Pig's Ear consists of four members of the Rule Family; Sue and Grant Rule and their eldest daughter, Lyndsey, along with 'uncle bad influence', Keith. The band evolved from an earlier folk group named, 'Ham Fisted', that itself originated in the 1970s.

Ham Fisted included: Siobhan Walsh, Ian Driver, Nick Peed and Grant Rule. As rehearsals often took place at the Rule Residence, Keith could hardly be unaware of the repertoire. In any case, as Keith and Grant had sung the odd duet since childhood, it is not surprising that Keith joined in occasionally.

Sue and Grant met at Croydon Folk Song Club and it was natural for Sue to add a second female voice to Ham Fisted. When the vagaries of life resulted in Siobhan, Ian and Nick moving to Berkshire, Norfolk and Devon respectively, the three Rules formed a new band, Pig's Ear.

Lyndsey grew into Pig's Ear as she grew up. She never had a chance really, having been dragged along in her carry cot to Croydon Folk Song Club, other clubs and festivals from the age of about 8 months! Her first official gig was at about the age of nine years, at the Greenwich Folk Day, in front of a crowd of about 600 people.

Nowadays, when a live gig calls for the use of a PA system, younger daughter Helen supports the band by acting as sound engineer and 'roadie', often with the assistance of a neighbour, Jessica Blackwell.

We should also like to include a word of thanks to 'Ben' Rule and to brother Alan for all the help and support they have provided over the years. They continue to be a big help, never being slow to lend a hand shifting speakers or humping instrument cases across festival fields.

Our first studio recording, 'A Silk Purse', was made in 1991. Lacking experience and looking for somewhere local to serve as an audio studio, we were very lucky to find 'Koz' Cosnett of the Zero One studio in Oxted, Surrey. His great and varied expertise with audio recording, and the fully digital service now provided, has been a big help with all our first 4 albums 'The Whole Hog' (1994), 'Christmas Cracklin' (1994), 'Salted!' (2000) and 'Choice Company' (2002).

Our fifth and latest album 'Pig's Year' was recorded with Ty Watling.