Well, we had a good crowd turn up to watch our first performance evening at the Crown (see Gallery Two). Mind you the weather was so clamy it was more like being in the tropics. (No it wasn`t the spot lights Matt!). We did have one or two last minute withdrawels, due to illness and babies threatening to arrive early (which it didn`t and if it`s got any sense it will wait for as long as posiible before entering this mad world!). We also had someone who didn`t quite understand the directions! However we did have some very entertaining musicians who were warmly appreciated by the Crown clientelle. Matt Nelson got us under way with Byker Hill (no I haven`t spelt it incorrectly, it`s a place in Newcastle) followed by John Henry (no someone called John Henry didn`t play next, it`s an American railroad song - ok so you knew that already). Next up was one of our long standing performers, James Porter with a rousing rendition of Paul Simon`s Madi Gras, followed by Bob Marley`s No Woman No Cry. Paul Duff was next up with a great song he wrote himself called Fly On The Wall, followed by a Tom Lipps song, Simple Song (I`m sounding knowledgeable aren`t I, but actually he wrote it down for me!). I then took my guitar out of the box for the first time in eighteen months (and yes I should have left it in the box). I was going to use this as an excuse for not playing well, but then I couldn`t play it before I put it in the box eighteen months ago!). I did however hit on the brilliant idea of getting Paul Duff to accompany me on Mandolin (Duff me up - get it? Come on I`m doing my best). However even Paul`s splendid mandolin playing couldn`t cover up my efforts to play a B Minor chord (sounded more like an old Morris Minor). Anyway I struggled through I Don`t Wanna Talk About It (and then put the guitar back in the box). Next up for the first time at Addingham Acoustic, was The Jon Palmer Acoustic Band (or part of it anyway) - see Gallery Two - with a great song written by Jon called Brown Eyed Northern Girl (and yes, he`s married to a Brown Eyed Northern Girl), followed by Vampire Lover (don`t think there`s any connection with the first song? umh?) and then a rousing Oh Susanna to close the first half. We then enjoyed a feast prepared by Barbara (which as she made enough to feed the whole of Addingham, I will be finishing off for the next week) and we sold raffle tickets for our Chrity donation. Oh what a generous crowd you are in the Crown. You dipped deep into your pockets to give us a staggering £53 to donate to the Children`s Heart Surgery Fund at Leeds General Infirmary. (A record for our normal night raffle). A very big thankyou to all of you (and also for eating as many sandwiches and pies as you could to help ease my burden!).Matt Nelson kicked off the second set with Cat`s In The Craddle (Craddle - what`s a Craddle? - Oh Cradle! - well I couldn`t read your writing Matt) and then had us all singing along to I`m the King Of The Swingers (is there something you want to tell us Matt? - Ah, Jungle Book swingers) and then finished with Sweet Molly Malone (no he hasn`t dumped a girl called Molly Malone, he sang it - what are you like?). James Porter then had us singing along to Have A Good Time and then Little Sparrow. He then finished with My Girl (no he didn`t break up eith my wife - he sang the song called "My Girl" - you`re just not getting the hang of this are you?). Paul Duff then sang another of his own songs called Donkey Stone (which is a cleaning block used for keeping steps clean and spotless and sadly I`m old enough to remember people using them!). and followed this with a countryfied version of a punk song by the Only Ones (1981`ish?) called Another Girl Another Planet. The evening was finished off in great style by The Jon Palmer Acoustic Band singing Another Friday Night In A Northern Town (very appropriate) and then a bit of Bruce Springstien with Pay Me My Money Down. A great Climax to a great evening. It was so successful, we have been asked if we will go back again in about six weeks time to do it all again and raise some money for the "Help For Heros" appeal and of course we have said yes, so get those instruments out of their cases and start practicing! It doesn`t matter whether you`ve played in public before or not. You will receive a warm welcome and are guaranteed some great applause (and lots of sandwiches!). Thanks to everyone who turned up to play and those that wanted to but couldn`t make it (or find it!). Thanks to Maria for giving us the venue and a warm welcome. Thanks to Barbara for catering (as usual) in style (and quantity). But most of all, thanks to the wonderful audience who helped us raise money for a very good cause, which is close to the hearts (no pun intended) of all who drink in The Crown. Videos of some of the performers are now on the video pages, so check them out. See you all again in about six weeks (date will be announced shortly) TJM 

This was a very sombre ngiht for all sorts of reasons I won`t go into. It was very quiet, as a lot of our "regulars" were at a concert in Leeds. We had seven performers and a small audience. Chris Patrick got us under way with a couple of lively songs. I`m not absolutely sure of the titles and so I won`t guess. In the second set his song titles were (in his own handwriting) Call Him A Deuic and Dreaming Of You. Next up, James Porter (who had brought his own audience with him) singing Mr. Moonlight and Joni Mitchell`s Carrie. In the second set he had us all singing along to, My Girl and Stand By Me. Next up someone we haven`t seen for a week or two, Rob Watkins singing a Buddy Miller song, Don`t Tell Me, followed by a Chris Hillman song, Why You `Bin Gone So Long. In the second set he sang, How Will I Ever Be Simple Again followed by the Steve Earle song, Goodbye. Next up Ian Wingate with a couple of very funny songs called, Bloody Me (a bit of a dig at vegetarians I think) followed by a tribute to "proper" mashed potato. Paul Duff was on next with a song by, The Only Ones, followed by a song about someone who "got his love nicked". In the second set he sang, Simple Song (that`s two songs with simple in the title tonight). Next up Steve Hulme with a lovely song by The Indigo Girls called, Last tears I`m Gonna Cry For You. He then sang a song he had written as a tribute to Gavin Terry. Gavin was the young student who went missing last January in Leeds following a night out. Sadly his body was found in the river several months later. The Police compiled a video of all the CCTV of his last movements, prior to disapperaing and gave this to his mother. Steve`s song was about these last moments and it was very moving. It seems fitting to dedicate the evening to Gavin`s memory. Finally, David Harrison lifted our spirits, in the second set, with a couple of sing along numbers, Liitle Bitty Tear and Putting On The Style. Thanks David. Hopefully we`ll see a few more of you next week.TJM

Ooh it was another cold one last night, but we still had nine hardy souls turn up in the freezing weather to perform. We were greeted with new plush seating in the club (the chairs will be changed soon to match) very plush! Brian Wylie got us under way (the first time we`ve seen him this year). Brian quizzed us on what was significant about the coming weekend, but sadly none of us remebered it was Burns Night on the 25th. Hence he started with a song by Burns and very good it was too. However he had us all intrigued, prior to his next song, by asking his wife Kath, if it was a Curly Worly one??!! The mind boggles! In the second set he sang a song called John Williams followed by an Irish Western song! (Definitely a first I think!). It had a very strange line in it part way through though, "Bloody `ell I can`t find it". Didn`t really seem to fit to be honest. (Tee hee!). Next up our good friends Blackwater. They have a new CD out, so reserve your copy now (No I`m not on commission). They started with one of their own songs, Take The Time and followed it with Magdalene Laundry. In the second set they sang a song by BOO (did that make you jump?) Haverdine called Harvest Gypsies, followed by a very clever two songs in one performance of a Ralph McTell song and a song called Mary Of (oh `eck, I can`t read my writing!) It starts with Du and ends with glow. Yes I`ll know what it was as soon as you`ve all read this! Next up the one and only John Daure. Now last week I mentioned that someone should be doing, The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll, as William Zantzinger (before all you Dylan fans start, that is the correct spelling of his name!) had just died. Well John did it for me this week and a very fine performance it was too. Thank you John. He followed this with Stay Young (actually someone did say later, that we were turning into a load of old codgers, all donning our reading specs and squinting to read the words!). In the second set, John sang another of my favourites, Dr. Hook`s Sylvia`s Mother. Great stuff John. Next up John Nixon. (Did you notice I switched them around this week - got them reallly confused!). John had us all singing along to Act Naturally, followed by You Can`t Always get What you want (tell me about it). In the second set, we were all singing along again to Wild Horses and All Or Nothing. Rockin` on as usual John, Excellent. Next up Mr. Mike Craig. Now Mike had just had his guitar treated to a makeover, by the wonderful Peter Barton (guitar guru to the stars). As Mike put it " It`s had all the excuses removed". Unfortunately, it must have had some of it`s vocabulary removed as well, as Mike`s words dried up part way through! Oh well, back to the drawing board. We are now staring a weekly competition, to see who can name all the dangly bits that keep appearing on  Mikes Guiar. (New ones every week). Alternatively we could opt for the guitar with the most acoutriments. (On second thoughts no. I can`t spell acoutriments). Now where was I?Oh yes. Mike started with B Swing (yes I know it`s Bee`s Wing - I`m just winding him up!) which Earl thought sounded a little like 1952 Vincent Black Lightening. Mike obliged by singing this for Earl in the second set (although Earl had gone home). Earl sadly has a five week throat infection so couldn`t sing. I wondered if this meant he`d had it five weeks, or he`d just got it and it was going to last five weeks (in which case how did he know?). Should have asked him. In the second set, I borrowed a guitar to try (and I emphasise the word"try") a couple of Bob Dylan numbers. We were then treated to a fine performance by Mr. David Harrison, no less. David started with, Ee Ba Gum I`m Cold, which had us all singing along, until, that is, he had a senior moment and sang the same verse again! Now of course this threw him a bit, as the correct verse just wouldn`t materialise. I could tell you the joke he then told, about his wife wanting a beauty spot on her face (so he told her he`d have her buried at Bolton Abbey!) but I won`t!. David did recall the verse a little later, but in the meantime had us all singing along to King Of The Road. Our final perfomer was our very own James Porter. James started with Rod Stewart`s Tonight`s The Night and followed this with Nights In White Satin. (I`ve just noticed, that`s two nights for the price of one - what a bargain James!) Yes of course we all joined in! Another great night (my sides are still aching from laughing) much enjoyed by all. Thanks to all who joined in and to our M.C. David and to our host Carl. Hopefully the weather will have warmed up a bit by next week and we`ll see one or two more of you. Videos will be on in a day or two (and they`re well worth the wait) so check back. See you all next week.TJM

We had a really nice atmosphere with our nine performers this evening. The club was in slight disarray, as the furnishings are being re-upholstered. In fact they delayed the workmen for a day, in order that our evening wasn`t disrupted. How`s that for generous hosts?! The evening started with one of our old friends Len Harvey, who sang (I bet I`ve got this wrong!) Rosalee Goodies Cafe (close Len?). He was then joined by Carolyn (now Mrs. Harvey) to perform Blue Eyed Madonna. What a great start to the night. We persuaded Len to stay on for the second half and he had us all joining in to, Hello Mary Lou and Singing The Blues. Thanks Len, great to see you both again. (And still enjoying married life after a couple of months - who said it would never last!). Next up another married couple, Mike and Andee Craig. Now Mike`s guitar seems to keep getting new attachments (as well as several capos). Tonight, John Daures attention was draw to a plastic item attached to the strings at the headstock. This turned out to be a plectrum holder. Whatever next? (Anyway, now John wants one!). Mike and Andee started with (I could get this wrong as well) Drowsy Maggie, Coolies,(sounds a bit Racist) and Humours Of Tulah and followed this with Temperence and Morningstar Reels. Bear in mind that if I`ve got them wrong, with titles like that, I could have done a lot worse! Next up our very own Derry Jones, reading a couple of poems, The Guy In The Corner and Picnic Time. Excellent Derry. Good to see you again. John Nixon next with a bit of Rock and Roll in the form of Livin` On Tulsa Time, followed by Moondance. (A bit of joining in going on.). In the second set John started with Hotel California, for which he needed to read the words. It got to the point that he needed to turn the page but, not surprisingly, he had his hands full. I rushed to the rescue, knocking all his pages to the floor, following which we were both rescued, the pages replaced and John carried on. Seamless! I don`t think anyone noticed at all John! He then had us all rockin` to Johnny B Goode. Great stuff. Next up Mr. John Daure with his Ovation guitar. Now I was just going to say, that this was the first time that we had had a standing ovation. (But then he sat down and spoilt it!). He started with a Joe Brown and The Bruvver`s song and followed it with One More Cup Of Coffee. Now had he done this literally, instead of staying on the beer, he may not have sung Run, Run, Rudolph in the second set! He`s obviously just caught on to the Addingham Christmas Party theme. (Well better late than never!). I suppose he could just be a little early for this year?. He followed this with a Johnny Cash song. Well done John. Always entertaining! Next up, someone else we haven`t seen for a week or two (due to illness) the wonderful Steve Hulme. Steve started with a beautiful Indigo Girls song called (I think) Last Tears I`m Gonna Cry Over You. You could have heard a pin drop. He followed this with a James Taylor song. In the second set he sang a song with a nautical theme, written by a submariner. Now Steve told us that this song should be sung in a "folk singer style" i.e. in a very "nasal" fashion, whereupon (quick as a flash) John Daure enquired if that shouldn`t be "naval" fashion. What a quick witted comic bunch you are! (Wish I`d thought of it!). Our final performer of the evening was Gloria, who started with a wonderful Tom Waits song, Come On Up To The House (which we`re all now trying to get a copy of) and followed this with a rousing tradational song, that had us all tapping our feet. In the second set Gloria had to pause for a few moments before starting, as the slot machine was paying out a £250 jackpot. (No it wasn`t me, sadly). On this basis her first song was Money. Now one or two people decided to join Gloria in this Rock and Roll number, both in voice and with instrument and it did get a bit chaotic. (Yes, as Eric Morecombe would have said "all the right notes, but................. well you know the rest). However, having said that we all enjoyed a rip roaring sing along! (Sorry Gloria, for spoiling your song!). What came next was another of our special moments with Gloria performing Leonard Cohen`s Allelujah. Truly special Gloria and appreciated by the whole room. (Made that X Factor version look a bit ordinary). Altogether a great night enjoyed by all, with a lot of jolity and a lot of great music. The New Year`s well under way and you`ve all started the year in fine voice. Vidoes will be on in the next couple of days. (Yes I`m working very hard still!). See you all next week. TJM

Only four brave souls avoided the coughs and colds and snow and ice to perform for us tonight, although we did have an audience ready and waiting when I arrived! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) I was one of the ones suffering with a cough and cold and so David was the host with the most. Chris Patrick got us under way with a lively song called (I think) Too Much His Own Man and in the second set a song called (again I think) Do You Get The ,followed by Crumpets And Tea. (No you didn`t all miss out on hot refreshments - that was the song!). Gerry Cooper up next with his twelve string guitar. He started with a Jesse Fuller song, Your No Good, followed by a Blind Willie McTell song, Broke Down Engine. In thesecond set he sang a Reverand Gary Davis song Delilah and followed this with a fine instrumental called Twelve Sticks. Excellent Gerry and what fine guitar work.Next up James Porter (who started work at 4.00 a.m. today and has to get up to the same again tomorrow!). James stated that he was going to start with an old Motown song (David thought he said a Bob Monkhouse song!) which was in fact How Sweet It Is (Junior Walker and The All Stars, for all you Motown fans). He followed this with a Donovan song. In the second set he sang, I Don`t Wanna Talk About It (with us all joining in - there were even some harmonies and some lead guitar from Gerry) followed by The Bee Gee`s, Words. Variety or what! Well done James. Next up Paul Duff. Now Paul had to borrow a guitar from James and then a capo from Gerry, you see we all muck in here. Paul started with a song with a Spanish title. I did write it down, but I`m not sure I can read it now, so I`m not going to try! He followed this with a song about being dumped. In the second set he sang a song about Lastingham (in North Yorkshire) followed by a song about eternal hope. (Versatile eh!).  Now as it was quiet, we invited all our performers to do another song each. Gerry had us all singing along to The Beatles, Hide Your Love Away. Chris had us all singing along to The La`s, There She Goes. James then had us singing along to Ray Davis`s Dead End Street and Paul finished the eveing off with I Wish I Was A Fisherman. All in all a very pleasant night and a good start to the New Year. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better next week (it was snowing when we went home) and the coughs and colds will have subsided. See you all then. Videos will probably be on, on Friday.TJM

Happy New Year to everyone! The first Addingham Acoustic of 2009 Will take place on Tuesday the 6th January (weather permitting - it looks like it`s going to be cold and icy)). See you there. TJM

Well we started the night in festive mood with a sherry reception at the back of the room, courtesy of Carl. O.K. so now we know you`re not sherry drinkers, but it was a nice touch! As this was an invitation only night we had a mere sixteen performers (as the rest of the invitees couldn`t make it!). As requested, all arrived early and we were under way by 8.30 with the one, the only, Brian Wylie. Now I have to say, that Christmas songs were actually a bit lacking during the evening and one or two of the seasonal links were a bit tenuous to say the least. e.g. In The Ghetto has the words "as the snow flies" - a bit weak I think (or as my mother would say, "so weak it`s almost a fortnight") and City Of New Orleans? Presumably it was a Santa Special? In the second set Brian had us all whistling along to Always Look On The Bright Side and as for Bad Moon Rising sung in the style of his neighbour - well, what can I say! Kath did slap his wrist at one point for jingling his bells too often. Next up Blackwater with a Jules Holland song, I Went By, followed by Waterloo Sunset (presumably a winter sunset?). In then second set they sang about a humpback whale on a beach. (Are you sure it wasn`t Santa Claus with his sack on his back?). Next up one of our "newer" regulars Danny Walls (who I introduced as "Wells" whilst under the influence of medicinal whisky - sorry Danny) and at last some Christmas music! Mind you Danny, Christmas Must Be Tonight by The Band, is not that cheerful! His next song was one of his own, Don`t Blame Christmas. Now as he had a cold, he had to stop to sniff part way through this one. We had a lot of sick people here tonight. Now, now, we`ll have less of that! Next up John Nixon (who had dressed up for the occassion, as he was in a smart jacket - yes o.k. he may have just come from work, but he looked smart!). John sang Mandolin Wind (you`d think one of our mandolin players would have joined in wouldn`t you, but alas not). John then sang his seasonal number Cocaine (snow! - I know, I know, I`m just telling you what they told me!). Next up John Daure. Now I don`t know the title of the song John sang. I was of course hoping he would do Love Minus Zero No Limit, but I`m not sure he knows it. He followed this with Livin` Doll. (Presumably a Barbie Doll that he was giving as a Christmas Present). Not too Christmassy yet is it! But that is all about to change with our very own Mike Craig. I knew this was going to be good, when he grabbed my Jingle Bells and strapped them to his foot! (use your imagination - no better still DON`T!). Mike declared that he was going to sing a song he`d known since childhood, as this is the only way to ensure that he wouldn`t forget the words. (You can guesss where this is going can`t you). So off he went, long guitar intro, foot tapping the jingle bells and then one line of Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer before his mind went blank! It would appear that singing, strumming and foot tapping was one task too many! He then sang Santa Claus Is Coming To Town in the style of Tom Waits (but obviously not the one we all know of! - ooops sorry Mike) But it was at least Christmassy. Next up Andee Craig with the highlight of the evening. What could be better than Slient Night played beautifully on the harp. Andy it was truly lovely, well done. Andy played us a couple more wonderful instrumentals in the second set. You can see we were in full swing by now. Next up Richard and Lesley Quayle, with a lovely Polish Christmas carol called Watch The Stars (you see some people picked up on the clue- the Addingham Acoustic "Christmas Party"). Richard then treated us to some wonderful guitar playing with an Eagles instrumental. In the second set Richard played an instrumental called the Wildest Pig In Captivity (It had just heard it was being roasted for Christmas). Next up Paul Duff. Now Paul had decided to pick a happy song. But he couldn`t think of one and so he sang a song by James called Laid. In the second set, mind you, he had us all singing along to La Bamba (Happy Christmas in Spanish apparantly - come on I`m doing my best!). Next up another regular, Phil Townend with a song of his own about being away from home (at Christmas he says!). He followed this with another version of Silent Night (but it wasn`t, as we were all singing along). He got us all singing along in the second set with the Kink`s Sunny Afternoon. Great stuff Phil. Then another of our favourites, Chris Dinsdale, with a Roger Hodgson song Give A Little Bit (for Christmas) followed by Dust In The Wind. Next up our very own James Porter. Now I was so confident that James would sing Christmas songs, that I announced he would - and he did! Yep, we were all singing along to Happy Christmas War Is Over, followed by Scarlet Ribbons and in the second set Strawberry Fields. Well done James. And next the the one and only Earl, in Christmas mood with, When A Child Is Born. He then went into Elvis mode for Blue Christmas. No I just can`t describe it! I`m still laughing too much. In the second set Earl treated us to a Slovenian Christmas Carol. Earl, you are a star, well done! Who could we ask to follow all that? Gloria of course! Gloria started with a religeous song from the Bahamas and followed this with an instrumental - Jingle Bells - hooray!! It meant both Brian and me could jingle along! In the second set she sang a traditional carol, Shepherds Arise. All in all a great night with lots of festive cheer, good music, and of course a little banter. I`m not going to mention Carl dancing in a long black wig, or Gloria asking if anyone had a hard one! And of course we had the Killers! Yes the Pain Killers! I reckon half the room were taking medication for everything from bad backs to coughs and colds. Lesley`s bag was a veritable medicine chest! But in true showbusiness style the show went on. What a great bunch you are. Of course at the interval we had food, courtesy of Barbara and Carl (and it went down very well, very quickly!) and needless to say, a bumper raffle with, vodka, wine, beer, chocolates and even a CD. As I mentioned at the beginning of the night, all proceeds from the evening were going to Macmillan Nurses who are currently nursing a friend of Barbara. You never let me down do you. Thnaks to your generosity, we have today sent a cheque for £115.00 to Macmillan Nurses on your behalf. This included a generous donation from Derry Jones, who couldn`t join us but who wanted to contribute. Thanks Derry. So what can I say. Thank you again for all support during the year and for all your kindness in raising literally thousands of pounds for good causes. You are a great crowd of people and despite the odd blip we`ve had a great year. Here`s wishing you all a Merry Christmas and in these difficult times, hopefully a prosperous 2009. There will not be another Addingham Acoustic until the New Year. Watch this space for details. Videos will be on in the next couple of days, so check again soon.TJM

Eight brave souls tonight and one of them came from Castleford First up and first in Danny Walls with a lovely Damien Rice song and rhythm section from the Dominoes which suspiciously stopped as soon as he
sang his second number Frankie goes to Hollywood's Relax in the second set Danny entertained us with Paul Wellers English Rose and one of his own See the Mornin (briefly) as he popped in with the raffle prize. Next up wearing a strange pink shirt I wonder if there was a theme developing here? He had brought Martin along (guitar) and
was concerned that it might not know any songs but he wrestled a wonderful Desperado and WHO Wont get fooled again before doing a song for yours trult “Killin the Blues” and a Great version of light my fire. Well done John and Martin! Next up John Nixon with a raucous
version of all along the watchtower and an even better version of a Paul |Weller song Brand new Start.(again a bit of an eighties theme in the second set John gave us a full blown version of Lola as well as a classic version of Paint it Black Now next up was Mike Craig whose loving wife called his guitar a “Bling guitar due to all the
accoutrements hanging from it Mike gave us A John Peel Favourite from the Undertones Teenage Kicks Great version Mike then as if that wasn't enough a Bruce Springsteen number I'm on fire, Excellent stuff Mike. Andee was next up with her lovely harp and gave us a lovely rendition of an O'Carolan tune Planxty Burke To ahushed room and then
a lovely slow air She Moved thru the Fair Well done Andee. Yours truly did a few numbers having rewrote the classic you and me and a dog named???? I got it right in the end. James Porter was in so We cajoled him into giving us a few songs, first up was Killing of Georgie and Little Sparrow excellent James something new every time.Ian Pucknell also had a go. Thanks to all who attented and to Tim for popping in with the Raffle prize.BW

Yes the weather beat us tonight. John Daure and John Nixon did battle through the snow (all the way from Ilkley!) to be with us just before 9, but sadly there was no one to play to, so they headed back home after a drink. Barbara and I left at 9.25 only to meet Gloria parking her car and so we gave her the bad news. (Now Gloria had come a long way!).Let`s see what happens next week. TJM

As only four performers turned up this week there is very little to report. Mike and Andee Craig treated us to (as they always do) some wonderful guitar and harp playing. James Porter (who had brought his family along) had us all singing along (as usual) to everything from the Beatles to Elvis. And finally Earl arrived a little later to swell the numbers. Lets see how many turn up next week. TJM

13 artists tonight, no new faces but a few old faces. First up however was a reluctant Robin Bailey, reluctant because he was originally due to be on second but as yours truly was not really bothered due to the high calibre of artists dropped off and there you have it instant promotion for Robin. Robin started on his Gibson mandolin with a Leonard Cohen number Dance me to the end of love, followed by his own take on an old flame? November Sunday. In the second set whilst not being prone to social comment gave us a thought provoking song on child cruelty before lightening the tone with the news that he is a secret morris dancer(song) This revelation brought a further dancer from the closet. Carl stepped forward and entertained us with his hankie dance. Well done Carl. Next up was Ruth and Tony aka Blackwater joined by yours truly performing one of Ruths composition`s "Secrets" then giving us a superb rendition of a Show of hands number that had them both singing different to each other. They had the good sense at this point to forewarn us in case we thought that it was a mistake, as if!! In the second set we had "What a wonderful world” and a great singalong that had the whole pub singing, a Dougie Maclean number Singing land, Excellent stuff. Next up Mr Phil Townend who gave us a "Happy song" and love will find a way and once again a very talented song writer who had just finished his spot at Steve's for the Addingham CD ( see Tim or Steve for details) Richard and Lesley Quayle were next up singing one requested by Lesley "Buddy can you spare a dime” before Richard gave us a fantastic rendition of the man with the green thumb. In the second set we had an Amreican theme again Pretty Sara followed by a crackin Mel Travis tune "Bluesmoke"Well done both of you and this American theme had a purpose which will become clear later!!To follow that takes Steve Hulme who apparently had stuck his thumb in some dyke and was using superglue to keep it on? Steve gave us "I was walking down the road” before another reference to Stars and stripes "Too late now" Next up the one and only Gloria resplendent in a lovely black and white number which drew quite a few comments from the audience. Gloria gave us "Constable the clock" a strangely named but lovely song followed by an incredible instrumental that lead nicely into "Moonriver" accompanied by the whole pub. In the second set she gave us one of her own "Leeds Brigg” and again flying the American flag "Tangled up in Blue" Excellent as usual Now next up a couple who haven;t been for a while and rather foolishly started taking the mickey out of "The Blogger"  (which is probably why Brian "The Blogger" missed their names out of this blog and I (Tim)  will tell you who they are - Ricky Silvers and Anne Jackson!)  However after a verbal dressing down the were accompanied by "Bit" a name given to me by David whenever I joined in with the artists starting with "A town this size” from the three of us, they were left to do "When I die" and later on again with "Bit" we had "Wagon Wheel" and Ann did a John Tams number "Hold back the tide” to acclaim form our next artist and reason for all the American slant on the music tonight Welcome back to Mr Chris Anderson with less hair and no beard and raring to go we had " A woman like you" and "Somebody is watching you" before asking for requests in the second set we had "Babies got the blues" and "You're gonna make me lonesome when you go“, excellent stuff Chris nice to have you back, try not to leave it so long next time. Finally Mr Derry Jones with his "Old fart song" and "Pleasure Island“. Derry, who normally starts the evening was in full flow and gave us "18 Stone man" and had everyone singing along with an obvious favourite "Monty the male lapdancer" That was a fitting finale to a great night thank you one and all for attending, thanks to David for compering and calling me a "BIT" and to Carl for coming out re his "Morris Dancing" Normal service resumes next week. Brian

How bizarre was this! It was blowing a gale, howling with rain, freezing cold - just the sort of night that sees you arrive in droves at Addingham Acoustic, but alas it was quiet! Just five performers (Even I had to join in it was so quiet). But of course, we had a really good night again! (And we did have a very nice audience as usual). The inimitable Brian Wylie got us under way with a song called How Will I Ever Be Simple Again which Rob Watkins normally sings. (Rob thought this version was much too good!). He followed this with the Green Fields Of France (a war song). This was of course Armistice Day and so we had one or two sad tribute songs in memory of all those who were lost. Rob Watkins was up next with an American war song about Sam Stone and he followed this with a Bruce Springstein song Thunder Road. (We`re getting a lot of Bruce lately). John Daure next with a Donovan Song (apparantly a singer for the sixties for those of you old enough to remember - like all of us!). John was joined by John Nixon to sing a song by The Band. John Nixon was up next and was joined by John Daure (yes O.K. they both just stayed where they were) and started with The Letter (good singalong one that) and followed this with I Don`t Want No Other Baby (may be the wrong title but I don`t care!). I did a couple of Dylan songs at the start of the second half and the Brian (still in military theme) sang one of his own songs called Leenane followed by that lovely song about John Condon. However, as it was quiet we decided to have a jamming session with all the musicians (and me) getting together in various groups to do some Rock `an Roll. The songs included, Dead Flowers, The Spider And The Fly, Route 66, Honky Tonk Woman, Staying On The Road, Brown Eyed Girl, Positively 4th Street and Standing At The Crossroads Again. Phew!!! It was great fun and everyone enjoyed it. You see, it doesn`t matter how many turn up, it`s about who turns up. It`s always different and we always have a good time. Thanks to all for a good night. Next week is going to be busy (I know these things you see) so get there early. If I`m not mistaken, our good friend Chris Anderson should have arrived in the U.K. today and if he is over his jet lag, I`m hoping he will join us next week. See you then. (No videos this week, I`m leaving the concert videos on for a while longer.) TJM 

Yes that`s how much you donated to our charity appeal (by buying tickets and raffle tickets and giving donations) for Olivia Payne`s, £893.00! What a great night we had yet again (Of course we`ve come to expect that now) with the room full to bursting right from the start at 8.00 p.m. And what a fantastic start to the entertainment, with Steve Hulme, John Nixon and John Daure opening the programme, with a great mix of popular music. Yes they even got the audience joining in! And what a way to finish with the Beatles, I Saw Her Standing There (to rapturous applause). Well done boys. As as I said, this is the first time that they have performed together. Lets hope it`s not the last. Our next performer was the wonderful Bluesman, Mr. Gerry Cooper, entertaining us with outstanding guitar playing (including thet gorgeous Michael Messer steel slide guitar) and a great choice of material. Gerry finished (as all blues players must do!) with a Robert Johnson song. Gerry it was magnificent (the audience were out buying his CD`s before he`d finished!). Our third performer of the first set was our very own Gloria. What can I say Gloria - fabulous! Once again stunning guitar work and a great mix of material. (My favourite though was Hallelujah- your version Gloria, is just the best). Everbody was so enthralled by the performances that the bar was empty during the acts. Nobody wanted to miss a thing! After a short interval we restarted the entertainment with Waterlamd. What a great band you are boys and what a great set list. Now we did get two dancers on the floor for a short spell, but the rest of you were - well spellbound! This was a lively performance with everything from Bob Dylan and Bruce Springstien to Waterlands own material. There was a lot of singing along and a lot of `rockin during this half (although we did half a small problem at the beginning of the set as we couldn`t here the fiddle, but once this was sorted a great cheer went up and we were treated to some unbelievable fiddle playing.) And two encores to shouts for more. (You always know it`s a success when the audience want more!). What can I say, but thank you, to a wonderful ensemble of musicians who entertained us all  for over three hours with incredible music and great artistry. And of course they did all this for free! I can tell all of you who played, that the audience were literally singing your praises as they left the hall (buying CD`s on the way). They were all making a point of what a wonderful night they had had, thanks to all of you. And lets be honest, what a fantastic audience. You were virtually all at the venue for the start and apart from the odd trip to the bar to quench your thirst, you didn`t leave your seats. And I take it that the rapturous and generous applause (and cheers) you were giving to our performers after each song, was a bit of a clue that you were enjoying it? (I think so!). Of course the eveing would not be a success without all the people who volunteer their services and either sponsor or donate prizes, money etc. Firstly, of course, Addingham Social Club who paid the hall hire costs and supplied the bar at no charge (with drinks at Social Club Prices). The Social Club is of course our regular venue every Tuesday evening. Secondly the performers, who without fail, time after time, offer the wonderful talent, free of charge, to help others less fortunate. I just cannot express how grateful I am to all of you. You are truly a great bunch of people. David Rishworth was kind enough to supply and manage the P.A. system and the lights for us, once again free of charge. Dave you are a gentleman and a wonderful friend to all the local musicians. Thank you. Of course Addingham Acoustic would not function without one very special person. The unsung hero of all we do, is of course David Brimacombe. David, without you we would not exist as a music night. I musn`t foget my wife Barbara of course, who works tirelessly to promote the concerts and make sure everyone is fed and watered. And I cannot write this without mentioning our regular Addingham Acoustic Tuesday evening crowd, (many of whom were in the audience) who week after week buy raffle tickets and donate prizes and money whenever we have a fundraiser (both audience and musicians). But the one thing that makes these events work is the audience and you were a wonderful audience this evening. Not only did you pay to get in, but you bought raffle tickets and threw money in our bucket as you left. And most of all, you showed appreciation and respect for our wonderful band of entertainers. So a very big thank you to all of you. You make these events worthwhile. I will be posting a cheque for £893.00 this week to Oliva Payne Appeal. I believe that the amount we raised, is actually the remaining amount required, to purchase the off road wheelchair that Olivia desperately wants. So well done all of you and thank you, thank you, thank you, all again. I`ll be putting some video clips on the site later today. Unfortunately some of the photographs I took are not in focus (and they were the ones I took while I was sober!), so there will sadly only be a couple on gallery three. If however any of you took photographs that were in focus, email them to me and I will put them on the gallery. TJM

Yes it`s three years since I started the Tuesday ngiht music sessions and much to my surprise you all still keep turning up for more! We had twelve performers tonight (exactly the number we had for our second birthday party - wierd eh?). As requested, you all arrived early and we started early, with Bluesman Gerry Cooper stepping under the spotlights first (and yes you`re all moaning about the lights again!). Gerry started with a Marshall Owens song, Try Me One More Time, followed by Forgotten The Blues. In the second set he sang Mississippi Blues. Next up, newly married Len Harvey. Len started with a song which I gather formed part of his weeding speech entitled Email To Yahoo.Com about dating on t`internet. This was a very funny song Len and as I said last time, I just can`t get the image of those "baggy y fronts" out of my mind. Len then sang a song dedicated to his new wife, Carolyn, called Lost In The Love Of Loving You. Now at the end of Lens performance, I had to go around with tissues to mop up the tears! (Tears of laughter at his dating efforts and tears of emotion at his wonderful tribute to Carolyn). Len you are one of life`s true Gentlemen. Next up Jon Palmer (of Waterland fame - did I mention the concert?). Jon started with a song called Sin City and followed this with one of his own compositions Brown Eyed Northern Girl. Now I know Jon`s wife has brown eyes (he told me!) and so I reckon we can safely assume, that this was also a tribute to another fine lady. Great stuff Jon. Next up, Steve Hulme, in humourous mode with The Umlaut Song (Had to look that up in the dictionary) followed by The French Bread Song. Really - eating a baguette will never be the same again! In the second set he sang a couple of his own extraordinarily good songs. Thanks Steve. Next up someone who normaly plays later due to work committments, Mr. James Porter. Of course we were singing along to Jailhouse Rock (there was some foot tapping and table drumming too!). And of course we all sang along to Freight Train (written by Elizabeth Cotten James). In the second set we were all joining in again to Ronny Lane`s (ex Small Faces) How Come. Our very own Brian Wylie next singing Rod Stewart`s Georgie Boy. In the second set he sang a very poignant song (bearing in mind we are coming up to remeberance day) about John Condon, the youngest soldier to die in the Great War. Apparantly his grave in Belgium is the most visited. He was then joined by  Rob Watkins to sing a parody of Ghost Riders In The Sky, entitled The Portree Kid. It was about gambling on a snakes and ladders game and very funny it was too! (And we could all join in to the chorus). Rob Watkins and Caroline up next (joined by Brian Wylie) singing a great song (which is on Emmylou Harris`s new album) called Moon Song, followed by Love Hurts. In the second set they sang Four Strong Winds and finished with Me And Bobby Magee. Really great stuff guys (and girl!). I should point out that Brian Wylie was playing a cigar box tonight. (no I`m not kidding!). Gloria up next with her own song, Wheels Within Wheels (available on her new CD) followed by a traditional song. In the second set, she had us rockin` along to the Beatle`s, I`m Looking Through You and Roll Over Beethoven and she sang and played a wonderful version of Every Time We Say Goodbye. Fantastic Gloria - where are you playing on Saturday? Oh the Memorial Hall - what`s on? Oh a charity concert - nobody mentioned it. (as if!). Mr John Daure next with yet another version of Love Minus Zero - No Limit (sounding just a bit like, You`re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go!). John followed this with Ruby Tuesday. (We do like singing along don`t we). John Nixon next with a Bruce Springstien song, Wreck on The Highway and then some Rock & Roll in the form of I saw Her Standing There (with Gerry Cooper on harmonica and gloria and Steve Hulme on guitars). We were all getting lively now! Our final performer of the evening was Earl. I reckon Earl is probably one of our longest serving supporters, as he`s been joining us almost from day one. He was on form tonight with, The old Miner and then (getting into Elvis mode - you need to see it to believe it!) I Can`t Help, Falling In Love With You. Well done Earl. What a great audience we had tonight, with great respect shown to all our performers. You could have heard a pin drop you were all so quiet. I think it goes to show how much you all enjoy such wonderful talent (given freely remember). I also want to say thank you to all of you, for supporting our charity fundraising effort. I know you can`t all make it to the concert, but week after week, you put your money into the raffle and you have also been generous with donations of raffle prizes and cash. You should all be very proud of yourselves, as your efforts have helped a lot of people over the last eighteen months. Thank you again, you are a great and generous bunch of people. Special thanks also to David, without who the event would not happen and also the bar staff and members in the Club, who make us all so welcome. And of course thanks to Barbara for supplying the food, which all disappeared! Did I mention the concert? O.K O.K! See you there on Saturday. Videos will be on the site tomorrow.TJM  

