22/05/2026
Live Music on Stage in Applecross Hall this Saturday 23rd May.
Doors & Hall Bar Open from 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
All Welcome Along. Entrance £10 for Adults and Children Free.
Bio
For what began life as something of a side project for Michael Weston King & Lou Dalgleish, a labour of love, a homage to the classic country duets of the 60’s and 70’s, My Darling Clementine has grown and grown, and to some degree, has even overtaken the solo careers of it’s two main protagonists.
In a twelve year period they have released six critically acclaimed albums, a DVD collection, and played over 1000 shows right across the world. The numerous accolades and awards they have won has placed the band at the forefront of the ever burgeoning Americana scene
The 2011 debut “How Do You Plead?” was produced by Neil Brockbank (Nick Lowe) and featured some of London’s finest musicians from the 70’s pub rock era. Released in 2011, it was immediately acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic. Country Music People called it; “The greatest British country record ever made”
Such praise led to a US record deal and invitations to appear at the Americana Music Association in Nashville and at SXSW in Austin in 2013
The follow-up, “The Reconciliation” produced by Colin Elliot (Richard Hawley) and featuring guest appearances from Kinky Freidman and The Brodsky Quartet only enhanced the bands growing reputation and received a similar critical response with the New York Daily News choosing it as their ‘album of the month’, while US taste-makers Popmatters put it in their Top 10 Country Albums of 2013.
Their next move was a slight departure as they collaborated with best selling crime writer, and avowed country music fan, Mark Billingham, on the story and song project “The Other Half.” Billingham wrote a dark, nourish tale of murder, lust and revenge around eight of King & Dalgleish songs. The Other Half became an album, an audio book, and a stage show and featured contributions from actor David Morrissey and legendary singer songwriter Graham Parker
After touring the show with Mark for 18 months, including a successful run at The Edinburgh Festival, Michael and Lou returned to the studio, and re-united with Neil Brockbank for what would be their 4th album, and sadly Neils’ last. He passed away in 2017. “Still Testifying” was a further step away from classic country to embrace gospel and country soul. It was widely acclaimed, with many writers praising the new direction. UnCut wrote “Where gospel, country and Southern soul happily collide. It‘s terrific”, while No Depression said;
“Sublime country soul. The King and Queen of UK Country are back and they have headed south”
In 2019, and a few months before the Covid pandemic shut down all touring, Lou and Michael entered into another collaboration, this time with keyboard genius Steve Nieve (Elvis Costello & The Attractions / The Imposters). The three came together in France to record Country Darkness, a collection of songs written by Elvis Costello, reinterpreted by Lou and Michael for duet.
Initially released as a series of vinyl EP’s between Autumn 2019 and summer 2020, it came out as a full album in November 2020, charting in both the UK and European Americana charts. It garnered much press from media and Costello fans alike, many of who became ardent MDC fans too.
American Songwriter said “Costello‘s songs, King and Dalgleish‘s voices, Nieve‘s keys… it’s a perfect fit” with Americana-UK praising the re-interpretation, “Their vocal delivery takes ownership of these songs”
From 2021 – 2024, as the pandemic faded, they toured incessantly, incorporating the Costello songs into their live set. Playing numerous re-scheduled tours of the UK, Europe and N America.
2024 saw them back in the studio to record their 6th album, all brand new King & Dalgleish songs, many reflecting their new found rural life in the countryside of Mid Wales. Alas, tragedy struck midway through the process when their granddaughter was one of the three girls murdered in the Southport stabbings in July.
Life itself was put on hold, as Lou and Michael, and their extended family tried to come to terms with such a momentous and saddening loss.
After a period of reflection and attempted healing they started to work again. Some festival appearances were followed by their first tour of Japan in October 2024, where the Country Darkness album was re-issued with bonus tracks.
Carrying young Bebe in their hearts they move into 2025 aiming to complete the new album and to continue the travelling and creative life they have been grateful to enjoy for many years.
The press says
“King and Dalgleish have earned their place in the role call of great country duettists” –UNCUT
“MDC mix country gloom with excellent musicianship and very fine songs.” –The Guardian
“King and Dalgleish have re-invented the country duet” – The mingling of these two voices is just heavenly” –Mojo
“One of the most exquisitely pained country albums of recent years comes from England” -New York Daily News
A Date for your Diaries !
We are now looking forward to our next musical event when Lou and Michael take to the stage. Nice to see Applecross included on the tour list and should be a night for all to enjoy.
You can see and hear more about the country duo on their website, mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk
