'Country Rain', Haz Eliot with Feeling','The Apache Band', 'The Misty Dream Band,' 'Country Shades' & 'The Terry Dean Band'

The Apache Band was formed circa 1979 ( the ol’ memory aint what it used to be!) and consisted of Jimmy (bam bam) Collins on Drums & Vocals, Phil Colter on lead Guitar/vocals, John Winchester on vocals/bass and lead guitars and me on vocals/bass/rythmn guitars. We played the length and breadth of the Southwest, appearing at Country Clubs, Hotels, Social clubs, Holiday Camps, Barn dances, Pubs, and Country Music Festivals in Devon & Cornwall.

We had most ‘seasons’ booked in various Hotels which were normally from Easter to September ( over the years, these seasons diminished in length, as more people went abroad for holidays and the Hotels ‘cut down’ their ‘season’ and therefore entertainment) But, never the less, at the time, it was very pleasant arriving early at the gig, sitting on the beach for a while and then ‘doing our show’ (seemed more like a holiday!)

We took on a manager Jim & Sue Broad, who were originally fans, but wanted to ‘get involved’ in Country music in general and us in particular. Jim & Sue worked very hard promoting the band, always turning up at the gigs to make sure we were ok, getting us bookings and then financing and promoting The Apache Band Album, ‘Mamas, Dont let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys’ This was recorded at Roche Studios, Cornwall and was produced by ‘Hawkwinds’ drummer Martin Griffin.

Joining us on the album, was the ‘5th’ member, an extremely talented young bass player. Jim ‘The Hat’ who occasionally ‘stood in’ when the gig ( and wages!) justified it.

Jim had his own ‘pop’ band which was very up to date and modern, but really enjoyed playing “this ‘ere Country music” now and then. After a year or so, Phil left and emigrated to Canada and Chris James joined us. Chris played lead/bass and rhythm guitars and was a fine vocalist.

Here are some of the members of ‘Apache’, The Terry Dean Band, Country Shades and The Misty Dream Band during my 22 + years in Cornwall.

John Winchester Apache’

Jimmy Collins ‘Apache ‘ – The Terry Dean Band- Country Shades & The Misty Dream Band’

Kieth Howe. Country Shades Mick Colley ‘Country Shades’

Country Shades Pete Flaskett far left. Chris James far right.

The original ‘Country Shade’s ‘members were, Davy Fidler (Wayne) on drums/vocals/ vocal harmony, Mo Clarke on lead guitar/vocals/ vocal harmony, Paul ‘PJ’ Buck on bass/rhythm guitars/vocals/ vocal harmony and myself on lead vocals/bass & rhythm

El Imber. Founder member of The Misty Dream Band. After a gap of about 20 years, El and I got together again and recorded our original songs on youTube under imberdean.

Phil Colter, TD & Jim (The Hat) Tothill ‘The Apache Band’

‘Apache’ John Winchester, Phil Colter, TD, Jim (The Hat) and Jimmy Collins

Country Shades’ with PJ. Buck Jimmy Newell Keith Howe.

‘The Terry Dean Band’ at the ‘Talk Of The West’

The Terry Dean Band BBC Radio Conwall ‘Live’

It all started when Brian (Dean) Duggan and myself, based in Watford, formed ‘Country Rain’ with Dennis Fullerman and Derek James and played the usual London pub Circuits.

Where it all started! The original ‘Country Rain’ Terry & Brian sharing a mike. T

Country Rain with new members and renamed ‘Haz Eliot with Feeling’

Haz Eliot with Feeling. Kieth Clarke-Haz Eliot-Terry Dean- Brian (King) Ramsey-Goudie

Our new drummer Joe Coulson.

The award winning ‘Haz Eliot with Feeling’. Originally ‘Country Rain’. Reformed, new members and a new name to break into Cabaret. 2nd in ‘Opportunity Knocks’, Winners of New Faces’ Viewers votes, ( 2nd to Marti Caine in the final) Best touring Band Cornwall & Devon Country Music Circuit. BCMA Most promising Newcomer’s, Best British Band, Wembley Festival Of Country Music

Best British Band Wembley 1975

The Bands Logo Our Agent. Jeanie (Mills) Caldicote

Brian (King) Ramsey-Goudie Terry, Haz & Stewart

Haz Eliot with Feeling Wembley Fesival Of Country Music

The ‘Misty Dream Band’. (MDB) El Imber and myself formed MDB and the initial band consisted of, Chris King on Bass, Frank Green on drums, El Imber on Pedal Steel and myself on Guitar and Vocals. Over the life of the band we had several changes of Band members due to work, geographic and family commitments so at variuos times the Band included, Jimmy Collins on Drums, John Adkin on Bass, El Imber on pedal Steel, Vocals and myself on Guitar & Vocals. Another lineup change occured when the Band was offered work in Europe and the UK on USA Military bases. This Band consisted now of El & myself with Chris Constantinou on Bass and Flute and Davy Wayne on Drums & Vocals. Following a break up with our Manager (owing to him being a lying, cheating con man full of BS!) MDB disbanded but later reformed, with Davy Wayne on Drums & Vocals, myself on Guitar, Bass & Vocals, Murray (Mo) Clarke on Lead Guitar & Vocals and Paul (PJ) Buck on Bass guitar, Rythmn, & Vocals. This last Band later changed the name to ‘Country Shades’