Well nine hardy individuals braved ther freezing weather tonight to entertain us in great style. Half term is normally a bit quieter than this, but obviously the bad weather spurred you all on to join us. I never cease to be amazed that you all still keep turning up! Blackwater (Ruth Wells and Tony Dargan) got us under way with a tom Bliss song, The Violin, which was all about - well, a violin! They followed this with Both Sides Of The Tweed and in the second set sang Dancing Under The Rose and finished with a superb rendition of Moonriver. Excellent. Next up Mr. Derry Jones. Now Derry arrived a bit later than usual as he had just been to a salsa class in Ilkley. Now I have to say that I really like salsa, so how about I bring some nachos next week Derry and you supply the dip? What`s that? Oh you mean salsa as in the dance! Oh well never mind! Derry sang a song called Jelly Roll which had us all joining in (and laughing). In the second set he performed A Free Man. Well done Derry. Next up someone we haven`t seen for a while, Danny Walls. I have to say Danny`s first performance was the highlight of the night for me. He sang his own arrangement of Michael Jackson`s Billy Jean and it was sensational! First time we`ve had any Michael Jackson I think. Danny followed this with a Damien Rice song, Amy. Great to see (and hear) you again Danny. Next up Steve Hulme. Steve had us all singing along to a chorus song written as a wedding present. (Good Yorkshire wedding present that, no brass changing hands!). Now we like audience participation, but for his second song, he had most of the audience up playing along with him! (I initially missed out the "along" but knowing how your minds work I realised I had better add something). It was really excellent and we all enjoyed participating. Well done Steve. Next up another of our regulars, John Daure (brought his groupie along again). For our "delectation" (his word not mine!) John sang a great song by The Band and followed this with a Dylan song. Now I have to take issue with you here John because, I don`t think the song you sang was "Love Minus Zero No Limit". I think the song you sang was something else! (Cos I occassionally sing Love Minus Zero No Limit and it`s not the same song!). Moving on! Next up someone who played here a week or two ago, Ian Wingate. All I can say is, you had to be there! Ian`s first song entitled Hitler, The Early Years had us all rolling around gripping our sides and trying to stop the tears (of laughter) rolling down our faces. His second song about Dads (yes anyone`s Dad) was equally funny. Thanks Ian, it was a fantastic performance. Don`t leave it too long till you return. Of course someone had to follow that and it was our very own Phil Townend. Phil knows he`s arrived now, as David can finally pronounce his name correctly! Phil started with a new song and followed this with another of his own, called Fool. In the second set he sang Don`t Look Now and finished with us all joining in to Baby Driver. Great stuff Phil. Our final performer of the evening was someone who joined us for the first time a couple of weeks ago, Chris Rae. Chris started with a blues instrumental and followed this with another instrumental he had penned himself called, The Detroit Mojo. Fantastc Chris. It was an excellent evening with, as usual, an amazing variety of music and stlyes. Well done everyone and thanks for turning up on such a cold night. We also had a new audience member tonight, as Steve and Ann brought along Ann`s youngest son, Sebastian. Now we assumed he must have been naughty to be subjected to an evening here! But I can tell you,that you could not meet a more charming, polite and well behaved young man than this. I hope you enjoyed it Sebastian and I hope you get brought along again. Now, have I mentioned our charity concert on the 8th November? Oh I have! Well I`m mentioning it again! We want to raise as much money as we can to help Olivia Payne get her electric wheelchair, so help us if you can. We are still in need of more raffle prizes and donations are welcome. Did I also mention that next week is PARTY TIME! Yes we will be celebrating our third birthday (yes it is along time!). So come along and make it one of those special nights. There will of course be food and a bumper raffle (for our charity) and naturally lots of great music. We will be starting at 8.30 prompt so get there early. Just a couple more notes. If my memory serves me correctly. two of our stalwart supporters, Len Harvey and his partner Carolyn got married on Saturday. So we send you both all our best wishes for a long and happy marriage. Also Ann Brimacombe (David`s wife) who helped to make all our concerts a great success, is going into hospital next week for a knee operation. So we send all our best wishes to you Ann and hope you have a speedy recovery. Videos will be on tomorrow (and they`re worth waiting for). See you all next week for the party.TJM

Well at last a quiet one! Having set off for work at 5.30 a.m. on Monday and got home at 8.00 p.m. on Tuesday, I was hoping for a earlier night and so my prayers were answered. Only seven performers tonight (we used to think that was a busy night!), but of course they were seven wonderful performers. Now we had two birthday boys with us tonight (if only we`d known, we could have had a party) and our first performer was one of them. Steve Hulme got us under way with one of his own songs, The Old Suitcase Treatment and followed this with The Man With No Face. Great start Steve and many happy returns. (Doesn`t look thirty five does he!). Next up our second birthday boy, the one, the only, Brian Wylie. Now Brian decided to create his own seating area tonight, behind our light stand. Now we don`t normally have anybody sitting there, as the legs for the stand stick out. Brian discovered this about ten times, as every time he got up, he tripped over them! (Some people never learn!). Brian started with a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band song (they seem to be popular lately) Long Hard Road followed by Rainy Day People (in which he partook of some fine whistling - possibly a first?). In the second set he picked up his banjo and played us two fine instrumentals, the second one entitled "Tim`s Tune" (as he`d just made it up!). Flattery will get you everywhere! Next up Mike Craig. Mike decided to start with an instrumental, as he had a frog in his throat (I suggested he sing a French song - but no!). He followed this with a John Prine song (for Brian, as it`s his favourite)Speed Of The Sound Of Lonliness. In the second set he sang 1952 Vincent Black Lightning followed by Crooked Jack. Excellent Mike. Next up one of our favourites, who we haven`t seen for a little while, Andee Craig (Vanessa`s going to be annoyed as she`s missed Andee again!). Andee played an aire Soft Mild Morning followed by a hornpipe. In the second set she gave us a wonderful rendition of She Moves Through The Fair. Truly fantastic Andee. Next up our very own, Mr. John Daure with a song called Late Night Radio followed by The Urban Spaceman. Now John reckons that his wife says, one of the lines in the song describes him perfectly. His suggestion that it was "I`m a lover second to none" was met with a little sceptisism, as we all had other suggestions as to which line it could be! In the second set John sang Dylan`s Simple Twist Of Fate followed by Mr. Bojangles. Great stuff John. Next up, our second John of the evening, John Nixon singing The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. (An Eric Bogle Song I think?). This is a very moving song and is particularly poignant when our own soldiers are currently fighting two wars. John, you did it brilliantly. He followed this with Sultans Of Swing and in the second set, livened things up a bit with, Rock And Roll Music. (We love joining in to the rock and roll). Thanks John. Now at this point, I glanced accross at Earl who appeared to be playing with some elasticated garment decorated with a Union Jack. Just to maintain a modicum of decorum, I askes Earl for an assurance that it wasn`t his underpants he was playing with, but he told me not to worry - it was actually his "muff" (wish I hadn`t asked now!). Our final performer of the evening was the wonderful Gloria. Gloria started with a tribute to the great Motown star, Levi Stubbs, who died this week, called Levi Stubbs Tears. In the second set, Gloria sang three japanes poems, which she had put to music followed by a Beatles song, I`m Looking Through You. Of course we asked for an encore and Gloris sang one of her own songs, Living For Me. Wonderful Gloria and a great end to a really nice evening. Just a couple of reminders now. Did I mention that we have a charity concert coming up on the 8th November? I`m still waiting for some of you to reserve your tickets! It`s a good cause, so don`t let me down! In two weeks time (Tuesday 4th November) we will be holding our third birthday party! Yes it`s three years since I started the Tuesday night sessions and so we will be celebrating. There will be food of course and a bumper raffle and a special draw for all those who turn up in their Addingham Acoustic tee shirts. It`s going to be a busy night, (as those of you who attended our second birhday party will know!) so we will be starting at 8.30 sharp (so get there early!). Our great friend form across the water (America of course) Chris Anderson will be back with us for a short spell in November. Chris we are all looking forward to seeing you. have a safe journey and call me when you get here. Thanks to you all for coming. Just a quick thank you to David who, having won the raffle, donated his prize to the charity concert raffle pot. David you are a gentleman. Videos will be on later (assuming everything works). See you all next week. TJM

Well, it was a horrible night, weather wise, with rain and wind, so of course you turned up in numbers again! Sixteen of you tonight including one new face. (I know - will it ever end?). The wonderful Mr. Brian Wylie got us under way with a Scottish song, but changed his mind for his second song and gave us Long Hard Road from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Great start Brian. Next up our new face, Gary Skinner, (see gallery three) all the way from Halifax (we`re building up quite a contingent from Halifax now - three this evening!). Gary started with a Steve Stills song and followed this with an instrumental called Seven Roses. Now during this performance, Gary kept moving the capo up and down the fretboard to change key and even detuned and retuned one string to get different notes! How good is that? In the second set he sang a song A cappella (Betsy, Belle and Mary?) and followed this with Big Yellow Taxi, which had us all singing along. Great stuff Gary, come along again soon. Next up (from Halifax!) our very own Phil Townend (without the "s" David!) singing from Here To There (no, that`s the song title) followed by Lady Madonna (no she didn`t sing next, I mean Phil sang the Beatles number). Of course we were all in fine voice for that one. In the second set he had us all singing along again to Dreamseller. Excellent Phil. Next up (from Halifax! - was anyone left in Halifax last night?) Jacob Crawshaw. Jacob gave two fantastic performances with songs including that great Oasis song, that was the theme to The Royale Family and Canonball and Wild World. Truly excellent Jacob (and we enjoyed joining in!). Next up me! Now I don`t get out front much these days (too busy to practice) and I have to say thank you for your cheers of encouragement! I started with a Ray LaMontagne song, Can I Stay (don`t answer that one) and followed it with a Dylan song, Mamma You`ve Been On My Mind. Now I was very brave tonight and played my harmonica on a rack during this song. Thank you Christine for your round of applause when I finished the harmonica bit! (Where were the rest of you?). The general response to my performance was - you liked my shirt! Oh well. Next up a group of people we haven`t seen for a little while, Westport. (Tony Charnock, Kath Stevens, Barry Smith and Dave Dobson). They started with an instrumental (Donny Brook Fayre?) and followed this with Don`t Come Again. (No, No, don`t say it!). In the second set they sang let Me Tell You that I Love You, followed by Caledonian. Wonderful guys, come back again soon. Next up, the one and only Gerry Cooper with a great blues number to start followed by a Blind Blake medley which he calls, Southern Coast Breakdown. Always a treat to have you with us Gerry. Next up, one of our regulars, John Daure with another Nitty Gritty Dirt Band song (two in one night - spooky). He was then joined by John Nixon to sing a song he had learned when he was ten. Now we liked this one! The song was Running Bear with John Nixon playing Tom Tom`s on the body of his guitar (yes I like the joke about the sat nav) and we could all join in to the "oompah, oompah" in the middle. Great stuff. (We`re not difficult to get going are we!). John Nixon then sang Should I Stay Or Should I Go. (We let him stay). Next up,one of our longest serving performers, Chris Dinsdale, getting us all joing in to Simon and Garfunkel`s The Boxer, followed by a Bernard Fanning song (yes I thought he said Bernard Manning!). In the second set he sang a great Leonard Cohen song called, Famous Blue Raincoat. Thanks Chris. (I assume you caught your bus as you weren`t asleep on the pavement when I left?). Next under the lights, our very own James Porter getting us all singing along to All Right Now and Summertime (with Gerry Cooper playing some lead guitar in the background).In the second set he sang Fleetwood Mac`s Man Of The World followed by No Woman No Cry. Wonderful James. Now I have to tell you that James has a very talented daughter. Check out the picture of the birthday card she sent him on gallery three! Next on stage, Mr. Steve Hulme. Now Steve had the capo at the ninth fret to sing The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, made famous by Roberta Flack. Great Stuff Steve. Our final performer of the evening was Mr. Derry Jones. Yes I know this was a turn up for the book as Derry normally gets us under way. However I have to say this was a very poignant performance. Derry, as our regular audience will know, entertains us with humourous songs which he pens himself. Tonight, however, Derry was in a more serious mode and read us a poem which he had written about the death of his son, called He`s Not Here Anymore. Derry it was a brave thing to do and obviously very difficult for you. We are privileged that you felt comfortable enough with our little gathering to let us share this moving and very personal tribute to your son. Thank you. Well it was a busy evening with, as usual, a great many wonderful performers and, as usual, an appreciative audience. Now you may have noticed that the videos haven`t changed for a couple of weeks. This is because the web hosts have "upgraded" the system and now nothing works! I have reported the issue to them and they are supposed to be sorting it out. Once they have done so, I will update the videos (Not sure what will happen with the photos yet!). Just a couple of reminders. It`s only three weeks until our charity concert and you are just a bit slow in reserving your tickets! Now I do want you to support this event. It`s a great reason to raise money to help this little girl and it will be a great night out. So come on boys and girls get on the phone or the email and reserve your tickets! In a couple of weeks time we will be celebrating our third birthday (yes I know - amazing) so we will be having a party night. We will be starting early and there will be food and a bumper raffle. Watch this space for further details. Thanks to you all for coming. See you all again next week.TJM

I am having trouble downloading videos to the site. The web hosts have made changes to the system and it no longer works correctly. They are a bunch in imbeciles frankly! As soon as I can resolve the problem I will update. TJM

Yet another full club, with thirteen performers including three new faces! Where do you all keep coming from? Tonight was also a first as, thanks to Matt Nelson, the evening was recorded. If anyone wants a copy of their recording, let me know. Matt has agreed he will provide copies for you. I have to say it was very quiet between sets. I think you were all afraid of what might turn up when it`s played back! (If you are wondering what the obstruction is in the videos, it`s the microphones). Well, on to our first performer (where was Derry tonight?) The one and only Brian Wylie (I`m not going to mention Phil`s remark about why you were first up - it`s too rude!). Brian was in the mood for war songs tonight, (although he couldn`t read the words through the cellophane he`d put them in- and his second tip - don`t write the chords in red!). In the second set he sang that wonderful song Universal Soldier. Now for his second song in the second set, he put the capo on the seventh fret and he fingered the chords on the first three frets (see gallery three) - another Addingham Acoustic first! (And you take the mickey out of my spelling!). Moving on! Blackwater up next (Ruth Wells and Tony Dargan) with their own song, Take The Time. In the second set they had us all singing along to The Thin Green Line. Very catchy that one! Next up Chris Patrick. Now as soon as Chris got up to play, Gloria moved in to keep his seat warm! How nice is that? - what a caring bunch of people you all are! Chris started with Queen Of The "B" Movie, followed by Safer In Front. In the second set he started with a quiet one and then went on to If Sexy Isn`t! Great stuff Chris. Next Up our soundman, Matt Nelson with North West Passage followed by a "Country & Yorkshire" song (as opposed to a "Country & Western" song - his joke not mine!) The Cropton Murders. We had to bolt the doors in the second set and frisk everyone, as Matt`s plectrum had gone missing. It finally turned up in someones pocket (Matt`s!). Next up two new faces to Addingham Acoustic, Jeannie Kiff and Simon Allam. Now when I called them up, Simon had just filled his mouth with nuts. But apparantly (he tells us) they are good for your memory - you`ll have to remember not to eat before your set next time Simon! Now I think the title of their first song is, Gonna Miss Me When I`m Gone. I stand to be corrected. Their second song was the theme to a well known Movie (and I can`t remember the name of it, or the song - no surprises there then - I know - I need some nuts!). It was great to see you both. We hope you come again. Next up, one of our regular performers, Phil Townend who started with a weepie (I mean he sang a sad song - he didn`t start crying!) followed by Pieces. In the second set we were all singing along to Simon & Garfunkel`s America. Excellent Phil. Next under the (well to the side of) lights, two more of our friends who we haven`t seen for a week or two, Richard and Lesley Quayle. They were in a nostalgic mood tonight (having recently met up with old friends) and sang some songs that they hadn`t sung for a while, including Fresh As A Sweet Sunday Morning and Black Waterside. Richard aslo stunned us with a couple of great instrumentals. Lovely to see you both again. Next up (to cheers!) Gloria with that wonderful song Wheels Within Wheels (sung as a request, but the requestee wasn`t with us!). She then sang a most beautiful ballad, dedicated to Lesley Quayle (in the audience). How nice is that? In the second set, Gloria sang The Factory Girl followed by Leeds Brigg. As usual, fantastic Gloria (and I see that your CD is selling like hot cakes!). Next up another newcomer Chris Rae (see gallery three). Now this is only the second time that Chris has played in public and he stunned us with some wonderful instrumentals including, She Walks Through The Fair (one of our favourites) and Wild Goose. We hope we`ll see you again soon Chris. Our final performer of the evening was Paul Stone, who has been joining in our evening for the last few weeks, while staying in the area. Paul started with a couple of blues songs and in the second set sang a request for a song he had written himself called, A Day On The Beach. This was a personal song which Paul had written following a day out with his family on a Dorset Beach. Well you could have heard a pin drop, is all I will say. Paul rounded off the evening for us, with that lovely Richard Thompson song, Dimming Of The Day (with us all singing along). What a great way to end a truly great night. Thank you Paul. Have a safe trip back to Dorset and come back and see us soon. Just a reminder that it`s only just over four weeks until our concert to raise money for the Olivia Payne Appeal. We really do need you to support this event as we want to raise at least £1000 for Olivia (preferably more) to make her life just that little bit better. So reserve your tickets now. As usual it will be a great night (as those who have been to previous concerts will affirm) so don`t miss it. Also we do need donations of raffle prizes, so please consider this also. Thanks to all of you for turning up yet again and thanks to Carl for the additional raffle prize of a bottle of spirits. (Yes, spirits, wine and chocolates this week!). Thanks also to Brian for "blogging" last week. See you all again next week (are you going to come first again Brian?!). Videos will be on tomorrow night. p.s. check out the Tee shirt gallery - there is a great phot of Gaetano (one of our regular followers in Italy) wearing his Addingham Acoustic tee shirt in Capri, how cool is that (well not cool at all, it looks really HOT!). TJM

A rainy windswept night at Addingham which probably accounted for the low numbers, although David is beginning to take it personal as every time Tim(who was away at a conference) isn't there the numbers drop. 
However 7 artists braved the weather even if some had to be press- ganged into playing. Derry Jones got the evening off to a fine start when instead of a world premiere song we had the news that it was exactly a year ago 
when he picked up the guitar. He then promised us no sad songs , all happy beginning with I wanna hear a song, followed by his take on the blues “Unblues” where no-one dies and the dog lives and you dont do beer or drugs etc, very witty and he managed that blues riff as well. In the second set he sang make the  people happy which was spoilt slightly by the follow up confession that he is a lancastrian!!!!!!! His next song was titled “A lancastrians tribute to Yorkshire which qualified as the shortest song in history 0 seconds long before extolling the virtues of that cornerstone of YORKSHIRE  history Tetleys. Excellent Derry. Mike Craig was next up with a sore throat and just getting over a cold and another first for Addingham, Mike stood to play................! No he brought long.......no not Andee a  mandy....... a mandolin. Now I know Mike has had this beast about a year now and was pleased that he brought it out for it's first public appearance. Mike led yours truly through some lovely tunes as Bantry 
Girl/Home ruler and the Kerfunkin jig and the Mist covered mountain accompanied at times by yours truly before playing one I knew Paddies return. In the second set this hapless duo did Jackie Colemans set and Mike worried I might accompany him again Sang a song Crooked Jack. I promise to do better next time Mike. Mr Steve Hulme was next up and promised that his flying capo was well and truly trained for tonight's performance, starting with Biding my time and Leave me now both self penned I believe. Now I am always impressed by Steves playing and singing and tonight was no exception. I was dissapointed that he wasn't able to stay for the second set. Nice one Steve. Next at the Oche, sorry it was a doms night not darts was John Daure who openly admitted that he had taught the songs he had prepared to his Tanglewood but had actually brought a Martin with him so it was 
touch and go. John then gave us a lovely Beatles number For No one, and a crackin Speedway at Nazereth I think Jojn said it was a Mark Knopler song it was an excellent rendition thanks John. Mr paul Stone making his second? Trip to Addingham was up next with a lovely version of a Richard Thompson number  Bright lights, followed 
by an amazing self penned song written for his children after a day on the beach called .... wait for..... it A day at the beach. A very emotional song having explained the circumstances. Paul then did three numbers in the second set starting with yet another self penned song (written after an evening stroll home from the pub in Dorset) called Man in the moon, followed by another on of his entitled Fly away and then finished his spot off with an Eagles number Peaceful easy feeling. A very talented song writer and I hope he keeps them coming. Now then the return of King Puck (check Irish Folklore) Ian pucknell on a borrowed  Martin. He was joined by his daughter Charlie who gave us two versions of ballads. Earl was next up and gave us two unaccompanied songs, now having done these I can appreciate how difficult this can be but Earl makes it look so easy and what a range. Earls first song was a Croation ballad, he went to great pains to point out it was a genuine Croatian song called......Anka? And 
followed that with a favourite of mine 16 Tons well done Earl. Thanks everyone who turned out and thanks again to Carl for the raffle prize.  See you all next week. BW

You know, I was sure it was going to be quiet tonight, but as usual I was wrong! The club was almost full by 8.30. Eleven performers, including yet another new face and some new pairings tonight. Just a quick thank you before we start, to Brian Wylie for doing last weeks blog. Now you know how he always teases me about my spelling? Just wait till he`s back next week! And thank you to all those people who have sent messages telling me how to spell, Townes Van Sandt who wrote Pancho and Lefty, but it was Brian who didn`t know! Well on to this week. Blackwater got us under way with a Cindy Lauper song, Time After Time followed by The Wall Of Death. In the second set they sang a Crowded House song, Four Seasons. What a great start to a great night. Next up Derry Jones (struggling with his new glasses). Now Derry played a song (The House Of Love Is Falling Down) that he had publuished in the Sixties and which made the charts by a group called The Flies on the Decca label! How cool is that? You are a dark horse Derry! In the second set he played a couple more of his own compositions including The Lonely One. Next up a newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Nicholas Kirk and his banjo (see gallery three). Nicholas started with a medley and followed this with Teddy Bear`s Picnic (you know - if you go down to the woods today - oh never mind!). In the second set he played his own composition, Clouds and followed this with an Al Jolson number, That Old Black Mamma Of Mine. Great to have you with us Nicholas (all the way from Dewsbury!). Next up one of our regulars, Phil Townend with Heaven followed by a Davy Jones song. In the second set he sang an upbeat version of Homeward Bound. Excellent Phil. Matt Nelson next playing his whistle, accompanied by Tony Dargan (a first here, see gallery three). They played a medley of tunes follwed by Northumbrian Reels. Now they got all our feet tapping and for one horrible moment, I thought Earl was going to dance again! (Incidentaly, Earl was wearing a name tag tonight, presumably so he who would know who he was if he got drunk!). In the second set, Matt played his own composition, Dark Waters Of Lake McKenzie. Great stuff Matt. Mr Rock and Roll next, John Nixon getting the whole club singing along to All Over Now. Now I don`t know the title of your second song John, But I bet that by next week I will! (Answers on a post card this time please). Well the night was really warming up by now and there was a great atmosphere in the club. I was getting so exited I went to the bar and nearly asked for a "shirtlifter" instead of a "Sneklifter"! (foreign beer). Rob Watkins next with a great TOWNES VAN SANDT song (see I can spell it!) Tecumseh Valley, followed by Miss My May. In the second set he sang another great Lyall Lovett song, I Can`t Love You Any More. Next up someone we haven`t seen for a week or two, Paul Duff with a song called To Live With A Drunkard (I don`t know why he kept looking at me when he sang it!). In the second set he nearly had the roof off with, Belle Of Belfast City and Black Velvet Band. Great stuff Paul, we all love to join in! Next up something a bit special. Mr David Harrison (ex Deputy Mayor of Bradford no less) gave us a monologue entitled Magna Carta (you know - in the style of Albert and The Lion). Now unfortunately, David wouldn`t stay under the lights, so I can`t put it on the video clips, but I was laughing so much, I don`t think I could have held the camera steady anyway! You see, we get everything here! Our final performer of the evening was the wonderful Gloria, starting with I heard It Through The Grapevine followed by Waiting For A Train. In the second set she sang Wheels Within Wheels (which you can listen to on our juke box) followed byEvery Time We Say Goodbye and yes we were all singing along. Now as the night had been so good we didn`t want to stop and called for "more". Gloria obliged with The Beatles, I`ve Just Seen A Face followed by a Scottish Folk song. She was then joined by Rob Watkins (another first - see gallery three) to get us all rockin` to Roll Over Beethoven and the I Saw Her Standing There. Absolutely fantastic stuff! This was a night that really rocked. Everything from The Teddy Bear`s Picnic, through to Stanley Holloway and The Beatles and The Rooling Stones. Thanks to all who participated. Just a reminder to put the date of our next Charity Concert (see relevant web page) in your diaries. It`s the 8th November. Tickets are on sale now (and we want a good turnout). Also we need raffle prizes donating, so if your feeling generous let me know. See you all again next week.(videos will be on later today)TJM

There were three new artistes tonight and what a full night it was, the very talented Len Harvey got the night under way with a lovely rendition of “The Bravest” a tribute to the NY fire department who were lost on 9/11, Len then gave us a lovely song “I give you the Morning. I thought he was introducing Tim next, but it turns out he was having a full rest this week. A new face and an old mandolin, Robin Bailey a visitor to the area from Stafford brought his lovely old F Gibson mandolin and proceeded to use it to great effect on a Dylan number “make you feel my love” and then followed this up with a self penned song “Farfalina”(litle butterfly) written apparently about a business colleague after a boring business meeting. Maybe I’m missing something here? In the second set he then introduced us to his cousin Wayne and his ASBO (Song) nice one Robin please drop in again. Our next artist was Mike Craig who gave us two lovely songs Crooked Jack and Pancho and Lefty, now I have to say that Mike did tell me who wrote the latter but I will not embarrass myself by trying to spell his name. Moving further up the rankings the man who invariably starts our nights off, Mr Derry Jones with a couple of songs that I thought he was singing to Tim, “Forty plus” and Simple Dreams ( Tim had been a bit vacant at this point) I love the way Derry gets his finger on the pulse of happenings, in the second set he entertained us with Heavy Hammer and pleasure Island with everyone joining in the chorus. well done Derry. Now then someone up next with a new toy Mr John Daure looking suitably browned off and recently back from Spain with a baby...............a baby Yamaha that is, apparently it only knows two songs but it knew them better than him. first up was “Down in the Boondocks, crackin and then the one that had us all howling “Werewolves in London” had me worried, in the second set he forced another couple of numbers out of his baby to show it who was boss, “Take it Easy” and I have this one down as “Save the life of my child” by Paul Simon. You have a whole week John to teach it some new songs dont let me down! now then next up Mr Rock and Roller John Nixon who gave us “Freebird” and then had us all singing along with “Lola” in the second half he then belted out “Better move on” and ‘I saw her standing there” Great John always rocking. Speaking of Rocking, Mr Steve Hulme was up next after he had finished his usher duties with his trusty torch, with a Billy Fury number “A Wondrous place” followed by a very topical song about the Large Hadron Collider.Nice one Steve always on the ball. Another gentleman rapidly becoming a regular Phil Townend was next up and sang two lovely songs “Something more” and then had us all singing along with ‘Yesterday” which he performed to the backs of the Darlington Hells Angels whilst at College there. Quaker Hells Angels? What are we coming to? In the second set He give a different tempo to another Beatles classic Girl. Nice one Phil. Nearly done I told you it was a busy night. Another new face brought along by Phil mr Jacob Crawshaw then gave us some belting numbers “Time is running out” and ‘Where ever you go” I hope I got them right? in the second set Jacob gave us “Something Beautiful” and “How to save a life” What a talented young man, do come back soon. Last but not Least with his new strung guitar another new face Paul Stone started his set with aptly named self penned tune “New strings” and followed this up with a song about unrequited love “Fly Away” The second set saw him perform Dimming O’ the Day a Richard Thompson number and finished on a Ralph McTell number “Clare to Here” Really nice to see you Paul and I hope we didn’t put the new faces off and Do come back. Mr James Porter who was seated at the back was called up and after learning that there are guitars out there that are ‘Detuned’ he proceeded to get us singing along to the “Boxer” and “Imagine” I know you call on your way home from work so thank you for that! The night then finished nicely with Earl, who had just finished a 4 hour practice with the choir and still mamaged to give us two lovely songs “ The Waters O Tyne and that old classic that had everyone singing “Summertime” What a cracking night and what a good audience swelled by the Doms league who stuck around when they had finished and I hope they enjoyed it. Normal service resumes next week So it’s goodnight from Tim and goodnight from me. BW

No new performers this week, but we did have some new audience members (and a very nice audience you were tonight). We had everything tonight from Irish ballads to Ziggy Stardust, so we should have pleased just about everybody! Derry Jones got us under way (yet again) with a love song followed by the soldiers song. In fact we seemed to have a bit of a military theme running through the evening - spooky! Now Derry explained that he didn`t do military service, but did spend a couple of years in the Sea Scouts. I think it was a bit unfair of Brian to suggest, that he nearly drowned putting his tent up! In the second set, Derry had us all singing along to a drinking song. Next up Brian Wylie, singing that lovely song about John Condon, reputed to be the youngest soldier to die in the Great War. In the second set he sang an Irish ballad called Only Our Rivers Run Free, followed by a Jim Croce song, Lovers Cross. Nice one Brian. Next up Blackwater (Ruth Wells and Tony Dargan), singing a lovely Natalie Merchant song, Motherland. In the second set they sang Breakfast At Bourbon followed by a Dougie McLean song, Garden Valley. Great stuff. Next one of our longstanding supporters, Mr. Chris Dinsdale with some Simon and Garfunkel, including Scarborough Fair in the second set. He followed this with that great Rolf Harris song, Stairway To Heaven, - what`s that? Led Zeppelin did a version! Well you live and learn! No, no, I`m only joking, I know it`s a Led Zeppelin song really, so don`t write in! Fantastic Chris. Steve Hulme next. Now I think because he said he had once slept with Bert Yance, that his first song was a Bert Yance song? (Yes I could go on and explain what you said next Steve, but then the rumours would stop!). He followed this with one of his own songs, The Writing On The Wall. Now I had already written down this song title once, as Brian Wylie said he was going to sing one of the first songs he ever did at Addingham Acoustic and I jumped to conclusions. (He sang something else!) Isn`t that wierd? Next up, someone who, (I am pleased to say), is becoming a regular, Danny Walls. (When you`ve been a couple more times Danny, I`ll be able to make a joke about the fact that, your surname is Walls, but you work in fencing! - but not yet.) Danny sang one of his own songs, Giving It Away (and it was superb Danny) followed by a Foy Vance song. Now I have to confess, that I had never heard of Foy Vance, but after hearing Danny sing a couple of his songs, I`m going to go out and buy some of his music. Danny also had us all singing along to Dock Of The Bay. Well done Danny. Our final performer of the evening was one of our regulars, John Nixon. Now hearing that Noel Gallagher had been attacked on stage, John decided to pay tribute to Oasis, by singing Wonderwall and we all joined in! (You see we`re very up to the minute here). We were starting to Rock now, especially when John followed this with a Jagger and Richards number. And in the second set, he kept us rockin` with Handbags And Gladrags followed by Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars! Now normally, at the mention of spiders, I would have left the room, but this was too good to miss! What a way to finish a great night, with everyone really rocking and definitely an Addingham Acoustic first! Thanks to a fantastic group of musicians and an equally fantastic audience. Thanks also to Danny for becoming the latest Raffle ticket seller and Vanessa behind the bar, for keeping us watered. For all those who want to record on the Addingham Acoustic CD, Steve Hulme will be contacting you shortly to make arrangements. (He is in sole charge of this project). A reminder that, next week, Thursday 18th September, Addingham Acoustic will be on the road, hosting an evening at the Saltaire Festival. Details are on the web page relating to this. Please come along and support this event, if you can. We have also booked our next Charity Concert date, which is Saturday 8th November. We are raising money to help purchase an off road wheelchair, for a disabled young lady who lives in Otley, called Olivia Payne. Once again, details are on the web page relating to this. Next week will see another first at Addingham Acoustic, as your M.C. for the evening will be Mr. Brian Wylie. So come along and give him a hard time. (Well, he always gives me one!). See you all then. Videos will be updated tomorrow (Thursday). Check out the juke box as there are new tracks on from Gloria and also Skeyin. Both are available on their new CD`s.TJM   

So, thirteen performers this week, including a new face. (Where do you all come from?). I knew it was going to be busy, as the weather was so awful! Derry Jones got us under way again with a couple of new songs including, Rock Me In My Cradle Tonight. (I`m not going to mention "My Little Dog" and his big bone! Next up Matt Nelson with a couple of traditional folk songs and in the second set a song from the Penguin Book Of Folk Songs. How do they write with those funny little wings? He then had us all singing along to Waltzing Matilda. Good one Matt. Next in line Jon Palmer, lead singer with Waterland. Now I`m sure last time Jon played solo, I forgot to take his photo, so it`s now on Gallery Three. Jon sang a couple of his own songs, Butterfly In Reverse (from Waterlands album) and a new song called Brown Eyed Northern Girl (now I wonder if his wife has brown eyes?). Great songs Jon and a great performance. Next, Mike Craig. Now I had to cross out the title of his first song this week as no motorbike! Instead he started with Beeswing. In the second set he sang that lovely ballad about a boxer from Cork, The Contender and followed this with a singalong, Whiskey In The Jar. Well done Mike (kept me on my toes there!). Next on stage a newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Ian Wingate (see Gallery Three). Now I`m not sure I should go into detail about his first song about women shopping. (As I want to live a bit longer). His second song was a brilliant number called Godzilla. I only wish I could give you an inkling of how good this song was. Hows about recording it for our juke box Ian? Great to see you, come again soon. Next up Rob Watkins (suffering with a bad back) singing a John Prine song Long Monday. In the second set he was joined by Brian Wylie for a Lyle Lovet song I Can`t Love You Any More, followed by a bit of Rock and Roll with Six Days On The Road. Next up Deborah Masterson singing  A Capella. She started with that lovely Randy Crawford song Almas and followed it with Love Letters. In the second set we had another first with deborah being joined by Gloria (see Gallery Three) to perform Angel. Simply sublime! Next up John Daure singing Kenny Roger`s, The Gambler. Now he must have said something funny here as I`ve jotted down "boat sank" (rhymes with "minds blank"!) Any ideas? John followed this with Leo Sayer`s One Man Band. He was followed by John Nixon singing Roxanne (with a few singing along I think) followed by a Niel Young song Tell Me Why. Great stuff John and John. Next under the lights Gloria, reminding us that it was the 50th annivesary of Vaughan Williams death (which of course we all knew) and she sang a wonderful song to commemorate, this to a tune we all know, which I am sure is the hymn To Be A Pilgrim. You`ll have to correct me if I`m wrong Gloria (everyone else does!). She followed this with a Randy Newman song about the 1927 floods in Louisiana, called - well Louisiana of course! In the second set she sang Shakespeare`s Sonett No. 29. You see, one of the delights of Addingham Acoustic, is that we get every kind of music here and our audience love it all. Now Gloria has a new CD out, called Living For Me. This is not to be missed - I`ve got mine already and I suggest you get yours before they`re all gone. Next up James Porter with a sore throat. (He`d brought his groupie along so he had to sing!). James started with an Eric Clapton song followed by a Rolling Stones number and in the second set had us all singing along to Strawberry Fields followed by Norwegian Wood. (He doesn`t go for the easy stuff does he!). Our final performer of the evening was Earl (no I can`t keep doing the jokes, it`s not fair). Anyway Earl`s A Singer, started with a song called The Old Miner and followed this with a song sung in the Zulu language. No, no, no, don`t go there! It was great Earl and you go to great lengths to bring us something different and we love it! Thanks to all for turning up again and to Deborah for the raffle sales. No cake this week, but we live in hope. Just a couple of reminders. Don`t forget to put Thursday the 18th September in your diaries for Addingham Acoustic at the Saltaire Festival (see the dedicated web page) and get your names down for the Addingham Acoustic charity CD. (The list is growing). Videos won`t be on until tomorrow, so check back then. See you all next week. TJM

