The Wilson Family

The Wilson Family are a Billingham folk group whose unaccompanied harmony singing has been part of the North East traditional music landscape since 1974. The family’s repertoire draws heavily on songs from Teesside, County Durham and the wider region, with the voices carrying the arrangement rather than instrumental accompaniment.

Early album Horumarye, released in 1983, was devoted entirely to the songs of Teesside writer Graeme Miles, while later recordings have continued to mix traditional material with socially rooted contemporary song. Their 2023 album Sibling Revivalry marked almost five decades of singing together and brought another collection of traditional and modern songs into that distinctive family sound.

Alongside decades of folk-club and festival appearances, The Wilson Family have sung at the BBC Proms and collaborated with Sting on The Last Ship. They also continue to support the tradition directly through the long-running Welly Folk Club near Billingham, keeping the music connected to a living community rather than treating it as heritage alone.

Band members

• Tom Wilson: Vocals
• Chris Wilson: Vocals
• Steve Wilson: Vocals
• Mike Wilson: Vocals