanearful.