Thank goodness, a quiet night night. Only fourteen performers this evening - I was in bed by one o`clock! Yes you turned out in numbers again this week and what a great night we had again. And even more groupies this week! Our first performers had travelled all the way up from South Yorkshire to be with us. Blackwater, (Tony Dargan and Ruth Wells - see Gallery Three) got the evening under way with with a Sandy Wright song called, Would You Believe followed by a beautiful song called Bewcastle. In the second set they sang a great Rosanne Cash song called The Secret Life Of Roses. Great start guys. Derry Jones next with a song called Mr. Bumble Bee. In the second set he sang a song called, Incidental Music, which had us all diddle diddle diddling along to the chorus. (We are easily led!). Next up Brian Wylie and Ruth Wells (playing together here for the first time I think if my memory serves me well), with a couple of fine instrumentals on guitar and blarge. In the second set Brian performed a monalogue, Paddy And The Bricks (we all like that one) followed by a song about the clearances in Scotland, called Hush. Fine stuff Brian. Next up I had a go with a couple of Dylan songs. Then one of our regulars Mike Craig singing a lovely song called I Courted A Wee Girl (now when I read my notes it looked like I Counted A Wee Girl, which didn`t make much sense. you can see where I go wrong can`t you!). Now at this point, someone suggested that the fellas going in to the loo, looked like they were going in to Santas Grotto! Now I thought that I had a deprived childhood, but if you think that looks like Santas Grotto - well need I say more! In the second set Mike was joined by Brian Wylie on the banjo (a first here again - see Gallery Three) to perform Moonshiner. Now Mike was having a bit of trouble with his guitar and suggested it was sulking. I suddenly realised what my problem was. My guitar was really p***ed off! In fact when I picked it up for the second set, I`m sure I heard it say "put me down, put me down"! Next up, the performer we had all been waiting for, Andee Craig and her harp. Andee perfomed a couple of instrumentals in the first set, Miss Hamilton and The Princess Royale and in the second set, played a beautiful rendition of She Walks Through The Fair. Really lovely Andee, it`s great to have you back with us. Next up another first at Addingham Acoustic, Deborah Masterson and Brian Wylie (see Gallery Three) with A Song For Ireland (Thats the title, they weren`t entering a competition) followed by Heaven In Your Eyes. Lovely. In the second set Deborah sang, Valentine Moon follwed by Adams At The Window. Excellent Deb. Next on stage someone who we haven`t seen for a little while, Carmen Wedderburn (I nearly put Wedderspoon then Carmen - you may never have forgiven me!). Carmen sang that wonderful song about Don McLean, Killing Me Softly. Great to have you back with us Carmen. Next up, the one and only Steve Hulme with a great Lyall Lovat song. And he had us singing along in the second set to Cat Stevens Wild World. Well done Steve. (I`m not going to mention The House Of The Rising Bum!) John Daure and John Nixon next with that great Beatles song The Things We Said Today followed by the Box Tops song, The Letter (and yes we were singing along to both). In the second set John Daure sang Davy`s On The Road Again followed by The Eve Of Destruction. (I like the sixties stuff - I can sing along!). John Nixon then peformed that great Joe Jackson song, Is She Really Going Out With Him. (Now he said prior to this that he hadn`t brought his strat with him and we all thought - it`s Addingham Acoustic! But actually, he hadn`t brought his strap! Now we had a new performer last week, Danny Wells, who came all the way from Castleford again just to watch. But of course we couldn`t have that could we! So with borrowed guitar, Danny sang a David Gray song and followed this with a really lovely song of his own called, See The Mornin` (actually Danny said he hadn`t given it a title, so I`ve named it (and It`s now got my got my name in it! taking liberties or what!). And Finally!!!, we couldn`t let James Porter go without singing us a song could we? And as usual (how do you do this James?) he had us all singing along to The House Of The Rising Sun. Now, once again there was a bit of late night Rock & Roll for the die hards and Brain Wylie, John Daure and John Nixon performed a great version of Memphis Tennesee to finish the evening. Fantastic stuff, a really great night of entertainment and banter. I can`t believe that after the extravaganza of last week, that we have had a room full of performers again! You must be enjoying yourselves! Now we had a bit of a treat at the interval, as Steve and Ann had brought along some cake (yes we`re a bit spoilt aren`t we). And Carmen did an excellent job with the raffle tickets (you are a generous lot). Thanks to our MC for the night David. Just a couple of things to mention. We have been invited to take a small number of performers to The Saltaire Music Festival on the 18th September at the Victoria Hall. I will be putting a page on about this later. I`m sure you will understand that it was difficult to decide who to take as we couldnt include everybody, but I hope you will all support those who are playing. Secondly, thanks to Steve Hulme, we are going to record an Addingham Acoustic CD (which we can sell for charity). So if you would like to take part, or if one or two (or two or three, or three or four) of you would like to get together to take part, let me know and we will start making arrangements. I will also be putting a page on about this later. Videos will be updated later. Shall we do it all agin next week? You bet! TJM  

So, twenty performers turning up to play (including, as you would expect, one new performer to Addingham Acoustic) and a few dozen more come to watch - are you telling me you you like what we do? What a wonderful bunch of people you are and what a great night we had, with a fantastic atmosphere, great music, lots of fun, good food (although I didn`t seem to get any), a mega raffle and a new Addingham Acoustic song! Where do I start! Well at the beginning of course. We started promptly at 8.30 (by which time the room was full) with Derry Jones and Make The People Happy, followed by The Unblues, (both his own compositions). Great start Derry, lots of laughter already! Next up Len Harvey and Carolynn. Now Carolynn was making her singing debut tonight (she has played tha accordian here before) and joined Len in, The Blue Eyed Madonna and then we were all singing along with Len to The Last Thing On My Mind. In the second set, however, Len had us all in stitches with his song about his attempts to find a new girlfriend following the break up of his marriage. I just can`t get the image out of my mind Len - you in your big baggy "Y" fronts! Next up, the one and only, Brian Wylie, accompanied by Mike Craig, playing a couple of instrumentals, The Maple Leaf (are you sure that shouldn`t be Make Believe?) followed by Planxty George Brabazon (he spelt that one for me, anyone would think I was ilitorit or summink). Next up a newcomer to our night., Danny Walls, (see Gallery Three) who had travelled all the way from Castleford to be with us. This was Danny`s public debut and what a debut! He started with his own song Carousel, followed by a Damien Rice number and in the second set a Jack Johnson song. Danny, you are too good not to be playing in public regularly, come back soon. Next under the lights (did anybody notice them?) Matt Nelson with a couple of traditional songs, John Henry and The Bold Fisherman. In the second set he had us all singing along to Cats In The Cradle. Well done Matt. Next up, with trepidation, I introduced Steve Hulme. The reason why? Well I had this idea he may have written a song about me and of course I`m always right! Oh the fun you have at my expense! Did I metion Steve, no one has written a song about David? (Look out David, I think it`s on the way!). His next song was a bit special though. I will call it " The Addingam Acoustic Anthem". Accopmanied by the lovely Ann (who held up the word sheet - see the video later) this song summed up what Addingham Acoustic is about. In the second set he had us all laughing to a song about Harvest mites (I`m still itching now!). Brilliant Steve! So we`re well down the page and I`ve hardly started! Hang in there. Next up Mike Craig. Now were all relieved to see Andee with him (although she didn`t play). We can now end all rumours that he had buried her under the patio! (Actually, I think it was Mike who started the rumour). Mike started with Crooked Jack and followed this (assisted by Brian Wylie - apparantly he didn`t mean you Brian when he referred to "this idiot thing") with a lovely Tom Waits song called Time. Great stuff Mike. (Andee, we need to hear that harp again soon!). Our good friend Chris Dinsdale next playing some wonderful slide guitar. Chris started with with Walking Blues and followed this with The Empire State Express. Well actually the train broke down almost immediately, (he broke a string) and hence was late (he came back later). Railways eh, isn`t it just typical! In the second set he sang Gambling Man. Great to see you Chris. Next on stage, Phil Townend singing Hanging On followed by a song from the late sixties. In the second set he had us all singing along to Paul Simon`s song You Me And Julio. Thanks Phil. Don`t worry, I`ve only got about fifteen more pages of notes! Next up another of our regulars, John Daure (with his own groupie - how cool is that! - Actually, I think there were one or two groupies tonight!). Now I can`t quite read my scrawl here, but I think the first song was called Someone Else`s Dreams. The second one was definitely Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover. Excellent stuff John. Next up Richard and Lesley Quayle (and Dorothy - bit of an in joke!). They started with a traditional song called Four Drunken Maidens (I can think of all kinds of comments here, but I`m going to keep quiet!). Richard then treated us to some spectacular slide guitar playing on his beautiful resonator guitar performing Casey Blues. Fabulous Richard. In the second set, they sang another traditional song, A Sailors Life. So how to follow that? Well with some more fabulous slide guitar playied on a beautiful resonator guitar of course! Heavy Metal or what! Mr Gerry Cooper performed a Robert Johnson song followed by a Mississipi Fred McDowell song, Write me A Few Short Lines. Great stuff Gerry (on a brand new guitar!). Blimey, I`m getting worn out here, but we`ll press on. Next on stage Rob Watkins accompanied by Brian Wylie (have you noticed, he gets everywhere). Now Rob had to wait patiently to play, as he didn`t get here till about twenty past eight! He started with Dead Flowers and of course we all joined in and he followed this with an Eagles song (and of course we all joined in!). In the second set, Rob was joined by Caroline to sing The Upside Of Being Down. Lovely. You`ll be pleased to know we`re on the home straight now! Next up Paul Duff with a lovely song called Again followed by a modern "traditional" song called We Both Go Down Together. Now I have to confess Paul, I didn`t catch the title of your song in the second set, (probably just as well, I would probably have got it wrong!) but it was a lovely song. Excellent. Next in line, Rob Heath and Sarah Loughran with some wonderful guitar and fiddle playing. Now of course as soon as they sat down there were calls of "how is the bedroom practicing going?". All you new performers beware, you have to be very careful what you say here. they never let you forget! Truly wonderful stuff guys, well done. Finally!!!! Our last performer of the evening and well worth waiting for as it was Gloria! She started with her own song (the first song she ever sang at Addingham Acoustic) followed by a Cher number. In the second set she had us all singing along to The Beatles, I`ve Just Seen A Face and followed this with a Mary Grochet song about Drag Queens. Really wonderful stuff Gloria. Now for those of you who managed to hang on, there was a bit of extra curricular rock and roll, during which Earl took to the dance floor. (No I couldn`t watch either!). But the night finally ended, appropriately, with Rob, (accompanied by Brian, Gloria, Steve and Phil) singing that great Steve Earl song Goodbye. What a truly wonderful night! I just cannot express my gratitude to all of you, for continuing to turn up week after week to support Addingham Acoustic. You have proved beyond doubt, that it is the people who turn up to play who matter and who make the evening a success. Without all of you, there would be no Addingham Acoustic. To quote Tina Turner (and not many people do) you are "Simply The Best". Thanks also to Vanessa behind the bar (looking very smart in her new tee shirt - soon to be on out tee shirt gallery) Barbara and Vanessa for providing the food. Phil Greaves and Gerry Cooper for donating raffle prizes all the audience for coming to watch, (this is turning into an Oscars speach!). Well, shall we do it all again next week? I think we`d better! See you all then. Photos, videos etc. will be on the site later today. TJM

Power to the people! The majority have spoken and yes Addingham Acoustic is back on the road. What a fantastic bunch of people you are. Your messages of support have been overwhelming and it would be impossible for me not to continue to provide you with the night you want. So next week is party night. There will be food and a mega raffle (for charity of course). A lot of you have already committed to playing so lets have as many of you there as we can to make it a night to remember. We`re going to start at 8.30 pm prompt so that we can get everybody under the spotlights, so get there early if you can and let`s see those Addingham Acoustic Tee Shirts get an airing! . TJM

Whenever I think it is going to be quiet, you never fail to surprise me. Nine performers tonight including, yet again, a new performer to Addingham Acoustic. And a lovely audience, with some newcomers again, too! Matt Nelson got the evening under way with a Leonard Cohen song, Hallelujah, followed by Pleasant And Delightful. In the second set he sang Underneath The Sunrise followed by a Harry Chapin song, Cat`s In The Cradle. Next up one of our regulars, Derry Jones. Derry writes his own material and tonight, as well as one or two favourites, he performed, The Unblues (an antedote to Blues songs!) and also a couple of very poignant songs about life. He also had us singing along in the second set to Eeh By Gum It`s Tetley`s. Well done Derry. Next up one of our favourite performers, who we haven`t seen for a little while, Deborah Masterson. Deborah sings A Cappella and never fails to silence the room. (and tonight was no exception) She sang that lovely Irish ballad, She Walks Through The Fair, followed by Summertime. Really lovely Deborah. (don`t leave it too long till we see you again!). Next up another of our favourites who we haven`t seen for a little while, John Jenner and his lovely new Dobro guitar. John started with one of his own songs, Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier and followed this with a Bullfrog`s song called Save Your Tears. Now if you haven`t seen the band called Bullfrog Jones (John is a member) check out their website on our links page, find out where they are playing and go and see them, as they are brilliant! In the second set, John performed another of his own songs, Look At Me and was then joined by Dave Speight to peform You And Me. Fantastic! Next up another first, Two Men In A Corner - Paul Duff and Tim Ensor  (see Gallery Three). Paul has played with us before, but this was the first time for Tim (I was going to say that, there was a fifty percent chance I`d get your name right Tim, but when I just checked the typing I`d written Tom! - just as well I checked!). The first song they did was by either, Green On Red or Greenday (No it was them who couldn`t remember, not me - honest!) followed by a Donovan song. In the second set they started with Fiona`s Song. Now this was a bit special, as Fiona was in the audience. Isn`t that nice! (We like that kind of thing here). They followed this with a song previousley done by the Pogues, called Navigator. At requests for an encore, (as we were making good time), they did a Saw Doctors number. I should mention here, that like a lot of our peformers, Paul and Tim are multi-talented and played not only guitar, but also harmonica, whistle and another wind instrument. (Yes o.k. I admit it, I don`t know what it was called, but no doubt I will do by the end of the day!). Our Ninth performer of the evening was Mr. David Harrison (ex Deputy Mayor of Bradford, I think - we like a bit of class now and then!). Now David is rumoured to have a bit of a sense of humour (yes, yes, I know that`s a bit of an understatement) and tonight he treated us to, I Am My Own Grandpa and followed this with In Me Liverpool Home. Thank you David, great stuff. Well I nearly didn`t come myself tonight, as I thought it was going to be quiet, but I`m glad I did, as it was another great night of wonderful entertainment. Thanks again to all the performers, I hope you enjoyed it as much as the rest of us. And of course thanks to all you audience members, without you, there wouldn`t be much point! Thanks also to Anne for the raffle ticket sales. Our charity fund is building steadily. Now I do know that next week is going to be a busy night (and one not to miss) so get there early to grab a seat. See you all again then. Videos will be on later today.TJM

If the videos are a bit shaky tonight and if the blog flits around a bit, it`s because I`m still rockin`. Yes it was one of those nights again! We had five more performers than I expected tonight, as I didn`t think anyone would turn up, as I know a lot of our regulars are on holiday. So six performers in total and as usual an expectant audience who were not disappointed! Derry Jones got us under way again (well he gets here early!) with more of his own compositions, including, I Wanna Get Back and a lovely song called Dandelion Man (we had two songs about weeds tonight - how strange is that?). He also sang a song called Make People Happy - very appropriate. Well done Derry. Next up yours truly, with a couple of Don McLean songs. In the second set I announced that I was going to do a song I hadn`t done before and that, as it was a song everyone would know, (Where Do You Go To My Lovely by Peter Sarstedt), if I forgot the words, you could all carry on and I would catch up. Now I tested whether you were all going to do this, by pretending to forget the second line! (I`d spent so long making sure I remembered the first). I have to say, you were all in fine voice and it took a bit of doing to get you all to stop, so that I could start again! Next up Steve Hulme. Steve hasn`t been with us for a week or two so it was great to see him again (and Ann of course). Steve started with You Wont Matter Any More, followed by one of his own compositions. Now many moons ago, Steve announced he was going to sing a song he`d written about somebody we all knew (can`t remember who now). Before my brain got in to gear, my mouth opened (yes I know that happens a lot) and I stated that no one had ever written a song about me. Until last night I thought I had got away with this - but no! Not even one song, but several! Steve I`m flattered (or should I say flatulent, based on the last song!). Next up someone who performed for the first time last week and is now becoming a regular. A bit of embarrasment all round here however, as David introduced him as John Doyle. I jumped in of course to tell David it was actually Paul Dove (he blamed my writing but I ask you, John/Paul?) whereupon Paul announced that his name was actually Duff and I had got it wrong last week! (If you knew me better Paul, you would know that, that was quite close for me!). So apologies all round but after all, that`s how Lonnie Donegan became Lonnie Donegan. Anyway Paul sang some lovely songs including Love Is A Weed, The Blessing, My Life and a very modern song from James. (It was so modern I wasn`t the only one who asked James who? - what a lot of old fogies we are - it is of course a band called James!). Thanks Paul, it was good to see and hear you again. Next under the lights (do you know, nobody moaned this week!) John Nixon and John Daure. They started their set with Freefallin` and went on to sing a song from Bradford group, Smokey (Carol). In the second set they sang a great slow version of Help, followed by Lord Wont You Buy Me A Mercedes Benz and then Sweet Home Alabama. As you can imagine, we were all rockin` by now. Next up another first at Addingham Acoustic, John Nixon and Steve Hulme (see gallery three) with I Saw Her Standing There. And then another first (as we were really in the mood now), John Nixon, John Daure and Steve Hulme rounded off the evening with Memphis Tennesee, Money and It`s All Over Now, with everyone singing along! What a great night! As usual a fantastic atmosphere in the Social Club, with the usual receptive and appreciative audience we have come to expect. Thanks to Ann for the raffle ticket sales (and as usual you were all very generous). A very summery first prize this week - a bottle of Pimms courtesy of the Social Club. Thanks to David - M.C. for ther night. Thanks to our unsung hero Carl, who keeps us all topped if with drink and who sets the room up for me every week. (We want to hear that mandolin soon Carl!). But of course thanks to all of you for turning up. Videos will be on later today. See you all again next week, (I hope!) TJM

Schools out and the weather was warm and humid, so I wasn`t expecting too many of you to turn up this week. But of course as usual, I was wrong! Eleven performers including yet another new face to Addingham Acoustic and some old friends we haven`t seen for a little while. And of course a great audience, as we have come to expect. Derry Jones got us under way with more of his own compositions including Monty The Male Lap Dancer (goes down well that one Derry) and in the second set Pleasure Island. Next up someone we see once or twice a year when he`s on holiday in the area, Alan Higgins from Teeside. In fact, Alan was with us this very week, last year! Alan started with a political song, by Rob Johnson followed by a great song (sung by Eddie Reader) called The Patience Of Angels. In the second set he sang a song by Graham Miles about, Teeside. Great to have you back with us Alan. Next up , the one and only Brian Wylie, singing I Have To Say I Love You In A Song (we were humming along to that one) followed by The Writing On The Wall., which was the first song Brian performed at Addingham Acoustic, on the guitar. In the second set, he was joined by The Bunnyman - Mike Craig (you`ll never live that down Mike!) to play an instrumental on blarge and guitar. (If you don`t know what a blarge is, shame on you for not following this blog!). Next up another of our friends who we haven`t seen for a while, John Paul. He sttarted with a great Radiohead song, follwed by a song about women and in the second set a song about suicide. Now we did have one or two morbid songs tonight, more about that later! Next up our good friend Len Harvey. Now Len never fails to entertain and tonight was no exception. He got us all singing along to Peggy Sue and Mary Lou (just noticed that rhymes - clever planning Len!). Now Len did say at the end of Peggy Sue, that he had been taught it by his dad, whereupon Mike Craig jumped to the obvious conclusion, that his dad was Buddy Holly! Could it be true? In the second set, Buddy Junior sang a lovely haunting song, about the troubles in Northern Ireland followed by, Singing The Blues. Fantastic stuf Len! Next up, someone else we haven`t seen for a while, but who was also with us a year ago this week (spooky!) Matt Nelson. Matt had us all joining in to Cockles And Mussells. Now I hadn`t realised, up to this point, that Molly Malone died of Hay Fever. This is a bit worrying, as I get hay fever myself. What`s that? Oh sorry "a" fever. Oh well, that`s a relief! Matt followed this with a Canadian song, North West Passage. Next up Mike Craig playing that wonderful song, 1952 Vincent Black Lightening. Mike you really have got that one down to a fine art. He followed this with Beeswing. In the second set, he was joined by Sparkle (Brian Wylie - if you don`t know - don`t ask!) to perform Moonshiner. Excellent. Barry Smith was next under the lights (and yes you`re all still moaning!). Barry played a few weeks ago as part of a quartet, but was solo tonight. He sang two of his own compositions, Oh The Lonely Road and The Days We Walked From Burnsall Bridge. Well done Barry, good to see you again. Next up, one of our favourites, James Porter. James always gets us singing along and succeeded tonight with, Everybody`s Talking At Me, that great Harry Nielson song. Mind you that second song James! All I could think about all night was "The cat in the bag, waiting to die" poor thing! Now I was close to slashing my wrists after that one! (Actually it was a lovely haunting song). James performed a couple of Ray Charles songs in the second set, Hit The Road Jack and I Can`t Stop Loving You. Thanks James, excellent as ever. Next up, big cheers for John Nixon, another of our regulars. John got us all going with Whiskey In The Jar (The Thin Lizzy version I think?) and followed this with Better Move On. Great, great stuff. Our final performer of the evening was a newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Paul Dove (see gallery three). Paul sang a couple of lovely songs called, Another Girl Another Planet and Purple Mile (an old song about the moors). Great to have you with us Paul, come back soon. Well another great night full of great music and of course fun. Thank you to all who took part. Big thanks again to Carl, back from his hols and thanks to Barbara (the wife) for the raffle ticket sales. I should mention, in case any of you don`t know, that all profits from the raffle, go into our charity fund. They will either be added to our next concert total, or donated separately to a suitable charity. I should say thank you to all the customers of The Social Club for being so generous every week. So, are you all going to turn up again next week? We`ll see!!! videos will be on later today. TJM

Now,all of you who were there last night will know, that I wasn`t as I was in Germany (and have just got back!). David was also away and so was Barbara. Hence I haven`t written a blog.TJM

Did we rock tonight? Did we roll? Of course we did! Only eight performers tonight (we used to think that was busy!) but a great night that finished with some rousing Rock and Roll (we really didn`t want it to end). An M.C. in training tonight, in the guise of Ian Pucknell. (David and I need a rest).  The first act he introduced, was someone who is fast becoming a regular, Phil Townend. Phil sang two or three of his own compositions, including Picture Postcards and Peace Of Mind and in the second set, he did a great version of James Morrison`s You Give Me Something. Wonderful start to the night Phil. Mike Craig was up next. Now Mike started off by telling us, that he had run over a rabbit on the way here. Now wouldn`t you think that he would have stopped, picked up the rabbit and taken it to the rabbit hospital instead of coming here? Oh no, he left it to die! We`re surprised at you Mike. Lets hope Andee doesn`t read this. (We have a witness that can confirm Andee is alive and well bye the way - at home cooking road kill, apparantly!). Now Mike was sporting sunglasses when he started his set (see the new gallery three - a little dig about the lights methinks!). He was probably wearing them when he hit the rabbit! He started his set with a couple of traditional songs, dedicated to rabbits everywhere. (Carl asked him to sing "Bright Eyes" from Watership Down, but he refused). In the second set he sang a song about countryside management (In which, he obviousley takes drastic measures!). He finished with a lovely Tom Waites song, Picture In A Frame. Well done Mike. Next up Derry Jones. Derry started with a lovely song called Dandelion Man and in the second set he sang a song called Eh By Gum It`s Tetleys, in which he had us all clapping our hands during the chorus. (My God we`re easily led!). Now Derry got a free glass of Tetleys for singing that one, so you all know what to do next week! Next up Brian Wylie (joined by the bunny basher, I mean Mike) to play two fine instrumentals, starting with The Maison`s Apron. In the second set he started with a joke - no, no, don`t worry, I`m not going to tell it! He then sang that beautiful song, The Road To The Isles, followed by Paddy And The Bricks. Now Gloria told us later, that Brian was in Canal Street, Manchester, last weekend and that he hasn`t been the same since. Apparantly, his new internet name is "Sparkle". Have a quick shufty at the photo of him in the new gallery three. Next up Gloria, singing Ode To Billy Joe (with an explanation of what it is about - not a lot `o people know that). She then performed a truly fantastic version of Penny Lane (with us all humming along.) In the second set, she sang the other double A side, Strawberry Fields, followed by Dylan`s Just Like A Rolling Stone. Absolutely amazing Gloria! Gloria did sing again later, but I`ll come back to that. Chris Patrick next under the lights. He sang a song called So Far In Front and followed this with In The Material World, by "The Police". (It`s hard work thinking all this up you know!). In the second set, he sang a couple of new songs (the second one being very lively). Next up, John Nixon. John started with an Otis Reading song (we don`t get too many of those sadly) and followed this with The Stones first hit, All Over Now (and yes we were all rockin` by now!). Our M.C., Ian Pucknell, kicked off the second set, with Lady Take Your Time. (I`m sure I`ve heard that one before you know). He then gave himself star billing (you see how power corrupts!) to finish off the evening with Goodbye, but it wasn`t the end, because we weren`t ready to finish! We were in the mood for more! We persuaded Gloria to take the stage again, to lead us all in a grand finale of Rock and Roll. She started with, Every Time We Say Goodbye and went on to play Roll Over Beethoven, (joined by Puckers and Brian Wylie on instruments and the rest of us joining in with the singing). She then went into The Kinks, Sunny Afternoon. She and Sparkle - sorry Brian Wylie - then went on to perform Spanish Lady and we then persuaded Gloria to finsih with Canal Street. My goodness we were all revved up by this time! In fact I haven`t wound down yet (although the drive to Hetrtfordshire and back helped). It was a truly great night that just got better and better, (you see, you shouldn`t leave early!). Well done to Ian - don`t worry, I`ve finished off filling in the book for you! And thanks to everyone who participated, either playing or in the audience. Videos wont be on until tomorrow, but don`t miss them, as usual there are some great clips. If the two photos aren`t on gallery three when you read this, they will be in a minute! See you all again next week. TJM

So, just sixteen performers this week and only one new player, where is it all going wrong?! Yes another great week of fanatastic music and entertainment. We had everything tonight, from country to more rock and roll. And as usual, a great atmosphere. It was a bit warm tonight, even if you weren`t under the lights, so we had to have the fan on in the second half (it must be all the exitement!). Our evening started with Rob Heath and Sarah Loughran (see gallery two). Rob has played with us before, but this was Sarah`s first time. Now, not realising what our audience is like, they told us that they hadn`t done this before, as they spend a lot of time in their bedroom practicing! Once their blushes had faded, they played some really lovely instrumentals for us in both sets. As usual a wonderful start to the evening. Next up Mike Craig. Now Mike felt he needed to point out that Andee (his wife), is alive and well and not buried under the patio, as we haven`t seen her for a while. (Well, we`ll believe you for now Mike). He got us all singing along to Wild Mountain Thyme and in the second set was joined by Brian and Kath Wylie, (who gave Carl`s mandolin an airing) to play us a couple of instrumentals. Now Carl there is no excuse, you know the mandolin works now, so we want to see you under the lights soon! It was great to see our good friend Len Harvey up next. Len started with Streets Of Baltimore and then sang the song we always ask for, about mermaids. Great stuff Len, you always get us laughing. Next up, another performer we haven`t seen for a while, Derry Jones. Now Derry used to entertain us with his accordian (no lewd comments please), but he has switched to the guitar now (he`s turning into a rocker!). Derry writes his own material and played songs including Heavy Hammer and Monty The Male Lap Dancer. (I`ve got this feeling, that they were a little bit rude Derry!). Good to see you again. I had a go next. In the second set I had a little break in the middle of each song, so you could all go and get a drink. What, you thought I had forgotten the chords? As if! Still it was quite an achievement for me, as I was still holding the pick after four songs!John Nixon up next with some Bruce Sprinstien, followed by The Police. (No a song by the Police, he wasn`t arrested!). Of course he got us rocking in the second set, with Honky Tonk Women and Knockin On Heavens Door (with John Daure). Excellent. Next on stage, John Daure with a Johnny Cash song, in which a condemned man is counting down the minutes until he`s hanged! We like a bit of light relief here! He followed this with a Paul Simon song. Mr. Dave Speight next, introduced by David as, "The Professor of the Blues", well he had to play blues now didn`t he! He played a couple of Blind Willy McTell songs in the first set and songs by The Reverand Gary Davies and Leadbelly, in the second. Next under the lights (and yes, you`re all still moaning about them!) The North Country Boys, (Rob Watkins, Ricky Silvers and Brian Wylie) playing some country music, including, Why You Bin Gone So Long and Time Between. In the second set they played Hickory Wind (once Rob had remembered the first line - that`s always the worst one to forget ain`t it!) and finished with Dead Flowers. Great sets boys. (Why was Caroline asking you if you felt like a hillbilly when you came off Rob?) Brian stayed on stage to be joined by KathWylie, to sing us a lovely Irish song called, The Wishing Chair. Really lovely Kath. Next up Anne Jackson with Ricky Silvers singing an Alison Kraus song, The Lucky One, followed by I`m A Little Bluer Than That. In the second set Anne had a request to sing that beautiful  song, Songbird and was then joind by Ricky and Brian (two lefthanders - no they play lefthanded!) to sing another song (Ive just realised I didn`t write it down, but it was very nice!). Next up James Porter singing a couple of Carole King songs for us and in the second set a Damien Rice song followed by The Beatles, You`ve Got To Hide Your Love Away (which we all sang along to of course). Our final performers of the evening were Caroline and Rob, with that lovely Dolly Parton song, Do I Ever Cross Your Mind. That really is a great song (and well performed). A great night with lots of fun and lots of great music (Mike Craig was going to have to go at half time, but stayed as he didn`t want to miss more good music). Thanks to everyone for turning up again. Thanks to David for his magnanamous (yes I`ve probably spelt that wrong) gesture in taking the chocolates and not the wine in the raffle, as he won the wine last week. Mind you David, I bet Anne didn`t believe you had bought them for her, on the way home! Lots of excellent video clips to go on site later when I`ve edited them. See you all again next week. TJM.

