Gordon Huntley
So what is the connection with Gordon. Well the first steel that Sean the Pedal steel guitarist bought was manufactured by Gordon it was a red Denley. And so started the love affair with the Pedal Steel.. There are more connections with the band in that Gordon used to play in the Alabama Hayriders which makes up half the name of our band. This is because the leader of that band George Brown is the father of Pauline our singer and bass player and Geoff our Banjo and guitar player. Geoff also played in the Alabama Hayriders when Gordon was in the band. John who sometimes plays keyboards with us also played in the Alabama Hayriders
George Brown
Leader of the Alabama Hayriders and lead guitarist George is the father of Pauline our singer and also Geoff the Banjo player. George appeared regularly on BBC Radio and at live venues including the Albert Hall. George had many singers and musicians in the band over the years and this leads to another connection. Al Doherty and George were good friends and Al played in the Alabama Hayriders as well as performing together with George in other combinations. Al Doherty is the father of Sean the Pedal Steel guitarist and vocalist
© 2006 cDanny Arnold
A Honoury sheriff of Bear County, Danny staged Wild West shows across the Country and especially in Thanet. at the Granville House in Ramsgate and the Lido in Margate. The connection is that Both Al Doherty and George Brown worked with Danny and Sean, Pauline and Geoff all played for him at Hotels in London.
Danny at the Lido pool, Cliftonville
This was where it all started with band called Prodigal featuring Peter on drums, Bill on guitar and vocals, Bob on bass guitar and vocals and Sean on pedal steel and vocals the link through to Alabama Express. This line up was around the early 70s., I am playing my ZB Student steel it was bright blue though the colour has not come out in the photo though.
© 2006 c
This is a later Prodigal line up with Bob replaced by Terry on Bass. Also singing with the band is Jeannie Sinclair. I took this during a break obviously we were having a fun night
One of the fore runner of Alabama Express was American Brew. A 5 piece band based in Thanet and featuring Gayle Pettite on lead vocals along with Peter on drums, Tony on Bass, Tony on Guitar and vocals and the connection Sean on pedal steel and vocals,
American Brew
This line up followed on from above and again Sean is the connection with Alabama Express. Peter is still on drums, with Richard coming in on Bass, Bill on guitar and vocals and Mandy Winters on vocals, They appeared around Kent in the early 80s. Richard and Bill have moved away whilst Mandy still pays around the Thanet. area.
This was the first American Brew line up and features Gayle on lead vocals, Tony on Bass, Peter on drums and Tony on guitar and vocals and the connection is Sean on the Pedal Steel Guitar and vocals. This was a Thanet band who played across Kent in the late 70s. This particular photo was taken in Harry Whites photographic studio in Hawley Square, Margate. All the band except Gayle and Sean are believed to still be in Thanet. Gayle left I think to go to London it would be great to hear from her again.
This line up followed on from above and again Sean is the connection with Alabama Express. Peter is still on drums, with Richard coming in on Bass, Bill on guitar and vocals and Mandy Winters on vocals, They appeared around Kent in the early 80s. Richard and Bill have moved away whilst Mandy still pays Nationally with her "Islands in the Stream' tour which is a tribute to Dolly Parton.
American Brew progressed to this line up was the same except for the addition of Mark following the departure of Mandy. Mark had been an integral part of Sounds Country who are connected with Al Doherty as he managed them and they backed and toured with him. Al is connected to Frontier Express his
previous band and is also the father of Sean. The band were around in the early 80s
At the Radio Kent studios during a recording session for Larry Adams Country show 
When American Brew disbanded Highway 40 was born with the connection being Sean and the link with American Brew, The group consisted of Jeff on drums, Bill on bass and Chris on guitar and vocals. The group were around in the late 80s and played around the Kent area, Jeff still lives locally and has given up drumming while Bill now lives in France.uChris lives in Ireland though plays for several months a year in Portugal.
Highway 40 set sail on the Ola Line
At the Double T CMC at Dover Highway 40 with Jeanie Sinclair. In the picture Jeanie Sinclair, Sean, Jo Anne Steel from the USA and Ron Nunn the organiser of the club, Jo Anne was on a tour of the UK
Sean playing his ZB Pedal Steel Steel in Highway 40
Sean and Bobby Bare at the Radio Kent Studios
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Linda Page (real Name Linda Duggan) Linda was managed by Al the father of Sean for a period during the 70s and also appeared on many tours throughout the UK with Al.
Linda in recent times can be seen with the likes of Boy George and Paul Wellar as well as pursuing her own career under the name of “Colleen”
You can check her out on various “you tube” clips
Highway 40 at the Detling Truck show the band at this time which was the early 80s consisted of some members of the defunct band Pinto along with Sean.