Motorcycle News (MCN) Weekend Festival - Butlins - Skegness - 19/4/08 - Part Two

Onto our main stage appearance. It was a shame that with this festival alot of proeple go home on the Sunday.
We opened at 8pm to a fairly empty, gigantic REDS arena.
Also handicapped by being asked to play covers, w decided to go for a 50/50 split.

Opening with 'Heavens Door' and 'Slip Away', the crowd began to grow.
We kicked into 'Telling Lies' and our 3 girl festival line up started to make its presence felt as people started racing to the front.

Mandie again pulled in a standing ovation, for her stunning Blues Rendition of 'House of the Rising Sun'. Additionally, Voodoo Dance was another great preview of the new CD, which will be rleased in June (as featured on YouTube).
Danny was on top form as we said goodnight with a belting Preacher Man. The much bigger crowd were now totally with us. CD sales were amazing, bearing in mind that we were selling original music to anon music festival...

We drove away to the sound of a Blondie Tribute band cranking up their Drum machine. We'd love to replace Roger, but cant find a machine with a capability for extensive moaning.......

Submitted by Gary on Wednesday, 7 May 2008

Motorcycle News (MCN) Weekend Festival - Butlins - Skegness - 19/4/08 - Part One

It was nice that the impression we made at Januarys Skegness Blues & Rock festival, led us to this prestigous booking.

Out first challenge was to run a Jam Session on the cavenous Skylive Stage (under the big top roof) at Butlins......
We didnt know how this would turn out, as we had no idea if there would be any musicians present at this rocking weekend.

However, it went rather well. After an opening 3 Roadhouse songs to set the tone (including a nice 'Blues Highway') we involved 2 bass players, 4 drummers, a guitarist and about 14 vocalists.

Highlights included the 4 ladies (and the drunken guy) who joined us on backing vocals for 'Mustang Sally'. Also the female bass player who'd only had 3 lessons and was coached by Bill through a whole number, on this largre stage in front of about 500 people....brave and happy lady!

However, the whole thing was such hard work to organise, we were drained (especially me!) and we had to get ourselves ready for the main stage at 8pm....

The previous night we had checked out the covers bands that were almost exclusively playing the festival, including X Factor 3rd placer Ben (and his flowing locks). Great voice and band....... but, why did so many people leave???

The crowd were in party mood with well over a thousand people were in fancy dress. Star Wars characters mixed with the Cast of St Trinians, Smurfs, Romans and enough fetish clad women (and the occassional tranny) to make most mens pulse race (but not if your as old as me and are missing a pulse)...

This lead to some serious Roadhouse partying, climaxing with Kelly in an inflatable Penis outift (but thats another story!).....

Submitted by Gary on Wednesday, 7 May 2008

BB's Blues Club - GJ's - Colliers Wood - 30/3/08

Sorry that this journal entry is out of sequence... health issues, pressure, blah, blah and other excuses.....

This was a very good night. The concept was to preview some of our new material for the forthcoming CD, 'Sea of Souls' (released on Blues Matters in June) and to feature our latest female talent Kelly Marie Hobbs.

There was a lot of interest in seeing Kelly in one o her first full gigs and as a consequence it was the best crowd that BB's club has seen for years...

As a double whammy Roadhouse legend Billi Shaw also turned up and duetted with Mandie on 'Rising Sun' and 'Rock Me Baby.' Standing ovations all round...

It was great to see that fine old statesman of the blues Bob Bruning, be delighted with the atmosphere and turn out of this nice blues club.

Kelly herself had a great night. On the first song she let the nerves get to her and was 'A little pitchy'. After that she rocked, delivering an excellent lead vocal on 'The Big Easy'

The new songs went down well and overall the whole night was a big success.....

Submitted by Gary on Wednesday, 7 May 2008