Country, folk-rock, blues, bluegrass, Tex-Mex, barnburners, love ballads, drinking songs, the manifold mysteries of life and death – the Holy Fools run the gamut of American roots music. The Fools are an Oxford-based Americana band, with Tennessee singer-songwriter Chris Floyd on vocals and guitar, backed by long-time veterans of the UK music scene: Harry Brzezinski on dobro, Jim Driscoll on lead guitar and Jason Neil on stand-up bass. Formed in 2018, the Holy Fools feature all-original songs, steeped in Floyd's roots in the music of rural Tennessee and building on the band's decades of experience in a variety of genres. The result is a unique mixture of styles, nuances and inspirations: 90 proof Americana with a Tennessee blend. The Holy Fools were featured finalists in Americana UK's 2023 Twang Factor contest. Their debut album, Testament, is available on Bandcamp and other venues. This video gives you a little sip of the Fools' home brew. here's a little sip of the Fools' home brew. For more, check out their website at https://www.theholyfools.com.

The Holy Fools live at Wilcote Arts Studio, May 26, 2023. Harry Brzezinski: dobro Jim Driscoll: lead guitar, vocals Jason Neil: bass, vocals Chris Floyd: lead vocals and guitar Words and music © 2020 Chris Floyd www.theholyfools.com

The Holy Fools live at Folk Weekend Oxford, 16 April, 2023. Jason Neil: bass Harry Brzezinski: dobro Jim Driscoll: lead guitar Chris Floyd: guitar and vocals Words and music © 2023 Chris Floyd

Live at Day of the Deadbeats 11

Live at Wilcote Art Studio

The Holy Fools playing 'Crab Tut Beer' from the Towpath Productions session aboard Progress on the Oxford canal. ***Credits*** The Holy Fools combine deep traditional roots with cosmopolitan sensibilities to craft a distinctive brand of Americana. An Oxford-based band, the Holy Fools feature three seasoned veterans of the UK music scene – Jim Driscoll on lead guitar, Harry Brzezinski on dobro and Jason Neil on stand-up bass – breathing fiery life into original songs by lead singer Chris Floyd, drawn from his background in the hills and valleys of rural Tennessee and various sojourns around the world. https://www.theholyfools.com Directed, Recorded, Mixed and Edited by Ryan Quarterman Future Human Design Co. https://www.futurehumandesignco.com/ Captian: Stuart Miller ***About Towpath Productions*** Towpath Productions - Moving music hosted aboard our historic canal boats on the Oxford canal. We host and record live intimate music sessions to be enjoyed for free live from the canal towpath and online. ***Follow Us*** www.towpathproductions.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/towpathproductions/ https://www.facebook.com/towpathproductions ***Gear*** Canon 80d Sony A7III Sigma 17-50mm 1:2.8 EX DC OS HSM Zoom Lens Samyang T1.5 35mm AS UMC II Cine Lens DJI Ronin-S Insta360 One X2 Zoom H8 Handy Recorder SURE SM57 SURE SM58 ***About Progress*** Progress was built in 1936 by Peter Keay & Sons (Walsall) for W. Elwell & Sons – the Tipton-based coal carrying company operating on the Birmingham Canal Network. In her previous prime, she would have towed eight 'Joey' boats each holding around 35 tonnes of coal. Progress was converted to a hire boat by Jimmy Yates in the late 1950s and renamed Pintail. The present Fowler 2DYM diesel engine (1944) was first installed in 1958. She was fully renovated between 1997 and 2000 by Jem Bates and Trevor Whitling – including having her name restored to Progress. Bill Mann, Trevor Allum and Phil Kidd acquired Progress in 2017 for the David Blagrove Trust and completed a full restoration of the cabin. Progress was bought by Stuart Miller in 2020. She was the first acquisition for the fleet of Towpath Productions. CONSTRUCTION Builder: Keay, Peter & Son, Walsall Built in: 1936 Hull material: Wood Number of decks: 1 Number of masts: 0 Propulsion: Motor Number of engines: 1 Primary engine type: Inboard diesel DIMENSIONS Breadth: Beam: 7.00 feet (2.14 m) Depth: 2.50 feet (0.76 m) Length: Overall 50.00 feet (15.25 m)