Now I did warn you that it was going to be busy tonight didn`t I, so you can`t say you were not warned - it was awesome! We had thirteen performers this evening of which seven were new faces to Addingham Acoustic and two of which were all the way from Massachusetts in the U.S.A. (I`d like to say they had come all the way over, just to play at Addingham Acoustic, but I might be stretching the truth a bit!). It was certainly standing room only, as we also had a large audience tonight (and they were not disappointed). It was a night with just about every musical style catered for including, Folk, Blues and Rock and Roll. I think I can honestly say that everyone went home with a smile on their face. (And they`re probably still singing along!). We had four newcomers start the evening off for us, in the guise of Westport. (Tony Charnock, Kath Stevens, Barry Smith and Dave Dobson.). What a talented bunch they are, with a variety of instruments including, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, flute (first time for a flute I think) and recorder (I`ve probably missed some out!). They got us under way in fine style with songs such as You Couldn`t Have Come At A Better Time and The Maid Of Mitchells Town. In the second set they played a wonderful instrumental medley. Great, great, start. Brian Wylie was up next with his tin whistle and played a wonderful medley of Irish tunes (two green and two orange!). He followed this with a monologue, The Battle Of Hastings, (You know the one - on `is `orse, with `is `awk, in `is `and). In the second set he played what I think was - no I`m not going to guess - it was a wind instrument! The tune was Fairwell To Goven. Gerry Cooper then joined him for The Parting Glass. Nice one Brian. Next up Mike Craig with Teenage Kicks, followed by Dead Flowers and in the second set 1952 Vincent Black Lightening. Then under the spotlights, Ian Pucknell to much applause (even before he started). Now we were a bit worried during his first song (I`ve Got A Couple More Years On You Baby) as there were coloured lights going on and off in his breast pocket. The immediate assumption, of course, was that his pacemaker was failing (he looked a bit hot under the lights) but it turns out it was his guitar tuner which he had left switched on! Now you can draw your own conclusions about why it was changing colour! (The audience had a few suggestions). When Ian sang Let Him Roll, there was a great cheer when he got to the line "Then He Died" as Ian doesn`t always include this verse, he just buries the guy! On stage next Mr. Gerry Cooper. Now Gerry gave me a beer mat, on which, he told me, were the titles of his first two songs, which he had written himself. Gerry, you`re gonna have to think of better titles than, "John Smiths" and "Tetleys". Oh hang on a minute, he`s written something on the other side. Ah, Breakwater Road and Hometown Blues. (Tee hee!). Good stuff Gerry. Now when I introduced John Nixon, I announced that we were all going to Rock and Rock we did! John started with a Jackson Brown song about cocaine (yes, we`ve got drugs and Rock and Roll, so two out of three`s not bad) and in the second set he had us all, not only singing along to Money (that`s what I want), but there was a lot of table drumming and the odd glass banging too! Then when he went into, I Saw Her Standing There, we were well into it with lots of "oooooooh`s"! Fantastic stuff John. Yep we were in full swing now! Next up one of our visitors all the way from Masachusetts, Sean McMahon. What a great set Sean played for us which included his own material such as You`ve Got To Be Crazy Just To Be and You Don`t Need `Em No More. In the second set he sang a Rory Gallagher song, Wheels Within Wheels and followed this with another of his own songs, The Ballad Of Mighty Jim And His Mother. What a talented young man. Well what could follow that? Well of course another talented young man from Masachusetts, Sean`s brother Griffin McMahon. Now this was another first, as we haven`t had keyboards before, (but we hope we`ll have them againg). What a way to silence the club. Griffin started with Mad World and then went into James Taylor`s Sweet Baby James. I`m sure I don`t have to explain that we were all humming along to both of those. In the second set Griffin sang a song written by himself and Sean and then finished, appropriately, with Billy Joel`s Piano Man. I have to say, the atmosphere in the room was electric. What a pair of talented young men and for those who didn`t know, Griffin is fifteen years old! My, My I think we`re maybe going to hear more of these two! Difficult to follow, but our next performer, another newcomer, did so in some style. C. J. Smith played his first song for George Bush. I think it was called Tell The Children The Score. Correct me if I`m wrong C.J. He followed this with a lovely song, called Two Rivers about the Irish and the Scots. Excellent stuff C.J. we hope we`ll see you again soon. Our final performer is one of our stalwarts, James Porter. James works late shifts and then rushes over to join us, so he doesn`t always get a full set in. But we always love to hear you James and tonight was no exception. A great way to round off what was truly a special night. It always amazes me, that every week is different and more and more new performers keep turning up! Long may it last. We`re always pleased to see new faces and as I`m sure you can gather from tonight that, all talents and all styles are welcome. Thanks to Barbara Pucknell (Ian`s Manager!) for selling raffle tickets (and what a lot you sold). Extra prizes tonight as it was so busy and I still didn`t win. My partner in crime, David, did however. (And got the brandy, lucky so and so!). Now the young lady who won the chocolates left them behind! Now was it `cos you didn`t like them, or did you just forget? Let me know as I have them in safe keeping for you. (But don`t wait too long as my will power may not last!) Thanks as usual to Carl. But especially, thanks to all of you for turning up, especially all our new faces,to entertain us all, in such fine style and also to all of you who came to watch. It really was a great, great night, with a fantastic atmosphere and lots of great music. What a great bunch of people you are. New photos are on gallery two and the videos will be on later (It`s going to be difficult choosing, as they`re all so good). We may not see you all next week, but we hope we`ll see you all again sonn. TJM   

Well a bit quieter this week (why does anybody at all turn up, on a nice sunny evening?) but we had a really warm atmosphere and as usual some really great music. Steve Hulme started the evening off for us in fine style, with Fire And Rain and went on to include all kinds of music in his sets, from Paul McCartney (including Blackbird) to a song inspired by a man he met in the Droylsden Co-op! Great start Steve - and still looking tanned!. Next up John and John! Yes John Nixon and John Daure in great form with Dylans, Just Like A Rolling Stone, followed by Jim Croce`s Bad Bad Leroy Brown. Later in the evening they played Dylan`s All Along The Watchtower. Playing solo, John Nixon gave a great rendition of Summertime (he beat you to that one Earl) and John Daure sang a couple of songs including a Paul Simon number. Excellent stuff, it really rocked! I had a go next, but we`ll gloss over that! (Mind you, I did remember the words). It was great to have Gloria back with us performing great music as usual in all kinds of styles. She started with a Mary Gochet song (no I hadn`t heard of her before, but it was a lovely song so I`m going to look her up, well you know, her website, not literally, I don`t think she`s local!) and went on to perform all manor of wonderful material, including a song (I think!) about Napoleon called The Green Linnet, a Country and Western song called the Santa Fe Trail (which we could all yodel to - check out the videos tomorrow!) and some Beatles. And of course some of her own material including Canal Street. Brilliant! Next up Earl (`s a singer). Now when Earl tells us he is singing in Croation or Slovenian, we`re never quite sure whether to believe him, but we`re going to give him the benefit of the doubt! His first song was a love song about a girl called Anka and his second was a Geordie song called Waters Of Tyne. We`re pretty sure he was singing Croation in both of them! For his last number we were expecting some Elvis, as he turned his back on us, pulled his jacket collar up and swivelled his hips! But no it was Love letters. (Bit disappointing that really Earl!) Earl is going on a tour of Slovenia with the Silsden Singers, so good luck and bring back some new songs (and a Croation dictionary, so we can check out what you are singing). Nigel "Blues Boy" Smith joined us for a short while and we managed to persuade him to sing a couple. (Actually he was reaching for his plectrum before we managed "are you going to ....."). He started with Jolene (Ray LaMontagne, not Dolly Parton - although now you mention it... no I`m joking) and followed this with that great Johnny Cash song Hurt. Good stuff Nigel. Now there was a fair bit of singing along tonight, as we were all feeling a bit relaxed and the pressure was off, so check out the videos (which wont be on untill tomorrow) and with a bit of luck we will have captured the atmosphere. A big thank you to all who took part, either watching or playing and as usual thanks to Carl (who yet again set the room up prior to my arrival), David (M.C. for the night) and Ann (raffle ticket seller supreme). See you all next week (which I think just might be a busy one!). What`s that? Oh the Police - well we were just about finished when John Nixon decided to give us one more performance and had us all singing along to So Lonely. (By The Police of course!) TJM

You will all be pleased to hear that this will be a short blog, as I`ve had a very long day and I`m tired! (Yes I know you`re not sympathetic). Needless to say it was a great night with twelve performers including yet another new player to Addingham Acoustic and a few old friends who we haven`t seen for a while. And you were all keen to point out, that I have now definitely got the lights pointing in the right direction! (I think all your moaning was the clue!). It`s an advantage really, as you can`t see the audience, so no need to be nervous. (I won`t tell you what Brian Wylie said when I announced that I had one pointing left, one right and one either side). In fact Brian Wylie got the evening under way, together with Mike Craig and performed, including others, Red Haired Mary (he tried to catch me out by telling me it was Red Haired Mabel). Later he performed The Funeral Song. (We had two funerals tonight - cheery eh!). Next up Tony Sakkos and his accordian. Tony played a lovely tune called the Red Rose Cafe. (From which film - answers on a posrcard please). Now at this point, Dave Speight announced that he was responsible for the seating layout and described himself as a "seating engineer". Brian Wylie enquired if this was another term for a bum? You can see we were having trouble with him tonight! Next up a new regular, Phil Townend singing a couple of his own songs, Healer and Honest man (why can`t you all pick short titles?). Great stuff Phil. Good to see you again. Next, back with us again after a break, Len Harvey, who sang a beautiful song called, The Love Of Lovin You, which he dedicated to his partner Carolyn (sitting in the audience). What a lovely gesture and what a way to silence a room. Don`t leave it too long before you come back again Len. Steve Hulme next, looking tanned from his holiday in Greece. Now there was a point, when we thought he was going to drop his trousers, to show us his sunburn, but shouts of WHOOOO!!!! stopped him! Steve sang some great numbers (including Here Comes The Sun) but in particular, a lovely song about things his mother used to say. A bit special that one. Ian Pucknell under the lights next. Now in the second set, poor Ian got a lot of stick. When he got to the part in Let Him Roll where "he died" there were cheers, as last time, Ian missed this bit out and went straight to the funeral! And as for Brian Wylies question, as to whether Ian was wearing a prison shirt! I told you we were having trouble with him tonight! (You can check out Ian`s shirt when I put the videos on). Next up, someone new to Addingham Acoustic, John Daure (see gallery two).  John sang a great version of Walking In Memphis. Come back soon. And then Mr. Dave Speight. Now Dave played two songs tonight which I had recently requested. Hobo`s Lullaby and that truly great Tom Waits song, Tom Traubert`s Blues. Thank you Dave, that was a bit special. Now I predicted that we would all be singing along with James Porter  -  and  - yes we were all singing along to, All Right Now. In the second set, James announced that he was going to sing one of "Tim Mornin`s" songs. Had me a bit puzzled that, but in fact he was going to sing a song that I sometimes sing - I Don`t Wanna Talk About It. Now the only difference was, that you all sang along with James! (Why is that?). Next up, another great performer who has become a regular, John Nixon. John always plays some great rock music and tonight was no exception. Not many people perform Hey Joe with only an acoustic guitar. Really great. And Brown Eyed Girl, with Brian Wylie accompanying on mandolin, well, what can I sat, fantastic! Now I nearly dropped a clanger tonight, as Mike Craig was patiently waiting to play and I got things a little out of order! But I was just letting you get used to the lights Mike! Now there was some suggestion, that on occasion, I get song titles wrong (alright then, I often get them wrong, but then you don`t all speak clearly!!). But I do know that Mike`s first song was 1952 Vincent Black Lightening. Now I have to say that Mike showed what a gentleman he is tonight, as when he was first out in the raffle, he chose the chocolates, to take home to his wife Andee and left the wine for the runner up. What a star! (Well he would have been, if I had had got second prize). Finally, another of our good friends who we haven`t seen for a while, Chris Dinsdale. Chris sang one of my favourites, Kathy`s Song and finished with Leonard Cohen`s, First We Take Manhatten. (You see Brian, I didn`t write "A Man With A Hat On!). Goodness, the stick I take from you lot!. Another great night, with everything from Blues to Rock and Roll and (I`ll say it again) a very appreciative audience. Thanks to Ann, this week`s raffle ticket seller and a special thanks to Carl, who had set the room up completely by the time I got there (and I was early!). Special thanks to Dave, our new seating engineer and of course, thanks to all of you for turning up (I was sure it was going to be quiet this week). Videos won`t be on till tomorrow (I do have to earn a living!) but they are well worth waiting for. See you all next week. (What do you mean it isn`t a short blog, you have no idea what I have had to leave out!). TJM  

Now I did warn you to get there early as it was going to be busy this week, didn`t I! I think Rob Watkins summed it up "Ten minutes late and you can`t get a seat"! Yes we had thirteen musicians performing for us tonight (including one player new to Addingham Acoustic - no surprise there!) and a club full of people who had come to watch and listen. We`re well esconced in our new home now and it was great to see all the familiar faces. We will have our first multi guitar rack next week and we are looking at re-arranging the seating, so that we can get more people in. It was a great atmosphere and the first performer was eagerly awaited. Phil Townend (see gallery two) got the evening under way. This was the first time Phil had performed at Addingham Acoustic, although he has been on our mailing list for some time. All Phil`s material was written by himself and very good it was too, including songs called, Pieces, Ships, Suffocating and Hanging On, ( a world premier). I can remeber short titles!. What a good start. Next up Brian & Kath Wylie. Now there was some discussion between them as to what they were going to play. Brian, listen up, just learn to do as you`re told! (He did in the end). It was a great Tanita Tikaram song, Good Tradition. Brian was then joined by Mike Craig for an instrumerntal. (I noticed at this point, that Carl our barman was providing waiter service to some of our audience - posh eh!). Brian played solo in the second set and has us all singing along to that song that goes OOH! AAH! No I don`t know what it`s called (but I bet I`m about to find out!). Mike and Andee Craig were up next. Oh isn`t that harp wonderful (and your guitar pl;aying, of course Mike). Now they played several instrumentals, but the one I remeber best was "Glass Of Beer" - I wonder why that is? In the second set they both played solo. What a talented pair. Yours truly next. I was feeling confident tonight, oh well, moving on! I did manage to sing a song I had written myself in the second set, so at least I managed something. Mr. Dave Speight next and his wonderful resonator guitar. Now Dave had been upset by a recent visit to the "modern" (he misses the old chemist) pharmacist (not like the "old days"). But despite a request from Nigel "Blues Boy" Smith, we never got to find out what his ailment is. Speculation is rife! Dave sang some great blues including,  Going Down To The River, written by someone called Mississippi (I`m sure I`ve written down "mud pie" but that can`t be right can it?). Think I`m in trouble now! He finished with a great Robert Johnson number. Sue Logan and Tony McNiff next (here with us for the second time). They started with a cheerful Leonard Cohen song (honest!) followed by a John Prine number. In the second set Sue sang a Scottish song and lovely it was too (Tony was on harmonica by then). Next in line Gloria, doing a great version of 1952 Vincent Black Lightening and a wonderful instrumental of Scottish tunes (written for bag pipes). The club was absolutely silent! In the second set she gave a wondeful performance of Hallelujah (with us all singing along) and the Beatle`s I`ve Just Seen A Face. Fantastic! Next Mr. John Nixon with a Jackson Brown number. He was going to do a duet with Brian Wylie, but Brian had gone for a wee (no secrets here!) - timing eh! In the second set, he sang one of my favourites Handbags And Gladrags and finished (finally joined by Brian Wylie) with a lively Paint It Black (What a great version of this song on mandolin and guitar). Now I am going to take a short break and complete this in a little while (A blog in installments - something new every week!). Back again! Next on stage, James Porter. Now we always know, that when James gets himself under the lights (more about that later!) we will be singing along. And of course we were. Firstly to Elvis`s I`m All Shook Up and then Carole King`s Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. (When I told people they could join in with mine, James, they didn`t bother - rotten lot!) Finally, after being very patient, Rob Watkins with some great music. He started with a Neil Young song and followed this with a Hal Ketchum song, Miss My Mary. He finished with Take Me Down Little Suzy. What a great end to an excellent night. A special thank you to Carl our host. He not only looked after our drinks all night, but he helped me set the room up and take it down. Also Sue, our raffle ticket seller, (even more money this week Sue - well done). Barbara for sorting out the pies at the interval and of course David for being M.C. Videos will be on shortly, when I`ve edited them. Now I will be putting the brightest ones on, which limits choice, as despite my efforts to point the lights in the right direction, you were all doing your best to avoid them (like bombers avoiding the searchlights - get it? oh well, never mind). I will do my best. At least ypu`re not all green this week. I will probably change them at the weekend, to give everyone their brief moment of fame! Thanks to all of you for coming and joining in, or watching. I have had lots of compliments, on your behalf, for the quality of entertainment you provide and I have been asked to tell you all, how appreciative are new hosts are, to have us play in their venue. And from me, I would just like to say what a pleasure it is to organise an evening for such a great (and talented) group of people. We have a couple of special events coming up, so watch this space. See you all next week. Nearly forgot to mention (well I did first time round) the first photographs will be going up on the club walls this week! TJM    

Following on from Tuesday`s blog, I can now confirm that Addingham Acoustic open mic night, has moved venue and will now take place at Addingham Social Club (Opposite the Fleece) every Tuesday. Those of you who joined us there recently for a couple of Tuesdays will know that we are made very welcome and that we can be assured of a very receptive audience (There has even been the odd free drink!). You will also be aware, that it is the people who participate and who watch, who make this night a success. Format will be as per all previous Addingham Acoustic nights, i.e. two songs per performer/group followed by an interval (during which snacks will be served) and then two more songs each again. We will of course be setting up the performance area as per usual with curtain and spotlights, (although the curtain may not be up this week) Also, as per usual, there will be a raffle at half time. It is very important that we have a good turnout, for the first few weeks, so please try and be there to support this move and to ensure that Addingham Acoustic continues in to the future.If anyone has any quries please get in touch. You do not need to be a member to come along. We will be signed in as a group. I look forward to seeing lots of you there next Tuesday! TJM

Yes, we`re curtained, logo`d and spotlighted at our new home, Addingham Social Club! Thanks to Carl and Vanessa for all their help in getting the room ready for us and to everybody at the club for giving us such a warm reception and making us feel welcome. It wasn`t our busiest night, half term never is, but I would like to thank all those people who telephoned, emailed and texted me to say they couldn`t make it on this first night in our new venue. We even had a text from Greece! Cool eh? (No I don`t mean Greece is cool - hopefully its hot, but you know what I mean!). Thanks for that Steve. (See you even get a mention when you`re not here). We had a good audience who were very receptive to our efforts and went out of their way to thank us at the end of the evening. Much appreciated. Mike Craig got the evening under way with, Maid In Her Fathers Garden, followed by his wonderful rendition of 1952 Vincent Black Lightening. In the second set he gave us Crooked Jack (I worked that title out all on my own!) and The Blackest Crow, finishing with Pancho And Lefty. Great stuff Mike. I had to have a go next, as we were quiet and started with Dylan`s Tomorrow Is A Long Time, followed by Don McClean`s Crossroads. In the second set I Struggled through Mama You`ve Been On My Mind, followed by Don`t Think Twice and finished with Rod Stewart`s I Don`t Wanna Talk About It. Next under the lights (and I definitely had them pointing in the right direction tonight!) was Ian Pucknell (a definite favourite with the Club audience - he was cheered on to the stage!). Ian was struggling with a cold, but did us proud with All The Diamonds In The World and then I`ve Got A Couple More Years On You Baby. In the second set he sang Lady Take Your Time and then one of our favourites, Steve Earle`s Goodbye. He finished his set with Lullaby. Well done Ian. It was good of you to turn up when you felt so rotten. Now the benefit of a quiet night, is that when we get someone like the great Mr. Dave Speight turn up, we can indulge ourselves and let him entertain us with a longer set. And entertain us he did! He started with a Bobby Charles song, Tennessee Blues and followed this with Blues Stay Away From Me. He then gave us Milk Cow Blues (although no mention of cows!) followed by another blues number during which he retuned his guitar whilst playing and singing - clever stuff eh! We persuade him to do an extra set and he obliged, getting us all singing along with See Ya Later Aligator (another Bobby Charles song) Save The Last Dance For Me (my request) and finishing in fine style with Every Time We Say Goodbye. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful stuff Dave. Thank you. Well as I say, not the busiest night, but all those who took part and those who watched, really enjoyed it. We had a lot of people in the audience, who are new to our performance evening and they were very generous in their praise for our efforts. Thank you all very much. We had a raffle at the interval, thanks to Carl for donating the main prize (more money into our charity coffers). In fact we took more money in the raffle tonight, than we have taken for a long time! We didn`t have any snacks this week, as Barbara is still poorly, but next week we will feed you all at the interval. Next week is going to be a busy week (believe me it is!) so get there early to get your seat. I will be putting videos from last night, on site a little later today, (only three, as being the cameraman I can avoid it!) so check these out. Thanks again to all, for a very pleasant night. TJM

Now I know this is later than usual, but I had to get up at 6 o`clock and go and earn a living. (Yes, I could have got up at 5 o`clock and written the blog!). We have new spotlights! (at great expense) and within, probably, only a few weeks, I may get them pointing in the right direction! Still, for those of you (and there were a lot) who managed to bath yourselves under the glow of, orange, purple, green (well it`s all they had) and blue, you may be visible on the video clips - oooooh! We`ve come to expect a good turn out nowadays, but we haven`t had six (yes I said six) new players in one night for some time. Plus of course a lot of our regulars, so it was another great night with a wide variety of music and lots of original material. The evening got under way with one of our newcomers, Ian McGilty. Ian professed to being a bit nervous, but he needn`t have been. He gave excellent perfomances of Four Strong Winds and Where Have All The Flowers Gone. Great start Ian. Next up two more newcomers, Ruth and Gary Wells, (who had travelled up all the way from South Yorkshire, to be with us). Now I`m not going to mention all the song titles tonight, but Ruth and Gary gave a great rendition of Time After Time and in the second set were joined by Tony Dargan and Brian Wylie to perform Catching The Dream. Fantastic! Next another  newcomer, Tony Dargan (yes I know, they`re like buses, they all come along at once!). Now you see Tony, I`ve managed to spell your name correctly (after checking on Ruth`s email and then correcting it!). Tony had also travelled a long way to be with us. He sang a great song written by a Doncaster musician, Alan Wilkinson, called Breakfast On Bourbon and joined Ruth and Tony to perform in the second set. Yep were well on the way to a good night by now. John Nixon was next up (his first time playing here solo). He started with a Paul Weller song and was then seen to be leaving at half time. But we weren`t having any of that. We don`t let good musicians go if we can help it, so he stayed and sang a couple of great numbers in the second set. Next up two more newcomers! Sue Logan and Tony McNiff, (I`m sorry for marrying you off in my introduction, but that`s standard practice here - if in doubt, cock it up!). They started with a Mark Knopfler song, Sands Of Nevada and went on to sing a couple of songs by The great John Prine, including All The Best. Wonderful stuff. Then under the (slightly dim) glow of the lights, Brain and Kath Wylie, who were joined by Gary and Ruth to play a very lively number called Gypsy Dance. We were all stomping to that one. Check out the videos (which may not be on until tomorrow `cos I`m very tired) later for that one. In the second set Brian had us all singing along (in fact it was a bit of a night for joining in) and whistling too, to Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life. (Yes not always easy, unless you`re with a great bunch of people, like the ones we had here tonight). Very popular that one Brian! Next up someone who is becoming a regular, Tom Clegg. Tom was on form tonight and had the whole pub joining in to Hallelujah. That`s another video not to miss. (See - I`m giving you all something to look forward to). In the second set, Tom sang a song he`d written himself , called Pepper Stars. Great song Tom, well done. Then a great performer, who we haven`t seen for a week or two, Mr. Gerry Cooper. Gerry started with a song he`d written himself (I should mention thet we have a lot of world premiers here at Addingham Acoustic - we should record an album!) called Already Gone. Wonderful song Gerry. In the second set, he dedicated the final song of the evening to his two year old Grandson, (he didn`t tell us his name though - so he doesn`t get a mention, five out of ten Gerry!). The song was called (and probably still is) When Did You Leave Heaven. Isn`t that a lovely gesture. Next on the stage a younger performer, who first played here last week, Billy Groom. (Sorry for knocking your plectrum on to the floor Billy, but at least it was found - no he wasn`t holding it at the time!). Billy sang a couple of White Stripes songs and also a lovely Nick Drake song called River Man. Good stuff Billy, Keep coming along. Next another of our younger performers, Graham Parker, who started with a "happy" song he`d written himself. (What a talented bunch you are). In the second set, he sang a Neil Young song and finished with us all joining in, to Big Yellow Taxi. Excellent. Our final performer was Sue Strange, who sang just one song for us (clever that you see, keeps us wanting more!). This was another song that Sue had written herself called, Lullaby In Budapest. What can I say. Another great song, well performed. (Not only that, Sue is a talented artist and a great raffle ticket seller too!). Another really great night at Addingham Acoustic, thanks to the presence of all you wonderful talented people. I`ve lost track of how much original material there was. We`ll have to have another songwriting competition soon! Thanks again to all who turned up to play and to watch. Check out Gallery Two to see all our new performers. (You can look at some of the old ones as well if you want). Videos will be updated tomorrow at the latest. Now please keep an eye on the website, as we are planning to move Addingham Acoustic to the Addingham Social Club, probably next week. As you will know, they made us very welcome during our brief visit there, when the Swan was closed and they are very keen to get us back. They are happy to let us set the room up with our curtain and logo and to provide lights, so we can maintain our ambience and you may remember, there are free drinks for performers.They will also let us store our equipment at the club (Much easier for me!). Those of you who attended the last session there, will remember a very good night indeed and a very appreciative audience. I will confirm, one way or the other, before next Tuesday. See you all then. TJM

Well this is real dedication isn`t it! Cancelling our holiday in Majorca, so that I could be here to do the blog! Slight exageration of course. Unfortrunately, Barbara is really, really poorly with bronchitis so we had to cancel our trip. No hardship to me, I would rather be in sunny Yorkshire! It did mean, however, that I could only stay for the first half, as I needed to get home to look after her. So it`s a shortened blog. (Yes, thank goodness, I can hear you all saying). Firstly, thank you to Ian and Nikki. They have got hooks back up in the ceiling, in order that we can hang our curtain and logo. They have also bought some very smart candle holders for the tables, to create our ambience. We are definitely moving up market now. By next week (all being well!) we will have new spotlights, thanks to the offices of Dave Rishworth. And very smart lights they will be, so we will all be able to get a good look at all you wonderful performers! Anyway, on to the evenings events. Now it is always nice to see the room full of people when I arrive on a Tuesday, but I think it`s a bit much when even I can`t get a seat! Yes the nice weather brought you all out to perform and what a great bunch of performers we had. Mike and Andee Craig got the evening under way for us, in fine style. Now I have to mention, that we had a very special guest with us this evening, as Andee`s mother was visiting all the way from Florida (and she brought the sunshine with her!). It was lovely to have you with us and we all hope that you enjoyed the evening and that we all gave you a good Yorkshire welcome! Mike and Andee dedicated their first tune to Mum. It was called Hectors Hero and is about a Scottish fiddle player. Now David dug himself in to a hole next, by announcing that we were now going to have two real gyuitar players! (I think you`re pretty good Mike!) We all know what you meant David, but as someone pointed out, when you tried to explain yourself, when you`re in a hole stop digging! Anyway, The Guitarbillies, (Al Bampton and Sarah Ward) gave a wonderful performance of Dirty Old Town and then an instrumental called (I think) Jessica. Now put us out of our misery. We all know it was the theme tune to a T.V. show, but which one??? Now another fine musician took to the stage, Mr/ Brian Wylie. Having had Dirty Old Town, Brian sang Dirty Little Town for us. He followed this with a really lovely Irish song, which I suspect is a soldiers song (probably from the First World War) and may be called The Road To God Knows Where. (I stand to be corrected). Next up Steve Hulme. Now This was a bit of a long introduction Steve! I`d taken two videos, before I realised he hadn`t even started! I`d got Scarborough Fair and Dylan`s Girl From The North Country before he started singing The Girl From Cottingley! But it was a lovely song and well worth the wait. Next up Steve warned us that his next piece, a monologue from the Baxendale Chronicles,, may offend. When it started with bottom burps, I thought not too bad. However when it moved on to a youngster, eating an animals eye in a butchers - well, what can I say (The gurgling from the beer pump running dry didn`t help!)! Moving on! Next up, Tom Clegg performing a Joni Mitchell song followed by a song by Fionn Reagon. We then had a newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Billy (we think you said Groom?). Now Billy, I have to apologise as I should have taken a photo of you, as a newcomer, to post on the gallery, but my mind was elsewhere. I`ll snap you next time. Billy sang us two great numbers. One from the Eels, (see we`re really up to date here) and a second from Pink Floyd. That may be the first Pink Floyd we`ve had Billy, so well done! Next up Rob Watkins and Caroline. (That`s Caroline David, not Carolyn, you were difinitely having a bad night!). They sang a great version of Love Hurts. (A song written by Boudleaux Bryant and first recorded by The Everly Brothers - hows that for a music fact!) and followed this with a really lovely song by Dolly Parton called (I think!) Do I Ever Cross Your Mind. Lovely stuff guys. Finally, to round off the first half, the one and only Deborah Masterson performed two great songs for us. Till There Was You, by Lennon and McCartney and then She`s Always A Woman. What a fine way to finish. Thanks to to Sue for doing a fine job of selling raffle tickets at the interval. You lovely ladies always manage to get far more money out of the boys than I do! To any of you who played in the second half and therefore didn`t get a mention, my apologies. That may apply to you Earl, but I will mention you and say how smart you looked (along with Brian Wylie) in your Addingham Acoustic tee shirt! (Very few left now!) And while I think about it, where are all the pics of you wearing your tee shirts for the tee shirt gallery? Aren`t you glad I had to go at half time and only write this short blog! (Do NOT answer that!). Thanks to all of you for turning up and Barbara sends her thanks for all the best wishes. Videos will be on later, but will be poor quality due to the lack of spotlights. But next week all will be revealed (under the new lights). TJM 

Just to let you all know. Yesterday morning, I presented the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital a cheque for £733.00 on behalf of Addingham Acoustic. They asked me to pass on their gratitude to you all for your contributions. When the cheque has been processed, they will send me a formal receipt. (This could take a couple of weeks). When I receive this , I will post it on the website. Once again, a big thank you to all of you. TJM

Yes it`s great to be back home in the Swan. Things are not quite back to normal at the moment, as following the re decoration, we are waiting to get our curtain hooks and our spotlights back up. (Hence no videos this week - no lights!). Hopefully by next week all will be as was. One thing that has changed is the toilets. I wondered why all the men were coming out of the gents with a smile on their faces, until I went myself and saw the changes! And you were obviously keen to get back too, as there were a lot of you, including four (yes four!) new performers. The first person to take the stage was in fact a "first timer" at Addingham Acoustic, Mike Lydiat (see gallery two) and what a fine performer he is. Mike played two instrumentals in the first set and two in the second, including Si Bheag Si Mhor (now Brian Wylie wrote that down for me, so if it`s wrong blame him! - yes it was wrong, so I`ve amended it!), Princess Royal and Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow. Next up two more new performers, Jeannie Hay and Tony Brown, (See gallery two). I`m sorry for calling you Tom later Tony, rest assured, you`re not the first!. Jeannie, what a great voice you have and Tony (nearly wrote Tom then!) that haunting harmonica. Their playlist included Jeannies own material including, It`s Not Me and Sea Song. Excellent, we hope to see you again soon. Third up was our very own Steve Hulme (we were a bit worried you`d go to the Social Club Steve, so we were relieved to see you!). Now I`m puzzled as to why Steve kept looking at me while he was singing his first song - it was about bald men apparantly. Any ideas? Part way through his second song, his capo fell off, on to the floor (and being a wooden floor, it was a bit noisy), at which point he stopped, replaced it and carried on. Now I suggested to Steve, that I thought he was just being clever and knocking his capo off to change key. This was a bit spooky for reasons that will become clear later. Thanks Steve, you are a great performer and good fun too. Now where was I? ah yes, one of our younger singers (and we had a few tonight) Tom Clegg. Tom performed a great version of Paul Simons Gracelands for us and showed his versatility (bit risky for me, words like that, but after three attempts, I think I`ve got it right - no doubt you`ll tell me if I haven`t) playing his mandolin during his first set. Next up two more of our favourites, (You`re all our favourites really!) Mike and Andee Craig. Now this is where it gets spooky! During their first piece, The Musical Priest/The Gravel Walks, they changed key, with Andee dropping levers on her harp and Mike (are you ready for this?) knocking his capo off!!!!! How spooky is that??? They then played a couple of jigs and in the second set played individually. Mike performed songs including, Maid In Her Fathers Garden and Andee`s set included a tune by Cornelius Ryan (close?) called Miss Hamilton. Lovely, lovely music. Thank you both. Mr. Brian Wylie was up next and started with a lovely song called Easter Snow, about an Irish Piper. (This was after explaining to Steve Hulme that he wasn`t bald - he was just too tall for his hair) He then sang that lovely song Wild Horses. In the second set, (when he was joined by Mike Craig) he performed on another instrument we haven`t seen him play before (goodness knows how many it is now) the banjo. How long does it take to tune a banjo? - nobody knows! - Brians joke, not mine (unless you think it`s funny in which case it`s mine!). Thanks Brian. And then another new performer to Addingham Acoustic, Graham Parker. Graham explained that, his Grandad had told him he used to go to the pub to listen to acoustic music and his Dad told him , that he also used to go to the pub to listen to acoustic music, so he thought he should keep up the tradition. Well we are very pleased that you did Graham, because your version of Big Yellow Taxi had us all singing along and the song you wrote yourself, Searching For Superman, was a really great song and very well performed. I think we are going to need to hold another song writing competition soon! Don`t leave it too long before you come back to play for us. Luke Thomas, was next under the spotlight. Now Luke told us that, he had first heard the song he was going to perform, earlier that day. It was Radio Head`s Gagging Order and he performed it brilliantly. How did you learn that in a day Luke? Well done! He sang another Radio Head song in the second set. James Porter was next tp perform, so of course we knew we would be singing along. We weren`t disappointed! He had us all singing along to My Girl. His set also included songs from, Cat Stevens, Damien Rice and Donovan. Versatile or what! Our final performer ended the first set for us in some style. She didn`t come prepared to sing, but we managed to persuade her. Deborah Masterson sang for us, that lovely Irish song, She Moves Through The Fair. Truly, truly lovely Deborah - thank you. What an amazing group of musicians you are. I am always astounded at the quality of performances that take place, every Tuesday, at Addingham Acoustic and tonight was no exception. It was great to see, yet again, so many wonderful performers and especially so many young (and very talented) performers. We hope we will see all of you again soon. Sorry there was no raffle. It was all a bit of a rush on arriving back from Germany and I forgot to bring the tickets and prizes. (Apart from that, I had everything I needed). I would like to thank Ian and Nikki (the new landlord/landlady) for allowing us to continue playing in the Swan. It is our spiritual home after all. Finally, just a quick note to thank you all, for your lovely emails, comments and phone calls this week following the concert, offering your support. I cannot express how much I appreciate this and I will, thanks to all your support, carry on organising these events, to raise money to help those less fortunate. You are a great bunch of people and it is a true pleasure, to run Addingham Acoustic on your behalf. See you all again next week. TJM p.s. I will let you know when I have presented the cheque to the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital later this week.

