A very busy Easter week saw some good bits. Tuesday the 18th was the night the Abbey Inn recieved it's award as pub of the year and I'd been invited to go along to the singaround night. I've not done this night for a few months now although I have of course performed quite a few full gigs there, and there's plenty more to come this year.

The only drawback was that the pub was heaving, moving the singaround into the pool room and leaving me nowhere to set up! So I didn't play in the end.

Wednesday night was the gig I'd been part looking forward to, part dreading. Performing in my local pub, the Roundhill. In the end the night fell part-way between all the various conflicting emotions I had. I got some terrific support which I'm very grateful for, I played well and it wasn't too loud or too offensive for any customers.
Other than that, I can't say I felt particularly relaxed at any point, it was a bit like going before a firing squad and I probably didn't give the best account of myself. I'm also not sure what the long-term entertainment plans are. Still, it wasn't a bad night and at least I can say now I've done it, whether I'll do it again is another matter!

Friday was my day-off and so off I set to Skegness, albeit in blizzard conditions, to watch the opening F1 stock car meeting of the season. Whilst driving along the M62 there was a sudden noise followed by a battery light, and there I was stranded on the hard shoulder with a beautiful view of Drax power station. So I never made it to Skeggy, which in these conditions may not have been a bad thing! I did however get fantastic breakdown service and a trip through Snaith, where I would be playing on Sunday night.

Saturday, with the car fixed, was the band playing at The Peacock in Huddersfield (leeds road). I was again a little apprehensive about this one as I'd never played there before. It turned out to be a really good night. We got a good response and at last a decent audience who were about right for the music. The originals we played went down well and so did the covers. In fact, there were moments when we really did have the crowd riding with us.
The band has a long way to go yet, but I can really say it's progressing in the right direction and beginning to realise some of my dreams and ambitions. Anyone who wonders why I want to do the band should have seen this gig. The opportunity to play the songs I want with really talented musicians is too good to miss, and I'm really looking forward to keeping things moving with the band.

On Easter Sunday I drove under my own steam to Snaith for the Bell & Crown acoustic night. I arrived to find a pub busier than a really busy pub being really busy. Yes, Easter Sunday, with the lure of a free Monday off, really does draw a crowd, as it does in my home village.
I was surprised anyone was listening to the music at all to be honest, but actually it drew in a good crowd. I was the 3rd and last booked act, with open mic slots run in between and after. I played Shadow, If He knew You, Whiskey, hide your love away, old wishing well and these eyes. I kept it up-tempo and played sometimes on the edge a bit.
The crowd were very drunk but very enthusiastic and I'm pleased to say this time there were no encroachers! So not a bad night all in all!

It's been a bad week for things breaking. My studio computer has needed a new CPU fan too so recording work has slowed down again. Hopefully there'll be more news on those fronts very soon.
I must say though that my soundclick site has had a lot of traffic all of a sudden. I think it's found some momentum so please go and have a look, play a song or two (for free of course) and help keep the songs high up in the various sub-genre charts.