Rob Malaney
Traditional Singer / Musician / Song Writer

Rob has been involved with music since his early teenage years, when 'skiffle' was the rage. Like most people of his era he was influenced by Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Leadbelly and of course 'The Beatles'. In the 60s Rob played in coffee bars & youth clubs around Preston, Leyland & Chorley, performing his own compositions.

He moved to London & lived just off Portobello Road, singing in public bars & busking on street corners. His regular booking was at 'The Finches' supporting well known singers such as Bert Janch & Davy Graham.

By the early 70s Rob had returned to Preston, got married, bought a house, started a family and also became a student at Blackburn School of Music. His song writing was 'put on hold' whilst he studied theory and composition, and Rob's only performances during the 70s were playing rhythm guitar with three young lads, a drummer & two singers, as the reggae band "One White Man".

In the late 70s Rob moved, with his family, to Whittle- le- Woods, a village on the outskirts of Chorley. It was here that Alan Berry, his next door neighbour reawakened his interest in Folk Music, and together they began to visit local Folk clubs and sing songs as a duo, which was unfortunately short-lived. Undaunted though, Rob continued with his reborn interest and became completely absorbed in traditional folk music.

By the mid 80s Rob had built up a reputation at local folk clubs and sessions for his self-penned and traditional songs. It was during this period that he teamed up with Nick Caffrey & George Critchley to form the well-known trio "Th' Antique Roadshow", who built up an excellent reputation at folk clubs and festivals over 20 years before deciding by mutual agreement to go their separate ways in November 2006.

Rob's songs are well constructed with his inspiration coming mainly from traditional songs & music. It is true to say that many of his songs have been absorbed into 'the tradition', such as (click on song title to hear sample): Breathe With Me, My Love He Works On The Roads. Heavenly Brew (tea song) .

Rob is a fine singer and concertina player with an extensive repertoire who makes an audience feel at ease. His enjoyment of singing and playing is contagious and the audience readily join in with the choruses. He prefers to mix his songs with traditional material and rarely gives a concert of all his own compositions.

An asset to any festival, Rob is comfortable in large or small venues. He also writes tunes, and gives various workshops.