Yes that`s how much you kind people donated, by way of entry tickets, raffle and auction bids, £732.86 to be precise. Once again I am amazed at the generosity of those who support our events. Our target for the evening was £500 and so, as has happened before, you helped us surpass  this figure. Yet again we had a full audience and what a great audience you were. It was great to have Helmuth with us from Aachen, in Germany, an avid supporter of Addingham Acoustic and also our friends from Cambridge, Dominique and Joanne, (Domiques French, so it was an international audience really! And before you say it, yes I know you are from America Carolyn, so truly international!). It`s always nice for the performers to perform to a room that is full and appreciative. And what a great bunch of performers they are! As I stated last night all the artistes donate their services free of charge. Not only that, they also all donate additional raffle prizes and money towards the fund. A bit of a special bunch eh? We have a lot of requests from musicians to play in our concerts, but the only ones who are invited, are those who wish to play in order to raise funds for the charity. Gloria got the evening under way and what a fantastic start it was. Gloria you are a very talented and very entertaining performer. And what a fantastic set, with music from Motown to The Rolling Stones. Absolutely brilliant! It was a hard act to follow, but we had the people to do it. Mr. Dave Speight and Mr. Johnny Hardcastle. I just don`t know how to describe how good they are. They just blend together and make it look effortless. Blues, Dylan and all genres in between. And to finish with Romeo and Juliet Dave - you know it`s my favourite, so thank you. Richard and Lesley Quayle were next to perform and we were, of course, all waiting for the spoons! We weren`t disappointed, Lesley gave us what we wanted. It was a superb set of varied musical styles and much appreciated by all of us. Thanks Richard and Lesley. We then had something a bit special. Those of you who regularly attend Addingham Acoustic (on Tuesday nights, in the Swan, Main St. Addingham) will know that we recently held a songwriting competition. Part of the prize was to perform the winning song at this event. The song which won, did so by a country mile (and believe me we had some superb entries, because we have a talented bunch of people). It is called Coat Of Love and was written by Sue Strange. Sue gave us a stunning performance of the song tonight and it really is a beautiful song. Now what I didn`t tell you until after her performance, was that Sue had only ever performed in public, three times before. And those three times were just a few weeks ago in the Swan! Sue I have to tell you that, several people asked if they could buy copies of you singing your song! I think you are going to have to record it and put it up for sale! A liitle bit of magic eh! We then had an interval during which we had a mini auction. Unfortunately our celebrity auctioneer (from Flog It and Bargain Hunt) couldn`t be with us tonight, due to unforseen circumstances. (His wife booked him a weekend away, lucky chap). Ian Pucknell offered to jump in to the deep end and help us out and did a very good job, in helping us to raise an additional £100. Well done Ian. (I don`t think he`ll be doing it again though - it`s not as easy as it looks!). After the interval things really livened up. Last Orders took to the stage and we really started to Rock and Roll. They really are a superb band, playing for us for an hour and a half. Everything form the Rolling Stones and The Beatles to Van Morrison and everything in between. The dance floor was full and everyone was having a great time. If I remember correctly, they played three encores! (and would still be playing now if the audience had it`s way). It was a great way to finish off what had been a really special evening. I can tell all the performers, that the compliments I received on your behalves, were profuse. You are a special bunch of people with your hearts in the right places. Of course we have some people to thank. Naturally, all the performers who give their time, talent and energy, freely without constraint. Also Last Orders, for providing the P.A. system and managing it for us. The sound was superb. Our hosts, Brackyn Ghyll Golf Club, who looked after us all in fine style. What an excellent bar staff they have. Thank you to all those who gave raffle and auction prizes. You are all listed on the concert page. A lot of you will know that, Addingham Acoustic would not function without David and Anne Brimacombe. As per usual, they were giving their all last night. Thank you to you both. (And no I haven`t taken my pink jacket back to Oxfam yet David!). And lastly (unless I have forgotten someone on the way!) all of you wonderful people who came to watch and to donate money. There were one or two poignant moments during the evening, which made me fully realise, that what we are doing is worthwhile. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Pictures of the evening are on gallery two now. Videos may be on later today, if not they will be on later in the week, as I have to fly off to Germany early in the morning, for a couple of days. Picture quality is not great due to the limitations of my small camera, but they will give a flavour of the event. For those Addingham Acoustic fans who come to play, we will be back at the Swan on Tuesday. We are having to re install curtains and lights etc. so it won`t quite be back to normal, but we`ll get there. TJM

It seems that I am not going to get any peace, until I tell you all about what happened on Tuesday! (When am I supposed to get a rest?). As expected the Social Club made us all welcome again (and there were a lot of us) and yet again, free drinks were on tap to all performers and partners. And yet again raffle prizes were donated from behind the bar. What more could we ask for! (That`s a rhetorical question - I do not want any suggestions! - and I`ve checked the spelling of "rhetorical" in the dictionary). We had two new performers this week in the guise of The Guitar Billies (Al Bampton & Sarah Ward) and they got the evening under way in fine fashion with an instrumental called Jessica (familiar to all of us) and then Bob Marley`s Stir It Up. In the second set they played an Irish/Scottish instrumental. Now I have to say that after their first tune, they said there peices were quite long and was it O.K. to do two. Isn`t that a really nice gesture. Of course it was O.K., as they were so good we wanted to hear more! In fact they were so good no one wanted to follow them! But of course we have lots of talent and Brian Wylie stepped once more unto the breech. (He did however decide to play his blarge instead of his guitar!). Now when Brian sat down, he suggested that we had given him a commode to sit on (I don`t know what one of those is Brian - is it an old persons type of thing?). There was some suggestion from the audience that it would interfere with his catheter! I can tell you, however, that  like me, Brian is in fact a "Toy Boy". (Come on leave us something to cling to!). Brian was joined by Mike Craig, playing his archtop guitar. Now Mike is hoping to sell this guitar, but I have to say that, the amount of time it took to tune it, was not a great selling point Mike! They played a couple of instrumentals including The Maisons` Apron (once requested in Ireland as "My Son`s A Prawn"). In the second set, Brian sang a song which he had written in the first set! (definitely an Addingham Acoustic first) dedicated to Ian Pucknell, entitled "Twelve Points On My License" (can anyone guess why - answers on a post card). Next up someone who had battled for a week to get to Addingham Acoustic through all weathers (from the Swan last week, which of course was closed!). Steve Hulme sang us a song which he had written as a wedding present (as he thought this was cheap - I am assuming you are a Yorkshireman Steve?) followed by a love song and in the second set, Eggles Song. Pleased you made it the extra eight hundred yards this week Steve! Next up someone who I was able to introduce as a wandering minstrel, (`cos he certainly can`t drive anywhere at the moment!). Ian Pucknell started with Creole Belle and followed this with a new song (soon to be one of our favourites - no Ian, I`m not suggeating that, like me, you sing the same songs week after week - you suggested that yourself!). In the second set he sang another new song. You could almost think he had time on his hands! Great stuff Ian, and you are most certainly one of our favourites. Deborah Masterson was next on stage and sang us a Jimmy McCarthy song called No Frontiers. Like Andee with her harp last week, Deborah managed to silence the room singing ACappella. She followed this with a Billy Holliday song and in the second set, a Jools Holland song. Marvellous, Deborah! (Found a new superlative there - you`ll soon get tired of it ). Mike Craig was next up singing that wonderful Johnny Cash song, I`ll Still Miss Someone. Now do I get him in to trouble, by suggesting he couldn`t remember the colour of his wife`s eyes at this point, or not? No I couldn`t do that to you Mike. He followed this with, A Maid In Her Father`s Garden and in the second set was joined by Brian Wylie to sing Moonshiner. Next under the lights, what a treat to have Helmuth with us, all the way from Aachen, Germany (and wearing, like Brian Wylie, an Addingham Acoustic tee shirt - still available at the silly price of £6.00). Helmuth (whose surname I can spell, believe it or not, but obviously can`t pronounce) was joined by Dave Speight, to sing that great Jagger and Richards song, As Tears Go By and followed this with a traditional Irish song. Now don`t worry Dave, as promised I am not going to tell anyone, that you were actually playing along to a traditional Irish song. Your secret is safe with me. In the second set, we had another first, as Helmuth (as requested by the audience) sang us a song in German. (Sadly not the song Brian wanted - Wooden Heart!). It was a song by a group from Cologne called BAP (in Yorkshire, of course they would be called "Tea Cake" - someone will explain that to you Helmuth). The song was called (if I have read your writing correctly Helmuth) "An `Ner Leitplank" which I believe translates as crashbarrier (it`s about an accident). Thanks Helmuth, wonderful stuff.  The one and only Mr Dave Speight, was next on, singing, as we have come to expect, some great blues including, I Got Rocks In My Bed (I think that`s what it was called?) In the second set, he sang a great blues version of Waltzing Matilda. Fantastic stuff Dave. How lucky we are to have such great musicians. Dot Jarvis and Ged Keenan were up next. Now at this point, Dot suggested that she didn`t drink. Ian Pucknell (rather cruelly I thought) claimed he didn`t know Dot drank, until he saw her sober! (brave, brave man - no wonder he drives so fast! oops, sorry Ian). Now, once the argument had finished, they sang a lovely song called The Ground You Walk On (someone suggested Ged`s back - are you all in the SAS or what, `cos you`re all a lot braver than I am! ) followed by, (once I had told Dot the title - I have to do everything!) I`ll Be Your Baby Tonight. In the second set, they sang two great numbers, Ride On and Wish I Was Your Mother. Excellent performance. Rounding off a truly great list of performers, Gloria started her set with Tracks Of My Tears (one of my favouties) followed by that great Stones number Jumping Jack Flash (we really do get a wide variety of music here don`t we!). In the second set, she sang a Shakespeare Sonnet set to music, (see, we`re a sophisticated lot here - innit!). What a way to finish a truly great evening, with lots of great music, fantastic company, welcoming hosts and a lot of laughs too. Thank you all, for continuing to support a great event, even when we have to move venue for a while. As I keep saying, the night would be nothing, without the support of the people who turn up. You`re a great bunch. Now do I need to remind you? (of what, I hear you saying!). It is of course. the Charity Concert in aid of the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital, on Saturday night. We are expecting to see a lot of you there and it will, of course, be a great night. Let`s hope we can raise a decent amount of money for a worthwhile cause. If you can`t come, but want to donate, let me know. As for next week, at this point I don`t know where we will be. I am going to speak to the new landlord of the Swan tonight, to find out what the situation is. But don`t worry, we will be somewhere. Check the blog for details. Well, this is a long blog, but then you asked for it (literally!). See you all on Saturday (or Tuesday). TJM P.s. Due to the lack of spotlights, the videos are not good enough to put on site.TJM

Due to my busy schedule there will be no blog this week. Suffice to say it was a good night. TJM

Yes we had a warm welcome from Addingham Social Club, for our sortie in to new territory. Free drinks for the performers (no I`m not kidding!) and a donation to the raffle prizes (to raise funds for our charity concert). And I have to say we had a really nice (and attentive) audience too! We didn`t put up our cutain or switch on spotlights, as we are only on a short secondment and it would have taken some time, but we had a really good night. Unfortunately we should have had another performer and another audience member, but one of our regulars didn`t get my email and went to the Swan! (Don`t worry Steve, I`m not going to embarass you by saying who it was - oh dear !we`ll try and get you two free drinks next week!). It wasn`t our longest list of performers but the customers of the Social Club were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the music. Richard Quayle started the evening off, but unfortunately Lesley wasn`t feeling too well, so she remained in the audience. It meant, however, that we were treated to Richard singing as well as playing, a rare pleasure indeed! He also played a couple of instrumentals including Blue Moon and Just An Old fashioned Love Song. Next up Mike and Andee Craig performed wonderfully (as we have come to expect) with a couple of instrumentals including Banks Of Clonmell and Gallagher`s Frollicks (did I get these right Mike?!). In the second set they both played solo, Mike performing two Richard Thopmson songs and Andee playing a couple of instrumentals including a tune she had not played in public before, which apparantly is difficult to play (but you made it look so easy Andee - what a Star!). Now I have to say that the audience (who were not expecting live music on a Tuesday) were really gracious to all the performers, but when Andee was playing the harp, you could have heard a pin drop, something we have not witnessed in the Social Club before. A bit special eh Andee! Now as we weren`t big in numbers I had to have a go next and sang a couple of Bob Dylan songs plus a Rod Stewart and  a Tim Hardin. Now at the end of the second one I got a touch of domino syndrome (you had to be there) and got the giggles, so apologies to all. Andee had mentioned the patterned carpet and I got a bit fixated on that too - it looked just like rows of turtles! It`s amazing what nerves will do to you! Our final performer was Ian Pucknell who always entertains (to a home crowd this time Ian). He started with Goodbye (actually you would normaly finish with Goodbye wouldn`t you?) and sang some of our favourites, including Lady Take Your Time, which we were singing along to and his love song relating to putting the toilet seat down, (why were all the ladies nodding their heads when he sang that one?). We had a raffle at the interval and raised some more cash for the baby unit (the Social Club donated an extra bottle of wine, so we had three prizes - see, you should have been there!). We are at the Social Club again next week (I`ll bet you will all be queuing to get in) as the Swan will still be closed. It will be an international event, as we have at least one performer flying in from Germany (sounds cool doesn`t it). We will expect to sell a good few tickets to the concert, as it is the last Tuesday before the event. If you can`t make it, please consider a donation, it`s a worthwhile cause. Also if you would like to donate a raffle prize please bring it with you. Photos from last night will be on gallery two shortly. Videos will be on tomorrow morning (I`ve had a long day and I need a rest). So get practicing for your chance to play to a differnet audience. It is definitely going to be busy next week, so get there early! Thanks to all who performed and watched last night, see you all next week TJM

Yes folks, I have just been told that the Swan will now be closed, for the next TWO Tuesday`s. We have therefore decided to move Addingham Acoustic to Addingham Social Club for two weeks. (The 15th and the 22nd). Addingham Social Club is opposite the Fleece and you can park on the street (or there is usually room in the memorial hall car park). We have been assured of a warm welcome, so it would be nice if we can get a good turn out, (and the drinks are very cheep!). So get those instruments tuned up and get down to the Social Club this Tuesday. You know what they say a change is as good as a rest! TJM

Do you remember Tim saying last week he didn’t think there would ever be a quiet night again? This didn’t mean he wanted one!  (Particularly as he had driven up especially from Leicester for the supposed party night to say a farewell from Addingham Acoustic to Dick and Julia.)  He had received one or two apologies but it turned out to be a surprisingly quiet night in the pub as a whole, perhaps because there was football was on TV. In the first half there were just four performers and only a few more in the audience.  As first to arrive, Sue Strange started off the evening with You Belong to Me and then as a request played Coat of Love.  Sue had just had her guitar set up by Peter Barton, which she described as “key hole surgery” as he had had to get inside the guitar.  She had already told me how much easier it was to play – how lucky we are to have him in the village.  This was followed by Dot Jarvis with Me and Bobby McGee and You Know That Was The Last Thing On My Mind.  James Porter then gave us Careless Love and a Billy Bragg song, New England.  You amaze me James with your varied repertoire.  Earl was next up clutching a record sleeve from the 70s with the words to Reynardine (about a wily fox).  I did say at the start of the evening that I was not going to include many song titles but then realised I might need to “pad out” the blog a bit.  As a novice I then didn’t know whether to guess the title was the most repeated line or ask, so apologies if I have got any incorrect. It certainly wasn’t a loaves and fishes night and even Elwood couldn’t help us get through all sandwiches and pork pie I had provided (and it could take Tim and me some time to consume 36 picnic eggs!)  It is only by the grace of God that we didn’t also have a large batch of sausage rolls. In the second half Ged Keenan and Don O’Connor arrived to increase the performers to six.  We started again with Sue performing a Neil Young song, Birds.  Earl continued his eclectic mix with a lullaby and a mining song.  Dot and Ged then performed a new song which I think was entitled Standing on the Rock, with Ged playing on a “Strange” guitar (i.e. Sue’s – David’s quip not mine), and were then joined by Don for Ride On.  James followed on with Gallagher and Lyle’s Mr SS Man and then Nights in White Satin.  Don then sang a song which he thinks is called What’s That You Say Little Girl, followed by North and South of the River.  The evening was rounded off by Ged with two excellent songs, accompanied by Dot on harmony and guitar.  We then dashed home so that Tim could get a few hours kip before heading off again back down the M1. Don’t forget the Swan is closed for refurbishment on 15^th.  Should work take any longer a message will be posted on this site but otherwise we hope to see a good turnout to welcome our new hosts Ian and Nikki. It is not long now until the concert so do please try to encourage people to attend so that we can have a really good night and raise plenty of money for the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital. Videos will be updated shortly together with a new addition to the juke box - Sue Strange`s winning competition entry. BM

Sorry this is a bit late, but the website wouldn`t let me in. I tried shouting at the computer and swearing at it and thumping it, but it just didn`t make any difference! Well, a very quiet night last night with only thirteen performers (Tee Hee)! When am I going to get a rest? (Just kidding - don`t really want one). I don`t think we`re ever going to see a quiet night again! Yet again, a great atmosphere and lots and lots of wonderful music. And of course, a couple of new solo performers. Now I`ve given the logbook to David, as he`s M.C. next week (as I may not make it) and of course it has the list of performers. But hopefully my notes will be sufficient. However, if I miss you out you`ll know why! It was great to have Gerry Cooper back with us again after several months absence (during which he was visiting exotic places! Lucky for some eh?). He started the evening for us with some blues and then in the second set he sang us a song he had written himself, (a first I think Gerry?) called Pacific Coast Highway. Excellent song Gerry. Brian and Kath Wylie were next up. with a couple of instrumentals on guitar and mandolin. In the second set Brian sang a song which he dedicated to his late mother, called Save Me A Place In Your Heart. Brian, I`m sure she was watching and she would have been as moved as we all were. Next up Deborah Masterson, who dedicated her first song, Amazing Grace, to her long time friend (who was watching in the audience) and followed this with, The Man I Love. Check out the video of Deborah later. Richard and Lesley Quayle were next under the lights with a great version of House Of The Rising Sun. However, one of the highlights of the evening, was their version of, Don`t Think Twice It`s Alright, with Lesley playing the spoons! Check out the video later! I had a go next and did Dylan`s, Tomorrow Is A Long Time, followed by A Ray LaMontagne song. In the second set I was joined by Dot Jarvis on harmonies to sing, I Don`t Wanna Talk About It. (Get a bit of glamour in you see - keeps the attention off me!). I think one or two of the audience were joining in with that one too! Mike and Andee Craig were next up and played a couple of lovely instrumentals, Atholl Highlander and (I hope I`ve got this right!) Gallaghers Frollicks. In the second set, Mike was joined by Brian Wylie and Gerry Cooper, (a first at AA, see gallery two) to perform Moonshiner and Andee played a couple of solos (one a request from Brian) including Soft Mild Morning. What a treat for us all to hear such beautiful harp playing. Next on the stage, Dot Jarvis singing  a Norah Jones song, Don`t Know Why, followed by (in the second set) Mine Rescue Man (which was a request). Now when Dot asked someone to get her capo out of her cardigan pocket, there was some suggestion that she had very deep pockets and that this was something to do with her being Scottish! My, My, we have some brave men in our audience! Next up, another first for Addingham Acoustic, Jon Palmer playing solo. Jon writes a lot of his own material and sang some of his own songs tonight including, In Dreams and Another Friday Night In A Northern Town. Jon then sang Werewolves Of London and we all joined in the "waaaoooooo`s". Great stuff! Next up another first at Addingham Acoustic, Nigel Jamieson playing solo. (See gallery two). Nigel sang a John Macefield peom, put to music and followed this with, Tall Cotton. Last, but by no means least, Rob Watkins rounded off the evening for us with, How Will I Ever Be Simple Again (by Richard Thompson) and that lovely Steve Earle song, Goodbye. What a great way to finish another great night of entertainment. (I`m not going to mention some of the false starts, that some of our performers suffered from tonight, (seemed to be catching) but I may put some "out take" videos on the site sometime!). Thanks to all of you, once again. Just a reminder that the concert is only three weeks away, so get your tickets now. We could do with more raffle/auction prizes if any of you are feeling generous. (Thanks Gerry and Brian, for your contributions last night). Also next week is party night, as it is Dick and Julia`s last Tuesday at The Swan, so lets give them a great Addingham Acoustic send off, as a thank you, for providing us with a venue to perform our music. Get there early and we`ll start early! There will be food of course and a raffle. The following Tuesday, The Swan will be closed, as Ian and Nikki want to do a bit of work inside. However we are working on a contingency plan! Addingham Acoustic may move, for one week only, and then we`ll be back at The Swan on the 22nd April. Watch this space! Videos may not be updated until tomorrow, due to the problems I`ve had accessing the site today. (But check back later, just in case!). Also, check out the juke box, as some great new tracks have been added and more will be added in the next few days.TJM   

I have finaly got around to updating the juke box, with tracks from Jo-Ann Lawton (Sirens), Deborah Masterson, Don O`Connor, John Jenner, Chris Dinsdale and Steve Hulme (his songwriting competition entry!). In a day or two I will have added tracks by Waterland also. Check it out as there is some great music on there from some of our performers. TJM  

As you will all know by now, the Tuesday after a bank holiday is always quiet. So we only had twenty performers turn up tonight, (including some new people of course) together with at least as many who wanted to watch! We are going to have to extend The Swan! David was getting a complex, that it wasn`t as busy on the nights he was M.C. I think we can safely say, that we`ve put that one to bed David! What a fantastic night and what a room full of talented people. I wont list all the songs etc. as there were too many, so I`ll try and pick out the highlights. The night kicked off with a newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Chris Patrick, (see gallery two) singing his own material including, So Far In Front and If Sexy Isn`t. Now I should say at this point that as I wrote most things down last night, without my glasses on, I may get some titles wrong, as I can`t read my writing! (For example that first one looks like Sofa In Front - see how bad this could be?). Mike and Andee Craig were next up and played two lovely instrumentals. In the second set Mike played and sang, Pancho and Lefty and Andee played a beautiful hornpipe. Aren`t we so lucky to turn up in a pub midweek and listen to such wonderful music. The talented Brian Wylie followed on with a lovely song about World War One, called John Condon (now just to let you know how bad this could be, I couldn`t understand why Brian would sing a song about a "Job In London"  - next week I`ll wear my glasses). He followed this with Early Morning Rain. Two of our local regulars were up next. Chris Thompson and Ian Taylor haven`t played for a while, (see gallery two) but came back tonight with some rousing stuff including, May You Never. Big River and a lively version of Sweet Home Alabama, with audience participation of course! Next up a couple of our younger performers (see we`re not all old fogies!) Dan Grant and Tom Clegg singing a number by Beirut followed by an Adam Green song. They were followed by more youth in the guise of Tom, Emma Starling, Maria Corless and Luke Thomas (see gallery two) on a variety of instruments including saxaphone and clarinet and performing some great numbers by Beirut including Cherbourg and later a Fionn Reagon song. Great stuff guys. Then some one who, I am pleased to say, is becoming a regular, John Paul with  his great version of Emily, followed by a U2 song which John Paul sang as a tribute to a sadly lost friend. It was very moving and beautifully performed. You could have heard a pin drop. Another of our regulars was under the spotlight next. Steve Hulme with yet more material we haven`t heard before including, Big Boys Jobs and Eggles song. (And if I could read what came after "Molly Visits", I`d list another one!). You never disappoint Steve! Next on the playlist, our very own Mr. John Jenner, back after recovering from the trauma of losing his Capo and Tuner and sporting new shiny versions of both (although if I were you John  I`d check my guitar case this morning, as I have in my possession a very nice new looking tuner, that someone left behind last night!). John sang one of his his own songs, Running Wild and later sang a Cyril Tawney (he had to spell that for me!) song, Sally Free And Easy and then another lovely song You And Me. Great to have you back with us JJ. Now, how are we doing? Yes still more to go! The wonderful voice of Deborah Masterson next singing Angel which she has sung for us before, but which we don`t tire of hearing. Well done Deborah. Next under the lights, the one and only Dot and Ged (actually that doesn`t make sense does it! should it be the two and only?). Work has kept them away from us for a while, but it was great to have them back singing a Christy Moore song followed by, I Can`t Change It by Frankie Miller. Carmen was next on the stage. Now Carmen is new to singing in public and gets a little nervous, but you don`t need to Carmen, you were great. She sang That Old Devil Called Love (from Alison Moyet) and Baby Can I hold You Tonight. Well done Carmen! Hang on in, we`re nearly there! Dan Grant was joined by Tristan to sing Who`s Got The Craik. Now I didn`t know you were going to sing Tristan, so I`d put the camera away. We`ll have to snap you next time! Finaly (seems to have taken a long time to get here!) Gloria stepped under the spotlight and (as requested) performed her own song Canal Street to rousing applause. She followed this with another of her own songs Ballad Of A Blogger. Great Great Stuff. What a fantastic night! New talent, new instruments, new songs. You never fail to surprise me, week after week. You move me from tears of helpless laughter to tears of utter sadness with your music it really is a bit special. Just on a personal note from David and myself, it`s sometimes quite difficult when it`s busy, to juggle everything around and make sure everyone gets a fair share of the spotlight. But we never get any grief from any of you. You all wait patiently for your turn and no one complains if they don`t get as much time as everyone else (or when we make a mistake and miss you out!). You  also all show respect for other performers. I have to tell you that we really appreciate it and thank you for it. It makes our lives a lot easier! Thanks to you all for your contributions to the raffle. The charity fund is building. (I`m getting a bit worried about you winning all those chocolates though Brian - don`t want you suing me if you put on weight!).  And finally just a quick note to all our friends around the world, who can`t always be with us, but who follow proceedings on this blog. So Chris Anderson in America, Jo-Ann  Nigel and Sarah Lawton in Canada, Helmuth in Germany and Gaetano and Margherita in Italy we miss you all! Video clips will be on later and changed again at the weekend. See you all again next week! TJM 

Do you remember when the first men landed on the moon? Well tonight was another of those events that you just shouldn`t miss! Oh how I wish I could bottle up the atmosphere on Tuesday nights and sell it. I`d be able to retire in no time at all! If St Patrick was looking down, he would definately have been smiling! Yet again a room full of happy people and great music. We also had the results of our songwriting competition and another new face at Addingham Acoustic. And yes we had lots of Irish music and song, check out the videos when I`ve put them on later. Brian Wylie and Rob Watkins got the ball rolling with Carrickfergus and that lovely song Nancy Spain. (The atmosphere was already building). In the second set Brian gave us a tune on his tin whistle (no jokes please!), what a versatile man he is. Mike Craig and Andee Anko were up next and played two reels (Temperence and Morningstar) followed by a couple of jigs. In the second set they played another jig followed by a solo from Mike, Crooked Jack. You can see already that this was a proper Irish night, with harp and tin whistle already! Lovely, lovely, lovely stuff. Thanks Mike and Andee. Deborah was next singing a lovely song called Song For Ireland, followed by She Walks Through The Fair. In the second set she sang, Adams At The Window and then a Jimmy McCarthy song, No Frontiers. I`ve just got to say at this point what a wonderful audience you are. We had a pub full to the brim with people, but whenever someone was performing, you could hear a pin drop! A bit special eh? John Paul was back with us again, (he didn1t know he was performing till I called his name out!). He gave us a great rendition of Emily and in the second set sang a great Radiohead song. (See we get everything here!). Next up Steve Hulme. Shock! Horror! Steve sang a song that wasn`t his own! Yes he had us all singing along to Whiskey In The Jar! Then he sang one of his own, I`ve Forgotten Your Name. Now I am going to tell you at this point, that Steve was a runner up in our songwriting competition. We had so many good entries, that we decided to have two runners up. So we made him sing his entry Somefinks Bit Me, which we all sang the chorus to! Brian Wylie was back under the spotlight next with Don O`Connor (you can`t get more Irish than that!). They started with Proud Irishman and then had us all singing along to the next one. (Now I`m not going to tell you the title, because at one point Brian was playing a completely different tune and so I don`t know which one to mention!). In the second set Don sang Steel My Heart and finished with that beautiful, beautiful song, The Contender. I swear Don you nearly had us all in tears. It was yet again a truly lovely performance. Next up another of our regulars, James Porter. We were singing along as usual to I Can`t Stop Loving You and in the second set he sang a Damien Rice song. Now I have to mention our songwriting competition again, as James was our second runner up. So yes, we made him sing his entry, Without You, (which he wrote for his daughter). Well done James it was brill. Now surely the highlight of the evening! Myself, Brian Wylie and Steve Hulme, with what must be the difinitive version of Danny Boy! (It was our St. Patricks Day party, we had to have Danny Boy!). Now you have to admire the courage of Brian and Steve! All I can say is, any resemblence to the video that Mike Craig sent me earlier in the day, to three of The Muppetts singing Danny Boy, was purely coincidental! (Only one Muppett in our version!). Now it`s probably time to mention, that at the break, we announced the winner of our song writing competition. As you have already heard we decided to have two additional prizes, Steve and James. The winner was Sue Strange with her song Coat Of Love. (We did it properly, we had an envelope with the winners name in and everything!). Of course we made Sue sing for us and as you can imagine she got a tremendous round of applause. Well done Sue. Sue will of course, now be singing her song at our concert in April. (Did I mention that?). Now I have to say that, I was so enthralled that I forgot to video it Sue. But no worries, I will video you again at the concert! Rob and Caroline were next under the lights and sang us The Fields Of Athenrye. Now I don`t need to tell you, that we were all singing along to that one! They finished their set with Love Hurts. Really excellent. And then the evening was rounded off in riproaring fashion, with a newcomer to our Tuesday evenings, John Nixon, accompanied by Brian Wylie, singing Brown Eyed Girl, followed by Handbags And Gladrags. What a way to finsh - everybody singing along and having a good time. (And did you notice Brian was playing the mandolin upside down!) What can I say, but thank you all, yet again. Another really great night. Thanks for buying raffle tickets, profits from which have gone in to our charity pot. Thanks to Barbara for supplying the half time sandwiches and pies, very nice they were. And thanks to Dick and Julia for providing the venue. As I`m sure you now know, Ian and Nikki Frost will be taking over the Swan in April and our Tuesday nights will continue. Hooray!!!!! Photos from the night will be on Gallery Two shortly and the videos will be on later today. (We`ll change them part way through the week as we have a lot). See you all next week. TJM   

It was a bit quieter tonight than in recent weeks. (Yes eight performers is now a quiet night!). But what a good night it was, with two more songs entered in to our competition. Sadly the competition is now closed, which is just as well, as the decision is going to be difficult for the judges! The winner will be announced next Tuesday evening. (So all who have entered need to be there!). I assume that all of you who didn`t make it tonight, were at home practicing your Irish songs for next week? Steve Hulme started the evening off (poor Steve, we must put him on later next week!). He started, of course, with one of his own songs, Frocked Off and then gave us another rendition of his competition entry, Somefinks Bit Me and yes we did all sing the chorus! In the second set he did another of his own songs, written to be more miserable than all the miserable songs we`ve all been singing lately! (Yes slashing your wrists with a rusty razor is pretty miserable). We were all singing the chorus to that one too. Next up, our good friends Len and Carolyn Harvey were back with us. They sang a lovely country song called Satan`s Jewelled Crown (I`ve got a version by Emmylou Harris) and Len followed this with another country song, in classis country style, called If My Nose Was Running Money, I`d Blow It Over You! As this progresses you will start to wonder about the inspiration of some of our performers tonight. In the second set, Len sang a couple of Tom Paxton songs, finishing with, Last Thing On My Mind, which of course we all joined in to. (In fact we were singing harmonies - how good is that? - Len, please don`t answer that one!). And then another great entry in to our song writing competition, from Sue Strange. Now Sue has only performed in public once before (at Addingham Acoustic of course) and here she is a few weeks later, performing her own song! And what a great song it was, called Coat Of Love (check out the video clip later). It really is a tough competition. Later Sue sang a Blues song called, Good Girl Memphis Mini. Really excellent. Next under the spotlights, Gloria, starting with a Randy Newman song followed by Shakespeare`s sonnett number twenty nine, put to music. You see, we really are a cultured lot here - honest. In the second set, she sang a Billy Bragg song, followed by one of her own compositions, The Strange Disappearance Of Arthur Craven. Later she sang Cher`s, Do You Believe In Life After Love, requested by our very own Dave (favourite Barman!). It was a great performance. Ian Pucknell ventured under the spotlight next, singing his love song about putting the toilet seat down. You see what I mean, about our performers inspiration tonight? He then sang us a couple of our favourites, including a song from John Prine. Well done Ian, you`ll be on the video`s later. Earl (The Twirl) was with us again and persuaded us to let him sing! He started with a Tahition song, (our Tahition speakers in the audience disputed his version of the words) and later a Croation love song. He then sang a Geordie song about the Tyne, but none of us could understand the words to that one! Next up another competition entry. James Porter started with Stand By Me, (James you always sing tunes that get us all singing along). He then sang his own composition, Without You. It was another really great song. What an amazing standard you have all set, with your songwriting. We really should be awarding prizes to all of you. Later James sang a Donovan song followed by a ballad. What a really good night yet again, with lots of talent and lots of good fun. Thanks again to all of you. Now next week (our St. Patrick`s Day Party - as if you didn`t know!) is going to be busy, so please get here early so that we can start on time (or earlier). We will announce the Songwriting Competition winner and award them their prizes and we will be having a raffle, to raise funds for our Charity Concert Appeal. Once again, if anyone would like to donate a raffle prize, or if they can put up a poster (or sell some tickets) please let me know. Also if you are planning to be there, please let me know a.s.a.p. in order that we can keep track of numbers. (We have a limit). Now a bit of news you have all been waiting for. The Swan will have a new Landlord and Landlady on the 14th April. They are a local couple (who are regulars at The Swan!) and we understand that things will remain pretty much as they are. So all being well, we will continue our Tuesday nights in to the long and distant future! When they take over, lets fill the pub (on Tuesday the 15th April) to give them a warm Addingham Acoustic welcome. Thanks again to all who participated, see you all next week (Bejabers!). TJM

How very odd, the weather was really nice and you still turned up in droves! The audience are soon going to have to start bringing their own fold up chairs! We even had two more new performers. Where do they all come from? (Actually, please don`t send your answers in - we already know!). We also had two more entries in our songwriting competition and we already have an entry booked for next week. First off, just a reminder that our next charity concert, takes place at Bracken Ghyll Golf Club, Addingham, on Saturday 26th April (we are raising money for the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital). See the page relating to this event for full details. I am pleased to tell you that we have already sold tickets and have had raffle and auction items donated. What a generous bunch you are! Well on to proceedings. I`m not going to list all the songs sung, because I have to be back at work tomorrow, so I`ll pick out a few! Steve Hulme got the evening under way with a couple of his own songs (Actually they`re all his own songs!) and in the second half performed his entry in to our competition called Somefinks Bit Me - no I haven`t made another spelling mistake, that`s the title! Now you must watch the video when I put it on later today. Steve was assisted by his lovely partner Ann (who held up the words so we could all sing the chorus). At this point someone (male!) in the audience suggested that Ann was Addingham`s answer to Debbie McGee. I can report that he is still alive (but only just!). Steve had us all singing along (and laughing!). What a start.Next up a newcomer Rob Heath (see Gallery Two). Rob had put The Owl And The Pussycat to music and later sang about a crocodile (obviously an animal lover!). He also sang an entry into our songwriting competition (did I mention that?) called The Value Of Talk. It is a great song. It`s going to be really tough for the judges. Deborah Masterson was with us again singing A Cappella. Lovely songs like She Moves Through The Fair and Randy Crawfords Almas. Deborah is really growing in confidence since her debut. I can see a concert spot looming! We then persuaded Carmen Wedderburn to sing Killing Me Softly With His Song (and nobody could tell me who it was about! - Don McLean of course!). Thanks Carmen - lovely. And then one of our most versatile performers Mr. Brian Wylie singing a song dedicated to Dot (and his wife Kath was in the room - no shame!). He followed this with a Stanley Holloway monologue (the one about the Battle of Hastings - isn`t it amazing that it happened in a place called Battle?!). Later, playing his guitar, he was joined by Rob Watkins. Next another newcomer John Paul (see Gallery Two). He sang us a couple of lovely moving ballads accompanied by some great guitar. Thanks for Coming JP I hope we`ll see you again soon. And next another of our favourites Ian Pucknell (well we don`t have favourites, but you know what I mean). Ian always entertains us and tonight was no exception! Ian sang a couple of great songs and then there was a shout from the back for, A Dallas Whore. Well we couldn`t find one (from Dallas) so Ian sang Let Him Roll! (A song about a Dallas whore!). Now, when Ian got to the last verse, which is about a funeral, he realised he had missed out the verse in which the death occured! Now fortunately our audience are not the kind of people who would rib a performer about such an error and I`m not going to mention it here. (Your secrets safe with us Ian). Now the reason I can take the michael, is because Ian (like all our performers) is a lovely man and very good fun. (And a great entertainer). Thanks Ian, I was struggling for a title! Now where was I? Ah yes, our very own Dot and Ged. Now there was some discrepancy about what song they were playing first, but they came to a mutual agreement (Ged did what he was told) and sang a Frankie Miller song! In the second set they sang one of their own - Missing You. Great stuff (I must stop saying that!). Last but by no means least, Rob Watkins rounded off the eveing for us accompanied in the first set by Brian Wylie. They sang some Country music including a Chris Hillman song and also Hickory Wind (lovely that one). Rob finished with an Australian Country Music song (really that`s what he said!) called I Might Be Lonesome But I`m Free, (sounds Australian). What a fantastic night yet again. Great music great atmosphere, but most of all great people. Thanks to all of you for continuing to make this such a great event. Now did I mention our St. Patrick`s night party in two weeks time (the 18th)? DO NOT MISS IT !! I feel sure I mentioned our concert on the 26th April and then next week is the last chance you have to enter our songwriting competition! Check out our tee shirt gallery, as Mr. Gerry Cooper is wearing his Addingham Acoustic tee shirt (only £6.00) in a very exotic location. So you really need to be getting your photos to me! Don`t forget to check out the videos later when I`ve put them. There`s some great footage this week! TJM 

Yes at last we can name the day! Our next charity concert will take place on Saturday 26th April at Bracken Ghyll Golf Club Addingham. It will be in aid of the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital (I`m sure you will agree thast this is a worthy cause). We have a great line up of performers who will provide a great evenings entertainment as usual, finishing (as we always do) with some Rock & Roll, this time from Last Orders www.lastordersmusic.co.uk There will be a raffle and a celebrity auction. As usual, thanks to generous sponsors and donations, all monies from ticket sales, raffle and auction will be donated to the Baby Unit. If you would like to donate a raffle prize or goods of sufficient value to auction, please let us know. If you cannot attend the concert but would like to make a donation please let us know. Tickets are £5.00 pre-booked or £6.00 on the door (subject to availability). Book early if you can, as we have limited capacity and our concerts are well attended! I can tell you that, we already have a good number of tickets sold and raffle prizes donated! (Addingham Acoustic supporters are a generous bunch!) We have set ourselves a hefty target, so please be generous. Check out the page on this website (Baby Unit Charity Concert) for full details . We will update this page regularly with information on the concert and with details of donors etc. TJM

Yes Addingham really rocked last night (literally)! The weather was awful, there was a howling gale, so of course you turned out in numbers! What a great night this was, with a crowd of nice people, good music and as usual, a fantastic and happy atmosphere. Richard and Lesley Quayle got the evening underway with a sad song by Chet Atkins and then an instrumental by Richard called Old Town. In the second set they sang Buddy Holly`s, It Don`t Matter Any More, (Isn`t life strange, having never heard anyone sing this song on a Tuesday, I have just spent three weeks learning it, only to be pipped at the post! Same thing happened recently with "I`ll Be Your Baby Tonight"!). Richard followed this with another instrumental. I then did a Bob Dylan followed by a Don McClean. What a gracious audience you are, as you only ever give encouragement to us novices even when things aren`t as good as they should be. I`m sure that is what makes our Tuesdays such a success. In the second set, after the intake of some relaxing fluid, I did a bit better! Dave Speight was next up and performed a Hank Williams number and in the second set entered our songwriting competition (after I had explained to everyone, yet again, what it entails - does anyone read this website?) with, If You Don`t Love Me Baby Walk Out That Door and Someday Sally. Details of this competition are listed on the page entitled "Songwriting Competition"! (Took me a while to think up the title). It was great to have Gloria back with us again, performing a Don Henley number followed by her own song, Separation, followed by her entry in our songwriting competition (have I mentioned that already?) Canal Street. It`s going to be tough picking a winner with so much talent. Ian Pucknell was on form, starting with Let Him Roll followed by Lullaby. In the second set he sang again, the love song about putting the toilet seat down! (Well, whatever rocks your boat!). I have a feeling, Ian may be doing a bit of songwriting in the next couple of weeks - we shall see! While we are on the subject (we were weren`t we?) Dot Jarvis stepped forward to sing her own entry entitled, How I Feel Today (I`m tempted to answer that, but as it wasn`t a good day I may depress you all! - Mind you, of course, it improved dramatically by the evening!). Dot followed this with Don`t Know Why. In the second set, Dot was joined by Ged Keenan and Tim Shakleton (a.k.a. Fischer`s Ghost) to enter their own song, Backroads, into the competition. (You see it`s already hotting up!), follwed by Tuesday`s Gone. Dot and Ged were then joined by Don O`Connor to sing a Christy Moore song. Great stuff. In his own set, Don O`Connor performed a couple of new numbers, Golden Touch by Razorlight and then Angel by Jack Johnson. In the second set he performed Ordinary Man follwed by The Pieces Don`t Fit Here Anymore. (Now I just can`t wait to hear Don sing, at our St Patrick`s Day Party on the 18th March - just in case I forget to mention it later). Finally, to round off the evening, Richard Quayle and Gloria got together (see Gallery Two) to perform Freda Payne`s Band Of Gold, with all of us singing along! What a great way to finish yet another fantastic evening! Now I don`t think it`s a secret that, sadly, Dick and Julia will be leaving The Swan very soon. We don`t know what will happen when they are gone, or whether we will be able to carry on playing at The Swan. However, we do have a contingency plan and whatever happens at The Swan, Addingham Acoustic will carry on, either there, or at another venue in the village. So don`t panic Mr. Mainwaring! Keep checking the website for details. If you are on our mailing list we will let you know. (If you are not on our mailing list - why not?!). Did I mention our songwriting competition? Details are on the page headed  "S o n g w r i t i n g  C o m p e t i t i o n"  (That`s supposed to be me saying it "s l o w l y" so you don`t miss it!). And of course our St. Patrick`s Day Party on the 18th March. That really is going to be too good to miss. By next week I should have the date for our next concert. Finally, I gather that one of our much loved performers, Len Harvey, has not been too well lately. We all you hope you feel better soon Len and that you`ll be back performing with us again. Thank you all for another great night. Thanks especially to David, the unsung hero, who helps me to run Addingham Acoustic and who always keeps things well under control when he is M.C.. It wouldn`t happen without David! See you all next week - assuming the weather`s bad! Mind you if there`s another earthquake like the one that had us leeping out of bed last night, you probably wont be able to get in the door. Maybe someone should be practising "Shake, Rattle and Roll"! Videos will be updated later today.TJM.

