EXCEPT-2

Ed van Dorp


	My first musical attempts took place "at the bottom of the stairs" in my parental home. My brother played the guitar in a 50s-style band. He used to practise on the landing and I used to sing along at the bottom of the stairs. My brother also taught me my first guitar chords. At the time I also played the ukulele. That little instrument is still in Ron van Doorneveld’s possession.
Together with some school mates we started a band called "The Lightnings". Fun time! We played songs by The Shadows, Jim Reeves, Lonnie Donegan and other contemporary artists.
	Then I started to develop a liking for Country music. I loved the theme song from the "Beverly Hillbillies" series. We still play that song today. I did buy a new 12-string guitar, but due to my studies the band began to take second place.
On a school excursion in 1981 Ron van Doorneveld and I discovered we shared the same musical tastes. Ron is found to own a 5-string banjo. After I get the opportunity to borrow his banjo, I manage to learn how to play "Cripple Creek" on it. Ron is wildly enthusiastic and also wants to pick up the banjo again. That’s how we start playing together. I already owned a guitar and now I bought myself a banjo as well. My colleague Ivo Vlot offered to play the bass and in the evenings we practised in the gymnasium or the auditorium of a school.
	After an appearance in a school musical, we were joined by Chris van Breemen, who played the mandolin. As "Country Stuff" we performed at staff parties, birthdays, markets, fairs, the fortress celebrations in Hellevoetsluis and so on, until Chris decided to quit. At a country music concert Ron and I met Jaap .... and the rest is history..... (see Jaap’s story) !

Because Ed and Ron felt more attracted to "Cajun" music,
they left EXCEPT-2 in September 2003 to play in the "Down Town Cajun Band"; together with Will.

?? curious ?? any questions ?? order a CD ??

Sending an E-mail to Jaap Spijk via the address except2@xs4all.nl is the easiest way for a first contact !