Graham William Nash OBE, the renowned musician and legendary songwriter, took the stage as the headliner at the British Country Music Festival, held from 1 to 3 September 2023. The event marked his return to his birthplace of Blackpool, where he performed at the Winter Gardens. Born on 2 February 1942 at the Kimberly Hotel in South Shore, Blackpool, Nash’s early years were shaped by his mother’s evacuation from Salford due to World War II. The hotel, once a place of significance, had fallen into disrepair and gained a poor reputation over the years, eventually leading to its closure by Blackpool Council in 2014.
The Kimberley Hotel as it is today
Another view of the Kimberley Hotel as it is today
After his birth, Nash’s family moved back to Salford, where he spent his childhood. At the age of 14, his father was imprisoned for a year for purchasing a stolen camera, which he had intended to give as a gift to Graham. The legal troubles stemmed from his father’s refusal to reveal the name of the relative who sold him the camera. Nash, best known as a founding member of both The Hollies and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY), has received numerous accolades for his musical contributions. In 2017, he was honoured with the “Legendary Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music” award at Americana Fest in Nashville and the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the UK Americana Awards. Additionally, he has been inducted twice into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash.
One of Nash’s earlier songs is called Military Madness. Listen to the video below and hear about how he was born in Blackpool and then left to live in the States, never losing affection for his roots.
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Text source: Winter Gardens’website