I just love it when the weather is really, really bad! If it`s lashing with rain, blowing a gale, snowing, or freezing fog, like it was last night, musicians turn up in droves to play at Addingham Acoustic! What a fantastic and talented bunch we had entertaining us tonight, with some old friends returning and six (it could have been seven!) new performers! Not only that, but we had a full audience too. (We actually had to use all the chairs that we normally try and hide somewhere!). Brian Wylie got the night under way, playing his guitar (which he has only done in public once before - here of course) and singing I Had To Say I Love You In A Song, followed by Lovers Cross. In the second set he sang Galway Shawl (I thought he said something else to start with - nearly dropped a clanger!) and was then joined by Mike Craig to perform a great instrumental (See gallery two - with Brian on Blarge).Steve Hulme was next up and as we are now used to, Steve had a theme for the night, this time Leeds. All the music Steve performs is his own and tonight Steve performed his twentieth song! He sang songs about traffic warnings, (yes warnings, not wardens - that was one of the few mistakes I didn`t make tonight!) Big Issue sellers, dumping boyfriends and unrequited love. Steve, I say it every time, you are a very talented and entertaining man! Mike Craig and Andee Anko were next under the spotlights (which I have moved, so that we can see you all on video). They played some lovely instrumentals including Temperence Wheel and Morning Star and Musical Priest. In the second set, they each performed solo, Mike performing 1952 Vincent Black Lightening (which somebody beat him to last week!) and Pancho & Lefty, which he did do last week, but I got it wrong in the blog (I missed out the and!). Now I`ll apologise now for all the mistakes I make in the blog and on the night. When you get to my age and your going deaf and blind, it`s not always easy to keep up! If it`s any consolation, every time I publish the blog, my wife Barbara provides me with a list of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors (thats probably one there!) and I get emails from around the world offering spelling corrections! It`s not easy being in charge you know! (There`s a really good one coming later!). Now where was I? Ah yes Andee Anko. What a treat it is for us all, to listen to such wonderful harp playing. Andee started her set with The Arran Boat Song and it was just gorgeous. You know, every week I just cannot get over the amount of talented, and in particular, nice people that we are fortunate enough to have come and play for us. It makes all of our nights, whether busy or quiet, a bit special. Next up, a young man who hasn`t played with us for a while, Matt Nelson. Matt started his set with a Yorkshire country song called Crocton Murder (yes I bet I`ve got that wrong!) and followed this with one of his own songs, about people who move around a lot and never settle. In the second set, he did a couple of American songs for us. Yes, it was a busy night, are you keeping up with this? Yet another old friend now, under the lights. Alan Higgins played with us last year, when he was on holiday in the area and we obviously didn`t frighten him off! Alan got us all singing along to Every Time We Say Goodbye and followed this with Black Is The Colour. In the second set he sang a lovely song, (which he did last year also) about youngsters who have their dreams trampled on. Lovely, lovely stuff Alan. Thanks for coming back. Now a bit of a mistake coming up (yes I know another one). It`s always a treat to have new people come and play, especially if they are a group and as good as our next act. (Sam Barrat, Rhys Jones, Paul Johnson and John Palmer). Now you know what a beautiful picture the weather made today, with all the frost on the trees and the crisp cold air? So when I introduced the next performers, I looked down at my list (without my glasses on) and promptly introduced "Wonderland" (winter wonderland see?). Well I could see it started with W and ended in land. I just couldn`t see that the bit in between was "ater" not "onder". Yes they are actually called Waterland! (See gallery two). Sorry fellas! (Mind you, don`t you think Wonderland is a good name? - o.k. never mind!). Whatever my mistake they were worth waiting for and got the room buzzing, with some really lively stuff including a couple of Dylan numbers, It Aint Me Babe and You Aint Going Nowhere, one of their own songs called Another Friday Night In A Northern Town and Pay Me My Money Down. They also played a song called Butterfly In Reverse from their new album. Really terrific guys, but you have got to come back so that I can introduce you properly. (I bet Dorothy is really laughing at that one - in joke!). Next up one of our regulars, James Porter. James always gets us singing along and tonight was no exception, with Bob Marley`s No Woman No Cry and then Woodstock. (I`m not saying who by, as last time I was corrected - it`s tough this job you know!). Finally two more newcomers to Addingham Acoustic (It was going to be three but Dougie decided to wait for another day!) Neil and Liz. (See gallery two) finished the evening off for us with some lovely traditional songs, including Temperance Song. Thank you for being so patient and for finishing the evening off in such style. (Actually we did have another performer - Blues Boy, Nigel Smith, decided to wait until you`d all gone before he sang!). What a wonderful night of great music and entertainment. Thank you all for coming to play and to watch. This was definitely one of those special evenings. Just a couple of anouncements. Our songwriting competition will take place over the next three weeks. Details will be on the website later today (on a separate web page). So get your entries in to me. I`m hoping to announce a date for our next concert shortly. We are planning to raise money for the baby unit at Airedale Hospital. I trust you will all agree that this is a worthy cause. Check out our new "Tee Shirt Gallery" page and send me pictures of you wearing your tee shirt, so that we can include them (The more exotic or unusual the location the better). I still have a few tee shirts left (only £6.00!). Video clips will be updated later after I`ve edited them. Finally, please send details of all spelling mistakes, incorrect song titles, wrong performers names and any other errors to.................. well anyone other than me! TJM 

Well this wasn`t one of our busier nights, but no matter, we all enjoyed it. Half term week is always a bit quiet. But we did have two more new performers and as usual some excellent music. However the majority of those who turned up, were suffering from coughs and colds (or poorly wrists like Ged!) so it was an interesting night! Mike Craig got the evening under way with Pancho Lefty (that`s the name of the song, not his new singing partner!) and followed this up with an Irish song called Courting A Wee Girl. In the second set he performed Bee`s Wing, but had to alter his playlist for the second song, for reasons that will become clear later, and sang The Lake Of Pontrachain. Great stuff Mike. Next up, Deborah Masterson was back with us after a little break. Deborah sings A Capella (no easy task!) and did it beautifully, singing first a lovely song  called Angel and followed this with another classic, Billy Holliday`s Loverman. Sadly Deborah couldn`t stay for the second half, as she has an early morning start. We then had a new duo (to Addingham Acoustic) with us, Stuart Douglas and Pat Sherry (see Gallery Two). In the first set they played a great version of 1952 Vincent Black Lightening, (which was why Mike had to alter his playlist!)and in the second set sang a song called The Local Lad, followed by a lovely lament. Because it wasn`t a busy night we actuall got Stuart and Pat to play again later and they finished with a David Wilcox song called, Last Golden Day, to the tune of Lakes Of Pontrachain, wonderful stuff. What is even more impressive, is that Stuart and Pat were both using guitars built by Stuart! Is that talent or what! Dave Speight was next under the lights, singing a song he doesn`t usually perform for us,  Down Where The Drunkards Roll (I bet I`ll be told that it`s not really called that!) followed by a song by Odetta. In the second set, he was joined by Dot Jarvis (see Gallery Two) which was another Addingham Acoustic first - check out the video clips later. Dot was still suffering from a bad throat, hence only the one song. Dave finished his sets with that lovely Buffy St. Marie song, Until It`s Time For You To Go. Really, really, nice. David (our M.C. for the night) put me on last - so he`s now sacked! (not really). I managed to get the audience singing along to Positively 4th  Street - you know the verse that goes "Na na na, na na na, na na, na na , na". But I did at least remember, all the words to Desolation Row (At least everybody thinks I did - I could have been singing any old rubbish!). Not one of our busiest nights, but still very pleasant and those who turned up, were much appreciated. Don`t forget our St. Patrick`s Day event on the 18th March. Hopefully, by next week ,I will have sorted out the details for our songwriting competition, so get those pens to paper! We will also have a date shortly, for our next concert. (Which I am hoping will be in April). Thanks to all who came along, see you all again next week. TJM 

We may not have had too many people tonight, but we had a lot of great music and some good fun. Brian and Cath Wylie and Paul Copley started the evening off, with some lively music including Gypsy Dance (which Cath has been playing since she was twelve - so not long). Later in the evening they continued with some fine Blarge, mandolin and guitar playing and some great Irish tunes. (Brian`s going to learn some Irish songs for our St. Patrick`s Party - Ha! Ha!). Now when he arrived, Brian said that he wished he had brought his Tin Whistle with him. No problem, I rang Barbara and asked her to bring my Tin Whistle, which Brian then played brilliantly. However, Cath told me later, that he usually plays it by sticking it up his nose instead of in his mouth! I might not offer so quickly next time! (Mind you I suppose it could have been even worse?). Paul Copley then gave a solo performance, (playing for the first time under our Addingham Acoustic badge) Including a song called The Island and that wonderful song that Don O`Connor sings, called The Contender (about the Irish heavyweight boxer who turns to drink). Great stuff. Next up James Porter gave a great performance of Wake Up Little Sparrow, followed by Summertime and in the second set sang us a Tom Paxton song, followed by Spider To The Fly. I`m always amazed that James comes up with new songs every time he performs! It was great to have Dot Jarvis back with us again. Recent events have cost Ged and Dot an arm and a leg. (Ged`s got his arm in a splint and Dot`s had her leg in plaster!). After multiple requests, Dot sang Mine Rescue Man (a song about her father). Ged then asked her to do the one she`s good at - now he`s got both arms in splints! (only kidding). In the second set Dot had us all singing along, to Tom Paxton`s Last Thing On My Mind. Ian Pucknell was persuaded to get up and perform and started his set with Creole Belle and in the second set sang a love song (presumably for his wife Barbara) entitled "If I want To Say I love You, I`ll Put That Toilet Seat Down" - draw your own conclusions! (Don`t worry Ian, I`m not going to mention the two you couldn`t remember in between - oooops!). At the start of the second half Earl got up to sing, (no he didn`t need persuading). He started with Waters Of Tyne, (Ellwood liked that one and joined in for a couple of bars - high praise Earl!). He finished his set with Love Letters. The final name on the playlist was our very own Nigel "Blues Boy" Smith. Nigel performed just one song, which was Ray LaMontagne`s Jolene and he did it brilliantly. Well done Nigel, well worth waiting for. We decided to have a raffle this evening (for an Addingham Acoustic tee shirt, wow!) to raise funds to replace John Jenner`s Capo and Tuner (which someone inadvertantly unclipped from his guitar a couple of weeks ago and took home!). Despite requests on this site, the items have not been returned. With their usual generosity, our players and audience gave unstintingly (bearing in mind it wasn`t a busy night) and we have enought to replace your capo John. Next week we`ll get the tuner! Thank you all so much. It`s this kind of spirit, that makes the evening such a success. (Actually, copious amounts of the other kind of spirit, also helps!). Talking of tee shirts (it was in there somewhere) we are going to have a "Tee Shirt Gallery" page on the website. I would like all of you who have AA tee shirts, to send me photos of you wearing them, in the most exotic (or unusual) locations you can find. I think we may be able to post some pictures as early as next week! Come on, use your imagination! (I expect to get photos from America and Germany too). If you haven`t got a tee shirt yet, you need to get one (only £6.00 each!). I should also mention, it was our favourite barman`s birthday yesterday (no Dave not Dick!). He has reached the grand old age of twenty three - lucky boy! Once again thank you all for coming. Videos will be updated later. See you all next week TJM.  

Well this was what might be termed one of our quiter nights, as we only had ten performers, but I counted twenty three people in the room, so I reckon "quiet" is becoming a relative term at Addingham Acoustic on a Tuesday. We had a really nice atmosphere and as usual some excellent music and yet again two new performers! Mike Craig and Andee Anko got the evening under way for us, with a couple of lovely instrumentals and in the second set Andee played solo for us and it really was a bit special. Mike also did a solo set with a great song called Moonshiner followed by 1952 Vincent Black Lightening. (Awesome!). Next up Steve Hulme (definately a regular now) yet again set a theme for his songs during the evening, based around whats happening in the American elections and all the rubbish thats going on in the world. Bearing in mind Steve writes his own material, this was really great stuff. (He did diversify at the end though, when I asked him to do The French Bread Song!). You really do write some great material Steve.It was good to see Gloria back with us and as usual she didn`t let us down. She had us all singing along to The Beach Boys, God Only Knows What I`d Be Without You, in the first set and later sang one of Robert Burns songs, finishing with a truly amazing Van Morrison number - absolutely fantastic Gloria, superb musicianship! And then a couple of newcomers. Lynn and Paul Harrison had come all the way over from Wakefield to entertain us (see gallery two). Lynn and Paul write a lot of their own material and they performed some of it for us tonight including, Cracked Pepper, Daisy Chain and a lovely song called Pearls (about love lost) which had the whole pub singing along (pretty impressive considering we`d never heard it before!). They also did a great song called Dewdrops and a couple of covers. (Don`t they pick nice titles for their songs!). We hope to see you both again soon, (after all it`s not that far from Wakefield!). Now I wasn`t planning to play this evening as I haven`t had any practice for ages and the new jobs stressful, (I should have stuck to the plan!) but I did. I managed to get through the first song (by Don McLean - the singer not the comedien - mind you?) but then changed my mind about the second number and decided to sing one I know really, really, really well! (You know what`s coming don`t you!). Yes it happened. At the end of the last verse I took a wrong turn. I turned left instead of right and then instead of turning left and left again, to get back on track, I turned right, then left, then right again and ended up completely lost! Never mind, it`s the taking part that counts (and what a priviledge it is to be able to play in the company of such wonderful musicians). James Porter then took his turn (after just finishing a long shift at work) and sang us The Beatles, Hey You`ve Got To Hide Your Love Away, and then, You Win Again. James always gets us singing along and he learns new stuff for us, every time he comes. Well done James. Then Earl sang us a Croation sea faring song, about an anchor! (Yes Earl, I know it was a Croation love song about a girl called Anka, but you could be telling us any old rubbish, as we don`t speak Croation!). He followed this with Summertime. Thanks Earl. Last on the playlist was Ian Taylor, who sang us a great number called, appropriately enough, Winter Song and followed this with a request from David. The request was for "Deep River" but we all you knew you meant " Big River" David! Ian really does this well and yes of course we all sang along. A really good night with a nice gentle atmosphere and of course lots and lots of great music. Don`t forget our St. Patrick`s party on the 18th of March. (Yes it`s a day late, but it`s the nearest we can do!). Don`t anybody do "Danny Boy" as it`s mine! Sadly John Jenner`s capo and tuner haven`t been returned yet, so please keep looking.  Thank you to all of you who participated and to those who came to watch, (videos will be updated later). Who knows what next week will bring! TJM. P.s. if the videos are a bit dark, it`s because you didn`t stand under the lights!

Yes, yet another night of firsts at Addingham Acoustic, we like to keep things moving here! The evening started off  with a first with a new  M.C. for the night, Mr. Ian Pucknell (he claims I railroaded him when he was drunk last Friday, but he was pleading with me to let him do it!). And a very good job he did too of keeping the twelve musicians in check. First up was our very own John Jenner singing Sally Free And Easy, followed by Running Wild (apparently I got it wrong last week, he didn`t sing his own song - beware Ian this is what it`s like - slings and arrows!). In the second set he sang us a traditional song. Next up (fast becoming regulars) Tom Clegg and Luke Thomas, singing a lovely song by Yens Lekman (I`ve probably spelt that incorrectly, but then he`s not likely to read this is he?) called A Postcard To Nina. The M.C. (Ian) was next up (didn`t put himself on first you notice - Oh how power corrupts!) singing Lullaby and in the second set Lady Take Your Time (The whole pub was singing along to that one). And Then, and then, and then, a newcomer to AA! Sue Strange (see gallery two- it`s not easy thinking up the titles to these blogs you know) made her way under the spotlight. Sue has been sitting in the audience for a few months, working up the courage to perform and it was well worth waiting for! Sue performed Blueblazes Blues (I`ve probably spelt that incorrectly too) in the first set and Louisiana in the second. (Louisiana is a song about flooding, how topical is that!?). Have you stopped shaking yet Sue? Next up Kim Chuah and James Cubie. Now this was quite poignant, as Kim and James dedicated their songs (by Cheryl Crow, The Dixie Chicks and their own material) to their friend Gavin, who you will have seen on the news, as he is the young man who disappeared in Leeds recently after leaving a night club. That was a lovely gesture guys. We all hope for a happy outcome. Nick Hall was next under the lights, performing his own song, Mortal and in the second set he was joined by his brother Duncan to perform a song by the Finn Brothers. Great Stuff. Richard and Lesley Quayle (no they didn`t bring Dorothy!) were next up singing two lovely songs by someone whose name I do not know how to spell - sorry Leo (no it`s his surname I can`t spell!) Learning The Game and Julie`s House. In the second set Richard performed one of his fantastic instrumentals called Mississipi Lowdown. (This is a plan isn`t it, to see how many spelling mistakes I make!). Last but by no means least Don O`Connor got himself onto the stage (yes I know there isn`t one, but it sounds good to anyone who hasn`t been) and sang James Morrison`s The Pieces Don`t Fit Anymore and at the finale, despite much teasing and noise to start with, he yet again silenced the pub with his haunting song about the Heavyweight Boxer form Cork. Nice one Don. Well yet another great night with lots of new stuff going on and of course lots of great music. Now we need you all to check your music bags as someone inadvertently took John Jenner`s Electronic tuner and capo (yes they all look the same). It must have been someone who left at half time, as we frisked everybody before the start of the second set! (You all should be so lucky). So if the person who accidentally picked them up could let me know (via the contacts on the home page) I will put John out of his misery. (And ours `cos he just kept moaning - only kidding). Thank you all for coming, special thanks to Ian for giving me another rest (I`ll be able to retire soon). The videos will be on later (when I`ve edited them). See you all next week (By the way did I mention our St. Patrick`s Day Party?)TJM

What a lovely evening this was, with some great music and a nice lighthearted atmosphere. And of course another new performer and some new groupings. (Groupings not groupies! - although?). Now I have to confess to arriving a little late, for reasons that will become obvious later, so I can only go on hearsay for the first fifteen minutes. The night started with one of our seasoned performers Brian Wylie and a newcomer under the spotlight Cath. (See gallery two and the videos when I`ve put them on.). They played us some fantastic music on mandolins, (so you`ve got no excuse now Cath, we`ll expect to see you playing all the time!). Next up, Anne Jackson and Ricky Silvers played us some great stuff, on guitar, acoustic bass and Appalacian Dulcimer and in the second set they were joined by Brian on Blarge. (Sorry the camera battery had run out by then - yes I know I`m slipping, but don`t worry, I`ll sharpen up my act by next week.). Next up John Jenner, sore throat an` all performed wonderfully well (singing his own material) and in the second set was joined by Dave Speight for a very entertaining duet (see videos when done). A first for AA. Scope here for further collaborations methinks! Back with us after a bit of a break, Kim Chua and James Cubie entertained us with, once again, some of their own material and very good it was too. Gloria then took to the spotlight and as well as her great version of Tracks Of My Tears, she sang a truly great version of  Hallelujah to much applause. Thanks Gloria. Next up Ian Pucknell (don`t worry I`m not going to put the video on!) performed wonderfully well and sang one on my favourites, Let Him Roll. And finally Mr Dave Speight entertained us in his inimitable style playing all sorts of stuff including among others Every Time We Say Goodbye. (At one point Dave was joined by Ricky Silvers on acoustic bass - another first for us). Now check out gallery two to see a picture of Ellwood (The pub dog). I realised that although we often mention him joining in, he hasn`t got his picture on our rogues gallery. So there you are Ellwood, you`re now an international star! Now watch this space to check out our upcoming events. We have a number of things planned for this year, including a couple of concerts and a song writing competition. (So get you songwriting hats on and get rehearsing). Sorry what was that? Oh yes, (are you ready for this?) Hippo birdy two ewes, hippo birdy two ewes, hippo birdy dear Tim, hippo birdie two ewes! Yes it was my birthday yesterday (hence being late etc.) and yes I did get a chorus of "Happy Birthday" (but no cards or presents - don`t tell me - they`re in the post!). What a great way to spend a Birthday, surrounded by good music and a great bunch of nice people. I wouldn`t have wanted to be anywhere else. Check out the photos, when I`ve got them on and the videos when I`ve edited them. TJM

Now when I set off to walk to The Swan, after two hundred yards I had to turn around and go back home to put on some dry clothes and take the car. When I set off in the car, the rain had turned to snow! Who in there right minds would go out on a night like this? Well quite a lot of you as it happens, because when I got to the pub there were already musicians (including a couple of newcomers) and audience waiting! In fact when we got going, there wasn`t room for any more audience! The multi talented Brian Wylie got the evening  under way with a poem (As you will have seen, Brian has played all sorts of instruments on Tuesdays, but still hasn`t got around to his main instrument yet, which is the saxaphone - which he played with Thin Lizzy (the band, not the barmaid!)). In the second set he sang (A Cappella) a song about a twelve stone woman and then played us a tune on the blarge. Great stuff! Next up Steve Hulme also started his set with a poem which he`d written about youngsters leaving home for the first time. In fact Steve kept up this theme, with some really wonderful songs he`d written himself. I`m always amazed by the amount of original material our performers come up with. You are a very talented lot! Next up a newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Luke, performing with Tom (who has played here before). A very interesting set with Guitar, ukulele and percussion. Tom then accompanied another newcomer, Dan and we got a great version of All Along The Watchtower and later a song called First Day Of My Life. It`s great to see younger talent coming to perform for us and we hope we`ll see you all again. Rob Watkins was last to perform, (accompanied by Brian for the first number) playing some great country music including songs by Lyall Lovett and Buddy Miller. It was a great start to the New Year and great to see so many of you, considering the weather. The good news is we`ll be back next week, the bad news is, so will the Christmas cake! (Well you should have eaten it all!). Mind you I`m sure we`ll also get the chips. The videos will be updated later, when I`ve edited them (including the last one from the Christmas Party) so check them out. We`ve still got tee shirts, so if anyone wants one let me know and I`ll bring them along. Thanks to everyone for a great night, see you all next week. TJM

Quite literally! For those who don`t know, Dot Jarvis has hurt her ankle and is in plaster. She cannot, therefore, get to Addingham Acoustic for the next two weeks, as she can`t drive and Ged is on late shifts. Is there anybody out there in the Bingley, Shipley area, who is thinking of coming next week and/or the following week, who could give Dot a lift. She lives off Otley Road, Baildon. If anyone can assist in this mercy mission, please let me know. (I`m sure there will be a drink in there somewhere!).TJM 

Now I did warn you that it was going to be busy didn`t I! Just before I was leaving to go to the Swan, I got a couple of calls from people, to say they couldn`t make it after all and I thought maybe nobody was going to turn up. Well, twenty two people turned up to perform and goodness knows how many of you came just to watch, so I needn`t have worried! Thank you to all of you, for your patience and my apologies to all those who couldn`t stay long enough to play a second set. We did our best to get you all seats, but unfortunately the pub just isn`t big enough. (We`ll have to hire a hall next year.) Thank you also, for turning up early so that we could start at 8.30 promptly, goodness knows what would have happened if we had started late. But what a fantastic atmosphere and what a talented bunch you are, (mind you we knew that already). We had some great Christmas music and yet again, another new performer to Addingham Acoustic! And great to see all those Addingham Acoustic tee shirts and well done to Norman for winning the tee shirt draw (see I told you all to wear them). Now there were so many songs last night (sixty in all) that I`m not going to mention them all, or I`ll be here all day (and so will you reading it) so I`ll pick out mainly the Christmas ones. Mike Craig and Andee started the evening off and oh what a start! Wonderful guitar and harp playing with some new material and a lovely Irish aire. Tony Sakkos then entertained us on his accordian, getting us all singing along in the second half, to Jingle Bells. Next up the multi talented Brian Wylie. In recent weeks he`s played Blarge, Mandolin, Tin Whistle, Bodhran, Guitar and tonight  You Are My Sunshine on Ukulele! Later, Brian performed with both Rob and Gerry. What a star! Then our good friend Len Harvey was back with us performing some great comic stuff, including in the second half  Email To Santa which had us all in stitches (where do you all find these great songs?). (See I`m only on the fourth performer and I`m already haf way down the page!). Ian Pucknell was under the spotlight next and kept the Christmas theme going with, Mary`s Boy Child and later Slient Night and he even did a Christmas poem, culture or what! I then engineered my latest ploy. I got the lovely Dot Jarvis up to sing harmonies with me. Of course no one was paying any attention to me, so I could make all the mistakes I wanted (and did!). Thank you Dot. Then Steve Hulme (who played with us for the first time a couple of weeks ago) stepped forward and performed some great material (which he writes himself) including a seasonal song called Darkest Time Of The Year and then later The French Bread Song which literaly had us all crying with laughter. Wonderful, wonderful stuff Steve. Now where I am I up to, ah yes Mr. Don O`Connor. Now who else but Don, would you want to sing The Fairytale Of New York? Can`t wait to see the video of that one (which will be on site later ). Better than the Pogues I think!. Then another of our good friends, Mr. Chris Dinsdale and that wonderful slide guitar and then later some audience participation with Whiskey In The Jar. Thanks Chris. Right, we`re nearly half way now , so hang in there. Up to the stage Gerry Cooper, starting with a song about nuts! (Well nuts are Christmassy aren`t they?) and finishing with a Steve Earl song. And then two more of our regulars, Richard and Lesley Quayle (and yes Lesley, I nearly made the same old mistake again!) with a lovely opening song and the a seasonal instrumental from Richard called Christmas Memories. Now at this point the lights came on, which was a subtle way of telling us that supper was ready, so despite starting promptly, we didn`t quite get everyone on in the first half. Yvonne and Gwynn broke all records for raffle ticket sales (sorry Sarah in Canada - you`re going to have to come back and do it all again!) while we all tucked in to shepherds pie (or the vegetarian option - how posh is that?) and tried to catch our breath. (We did also have Christmas cake, but it didn`t see the light of day - do you think it will keep till next Christmas?). Now I`ve found another good ploy. Because I was a bit busy, I kept asking people if they would go to the bar for me and offering them the money for my drink and every time they said "No it`s o.k. I`ll get you one". Wonder how long I can get away with that one? Anyway no time to chat, back to business! Starting off the second half we were treated to a wonderful set by Anna Quayle, including a great song written by one of her friends. What a great talent, sorry you had to wait so long Anna, to play your set. (We`ll get you on early next time, promise). Then another great talent, Gloria, who performed  Tracks Of My Tears, with yet again some exceptional guitar playing, great stuff Gloria. And then our very own Dot Jarvis with a song about her Dad followed by I saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus. Oh yes we were in full sing along mode now. Next up was Rob Watkins. Now I have to apologise to Rob and say what a kind and patient man he is, because I actually missed Rob`s name off the list in the first set and he was one of the first arrivals! Rob you are a gentleman. Rob was joined by Brian to sing Hickory wind and was later joined by Caroline for a lovely duet, look out for the video later (cos I think you can actually see Rob this time!). Next up another newcomer to Addingham Acoustic (and what a night to make your debut) Charlie Pucknell (see gallery two) singing The Wind Beneath My Wings. Well done Charlie, we`ll be expecting to see you again soon. Now how are we doing - ah yes just three more to go! What can I say about Mr. Dave Speight and his wonderful versions of Blue Christmas and  White Christmas (I`ve just realised you`ve got a colour thing going there Dave - now I`m trying to think of all the other colour Christmas songs). Next up, Nick Hall was in the festive spirit and performed a Christmas song singing Acappela. Well done Nick and thanks for your patience. Finally, last but by no means least, our very own James Porter, who had worked a late shift and then come over to Addingham just to play for us. What dedication! James again got us all singing along to John Lennon`s, Happy Christmas War Is Over and then finished with Imagine. Thanks James and well done after a long day! Now I don`t think I`ve missed anybody (you`ll let me know I`m sure if I have) The video clips will be on later (as I`ve only had about four hours sleep and I need a cup of coffee!) and they will be rotated over the next couple of weeks. Thank you to all of you, performers and audience, for not only making this a wonderful night of entertainement (and what a great night it was) but for turning up week after week to perform and watch. And thank you for supporting our Charity Concerts and giving us your hard earned cash. We`ll be having two more concerts next year so watch out for the dates. Without all of you, there wouldn`t be any Addingham Acoustic. Thanks also to Dick and Julia for providing the venue and for feeding us. It`s been a great year and hopefully next year will be even better! As Christmas day and New Year`s Day are both Tuesdays, the first Addingham Acoustic of 2008 will be on the 8th January, so you all have lots of time to practice! We hope you all have a great Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Once again thanks TJM..      

Well despite the freezing cold weather, we had a good number turn up to entertain us last night. (I suppose the rest of you are practicing your Christmas songs for next week?). The Swan was probably the warmest place in the village with a lovely roaring fire! Our good friend Chris Anderson was with us again and started the evening off with a new song he`d written himself and in the second set played another of his own songs inspired by The Wizard Of Oz. He then did a duet with Brian Wylie (see gallery two) which was a first at Addingham Acoustic. Great stuff Chris. Then another first with Brian Wylie playing guitar and singing. (see gallery two) We`ve seen him playing blarge, mandolin, tin whistle and Bodhran but this is the first time ever, that Brian has performed playing guitar and singing on his own. He started his set with a beautiful song called The Writing On The Wall (check out the video clips later.). Brian you are a talented and very entertaining man! After I had managed a couple, Dot and Ged were back with us again and had us singing along to, I`ll be your baby tonight and in the second set, the wonderful Songbird, followed by one of Ged`s own songs. Then Earl sang us a couple of Christmas numbers starting with Elvis`s Blue Christmas. I can honestly say Earl, that we all had tears in our eyes! Rob Watkins was next up and started with a Hal Ketchum number and then a song called A Showmans Life and in the second set sang us the lovely Nancy Spain followed by some Rolling Stones! (yep we like variety here!). Finally Ian Pucknell sang us a couple including Creole Belle. (You know, you should just bring your guitar with you Ian, cos we`re gonna get you to play in the end!). Yes a very pleasant night, but I couldn`t sell any tee shirts, because everyone there last night had already bought one! Now we shall expect to see you all wearing them next week! Did I mention what`s happening next week? We will be starting promptly at 8.30 p.m. and it`s going to be busy, so if you want a seat get there early. Bring your tambourines, kazoo`s, and your marraca`s (is that how you spell that?) and your friends. There will be food at the interval, a raffle and plenty of festive spirit! (And yes we do expect to hear one or two Christmas songs). The video clips will be updated a litlle bit later today so if they`re not done when you read this, check back later. TJM (There,  I`ve kept it shorter this week!)

Well you keep doing it to me don`t you. Every time I think I`m going to have a nice early night and a lie in on Wednesday morning, all you wonderful musicians and audience members turn up in your droves and entertain us all once more. (And we had new performers and audience members yet again!). First a little bit of news about Mia. Mia came home last Friday following her treatment in Austria and she has continued to eat ice cream and crisps and is drinking juice, all of which bode well for the future. She has a long way to go but as Winston Churchill might have said it`s the end of the beginning. It was Mia`s second birthday last night, so I`m sure you will all join me in wishing her a happy birthday. Now I`ve been told to keep the blog shorter this week so I`ll do my best! First under the spotlight were Mike and Andee and what a fantastic start to the night it was. Andee had her full size harp with her this week and oh how she can play it (despite our rubbish lighting!). They started with a couple of Irish jigs and in the second set Andee played a lovely Irish aire and Mike performed 1952 Vincent Black Lightening on his new guitar. Wonderful stuff! Next up Brian Wylie (looking very dapper in what was obviousley a new and very attractive tee shirt!) played us an Irish tune on his tin whistle and then played his Bodhran. In the second set he sang us Paddy`s Bricks and then did a fine duet with Mike (see Gallery Two) playing The Masons Apron on his mandolin. What a very talented (and nice!) man. (You can tell already I`m not going to succeed in keeping this short can`t you). Then two newcomers to Addingham Acoustic, (see Gallery Two) Robin Petty and Ben Needham and what a great debut, playing and singing some wonderful music including Saint Samantha`s Day in the second set. (Apparantly not Saint Samantha Fox, as I thought!). Come back soon! Then yet another newcomer to Addingahm Acoustic (how many musicians are there out there?) Steve Hulme (see Gallery Two). And what a fine musician, performing original material including a song written for Ann (who I assume was the lovely lady sitting next to you in the audience?) and a wonderful funny song called "Musings On What It Is To Be" starting with an "umlaut"  and changing to an "omelette"! Yep we love that kind of stuff here! We hope to see you again very soon Steve. Next up one of our regulars Ian Pucknell. Now Ian, you need to buy a copy of my book 1001 Excuses (subtitle "It`s Really Not My Fault"). You see what happens when you don`t have your manager with you! (Aren`t I rotten?) Ian sang Lullaby again for Mia and then another of our favourites Let Him Roll. Great stuff Ian and that intro that you do to Let Him Roll, is superb. Next up another of our regulars James Porter with some Fleetwood Mac in the first set and then getting into the festive spirit with Scarlet Ribbons in the second set (we were all singing along). By the way did I mention the Christmas Party? Then under the spotlight, Mr Nigel Blues Boy Smith who performed a wonderful version of the Johnny Cash song Hurt. Unfortunately Nigel gave us his all in the first set and had nothing left to give in the second so we were deprived of his talents in the second half. Still I`m sure he`s learning some Christmas songs for the .......... well you know what! And finally, Ian Taylor stepped forward and played a new song called This Heart Of Mine and then also got into the seasonal spirit with Winter Song. Altogether another wonderful night, thanks to all you wonderful people who turned up to perform and to watch. Now don`t forget! (as if I`d let you!) In two weeks time (18th December) the Addingahm Acoustic Christmas Party takes place. It`s going to start promptly at 8.30 p.m. (as it`s going to be busy) and will finish when everybody`s had enough and wants to go home! Dick assures me the pub will remain open  as long as is necessary. Those wearing Addingham Acoustic tee shirts will get first pick of the sandwiches! We will expect to hear some festive music, so start practising now. The best and most festively dressed with appear on video! Speaking of which, if the videos aren`t updated when you read this, check back later (as I am just about to edit them). If they`re not very good, it`s because I took them all this week and I`m not as good as Barbara! See you all soon TJM.

Dot has just texted me to let me know that Today, Mia has eaten some ice cream and crisps! The Professor is very pleased with her and states that she should keep improving once she gets home this weekend. Good news or what! Apparantly it`s Mia`s birthday next Tuesday, (she will be two years old) so I think a chorus of Happy Birthday will be in order (even though she wont be there.)TJM.