The Holy Fools playing Don't get on the Train from the Towpath Productions session aboard Progress on the Oxford canal. ***Credits*** The Holy Fools combine deep traditional roots with cosmopolitan sensibilities to craft a distinctive brand of Americana. An Oxford-based band, the Holy Fools feature three seasoned veterans of the UK music scene – Jim Driscoll on lead guitar, Harry Brzezinski on dobro and Jason Neil on stand-up bass – breathing fiery life into original songs by lead singer Chris Floyd, drawn from his background in the hills and valleys of rural Tennessee and various sojourns around the world. https://www.theholyfools.com Directed, Recorded, Mixed and Edited by Ryan Quarterman Future Human Design Co. https://www.futurehumandesignco.com/ Captian: Stuart Miller ***Lyrics*** Don't Get on the Train The train has pulled into the station It's putting out a poison steam The cloud is rolling 'cross the platform It's like you're moving in a fever dream You can hear the conductor calling He's calling you by name But if you take that ticket, friend You'll never be the same (Chorus) Don't get on the train, no Don't get on the train It ain't going where you want to go So don't get on the train Well the dining car is fancy From the outside looking in It's all carpet and curtains and brass and gold Fine ladies and gentlemen But the driver's got a body of iron And the head of a crocodile He'll be chewing on your spiritual innards From here to the river Nile (Chorus) In the first-class carriage there's people Who look a whole lot like you They smile when they see you coming Ain't no favor that they wouldn't do But they give you rot-gut whiskey Stewed from the water of graves That burst their sides when Gabriel blowed his horn And couldn't find a soul to save (Chorus) Well sister I know you need to leave here And find a place where you can grow Brother I now that you're seeking Some people more simpatico But it's just a one-way journey On that beast of a machine You'll be better off taking the backroads down In the dirt that'll keep you clean (Chorus) ***About Towpath Productions*** Towpath Productions - Moving music hosted aboard our historic canal boats on the Oxford canal. We host and record live intimate music sessions to be enjoyed for free live from the canal towpath and online. ***Follow Us*** www.towpathproductions.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/towpathproductions/ https://www.facebook.com/towpathproductions ***Gear*** Canon 80d Sony A7III Sigma 17-50mm 1:2.8 EX DC OS HSM Zoom Lens Samyang T1.5 35mm AS UMC II Cine Lens DJI Ronin-S Insta360 One X2 Zoom H8 Handy Recorder SURE SM57 SURE SM58 ***About Progress*** Progress was built in 1936 by Peter Keay & Sons (Walsall) for W. Elwell & Sons – the Tipton-based coal carrying company operating on the Birmingham Canal Network. In her previous prime, she would have towed eight 'Joey' boats each holding around 35 tonnes of coal. Progress was converted to a hire boat by Jimmy Yates in the late 1950s and renamed Pintail. The present Fowler 2DYM diesel engine (1944) was first installed in 1958. She was fully renovated between 1997 and 2000 by Jem Bates and Trevor Whitling – including having her name restored to Progress. Bill Mann, Trevor Allum and Phil Kidd acquired Progress in 2017 for the David Blagrove Trust and completed a full restoration of the cabin. Progress was bought by Stuart Miller in 2020. She was the first acquisition for the fleet of Towpath Productions. CONSTRUCTION Builder: Keay, Peter & Son, Walsall Built in: 1936 Hull material: Wood Number of decks: 1 Number of masts: 0 Propulsion: Motor Number of engines: 1 Primary engine type: Inboard diesel DIMENSIONS Breadth: Beam: 7.00 feet (2.14 m) Depth: 2.50 feet (0.76 m) Length: Overall 50.00 feet (15.25 m)