Meet The Snakes...
Paul Rutter
Lead Vocals/Guitar
In 1997, Paul released his self-penned Country Rock tune 'One The Tracks To Tennessee' drawing influence and paying tribute to classic music from the Americas. The single was courted by EMI and appeared on EMIs country compilation, 'Awesome 4' - shortly afterwards the Curb label asked to release the song on its own compliation Fever' series and the song then appeared on 'Fever 9', followed by another release on the Grapevine label. Paul took the single to Ireland and appeared on several national TV programmes, followed by radio and live tours as the song attracted wider Irish media attention - the follow up album 'Anything It Takes' was released in Ireland and in the UK. 'Snake Oil Acoustic' was established in 2003 as a spin-off vehicle, to tour the album and play live with the late Salisbury guitarist Steve Emm. A few years later, the big Snake Oil story began when Paul met up with Dave, Tom and Steve to get the full band on the road...
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David Martin
Lead Guitar/Vocals
I've played on famous stages like The Marquee Club in London, but big name venues will not tell you all you need to know about Snake Oil. The emphasis is firmly placed in the fun aspect of the band, and that's a massive attraction for me. The songs are unpretentious and catchy - the focus is having a good time with the audience and of course, sharing a stage with my fellow amigos - the Snake Oil boys. Have fun and see you at the next Snake Oil Medicine Show!
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Tom Shrimpton
Bass/Vocals
I am a big fan of The Texas Tornados, they have so much fun on stage and drag you into their crazy Tex-Mex world! When you listen to them, it is easy to imagine the party atmosphere, it really does bring a rin to your face. Snake Oil taps into this good-time vibe and leaves you buzzing! Don't get me started on Freddie Fender. That crazy legend playing his quirky guitar licks, was amazing! Simple melodies played with nutty exuberance - I love it! Old and New Country and Americas Rock Boogie - I love it all and love being up on stage with the Snake Oil Medicine Show.​​
Steve Shrimpton
Drums/Percussion
My earliest memory of playing drums is being taught by my father, who was in the Boys Brigade, using Mum's knitting needles. I was probably about 5 years old! Before Snake Oil, I was heavily involved in the Country and Barndance Cajun scene, my main bands being The New St George and Midnight Flyers. At this time I was also playing with UK Blues legends Bob Pearce, Pete Harris and Arnie Cottrell bands respectively. I played Latin and Americas band Atlantico - Snake Oil is the the next (long) phase of my musical excursion!
Our Snake Oil guest amigos...
Elina Zotova
Fiddle
A skilled and versatile fiddler, Elina has shared stages with original singer-songwriters as well as bands across genres like folk, rock, pop, bluegrass and country, bringing creative solos, soulful harmonies and beautiful textures to the songs, giving the audience an emotional, exciting, and unforgettable experience. Elina has played festivals and shows with an array of bands in both the UK and Europe.
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Dave Wheelhouse
Pedal steel guitar
'It was my Dads fault!' My Dad (Charlie) loved Hawaiian and country music, says Dave. He grew up listening to a plethora of country music stars; Jimmy Rogers, Hank Williams, Slim Whitman, Jim Reeves and Johnny Cash, to name just a few. Dave was fascinated by the sound of the Hawaiian guitar on those records. To cut a long story short, Dave has played in a huge range of country bands in the UK. Originally hailing from Sheffield, when Dave could not afford to buy a pedal steel guitar - he built his own and later founded the Sheffield Steel Guitar company. You can see Dave play his famed steel guitars with Snake Oil, gliding over the fret board in his own unique inimitable style. Dave is regular guest for several high profile country bands today.
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Ray Phillips
Pedal steel guitar
Ray has a longstanding history playing with a plethora of country music bands. Ray started out playing steel, lead guitar and vocals in Essex based band, Country Echoes, with Val Havers. Ray then joined many country bands including Freddie Jameson & Convoy, Trevor Kelly & The Lonestar Flyers, Alberta, The Tony Goodacre Band and Kevin Stewart & First Chapter. In 2006 he took over as Frontman of First Chapter, then joined the Jeff Gallant Band. Ray has worked with the Smokey Turtle Band, Boxcar Kelly and the Railroaders and Capricorn. Alongside Snake Oil, Ray now tours with Ridgeway Country, Ray Peters, The Ian Highland Band, Bear Faced Country and Midnight Riders. Ray currently plays a 'Sheffield DB2' steel guitar and a Fender Telecaster and uses Peavey and Fender amplification. Ray is instantly recognisable by his sparkly shoes!!
Dave Evans aka Marshall Stax
Lead guitar
Dave has been playing guitar in the Southampton area for many years and was one of the original members of Southampton Rock band Loaded Dice. Dave has played in many professional bands and teaches guitar to this day. His unique style is influenced by country rock, southern rock and blues rock and tex mex and americana. He collects vinyls of classic southern rock bands with key musical influences such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Eagles. Dave, or Marshall Stax (as he preferes to be known when playing with Snake Oil), is instantly recognisable onstage by his spurs and western guitar strap!
RIP our dear Amigo John White. Our TV show videos dedicated to the memory of John and his amazing individual pedal steel guitar tones. A longstanding member of Snake Oil, John and his inimitable steel playing style, lives on in these videos - still being seen and heard by country fans all over the world.