Last time I deviated from my normal format and told you all about the Free Download Track. Well, it's still free and downloadable so get hold of it for nowt while you still can! The offer only lasts a little while longer.

OK, so back to business. I'm now on May the 15th, which was my first visit to the revamped Cloth Cat Open Mic night at the Chemic Tavern in Leeds. I've played in many hundred pub venues over the years (as well as drinking in several hundred more!) and I find that the best time to form an impression over whether or not I'll like it is as soon as I walk through the door! I'm an introvert, very sensitive to changes and atmosphere and my environment. What I'm trying to say is that I knew this place was going to be good as soon as I walked in. It had something special, a homely, intimate atmosphere. I hope I'm proved right.

If you go back far enough with these 'ere blogs you'll remember that the Cloth Cat guys used to run the open mic at The Primrose in Meanwood. They've only recently returned to running one at the Chemic. I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit, playing 4 songs as an open spot. (Eyes, Whiskey, Gods, and Shadow-to give them their shortened titles as they appear in my diary!).

Take a moment to view the pub's myspace page. You'll find a pretty picture of the pub with snow on the foreground, and also note the choice of theme tune-'Cheers', which seems rather appropriate. And in case you're too excited to wait, here is the picture!!



*And I can now announce my very first headline slot at the Chemic.....on a real GRAND PIANO too! This will be on Thursday July 17th at 9pm. Be sure to attend as real GRAND PIANOS are very rare in pubs these days!

The following night the Band returned for the second time to the Cricketers Arms at Horbury. We had a good night there again, and look forward to returning soon. One thing that can never be taken for granted in a run of the mill pub gig is the fact that no-one owes you their attention. Even if you think that attention is fully deserved. Therefore it was only in the last 3 songs that the penny dropped and I could really begin to draw the crowd in. I've had my fair share of moments where I've got frustrated at being ignored (are you still there?), but ultimately I'm learning that it takes a bit of gandering out to achieve. This still doesn't change the fact that 'Hell Freezes Over' definetly deserved a better response earlier on, it's a song which is fast becoming my favourite to do live.

Rather than have a rest, I decided to spend the entire weekend watching cars race round a track. On Saturday it was the turn of MG racing at Oulton Park, which is a sedate way to spectate, but there's some really lovely machinery.
Hence....
and...A beautiful pair of 3.9 litre BCV8s!


And on Sunday it was Buxton for the stock cars, which of course is my normal choice of entertainment. I've found a bit on youtube which sort of gets the idea across of what happened in the Final. And yes, they are supposed to hit each other!