Mickeyboro

James is hilarious! Was he looking okay? Hasn’t been well of late.

A three-band bill of folk (State of Undress), blues (my own Otis Jay Blues Band) and Americana (World Gone Wrong) at New Milton’s Forest Arts Centre. Capacity audience of 125, which is gratifying. Sound technician Alice did a brilliant job considering the variety of instruments involved. A super fun evening, and though we had a few duff intros - new drummer’s first gig - no one seemed to mind. Photos show me having foolishly raced to the top of the theatre with Sandberg in hand, and descending rather more gingerly… Love to take this package to other venues - suggestions gratefully received.

It’s all looking good at present. Only 12 out of 100 tickets to sell before Thursday. Fingers crossed!

Lindisfarne. Original bassist Rod Clements the only survivor - now on guitar - but Dave Hull- Denholm, the late Alan’s son in law, to right of pic, was the star.

I am sure he must, Pete - but I know his book upset Donal Gallagher so wondered if there was any legal undertaking… seems unlikely, but people can be petty!

What I didn’t expect about Band of Friends was that not once in the evening was Rory’s name mentioned! Any idea why?

Good to see Keith’s cab serving you well!

I have just put together an ‘Evening of Folk, Blues and Americana’, happening at a local arts centre on Thursday. I chose two other acts I felt were compatible with my own Otis Jay Blues Band. We shall see how it all works - no idea if they have sold any tickets. Any tales of doing this kind of thing?

I lost a brother called Julian - but losing a child is another dimension of grief. Sending warmest wishes from Southbourne.

It is the venue, the Poole Hill Brewery! have edited to make clear.

Central Bournemouth show at the Poole Hill Brewery, one of the best live venues. First of three bookings this year for the Otis Jay Blues Band. Sparsely populated to start with (playing 3-6) but fuller later. Had our original guitarist come visit - he isn’t in the best of health now - and was good to see him. Audience changed halfway with an influx of would-be dancers so had to change set 3 to suit, but few noticed the repeats! Played my Flea through an Elf and two Barefaced One10. While I’ve played the venue with one cab, the sound is so much better I’m a two-cab man now!

I like my VM4 passive, though the last but one gig I did I went active at half time to boost the bass after an audience request. My 71 P with flats is the deepest bass I own.

A seamless transaction - fully recommended Basschatter!

Played a village hall ‘Pub Night’ in the wilds of Dorset with the Otis Jay Blues Band. The audience came to eat, but were in decline numbers wise thereafter which is always difficult - you’re not the main attraction! But some nice comments from those who stayed. And what a stage! I hardly knew what to do with the room I had. Acoustically, brought my MIJ Jazz ‘Sonic’ and GK MB200 through two Barefaced One10. Sound was so boomy I used bridge pickup exclusively, but seemed to work ok. Image is pre-gig, obviously!

I said I would prefer local gigs to ones that involved too much travelling. He interpreted this as an insult to him - how I don’t know, cos he never got us a single gig anywhere! Maybe I am just not ambitious enough… We do have other options but this would be the easy one.

I used to hate the approach of that solo… gave me the willies! Well done for bluffing it.

It’s yours truly😮

Keep em coming chaps, thanks! Funny how drummers keep cropping up. It is a drummer, he quit without notice but now his replacement has moved in he is suggesting he might have made a mistake. We are using him as a dep initially but the future divides our band. One wants him in, one is undecided. And there’s me!

If you have experience of re-enlisting a former bandmate, please feel free to share. Has it worked for you? Do previous problems recur? If someone quit without warning would you trust them again? Ta!