Well I have to start this week with an apology for being a bit late! The function I was at in Ilkley should have finished at 8.00pm and didn`t! And what did I find when I arrived? A room packed with performers and audience all chomping at the bit. Not only that, but the tables were moved and the curtains and logo were up and the candles were lit. You know what this means don`t you? - yes I`m going to be late every week! This was a spectacular night with great performances and yet another new star to the Addingham Acoustic line up. Gerry Cooper got the evening under way with that beautiful steel guitar (not that I`m not saying you`re not beautiful Gerry!) Some fine slide playing and finishing with of course some Robert Johnson. Later on Gerry joined Nigel Blues Boy and when I`ve worked out how to bleep the swear words Nigel I`ll put the video on! Next up another first (I think?) with Brian Wylie, Rob Watkins and Caroline performing some great country songs (see Gallery Two). Check out the video clips later - wonderful stuff. Then Gloria (becoming a regular now!) stepped under the spotlight to sing us one of her own songs - Canal Street followed by Through The Grapevine and later, a "World Premier" (yes we like those here!) of her new song about Leeds Bridge. Next up a special treat we`ve all been waiting months for. Yes our great friend Chris Anderson (sporting the new Addingham Acoustic Tee Shirt!) was back with us all the way from Seattle (no I`m not going to do the joke about Settle - Oh I think I just did!) and on great form as ever. Giving us Dylan`s You`re A Big Girl Now in the first set and later performing a truly great version of Dylan`s Hollis Brown in the second - fantastic. We`re looking forward to the coming weeks Chris - great to have you back with us. Next up yours truly, stressed from being late, no time to drink enough (be honest I never run out of excuses, I think I may write a book). This was my first duet with our Monica (harmonica - come on it`s not easy trying to think this stuff up every week!). Bearing in mind I still can`t play the guitar yet (let alone sing) this was probably a bad move! Still I chose a song in the second set that the whole pub seemed to know  (Dylan`s Just Like A Woman). I tested this out in the last verse by pretending to forget the words and yes you really did know them! Next up Deborah Masterson was making her second appearance at AA. (Yes you`re becoming a regular now Deborah). What a wonderful version of Fever with all the pub joining in the bluesy atmosphere. Great stuff Deborah. And then this weeks newcomer (thanks to Deborah ) Carmen Wedderburn (see Gallery Two) singing A Cappella. Starting with Killing Me Softly  and then Alison Moye`s All Cried Out and later singing The Pointer Sisters Slow Hand this was a great first performance. Well done Carmen it was great, we expect to see you back again soon! Next up (or should I say Eh Up?) local lad Don O`Connor (yes these in jokes are irritating aren`t they - but then you should read the blogs every week!). Don`s second song was about someone who is homesick for Dakota and it was beautiful. You keep coming up with these wonderful songs Don. In the second half Rob Watkins and Brian Wylie entertained us with some great music starting with a Buddy Miller song and then getting us all singing along to Chris Hillman`s Tell Me Baby, Why You Been Gone So Long. Excellent stuff. And then another first at Addingham Acoustic, Brian Wylie and Don O`Connor (see Gallery Two)gave us a little bit of Irish magic finishing their set with a Christy Moore song. Now just when we thought we had got to the end suddenly everyone wanted to sing and up came Earl (`s a swinger! - yes I like that one) getting us all singing along with a song from Brother Where Art Thou and then Nigel Blues Boy Smith was positively fighting his way to the stage area (it`s terrible what drink will do) to perform Ray Lamontagne`s Jolene and one or two other snippets! great stuff Nigel! By now we were fighting them off ,but we just had to let James Porter through to sing us a couple, staring with Nights In White Satin - and yes we all joined in! Phew - I`m worn out now. ( Especially as it was such a late night and I`ve had to get up early to do this) But yes you`ll all be wanting to know how to get hold of your Addingham Acoustic Tee shirts wont you. Well you had better be quick as they are selling like - "Tee" cakes. Chris, I think we are going to have to send you home to the U.S.A. next week to order some more! And of course don`t forget in three weeks time (18th December) the Addingham Acoustic Christmas Party takes place. Food, raffle, balloons (or is that buffoons?). Don`t miss it! (and get here early as it will be an 8.30 prompt start). Now because you were all so wonderful last night (present company excepted) we have a lot of video clips. So when I have edited them, I am going to put five on today and then change them at the weekend, so you all get to see/hear yourselves). So if they are not updated when you read this, check back later and then again at the weekend. And one last note, Mia is staying on an extra week in Austria for further treatment. We`ll let you know all about it when she gets home. Thanks to all of you for turning up and making this a truly great night. TJM.

Yes, thanks to the wonderful Mr. Chris Anderson from Seattle, the Addingham Acoustic Tee Shirts have been hand deliverd all the way from the U.S.A. Chris will be among others modelling the Tee Shirts next Tuesday (and performing of course!). We have them in sizes small, medium large and extra large and they are for sale at the amazing price of only £6.00 each (as we are selling them for cost price, we are not looking to make a profit, aren`t we just too good to be true!). Check out Gallery Two next Wednesday as there will definately be photos featuring our "Tee`s". If you want to order one let me know. TJM.

Yes we are back from holiday and now on a diet! Davids blog follows (sounds like you had a good night to me). Just a quick note to let you know that, all being well, our good friend Chris Anderson, from Seattle, should be back with us next week and he`s bringing with him the new Addingham Acoustic Tee Shirts! Get your orders in quick! And now Davids Blog:

Well last nights event was one of those you just couldn`t buy a ticket for (bit like the Led Zeppelin gig eh?). There weren`t many of us but we really had some fun! Really good atmosphere and a great audience ready to join in the fun. Tony Sakkos got the evening off to a great start, in fact Tony was the star of the night. In the first set he gave us Lara`s Theme from Dr. Zhivago, Lille Marlene, and an Edith Piaf number. By the second set Tony was in full swing. We discovered at this point that it was his birthday (yes we sang happy birthday!) and he had the whole pub singing along to Que Sera and Honky Tonk Angel. Thanks Tony you were brilliant! (we`re all assuming you caught your bus as we didn`t see you asleep in Main street when we went home?). Next up Ged Keenan kicked off with Dylans Tangled Up In Blue - great song. Then he sang a couple dedicated to Dot Jarvis (currently in Austria), One More Night and then Missing You. Have you noticed how Dot and Ged are always sending little messages of love to each other - innit nice! Nigel "Blues Boy" Smith then sang us Ray Lamontagnes`s Jolene (you`ve really got that one sorted Nige) followed by a blues instrumental. Then Don Mc Lean`s American Pie to get us all singing along. (It was just the short version - the very short version!) and finishing up with The Sailor Car Park Blues. Next up Ian Pucknell started his set with a song he dedicated to Mia (currently undergoing treatment in Austria - we`ll update you shortly) called Lullaby. Elwood liked this and joined in quietly. Then when he announced he was going to do a new song I asked him what it was called. I kid you not, immediately and without any sign of his lips moving, he threw his voice behind me and told me it was "All The Diamonds". Not only that, he made his voice sound just like his wife Barbara`s! What a talented man! He continued with Let Him Roll (one of our favourites - but I always think it`s called "Dallas Whore") and finished with another new song Cocaine Lil. (Previousley done by Chris Anderson, who I think may be back with us next week.). Finally (and I use that word cautiousley) Mr M T Skull took to the spotlight to entertain us with some frivolity. (Yes unusual for Mr. M T Skull I know!). This was after he had spent some time re-arrainging the photo`s on the pub wall, to give himself a more prominant position! Star struck or what! (Sorry Scully  only joking!). And very entertaing he was too. The video clips will be updated shortly (when I`ve edited them) so if they`re not updated when you read this, check back later to see Ged Keenan, Ian Pucknell and M T Skull. And don`t forget the Addingham Acoustic Christmas Party will be on Tuesday the 18th December. Put the date in your diary now! TJM.  

Yes I've had to tear myself away from the balcony overlooking the Atlantic here in Tenerife (where the temperature is 25º and the sky is clear blue!) to tell you that the blog will be a little late this week as I wasn't there last night. Once I get home on Friday I will update the blog for you (assuming you've sent it to me David!). Hope it was a good night and you all enjoyed yourselves? A date for your diaries, the Addingham Acoustic Christmas Party will be on Tuesday the 18th December so start rehearsing those Christmas songs! There will be food, raffle etc. and we will be starting on time at 8.30, so don't be late! Anyway can't stop lots of relaxing to do! TJM

Well how do you follow a night like last week? Easy, you just get a fresh load of fantastic performers and a room full of audience to turn up! What a great night this was, full of atmosphere and some truly outstanding music. And some new faces to add to our gallery. The night started differently to normal, as we started earlier to allow The Salt Dudes to play a feature spot. (Everybody else still gets to play at least four songs!) And what a great spot it was, starting with May You Never and continuing with a playlist which included all kinds of material. This was definately an audience participation night and their version of Walking The Dog induced a lot of canine howling! (except from Elwood (the pub dog) who decided to join in the next song!). They also sang a couple of numbers written by Les Staves (Their percussionist) including Fools Love Song. However the finale, Mama The Bee Learned To Fly was just a bit different. How often do you see someone dressed as a bee (yes black and yellow chest, black cloak, gas mask) playing an artificial leg??? (see gallery two). Yes it`s always different at Addingham Acoustic! Anne Jackson and Ricky Silvers had a tough act to follow but of course they did a great job with some country music including You Can`t Buy Love In A Woolworth Store and Riding On The Wheels Of Love. There was some Bob Dylan in there as well. And two acoustic bass players in one night! Next up another new face to Addingham Acoustic. Tim Boynton (or "Trailer Trash" - his words not mine!) blew us all away with some really great stuff including Britney Spears, Hit Me Baby One More Time (and wouldn`t you just like to) not the first time it`s been done here - but definately the best! Some Buddy Holly then Blue Moon Of Kentucky, and finishing with a bit of Elvis - One Night With You (Elwood really liked that one and joined in again). We were really rockin` now! Tim you definately need to come again! And now you boys can put your eyeballs back in their sockets `cos Dot wasn`t really naked. When Dot started to play, she said she felt naked without her partner Ged. Isn`t that nice. Ged you are a lucky man! Dot started with the song she wrote about her father - Mine Rescue Man and continued with Bob Dylans Don`t Think Twice and finishing with Tom Paxton`s The Last Thing On My Mind. Now Dot it`s no good asking me to remember your song titles when you have a senior moment - I`m older than you! (And yes I know I look it - I`ve had a hard life!). Then we had another treat with another new face, Deborah Masterson. And oh what a lovely voice. Deborah started with Randy Crawford`s Almas and immediatley the pub was silenced. Singing A Cappella is never easy but Deborah made it look as if it was. She went on to sing Love Letters (we were singing along to that) and finished with a wonderful version of  Summertime. Simply fantastic! A really great night that really rocked. Thanks to all of you for playing and for turning up to watch. Check ot Gallery Two to see our "new faces". Unfortunately no new video clips this week as the video operator was poorly. Just to keep you up to date with Mia, she is taking the treatment in her stride apparently (and if you`ve met her this won`t surprise you!). We will keep you up to date with progress. TJM

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of you all, Mia flew out to Austria this morning, to begin the medical treatment that will hopefully allow her to lead a normal life. We will keep you informed of Mia`s progress over the next three weeks. Once again thank you to all of you, for making this happen.TJM

Yes we`re now adding video of our performances at Addingham Acoustic! It needs a bit of refining but at least it`s up and running. We have added three clips from last night, one small clip on the home page and on each of  video clip pages two and three a larger clip. Keep checking these pages as wewill be changing them regularly. TJM

Don`t panic Mr. Mainwaring! Yes it looked for a moment, like too many of you were going to turn up, I didn`t think I was going to get a seat! Thankfully there were just a lot of you. And not only did you all turn up in numbers, but you turned up on time too! What a great atmosphere for our second birthday party. A special thanks to Dave Speight who brought me a birthday card and a present (and very drinkable it looks too). I assume the rest of you have posted yours? Brian Wylie and Rob Watkins got the evening off to a great start with some country music on guitar and Blarge (Don`t know what a blarge is? - go back through these blogs!). Then a special treat to have Mike Craig and Andee back with us, but this time as a married couple! Yes they married a couple of days ago, so congratulations from all of us. And what talent! wonderful musicianship on guitar, harp (even with a string missing) and (I think?) Viola. Great stuff. And then the man himself - yes, Mr. Speight. What can I say that I haven`t said before? Great blues, great guitar, great bottle of wine you brought me! Another treat coming up with Caroline stepping under the spotlight to sing with Rob. The last (and only) time Caroline sang I was away on business and missed it, but I`m glad I didn`t miss it this time. Caroline it was lovely! Then Len Harvey stepped forward and started with a bit of country, but then went on to sing his song about a mermaid (fishy tale - get it? oh never mind!). Len, that genuinly is a funny song, you really did have all the pub laughing. Then my turn. I`ve discovered two things. When a camera flash goes off, my mind goes blank! (well more blank than usual) and when you get people singing along to your song, if you play a couple of wrong chords, it really throws them! Moving on! Richard and Lesley Quayle were up next and yet again what can I add to what I`ve said before. Wonderful guitar playing and a lovely voice. Great blues and great traditional material, altogether great stuff. Then our very own Dot Jarvis and Ged Keenan, playing some new material and very nice it was too. Especially, I`ll Be Your Baby Tonight, we were all singing along. (In fact there was a lot of singing along tonight which really made for a lovely atmosphere). Now what can I say about local lad (?) Don O`Connor! When you sang your song about the man from Cork who could have been world boxing champion Don, you could have heard a pin drop in the pub! That`s no mean feat. Then to round the evening off Brian Wylie sang us "Paddy And The Bricks". A really special night to celebrate two years of Tuesday music nights in the Swan. Thanks to all of you, not just for turning up tonight, but for turning up week after week to perform. If you didn`t turn up there would be no Addingham Acoustic. And thanks to all our friends around the globe who couldn`t be with us tonight, but who support everything we do. We were thinking of you. Thanks to Anne for helping to prepare the half time buffet. (How come all the sandwiches you made Anne, were eaten before the ones I made? You know what that means don`t you - you`re making all the sandwiches next time!). And if I`d known I was going to win the raffle myself, I`d have bought a better prize! Thanks also to Dick and Julia, who let us play in their pub week after week. Check out all the party photo`s in gallery two. See you all soon! TJM

Next Tuesday night is party time at Addingham Acoustic! It`s two years since I started the Tuesday night music sessions at The Swan and we`re going to celebrate! There will be a buffet at the interval and a raffle. And (if you all turn up!) lots of good music - so don`t miss it! Get there early to get a seat. TJM

What a great night this was with a great atmosphere and a full pub once again. And what a stable of wonderful musicians turned up tonight to entertain us, with a new face to add to Addingham Acoustic`s galleries. The evening got under way with Tony Sakkos and his accordian. I`ve said it before but I`ll say it again, boy can he play that thing! With songs from Edith Piaf through to Lara`s Theme, from Doctor Zhivago, with Estonian folk songs in between, what a start! Next up Richard and lesley Quayle starting with a traditional Rosemary Lane and continuing with some great blues and some awesome instrumentals from Richard including Birmingham Steel and a breathtaking bluegrass number. And what a great version of Buddy Can You Spare A Dime. Next on, a new face to our music night, Gloria (see gallery two) started her sets with some of her own material and then astounded us with her variety of songs including Shakespeare`s Sonnet number twenty put to music (yes I know, Shakespeare two weeks running - are we a cultured lot or what!) and continuing with songs from Cher,and Smokey Robinson! James Porter (your definately a regular now James!) once again stepped under the spotlight and played a wide variety of material (different every week - no mean feat) including Take These Chains From My Heart, When I`m Dead And Gone, (McGuiness Flint) and Scarlet Ribons (we`re getting ready for Christmas early here!). Great stuff James. Then our good freind Rob Watkins was back with us to perform some great country music, including songs from The Byrds, Steve Earle, Robert Thompson and Lyall Lovatt. What a great voice! Rob is one fifth of "Last Orders" (see links). And last but not least Dave Speight stepped up to perform as usual some wonderful blues, starting with a couple of numbers he`s written himself. I`ve run out of superlatives for Dave because, as I`ve said before - I`ve said it all before! And to finish off the evening, Dave Speight and Richard Quayle (see gallery two) just took our breath away, dueting on a couple of blues numbers. It was so good I`m lost for words (and that doesn`t happen very often!). A really fantastic night greatly enjoyed by all who were there. Thanks to all of you. Oh and yes! Half time! Corned beef hash! Thank you Julia! You see you just can`t afford not to come - you don`t know what you`ll miss! See you all next week. TJM

Addingham Acoustic have, today, presented a cheque for £2,278.00 to Richard & Cheryl Edwards, to help towards the cost of Mia`s specialist medical treatment in Austria. The presentation took place at The Swan, Addingham, home of Addingham Acoustic. Mia will be flying out to Austria on the 4th November. We will keep you informed of her progress. See Gallery 2 . TJM  

Canadian singer songwriter Jo-Ann Lawton, who performed at Addingham Acoustic at the beginning of July (while on holiday in Yorkshire) has been nominated (together with her co performer in their duo Sirens - see links) for an award in the "Best Vocal Group" category for the Canadian Folk Music Awards. (Awards night is the 1st December). They are up there with some big, big names! Regular readers of this blog will know that Jo-Ann held a small concert in Canada to raise funds for Mia`s appeal. Good luck Jo-Ann from all at Addingham Acoustic, we will all be rooting for you! See www.canadianfolkmusicawards.ca   TJM

Thanks to Mick Keenan (who unlike me knows how to use a camera properly!) we have added some more pictures of the concert to the Gallery. Check them out in both galleries one and two- they`re better than mine!  TJM. 

Well, we`re all coming down from the high that was last Friday night! I think most of us are still shell shocked. What amazes me more, is that donations are still coming in, so thank you. And thank you to Richard, Cheryl & Mia for your kind words on the blog post. Believe me, we all regard what we did as a pleasure. So back to Tuesdays! Yours truly got the evening under way with some Dylan, accompanied by the talented Dot Jarvis on harmonica, (where was that photographer again?) I followed up with a bit of Rod Stewart (with another later accompanied by Don O`Connor) and finished with Don M`Clean. (The singer not the comedien! - mind you?). Dot was next up singing, once again some of her own material (that second song Dot was lovely) and some covers including The Beatles and good old Me and Bobby Mc Gee. Then Don got up and sang us some lovely material including some Damien Rice and James Morrisons The Pieces Don`t Fit, wonderful stuff. Nigel (we used to call him "Blues Boy" - now he`s "The Auctioneer") Smith was persuaded under the spotlights to sing us a couple including Rasy LaMontagne`s Jolene, and then James Porter performed Stand by Me and The Sloop John B. (I`ve just noticed that rhymes - you`ll have to do that every time from now on James!) And then the dulcet tones of Mr. M T Skull were heard on the premises and he stepped forward to recite some Shakespeare in the guise of a Scotsman! We`re no experts, but we`re sure they weren`t Shakespeares original words! There was no stopping him now and we were treated to Daisy, some Jake Thakery and finally accompanied by "The Auctioneer" the good ol` "Sailor Car Park Blues". Well a good night was had by all. Great company, good music and particularly good chips tonight Julia! See you all again next week. TJM.

The events of last night were such, that I can`t think of anything more appropriate to say. The generosity of all those who performed and all those who helped to arrange the concert and all the people who attended (and there were an awful lot of you) and all those who couldn`t come to the concert but who gave donations (including all our friends around the World) has left me stunned. Before I tell you about the performances, let me give you some figures. Mia`s family have asked me to give you a total figure for Mia`s Appeal Fund as they tell me that, once we announced we were holding a concert for Mia, her relatives (including many in Scotland) were inspired to start fund raising initiatives (including sponsored bungy jumps and sponsored diets) and also some very generous donations were given. However first I think it fair to tell you how much our concert (and the donations made to it) raised. Having checked the figures this morning I can tell you that Mia`s Concert raised £2,238.08! Thank you all so much - it is a staggering figure. Last night I announced that including this amount Mia`s appeal was currently at £4,938.00! This morning however Mia`s parents opened their post to find a donation of £1,500.00 towards Mia`s appeal, bringing the total to a staggering £6,438.00. Mia`s parents are now closer to the total sum required for Mia`s treatment. They have asked me to pass on their gratitude to you all. In all honesty they are just a little overwhelmed at the moment as I`m sure you will understand.

Well on to last nights events! My goodness what a lot of you there were! The auditorium was full, the bar was full, the hallway was full. (There were even quite a few in the car park!). And what a night it was! the atmosphere throughout was electric and the performances were spectacular. Richard and Lesley Quayle got the night off to a great start. Any performer will tell you that going on first is the most difficult spot to occupy. but Richard and Lesley really got the evening going with a wonderful set. Great blues - and Richard - that steel guitar! (or Dorothy as we know her). And Lesley what a lovely voice. The three things that stick in my memory are, Don`t Think Twice played on the spoons (see gallery), Baton Rouge Rag and Hobo`s Lullaby. You know you really have to a be a bit good to be invited to play at an Addingham Acoustic concert. Thanks Richard and Lesley. Next up Chris Dinsdale. What more can I say about Chris? He`s a wonderful guitar player, he`s got a great voice he chooses great music, he supports everything we do and he`s one of lifes nice people. Chris it`s just a pleasure to have you with us. Chris started off with Everbody`s Talking At Me and finished with Walking Blues and in between did all kinds of stuff! Talented or what! Next up a special guest all the way from Scotland. Rab Armour is Mia`s uncle and along with many of Mia`s relatives from over the border, he came down especially for the concert. Rab played a mix of his own songs and also some covers. But in particular he finished his set with a song he`d written for Mia. Rab`s performance was truly explosive (his guitar blew up half way through!). But like a true trooper he borrowed another one and carried on!. What followed next can only be described as "speed funraising". We were honoured to have with us a real television celebrity! Mr. Nigel Smith of "Flog It" and "Bargain Hunt" fame was on hand to hold a charity auction, with yours truly acting as porter. Well done Nigel, you raised a lot of money very quickly. Just one thing though - how come I kept bidding? my hands were full all the time! Still I only bought one lot. Mind you you only bought one lot as well Nigel! The second half got under way with Fischers Ghost, featuring Dot Jarvis (Mia`s Grandma!). Again what can I say - I`ve said it all before. Guys you were brilliant! Original material mixed with covers, wonderful lead guitar Tim, great singing and playing from Dot and Ged. Enough said! And on to the finale. No they weren`t an Abba tribute band. These guys get together for our concerts. They normally play in three different bands, Bullfrog Jones (and/or the Rob Dylan Band) The Snake Kings and Kinda Blue. The line up was slightly differnet to last time (you don`t often get two bass players do you - I suppose that`s what a double bass is?). Aren`t they just a bit special! What a set list, Dylan to the Beatles, Neil Young to The Rolling Stones. Awesome boys awesome! What a way to finish the night. Yes they really were dancing in the aisles! Dot Jarvis was sent for, to play harmonica on "Helpless" and the for the encore "Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 35" half the room was up joining in! (see gallery). But of course we couldn`t let them go with one encore could we! Definately not! So what did we get - "Honky Tonk Women". Well we were all rockin` by now. But all good things have to come to an end sadly and the band were worn out by now, so we eventually let them go. But guys - AWESOME!

Now you will all know, that without an awful lot of help from an awful lot of people, these events wouldn`t happen.  Firstly, this concert was instigated not just by me, but also by Nigel Smith. Without Nigel this concert would not have taken place. Nigel also, on behalf of Tennants Auctioneers, sponsored the hire of the hall. (This meant that every penny of ticket, raffle and auction money went straight to Mia). Nigel also gave a lot of moral support and donated money prizes etc. Nigel you`re a star. Bracken Ghyll Golf Club, who were wonderful hosts, then donated back the cost of hiring the hall, what a wonderful gesture. Thank you. (And what a performance those barmen put in - they didn`t have rest all night!). Neither the concert nor our regular Tuesday nights would happen, without two very special people. David and Anne Brimacombe are always there helping run things. They give their time unstintingly, quietly and with grace. They are two of lifes special people. Thank you. Dot Jarvis doesn`t just help when we raise money for her family (and she took some persuading to let us do it). When we raised money for the Flood Victims, Dot worked tirelessly to raise money and to help run the concert, as she did this time. It was Dot`s dedication to helping her family, that inspired Nigel and myself to hold this concert. Thanks Dot. John Jenner not only performs in our finale bands he spends hours organising players, setting things up, running the sound with Ged Keenan (and last time recording and producing a CD). Again he does this quietly and with grace. And lastly Barbara  (yes my wife!). I promise you, you have no idea how much time and effort Barbara puts into these events. And as you will know she doesn`t even get to see most of the concert! They would not happen without her. (And in the meantime she has to put up with me) But of course there would be no concert without the wonderful musicians who time and time again share their talent with us for free. They are truly talented people and they deserve our thanks. And of course if you didn`t all give up your hard earned cash to come and watch, well there would be no point would there? To all those people who helped who haven`t been mentioned forgive me, but thank you. We will keep you informed of Mia`s progress. TJM

Apologies if I have spelt that incorrectly! I have just heard from Gaetano and Margherita Bevilacqua in Salerno Italy, that they have put in the post, a donation to Mia`s concert! Gaetano and Margherita attended our last concert for the flood victims, while they were on holiday in Yorkshire and they made donations to that fund also. Thank you both so much - Mia`s appeal is truly international! Thanks also to Tony Ferry of Langtry - Langton Architects for his generous donation of a raffle prize. (I`ll certainly be buying a ticket now!) TJM

Great to see a full pub tonight, with new faces both under the spotlight and in the audience. And what a lot of talented performers we had! .  Sam Barrett - new to Addingham Acoustic (see gallery) - got us off to a great start with a song he`d written himself (to his guitar!) and followed up later with an Irish song and then a Yorkshire song (a mini world tour really!). What a fantastic sound on that twelve string Sam! Next up another new face (from the very talented Quayle family - and I gather there`s still two more we haven`t heard yet!). James Quayle (see gallery) performed some great music in both the first and second sets, including some new material, accompanied by some great guitar playing - we hope to see more of you James. Next up the wonderful Chris Dinsdale with a great version of Everybody`s Talking At Me followed by some Leonard Cohen, and later Cockney Rebel`s Come Up And See Me - yes we were all singing along by now! Len Harvey was next under the spotlight. What a great mix of music Len, starting with Soup Stone, followed by Your Sixteen then The Drifters, Save The Last Dance and finally Singing The Blues! We were really humming by now! Richard and Lesley Quayle (no I`m not going to mention you know who) started their set with an American Blues song and then Black Waterside and Richard finished the second set with Baton Rouge Rag. Just unbelievable guitar playing - we really had a top team out tonight. (I`m glad I left my guitar at home!). Anne Jackson took to the stage next accompanied by Ricky Silvers for the first song. (minus his bass guitar!). Anne also did a couple of great numbers on her wonderful Appalachian Dulcimer and finished her second set with the gorgeous Songbird. And last, but certainly not least, two thirds of Fischers Ghost, our very own Dot Jarvis and Ged Keenan. I just love the sound of that harmonica Dot on Heart of Gold and Missing You is such a lovely song (I know your going to text me now and tell me it`s not called "Missing You"!). And what a way to finish the evening with us all sing along to The Last Thing on My Mind. A really great night thanks to a lot of great musicians - thank you all. And thanks to all of you in the audience as well (hopefully some of you will make it under the spotlight soon!). Finaly, I`m sure everyone will know, that Mia`s Concert takes place this Friday. I just want to say thank you, to all those people, quite literally all over the World, who have been so generous in supporting our efforts to help Mia. You have been truly wonderful and it has been a humbling experience. Thank you all once again. Check out the blog at the weekend and we will let you know how things went. TJM

Well we had a bit of everything tonight! Moody Blues to Ray LaMontagne, Mark Knopfler to Elvis! Yep we like it all here! James Cubie and Kim Chua were back after a short break and started off the evening with one of their own songs - Right or Wrong (They were practicing something else earlier, but we`ll have to wait another time for that!). Then John Jenner borrowed Dot`s twelve string and sang us Sally Free and Easy, wonderful sound! Then he performed one of his own songs that none of us had heard before - Save Your Tears - which was well received!. Then Dot Jarvis (??) took her guitar back and had us singing along to Stand by Me and later, The Last Thing on My Mind. James Porter did a great version of Nights in White Satin. (I discovered two years ago that, like me, loads of people had always thought it was Knights in White Satin - you know the blokes in tin suits on horseback!). He then continued with a great version of Joni Mitchell`s Woodstock (yes I said Matthews Southern Comfort, but was corrected, Joni Mitchell wrote it!). He went on to perform one of his own songs for the first time - Sunshine and Rain - and very good it was. And if that wasn`t enough he then finished with some Elvis Presley!!. Nigel Smith then gave us his version of Jolene. (Are you trying to picture Nigel as Dolly Parton?!). Well actually it was the Ray LaMontagne song and Nigel you did it very well! But it wouldn`t be the same without some blues and Dave Speight didn`t disappoint. With his beautiful steel guitar (I thought it was "Dorothy" for a minute) (you need to read these blogs every week to know what I`m talking about!) he entertained us as usual with some superb musicianship - and he makes it look so easy - it`s just not fair! All in All another excellent night (that`s night not Knight!). Only ten day`s to go to the concert, we`ll expect to see you all there! For those of you who have pledged donations or raffle prizes, can you get them to me now. Also if you`ve taken tickets to sell, can you let me know if you have sold any and get any surplus back to me (saves me printing more!). Thanks for all your support.TJM

Below is a transcript of a letter I have just received from PTS Plumbing Bradford. www.ptsplumbing.co.uk

"Dear Mr. & Mrs. Edwards, Please find enclosed a cheque for £100 to help towards Mia`s treatment. By donating for snacks and soft drinks, staff and customers raise a small amount of money each year which we like to give to a child who needs a little help. We really hope Mia`s treatment is successful and she can taste her first Christmas lunch. Something we all take for granted. Good luck and God bless. Staff and customers of PTS"

Thankyou Diane and everyone at PTS we really appreciate your wonderful gesture.

Well I have to say, this was one of the most enjoyable evenings I`ve had in a long time! Bearing in mind the hours I spend every week, preparing for Tuesdays, setting the room up and then keeping the website up to date to give everyone a platform to perform their music, it was nice to relax with just a few close friends and to get the chance to try a few of the more difficult pieces I`m learning to play without feeling under pressure! I also got the chance to perform with Don O`Connor, one of our favourite Dylan songs (To Ramona). We hadn`t rehearsed it and neither of us had played it for ages, but with the exception of one line, we got through it and finished together! Thanks Don (Where was the photographer though?). Don also got the chance to perform some music that he doesn`t normally perform in public and as usual his performance was sublime. (Despite having a cold!) Don is one of lifes true gentleman. It was a real treat to have another of lifes true gentlemen with us - Chris Dinsdale.. The way Chris  plays that slide guitar is just breathtaking! When I played one of Chris`s tracks to a friend recently, he couldn`t believe it was only one guitar! And one of our "new" regulars James Porter, also got the chance to play in public again. James has played the guitar for a long time, but I think James, this is only the second time you`ve played in public? Wonderful stuff! Thanks James. Just to keep you up to date, fund raising for Mia is going well. Check out the Telegraph & Argus Tomorrow (Wednesday 26th) as we have a large feature going in (including photograph) about the concert. If you`re an Addingham Acoustic performer and you haven`t reserved your ticket yet, or made a donation, now is the time. We really need to raise a lot of cash to help Mia and therefore we are relying on your support. Thank you to all those who have already donated, not only their money, but their time and talent and expertise. TJM

Yes he`s back from his sabbatical in the jungle that is the South of England! Formerly known as M T Skull - as he hosted tonight he`s now known as M C Skull - but more later. (If you are reading this, Katie Melua - stop reading now!). We had a top team out tonight with everything from Estonian folk songs to Oasis, Russian ballads and Blues! And what a great atmosphere with some great audience participation! Dot and Ged (back from their sojourn in Barcelona - and looking very tanned) started the evening off with some new material and carried this theme on through the evening with us all joining in to "Stand by Me". (At one point also accompanied by Neil Young! - you had to be here to understand). Next up, making his first appearance at Addingham Acoustic, Tony Sakkos (see gallery) and his wonderful accordian playing - boy can he play that thing. And what a great version of Honky Tonk Angel (with us all joining in again!). Thanks Tony. Yours truly had a go next and I performed Don McLean`s The Grave (If he was dead he`d be turning in his! - actually it wasn`t too bad for me!). Then back again after a short break, our good friend Ian Pucknell sang some wonderful stuff and the sound he gets out of that guitar is awesome! What can I say about the velvet voice of Don O`Connor? It just makes my skin tingle! (And not just mine). Wonderful wonderful stuff. Don will be singing in one of our concerts soon - watch this space! Well it`s arrived - that Katie Melua moment. There`s only one person we know who sings her songs and he never seems to learn the right words! (remember "Daisy"!) Yes it`s M C Skull performing his very own version of Katie`s new song. (How does he do it - it`s only been out about a fortnight!). Good taste prevents me from going into detail but the vision I have now of James Blunt will never be the same! Good to have you back MC. (Well if you can keep calling me "jingle jangle"!). Could anyone follow that? - of course they could! "Blues Boy" Nigel Smith and his version of Simon and Garfunkels America was something to behold, with all of us joining in (well someone had to remember the words Nige!). Finally The Godfather of Acoustic music, the one and only Mr. Dave Speight, enthralled us yet again with his singing and his playing and his repertoire! Yet again we were all singing along as Dave sang As Time Goes By and we were shouting for more at the end! What a fantastic atmosphere! Well for all those of you reading this who weren`t here, you`ll realise you missed a great night - but worse still for you all, we not only had chips at the interval - we had ONION RINGS too!! You see you cannot afford to miss a night at AA. Next week looks like being another busy one, so get here early to get your seat! Thanks again to everyone for filling Mia`s bucket. TJM

Our heartfelt thanks go to Jo-Ann Lawton (check out the Juke Box and the links page) and Karen MClaughlin, in Canada, who have both donated the takings from their recent appearances at Acoustic Spotlight In London, Ontario, Canada to Mia`s Appeal. This  is a wonderful gesture from across the Atlantic and is a real boost to our fundraising. Jo-Ann and Nigel Lawton also sent a donation to our Flood Appeal. What wonderful generous people. Thank you from all at Addingham Acoustic. (We hope we can put you on "In Concert" over here one day Jo-Ann!). 

Check out the Juke Box - it has now been re-loaded.

