Americana Festival

Newark, Notts 

July 2007

David Allan (left) and George Hamilton IV with Trish Butler at Americana.

Trish Butler wanted to support the charity when her husband Joe died of pancreatic cancer in May 2007. Fans of British country music will know that Joe Butler was a stalwart of the country music scene in Britain and a long-time member of The Hillsiders. The band shot to fame in the 1970s, appearing at the Wembley Festival on many occasions. Joe was also a popular DJ on Radio City in Liverpool. To raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and the need for more research, Trish and friends organised a number of musical evenings in the North West.

A tribute to Joe Butler was also arranged by country music star George Hamilton IV at the annual Americana Festival in Newark, Notts. Accompanied on stage by David Allan, former Radio 2 presenter, Trish spoke touchingly of her husband and his fight against pancreatic cancer. "Money is desperately needed for research into this killer," said David, "and some of us are hoping to arrange concerts for funds, and possibly set up a permanent memorial to Joe as part of forthcoming Americanas."