Ghost Road was formed in February 2024 when singer and acoustic guitarist Steve Watson, lead and rhythm guitarist Ian Jenkins and singer and harmonica player Kim Rowley decided to leave Mind Your Head, the previous band that they had been involved with, in order take more control over the choices of songs and the way in which to play them.

At first there was no grand plan other than to enjoy playing together in Kim or Steve’s kitchens and slowly build up a set list. It was soon obvious that something good was happening and, inevitably, discussions started regarding attending open mics or possibly gigging.

To that end and in order to fill out the sound, Kim invited another Ian Jenkins, a bassman he had known for nearly forty years since their days in the City and who had played together in The Blue Cables and Capel All Stars. Ian joined in February 2025 and immediately brought a fuller sound as well as a new sense of purpose.

The last cog in the wheel was to find a drummer and this turned out to have an easy solution. Through the marriage of their children, Kim and Nige Betteridge had been close friends for ten years. Nige, amongst his many musical accomplishments, is the front man and second drummer for the very successful tribute band The Book of Genesis. He was keen to join Ghost Road, not least as a contrast to the extreme musical discipline involved with being in a Genesis tribute band.

Nige joined in June 2025 and full band rehearsals moved from the kitchens to the rehearsal studios in Pease Pottage. It took several sessions there to find the band’s sound as new songs were added but, by spring 2026, the band agreed that they were gig ready.

Ghost Road’s debut gig took place in the garden at the Crown in Capel on the 4th July 2026 and the band was finally up and running.

Many of the covers are worked on in Kim and Steve’s kitchens before making their way to the full band for rehearsals. Guitarist Ian Jenkins has filmed a few for the ‘Kitchen Sessions.’