What a great surprise to have not one but three new young performers with us tonight! We are getting more and more young players which is what we want. (Tell your friends!). The great thing is though, that the younger artists play, not only recent stuff and lots of their own material, but they sing and play the "oldies" as well!  New to Addingham Acoustic, Danny Horn (see gallery and links pages) started the evening for us with one of my favourite Dylan songs - To Ramona and then followed up with one of his own songs - No Conviction. Tom later played more Dylan including a superb rendition of Simple Twist of  Fate and more of his owm material including among others, Out of The Rain and Church in The Tower. What a talented young man you are Danny - hope you can make it again next week. Then two more young players to Addingham Acoustic, Tom Harrison and Melissa Naylor  (see gallery). They started with The Beatles Eight Days a Week and continued with some great material, Melissa doing a couple on her own. Wonderful stuff - what a great start to the night! One of our resident regulars Ian Taylor then performed May You Never and later had us singing along to Brown Eyed Girl and Big River. Next up was Earl (`s a singer) with some lovely ballads - thanks Earl. "Bluesboy" Nigel Smith sang us a couple in the second set including Sailor Car Park Blues. (The old ones are the best eh Nigel!). Now we did have a bit of a crisis as the night wore on, as we were a bit short of guitars tonight (yes performers don`t always bring their instruments!) so we were using the "pub guitar" We also had to borrow a Capo from someone who hadn`t brought a guitar and wasn`t performing but did bring a Capo - thanks James!. Unfortunately one of the strings broke (don`t know why -they`ve only been on for about two years!). At this point we discovered that there were no spare "pub guitar strings"! However Earl (who doesn`t play the guitar but brought one with him - is this all getting a bit bizarre?) agreed that we could borrow his guitar, if after re-tuning it to standard tuning, we re-tuned it to G. (Yes I know we were lying about that Earl, but you should know us by now!). Anyway thanks Earl you saved the evening! All in all a great, and very relaxed, evening. Thanks to all who played and all who turned up to watch (sorry no chips tonight, but they`ll be back on the menu next week) and thanks to all those who threw money into "Mia`s Bucket". Don`t forget Mia`s concert on the 12th October. If anyone can help by putting up a poster, donating a raffle prize or raising donations please let me know. TJM

Yes just three of the people who didn`t turn up last night! Where were you all? No matter, although we didn`t have many performers, we had a wonderful audience and a lovely evening. In fact if you weren`t there you missed something really special (no I don`t mean the sight of me making Scully empty his pockets into the charity bucket - although that was worth seeing!). I started off the proceedings with a couple of Dylan numbers (and I was still holding my plectrum at the end!) and then Don O`Connor played a couple of lovely songs. (It was worth coming just to hear Don!). For my second stint I put out my "I`m Busking for Mia" bucket and after much coercion David threw some money in - 2p. !!!! After my next song £1.00 went in (from me!!). Phil Greaves was pursuaded to sing a couple for us. He was only in on a flying visit (and stayed till about 11.45pm!). Then Don played again for us and this time the bucket was handed round and the kind and generous people who make up our audience rattled the bottom of the bucket with some very generous donations. Thank you all so much - it`s a very important cause. Richard and Lesley Quayle finished off the first half and we were all looking forward to the second as Richard had brought Dorothy with him and was going to perform with her! This really was a bit special - the first of our "feature spots" and something we`ll definately be doing again. Lesley started with an Eddi Reader song and then Richard cast her to one side to perform with Dorothy! (see gallery). And what a stunner Dorothy is! Boy did she sound good! Richard and Lesley performed the most wonderful set with a variety of songs and styles. I mean where else have you seen Bob Dylan`s "Don`t Think Twice" performed on the spoons! (I was so spelbound I forgot to pick up the camera until it was too late!). They finished the set with what must be the definitive version of " Hobo`s Lullaby". Truly wonderful and really a bit special. Thank you Richard and Lesley (and Dorothy!) for a great set. We`re all looking forward to your performance it Mia`s Concert on the 12th October. Thanks to all for attending and special thanks to the audience for their generosity. And for those of you who couldn`t make it this week - it`s double fundraising next week! TJM.

Following the announcement of our appeal to help Mia, I have just had an email from Nigel and Jo-Ann Lawton in Canada. Jo-Ann played at Addingham Acoustic on the 3rd of July while the family were on holiday in Yorkshire. Jo-Ann has decided to  perform her next concert on September the 12th at Acoustic Spotlight in London, Ontario, Canada, for Mia. What a wonderful gesture from the other side of the Atlantic! Jo-Ann, Nigel and their daughter Sarah have already sent a donation to our last appeal for the Yorkshire Flood Victims. What a wonderful brother (and sister) hood the music world is. It is also nice to know that while helping Mia, a lot of people will be enjoying wonderful entertainment. Jo-Ann`s details can be found on the links page under www.Sirens3.com  and www.ShowcaseYourMusic.com/joannlawtonmusic Thank you so much Jo-Ann, Nigel and Sarah. TJM

Put the date in you diary - our next concert is booked!  Friday 12th October at Bracken Ghyll Golf Club Addingham. The concert is to raise funds for medical treatment for Mia. A little girl close to all our hearts as she is the grand daughter of our own Dot Jarvis (Fischers Ghost). Full details are on the website under "Mia`s Concert". I defy anyone to look at the picture of this little girl and read her story and not want to help her. We already have donations in and tickets sold. Hurry it could be a sell out!TJM

Yes, Tuesdays after Bank Holidays are supposed to be quiet and I can expect an early night after the long weekend. But no! I should have known better! Eight performers and a good audience (although the audience did dwindle as some of the people had called in on their way home after the long weekend). The evening started with Derry Jones and his accordian. Next up was yours truly. Now the advantage of writing this blog is that, if someone else was doing it, they would probably now tell you that I forgot my words and my chords and just about everything else! Instead of shouting for more people were shouting "start again!". Luckily, as I`m writing this, it`s going to remain my little secret! Next up it was great to see Anne Jackson again, backed by Ricky Silvers and Brian Wylie. Great music. Then a first for us with Ricky singing himself (backed by Anne and Brian). Then Brian sang us a couple of songs unaccompanied. (I was going to say "a cappella" but I don`t know how you spell it?). In the second set he played with Mike Craig which again was a first for AA. (see the gallery).It was great to see Mike Craig again and yet again his guitar playing and performance was spell binding. Finally to round off the evening Messrs. Taylor and Thompson sang us the two songs which they perform on the recently released hit CD "After The Flood" which is only available via this website! (Yes I know, we never give up!). Next week sees the first of our feature spots. Everybody plays up to the break but after the break Richard & Lesley Quayle (he`s dumped Dorothy!) will be performing. This is going to be a great evening so don`t miss it! If you plan on playing, get here early as we will be starting promptly. Finally the Addingham Acoustic international net is spreading even further!. I have had an email this week from an English lady who runs a guest house in Transylvannia! (No I`m not joking). She is offering special packages to anyone who wants to visit the upcoming music festival. Anyone interested email me! Watch this space over the next few days as we will be announcing details of our next concert. TJM 

Do I really need to say yet another busy night at Addingham Acoustic? I`m always worried when I walk in to find a room full of audience in case the performers don`t turn up, but as usual I needn`t have worried as we had twelve musicians entertain us! Derry Jones got us going and gave us one of his drinking songs (did I mention Derry, that I had just been in the Tirol and had a week of accordian music and drinking songs??). Bruce Kaberry next in Elvis mood (yes we were all singing Wooden Heart!). Next up James and Kim playing lots of their own work together with some Cheryl Crow. (They`re getting to be regulars !). Apologies now to Richard and Lesley Quayle for introducing them as Richard and Dororthy (Don`t worry Richard your secrets safe with me - well maybe not!). It`s just that I have some other good friends called Richard and Dorothy! (Whats that they say about when you`re in a hole stop digging?). As we`ve come to expect they performed some wonderful material and what superb guitar playing. Watch out for their feature spot in a couple of weeks. Gerry Cooper fresh from his holidays sang and played us some wonderful blues, great stuff Gerry. Next up the velvet voiced Don O`Connor (to shouts of "Where`s Dillon?"). Their are not many people who can silence The Swan, but Don did so with his beautiful song about a famous man from Cork! Wonderful Don! John Jenner was then persuaded to sing us a couple which he did beautifully. Special thanks to John for all his hard work on the CD. Next up another new player to AA James Porter. We had to persuade him to go and get his guitar out of the car and it was well worth it! Some great stuff including some Elvis - thanks James. Ged Keenan played us a couple in the second half. He`d just finished a late shift before rushing to join us - there`s dedication! Finally both sets were ended by the wonderful Mr Dave Speight (who I didn`t introduce as a "Blues Singer" as he has a very varied repertoire!). What a wonderful performance with lots of audience participation and shouts for an encore when he`d finished (to which he obliged!). Thanks to all. A great night as usual (and well done to Anne who won the raffle! - did I mention David sold the tickets?). Thanks also to everybody who has bought a CD. Don`t miss our Charity Auction next Monday night in The Swan. Lots include a cricket jumper signed by Darren Gough, three cases of beer, a voucher for an I.T. training day, a meal for four people and a voucher for four guitar lessons (for a child or a beginner). All the money, again, will go to the Yorkshire flood victims. TJM 

With the sound of music! Yes we are in the Austrian Tirol so we haven`t got a clue what happened last night! However when we get home at the weekend and David emails me with his words I will update the blog. (You will email me won`t you David!) In the meantime we`re enjoying lots of oompah music. I`m learning a couple of yodeling songs for next week. (I may have to borrow you`re accordian Derry!). Not sure I`ll dare wear these lederhosen though! (Although the leather feels very nice!) Check in again at the weekend for an update for last night.TJM: 

Yes the CD recorded live at the Charity Concert is now available. (Thanks to John Jenner) Featuring fourteen tracks, the CD is available for £5.00 all of which will go to the Flood Victims charity (SYCF). To order a copy email us a.s.a.p. (or order one at The Swan Main Street Addingham) The CD is only available until the end of August when our fundraising ends. Click on the JUKE BOX to hear samples from the CD NOW! (The CD`s are produced to order so please allow a few days).

What a wonderful atmospheric night with a full audience yet again, eagerly awaiting the performances. And they weren`t to be disappointed! Chris Dinsdale started the evening off and included one of my favourites in the first set - Kathy`s Song and in the second set gave us a truly fantastic Stairway To Heaven. Derry Jones then came up with more world premiers and a love song dedicated to someone in the audience (Who could that be?). Then it was great to see Richard and Lesley Quayle again with more of that wonderful voice and yet again some outstanding guitar work. And then another newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Richard and Lesley`s daughter Anna. What a wonderful voice and stunning performances - we hope you`ll be back soon Anna! I always wonder why I have to follow someone outstanding every time - and then I realised it`s because there are so many outstanding performers at Addingham Acoustic! Anyway I got through it. Nice to see James and Kim back again playing their own material (we`re seeing more younger performers which is great). John Jenner then delighted us with again some of of his own work. (There`s a lot of original material on Tuesdays). Last, but by no means least our own Dot Jarvis, finished both sets off and (you`ve guessed it!) played some of her own material. CH CH CH - half time - no chips, no chocolate, no cheese but chipolatas, chilli chips, (they were a bit hot!) and chicken crisps! Dick`s back next week so back to chips! Now the important bit. The Charity Concert CD is now available to order! John Jenner has done a fantastic job of recording, editing and mastering this CD which features tracks from all of the performances at the concert (14 tracks in all) and is really brilliant! It is available at £5.00 per CD all of which will be donated to the charity (SYCF). We are only going to offer this until the end of August (when our fundraising will finish) so order one NOW! You can do so on the website or in The Swan. We are going to put one or two samples on the juke box shortly.  (We are producing them to order so you will have to wait a couple of days.) See you all again soon. TJM 

Everytime we think things are going to be quiet, because we`ve had an event or it`s holiday etc., new players turn up and surprise us! We always used to boast about getting a new performer every week, now we seem to get three or four! Our first newcomer to Addingham Acoustic was Len Harvey. We`ve seen Len in the audience before, but tonight he braved the spotlight and played and sang some great stuff. Some Country in the first set and then a great song about mermaids in the second. (Of course mermaids exist Len - I`ve seen them in the Wharfe!- after some of Dicks beer!) Then two more newcomers and yes another first at AA! Andee Anka (from America) playing harp and Mike Craig on guitar and vocals performed both wonderful instrumentals and also some great songs. We love to see different players and musicians on Tuesdays and this really was a bit special. Thanks Andee and Mike for coming we hope to see you again soon. Next up one of our regulars, Derry Jones. But only one world premier tonight Derry! What have you been doing all week! Ian Pucknel was up next with some great guitar and some lovely ballads. (Although it was a bit brave ignoring your managers instructions!). Next up another newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Phil Greaves. Phil hasn`t been performing very long but he writes his own material. He performed a lovely song dedicated to his mother called "Say I Love You In A Song". Nick Hall popped in later and gave us a couple of songs including one of my favourites, The Hobo`s Lullaby. Thanks Nick. The first set was rounded off with the wonderful voice of our good friend Don O`Connor. In the second set Don sang a moving song as a tribute to the end of the troubles in Northern Ireland. I think we all agreed with the sentiments of this beautiful song. Oh yes - as we like something different every week, it wasn`t chips at half time and it wasn`t chocolates at half time, it was Cheese! And yes it was Wensleydale- Wallace would have approved! I`ve just noticed all these foods begin with "CH" any ideas for next week (I`ve got one!). Thanks again to everyone for another great night - see you all again soon. TJM

Yes folks, that`s how much you raised, with your donations and ticket and raffle purchases £1,129.00 ! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I`m still not sure that I`m awake yet (it was a long night and a long party afterwards!)so excuse any mistakes! The success of the night started early with all performers managing their sound checks before the alloted time! Special thanks to Ged Keenan and Dave Rishworth for setting up the P.A. (and Dot and Ged for loaning it) and managing the sound and lights. Not easy with so many performers (and especially when poor Dave didn`t know what he had let himself in for!). The stage looked great and the sound was excellent. It was especially nice to see such a wonderful audience and all arriving in good time so thanks to you all. The evening started on a high (and stayed that way!) with Chris Dinsdale playing and singing some wonderful music. Everything from Simon & Garfunkel to Robert Johnson. And some great slide guitar (Chris is also such a nice man) thanks Chris. Next Ian Taylor & Chris Thompson livened things up a bit (once they`d got their guitars plugged in!) and were joined at one point by Chris`s daughter Lindsay. Next Mr Dave Speight, as usual and as we have come to expect, gave us a wonderful performance and showed us all what a blues guitar can (and should!) do. And what a voice. I bet it`s not only me humming Romeo & Juliet this morning !? (Mark Knopfler eat your heart out !) Dave you are a gentleman Thank you for always supporting our events. After a short interval ,during which we drew the raffle, (thanks again to all those who donated prizes) we kicked off the second half with Fischers Ghost and what a second half it was turning out to be. Dot, Ged and Tim (Shakleton that is - not me!) performed some great covers but also played and sang some of their own wonderful material - they write some great stuff. Great harmonica Dot - and Tim - This Wheels on Fire rocked !! What came next will be talked about for some time to come. I know some of you didn`t believe me, but Down In The Flood was a band put together for this evening only. They have never performed as a band before (and I think I am right in saying this was a one and only special?). I`m sure you will all agree with me that it was a bit special and was not to be missed. Guys you were so good it would be pointless for me to prattle on about it - it was Rock & Roll ! And what a finale, all the performers on the stage singing Neil Young`s Helpless (I`m still singing it - in between Romeo & Juliet!) and then a second encore - I Shall Be Released! (Thanks JJ for letting me pluck your strings! - I`m going to go round now telling everyone I performed!). The only down side to the evening was that we had to stop! I am overwhelmed by the generosity of a fanatstic bunch of people, who have given up their time and their expertise and their talent to help us put on a wonderful event to raise money for such a worthwhile cause. I have also been moved by the generosity of all the people, who not only attended the concert, but all those who couldn`t, but gave donations or help or raffle prizes. Just a special mention here to my very good friends Norman and Gwen of Ridings Financial Planning. They couldn`t attend the concert as they were on holiday, but as soon as we announced what we were doing they immediately offered to sponsor the cost of hiring the hall which has meant that all monies raised go to the charity, with no overheads to pay. They also raised a lot of money in donations. Norman and Gwen we are going to put a concert on just for you! We will be handing over a cheque to South Yorkshire Community Foundation Flood Disaster Relief Fund ( you should try saying that after a couple of beers!) within the next week or so. Details of the Charity are on the Charity Event Page of this site. Once again thank you all.  P.S. There are one or two pictures of the sound checks on the gallery page. Due to circumstances beyond our control we only have pictures of Chris Dinsdale performing. The event was recorded and if this turns out ok we will let you know (and put something on the juke box)TJM 

 Yes the boys were back in charge this week. Thanks to Dot and Barbara for holding the fort. Another great night at AA with four new performers to Tuesday nights and more new audience members!. The evening started with Derry Jones and more new material (how does he find the time?) followed by Richard and Lesley Quayle, newcomers to Addingham Acoustic.We hope we`ll be seeing them again to hear that wonderful voice and amazing guitar playing, what a fantastic version of House Of The Rising Sun! Bruce Kaberry then had us singing along (especially to Delilah in the secong half!). It was great to see our good friend Chris Dinsdale again who never lets us down, (I just love "Kathy`s Song). Then another newcomer to Addingham Acoustic Matt Linley who performed his own material but also finished his second set with a rousing "Knockin On Heavens Door". Then yet another newcomer to our evening with Alan Higgins (on holiday in the area) performing some truly lovely ballads. Thanks Alan. It took some persuading to get you to bring your guitar in, but it was worth it! Then our own Dot Jarvis not only performing her own material but accompanying yours truly on the harmonica for a bit of Dylan. (Was going to put a joke in about Me, Dot and "Our Monica" but decided against!). Last but not least Ian Taylor and Chris Thompson finished each set with some lively performances and had all us oldies singing along to The Who`s "Substitute". No chips at half time, this week it was chocolates as it was Barabara`s Birthday - and yes we did sing "Happy Birthday" to her! Yet another fantastic night at AA with a great atmosphere and a wonderful group of people all having a good time - thanks to everyone for making it so and thanks to David for being M.C. for the night.  And lastly thanks to everyone for their contributions to the Charity Fund - it is growing day by day and by the end of the concert on Friday we should have raised a tidy sum. TJM

Another night with a difference with the ladies in charge while Tim was busy at work and David on holiday. The evening was presented by Dot, with yours truly in the background trying to remeber to take some notes for this, my first ever blog! This was between texting Tim to give him a blow by blow account of proceedings! Thanks very much   to Dick and Julia for helping us to set up the room and to Julia for cooking some particularly tasty chips. M T Skull stayed for thirty seconds to croak that he had a sore throat! Ben Ellison made his first (and much awaited!) appearance at Addingham Acoustic and it was so great to hear his unaccompanied singing again - what a marvelous voice. Another highlight was Ian Taylor giving us a stunning version of Richard Thompson`s "Taking My Business Elsewhere" Matt wanted a photograph for Face Book which involved Ged standing on a chair at one point! As we have come to expect, there was another world premiere from Derry with his song entitled "Dandelion Man" (about people who don`t look after their gardens.) And yet another first - Don playing twelve string guitar (Dot`s) The evening finished in style with Nigel Smith being persuaded to give us a song, ably accompanied by Ian. BM    

Yes folks, last night  Whirlwind Dot tore up Main Street Addingham , destroying  people`s resolve and drawing in five ten and twenty pound notes and coins and later depositing these in the Flood Relief Concert Fund! Forecasters tell us Whirlwind Dot will be in the area for the next two weeks and the only way you can ensure your safety is, if you hear or see Whirlwind Dot coming your way, reach into your pocket take out some cash and offer it to the Whirlwind. The consequences of not doing this do not bear thinking about! TJM

Firstly, sorry for being a bit later than usual, updating the blog. Well we only had ten performers last evening! (And some more who didn`t play!). Yet another great night with more new performers and more new audience members. We had a great start to the evening with two newcomers to Addingham Acoustic, James Cubie and Kim Chuah. They started with some Cheryl Crow and followed this with Letting You Know - one of their own compostions. They then gave us some more of their own work in the second Set and very good it was too! . Our Great American friend Chris Anderson (with some help from Gerry Cooper) then gave us some wonderful blues and in the second set performed Bob Dylans Hollis Brown and dedicated it to me! Thank you Chris. You know I`m a Dylan fanatic and I was flattered by your gesture. Derry Jones then gave us some more new material and as usual had us singing along. Bruce Kaberry also had us singing along and in the second set gave us a medley of Jolson numbers! Then more blues form Gerry Cooper - Gerry we all know you`re great without me repeating it! Bob and Denise Mason performed with us for the first time with Denise on vocals and Bob on banjo (with a little help from their friends!). Then our good friend Don started with James Morrisons The Pieces Don`t Fit and in the Second set gave us some Coldplay. (You can`t say you don`t get variety here!).Ged Keenan called in to perform a couple of numbers in the second set, including One More Night dedicated to Dot Jarvis. (As you weren`t here Dot I thought I`d let you know what a softy he is!). Chris Anderson closed the evening for us. Sadly the last time he`ll play with us before he goes back to The States. However he tells us he`ll be back in November. (When he will be entitled to a free drink - that`s worth coming back for!). Lastly just a reminder about our Flood Relief Concert on the 27th July. Please support this event (details on the charity event page) it really is a good cause and we want to raise serious money. We are grateful to all the people who have bought tickets or donated so far and all those who have offered their services free of charge. We know it is holiday time but if you can`t come please think about making a donation. Every little helps. Once again thanks to everyone for last night, see you all again next week. TJM. 

Just a quick note to say thank you to everyone for the overwhelming respose to our announcenent regarding the charity concert. The first tickets were sold within minutes of the charity page appearing. The page is now updated with a list of performers and also a list of those individuals and organisations that have donated prizes. Once again thank you. If you haven`t viewed the page yet, please do so now.TJM.

Well for someone who is not normally stuck for words I don`t know where to start! After last week I suggested it couldn`t get any better - well as usual I was wrong! If any more musicians had turned up I think we`d all still be at The Swan! The evening started with our great new friend from Seattle (no not Settle!) Chris Anderson (you`re almost a local now Chris). Chris joined up with Gerry Cooper in the second half and with 40 seconds practice they took our breath away with some outstanding blues. Brian Wylie gave us his first solo appearance on his Blarge and by now the evening was in full swing. Anne Jackson then gave us some wonderful Dulcimer playing to back her great voice and then was joined by Brian & Ricky and later by Nick Hall & Ricky - too good to describe. Gerry Cooper as usual gave us some outstanding performances, this week playing his steel guitar (gorgeous!).Derry Jones gave us another first with his ukulele (had to look up how to spell that!) and was joined by Barbara and later gave us some more premiers on his accordian. John Jenner popped in to perform a couple of songs and as usual was outstanding (and modest).Rob Watkins again gave us what we`ve come to expect - a fantastic performance. (I`m running out of superlatives here) and later joined up with Brian & Ricky to give us some great Country music.We were then treated to another first all the way fron Canada! Jo-Ann Lawton entertained us with some wonderful original material in both the first and second sets. Have a look at Jo-Anns website on the Links Page (Sirens 3). Thanks Jo-Ann to you and your family for helping to make this a very special night. Ian Pucknell was on great form and both his guitar and his voice were sounding excellent. And then our good friend Don (local boy with an Irish accent?) treated us to that wonderful voice (still Julia`s favourite!) pure Irish Velvet! Rounding off the first set and starting the second Dot & Ged - well you know what I`m going to say fantastic! Matt Nelson (are you still following this?!) gave us a couple of great songs and some great guitar - thanks Matt. And then, as we`ve come to expect, a wonderful and lively performance from Nick Hall.  We had sixteen musicians performing last night (including yours truly). Can I say a big thank you to everyone who performed and everyone who watched and listened. Also thank you all for your patience - it was a long night but I hope you`ll agree a special one. It was awesome to be in a room surrounded , not only by such talent, but by such a great bunch of people. And now the real star performance of the evening! Sarah (all the way from Canada - see the gallery)  shattered the raffle ticket sales record! That is going to take some beating Sarah! Special thanks also go to David for hosting such a busy night. We wish a safe journey back to North America to our new friends and hopefully we`ll see you again someday. Can it get any better than this? - I don`t think so!  There are a couple of great new new tracks on the juke box from Chris Anderson check them out. If any other musicians would like to put a track or two on the box let me know. See you all again soon!TJM.

What a great Addingham Acoustic night at The Swan! It`s hard to imagine it can get better than this, (come on prove me wrong!). A long list of talented musicians and a respectful attentive and quiet audience! The night started with yet again more original tunes from Derry Jones which yet again had us all tapping our feet and singing along in both first and second sets. We were then pleased to welcome another newcomer to AA from accross the water!. Chris Anderson a  talented singer songwriter form Seattle U.S.A. treated us to some great songs and guitar playing and finished his second set with an outstanding version of Maggies Farm. Then one of our favourites Mr Gerry Cooper gave us (as we`ve come to expect) some wonderful guitar playing and blues singing. It just goes on and on - we were then treated to more great music from our own Dot Jarvis who together with our own Ged Keenan performed a wonderful version of Heart of Gold, finishing up with Mott The Hoople! Dot and Ged are appearing at the Swan on Saturday as Fishers Ghost - don`t miss it! On it goes as one of our younger performers Josh Busby gave us more great music and guitar playing (no longer an AA virgin Josh!) Lets have more younger performers - where are you?.     Lightening ! Thunder ! Distant Train Whistles! It can only mean one thing - yes Mr M T Skull was in town! I don`t know what else I can say about Scully? except thanks for continuing to make the tears (of laughter) roll down our cheeks!. But it doesn`t end there! Our old friends The Hall Brothers (Nick & Duncan) came along and performed as usual some great music including their new single (soon to be a hit!) Send Me A Light. Duncan also performed, with Gerry Cooper,  a great version of Walking The Dog. (I originaly wrote walking the dog with Gerry Cooper but I knew you`d all take the mick!). But no it doesn`t stop there! Another of our old friends performing for the first time at Addingham Acoustic - Anne Jackson - gave us more great music, playing both guitar and dulcimer, and being joined by Nick Hall and Gerry Cooper to finish with some Dylan. Phew! I`m worn out! A truly great night enjoyed by all and an outstanding display of talent. Thanks to all our performers and thanks to a very receptive audience. Also thanks to Julia for the chips at half time. And last but by no means least, many thanks to our gorgeous young ladies Emiline and Anna (see gallery) who yet again broke the record for raffle ticket sales! (new spot lights are up). See you all next week! TJM

Not one of our busiest nights but yet again it was nice to see some new faces in the audience. Ian Pucknell made a welcome return and gave us some excellent music. (It was his birthday - we should have had a party!). Thanks again to our regulars for turning up and entertaining the audience (they have vowed to come back - it can`t have been that bad!). See you all again next week. DB

Another good night at The Swan, with yet another good audience including some new faces. And another new face on the play list, with Brian Wylie playing here for the first time with Rob Watkins. They performed some great country & western and finished with an Eagles song. As well as our regulars (seven musicians tonight) it was good to see Derry and Bruce again. Yet again Bruce had us all singing along - this time to Delilah! It looks like we may have at least one more new face next week (we hope). If you haven`t played or sung or performed yet - come along and join in. You can be assured of a warm welcome and a very appreciative audience. Thanks again to everyone who came along to play and to watch and for supporting the raffle. (New spot lights are on order out of the funds). Oh yes a "Blarge" is a bloody large mandolin! TJM

Great to see the pub full with a wonderful audience (standing room only) and a great list of performers! The evening started with Derry Jones including a premier of one of his own songs. Then another newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Bruce Kaberry (backed by Derry), with a great performance of some classics including some Dean Martin! (We were all singing along - what a great atmosphere!). Gerry Cooper played yet again some fantastic blues and in the second half accompanied Tim for a duet of Don`t Think Twice It`s All Right. Dot Jarvis gave an outstanding performance with some wonderful harmonica playing and in the second half was accompanied by Ged Keenan (not singing due to a bad throat!) Nigel Smith had us singing along to Vincent and also gave us The Sailor Car Park Blues. And to round the evening off a late arrival by M T Skull  and (Daisy) finished off a fantastic night enjoyed by all. Special thanks go to the two very attractive young ladies who volunteered to sell raffle tickets and who`s offer of a "pound a strip" saw the best takings in the raffle for some time! Altogether a great crowd of people who all had a great time. Thanks to everyone for joining in!  DB

We were fortunate to have another new player last night in the guise of Derry Jones  entertaining us on his accordian and playing his own (very funny) material, together with some classics. This also meant that in conjunction with MT Skull (following on from Friday night) we were treated to a realistic version of Elvis Presley`s Wooden Heart! Thanks for coming Derry - hope to see you again soon. M T went on to give us some more Elvis (He didn`t want to waste all that practice!) together with some more comedy (where does he get them from?). Ian Taylor was on form as usual and Earl (`s a singer) turned up and gave us a couple of coal mining songs. We also had some Dylan (of course) some Simon and Garfunkel and some Don Mclean.Thanks all for coming hope to see a good turn out again next week. TJM.

Yes it`s true! Elvis is alive and well and drinking in The Swan Addingham! Well you really needed to be there for the Elvis Tribute Night because words cannot describe the atmosphere. A packed audience eagerly awaited the start of proceedings and Ian Taylor, Nigel Smith and Chris Thompson got the evening under way with a medley of Elvis favourites. Then the evening warmed up with the arrival of Elvis himself a.k.a. M T Skull. His rendition of The Green Green Grass Of Home (yes Elvis did sing it!) brought tears to the audience`s eyes, and when he went on to sing Old Shep the audience had tears rolling down thier legs! Then just when you thought it couldn`t get better - anyway moving on! The excitement mounted as the lights dimmed and Elvis made a second appearance (as he would have looked had he lived!) - (actually it may be as he looks now dead!). In came Elvis a.k.a. Dick Barrow. The audience were now screaming, as you would expect, as Dick gave his rendition of Wooden Heart (German words an `all) and emmisaries were sent off to t`internet to seek out more material. Norman Deakin made a first Addingham Acoustic appearance and gave a fine performance only surpassed when he sang  She`s not you with yours truly. (Not true of course but there`s got to be some benefit to writing this blog every week!). Throughout the evening the performers joined together to sing all Elvis`s hits and a great evening was had by all . Thanks Dick for the free beer for the performers (see you should have come and played!). Watch the website for details of the next tribute evening. Check out the gallery for the Elvis pictures.TJM.

Yet another first at Addingham Acoustic! The evening started with some rousing blues from a trio of our regulars (including two newly elected councillors) who to my knowledge have not played together before. They should definately do it again! John Jenner followed up with a couple of moving solos and then Ian Taylor a couple of great solos. Dave Speight closed the first half with, as usual, some outstanding musicianship (is that a word?). In fact as usual he was so good that the second half of the evening was given up to a Dave Speight master class. How does he know so much stuff? Thanks Dave it was tremendous. Addingham Acoustic will shortly be heard on Craven Radio (during June) with a live set by one or more of our regulars and an interview about what we are doing. More details to follow. Don`t forget to put on your Blue Suede Shoes on Friday and get down to The Swan for the Elvis Night. These events are usually busy, so if you want a seat, get there early. Thanks again to all who turned up (audience and performers) hope to see you all again next week (or better still Friday) Be sure to check out the new track on the juke box - Saturday Night by Chris Dinsdale.TJM.

It was great to see our old friend Nick Hall ,who together with his brother Duncan , has been a supporter of the Tuesday acoustic night at The Swan right from the start. Thanks for coming Nick. (Hope to see Duncan here soon as well!). Just a reminder about Friday the 25th. See the special event page for details! DB.

Thanks to those stalwarts who turned up to play last week, (bearing in mind it was a Tuesday after a bank holiday!) Blog will be a bit late this week again (due to business commitments.) Don`t miss our special event on the 25th of this month, (the Friday of the Bank Holiday weekend). See our Special Event Page!!!! TJM.

A quieter night than usual, but still six performers and a couple of new faces in the audience - always nice to see. A bit of everything tonight. Some Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel and as always some original material. The evening was finished off with a rousing (and funky!) Waltzing Matilda from Matt Nelson. Thanks to everyone for turning up on such a nice summer evening! Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond his control, Dick couldn`t provide any supper tonight  Bearing in mind the grief he got he`s probably in the kitchen now preparing next weeks!!!! As I am away for the next couple of weeks (one week holiday - one week business) the web site will be updated a little later than usual - probably by the Saturday in each case, so apologies to all our regular web visitors.  TJM  

Every night is different at Addingham Acoustic and last night was no exception. It was good to see new faces both in the audience and performing. The atmosphere was convivial and the performers well received and encouraged. Yours truly produced some sublime renditions of various tunes in addition to keeping a tight rein on proceedings of course! John Jenner was on form as usual - check out the juke box to hear tracks from John. Good to see Matt Nelson with some wonderful guitar playing and Josh Busby another Addingham Acoustic virgin (?). Blues Boy and Jingle Jangle (The Addingham Don Mclean fan club) gave a truly unique rendition of American Pie. They insist they were both playing in the key of G but one was obviously a mortice and the other one a yale! Nigel enjoyed it so much he wanted to carry on even when all the words were finished! Thanks to all who came along. See you all next week. MTSkull.

For those who have been on the juke box, you may have noticed that M T Skull sounds like Pinky & Perky ! This is due to a download problem but it`s too funny to remove ! (Sorry M T). Once we have resolved the problem we will add the normal (?) version.

If you weren`t there last night you should have been! This was a night to remember, great atmosphere plenty of fantastic music and a full audience (and more free beer). Great blues as usual from Gerry Cooper, real class - watch the jukebox over the next couple of days to hear Gerry`s music.And a first for us, Clive Steele on bass accompanied by Dave Speight (both from the Snake Kings). Once again great blues and a memorable Knockin on Heavans Door! Helmuth flew in from Germany just to be with us (well not true but whenever he`s over here he comes to the Swan to play!). Dot and Ged were on form as usual. They write (and perform) some really great music, (as Whittington Street - see links page) If you get the chance to go to one of thier gigs don`t miss it. Earl popped in to give a tune before the break. As for Mr. M. T. Skull - well! Some great Jake Thakery in the first half but his rendition of Maxwells Silver Hammer in the second half (accompanied by the Swan virtual brass ensemble!) was only bettered by his rendition of Daisy (see juke box) accompanied by the audience. (Use your imagination!). How did Rob Watkins (of Last Orders - see links page) follow that - well brilliantly! It was great to see Rob and once again if you get the chance to see a Last Orders gig don`t miss it! Check out the new photos in the gallery and hit the juke box button on the home page to hear some music (more to be added this week!) TJM

 Yes this was the night the free beer started to flow! The loyalty cards are starting to fill. If you`ve lost your card don`t worry - we keep a record of who played and when! After five nights of beer and music at The Swan Beer Festival over the holiday and some of our regulars away for the week ,we weren`t expecting anyone to turn up this Tuesday. We were pleasantly surprised therefore to have six musicians and a handful of audience in attendance to make it yet another good night. It was great to see Frankie and Mandy again playing some Leo Sayer and some Hank Williams (variety is what it`s all about at Addingham Acoustic!). And what a rousing finale from Chris and Ian finishing with Lynyrd Skynryd`s Sweet Home Alabama. (I`ll let you off Ian for breaking my guitar string - it was worth it!!!). Apolgies to Dick and Julia for not finishing all the sandwiches they really were too good to leave! See you all next week. TJM

What another great night with a good list of performers and a great audience - yes it was standing room only! We were pleased to welcome Frankie and Mandy playing Addingham Acoustic for the first time. Frankie pleased everyone with some Wishbone Ash and Mandy (backed by Frankie) silenced the room with her lovely voice. Great harmonica Dot! This was the night that the first loyalty cards were filled - the free beer flows next week! Thanks to all who took part and to all those who watched  (and were all courteously quiet - no mean feat in a busy pub!).  Next week promises to be a busy night so turn up early to get your seat. TJM

Thanks again to everyone for another great night. The evening commenced with Tim Shackleton, lead guitar in The Snake Kings, and continued with some real quality, including superb slide guitar from Chris Dinsdale and a rousing finale from Ian Taylor. Dot and Ged again gave us a mix of original material and covers and yours truly struggled through as usual! Thanks to Julia for what was aptly described by Dot as a "realy nice tea" at the interval - enjoyed by both audience and musicians alike! Watch out for our Juke Box which will be arriving soon on this site. TJM

 Another great night supported by local musicians, including Tim who was in fine voice and playing his recently acquired and much admired parlour guitar. We were once again treated to some good blues from Gerry Cooper who was giving his twelve string only it`s second public playing. Thanks to all for your support, please come again.DB

Another great night with a really intimate feel. Good to hear Ian Taylor who has supported Tuesdays from the beginning and also Ian Pucknell another supporter from the start. John Jenner played solo this week! Davids report to follow shortly! 

Well what a great first night it was as Addingham Acoustic! Thanks to everyone who turned up to make the night such a success. ( Eleven musicians in total!) The audience were treated to some some wonderful blues from both Dave Speight and Chris Dinsdale and regulars Dot & Ged (Wittington Street) treated us to both their own material and some covers - including some Dylan - we can`t have a night without Dylan! Mark & John were on form as usual with great mandolin & fiddle playing from Mark. Nigel (Blues Boy) Smith was on excellent form - he even sang without his words! (some of the time!). As for Mr. M. T. Skull what can we say, entertaining as ever (and now our resident expert raffle ticket seller!) And a couple of moving ballads from Earl.Altogether a goods nights entertainment for all concerned. So come again - tell your friends - tell your relatives! Lastly a couple of apologies, we have a glitch with the gallery page which should be sorted by tomorrow and the email is still being set up, so if you`ve sent us a message and not got a reply thats the reason. Thanks to Julia & Dick for putting the food on at half time. Most importantly all the performers got thier loyalty cards - the free beer will be flowing soon! TJM.