Sunday 3 July 2011

As The Weather Warms Up so Does the Music. Reports From South Yorkshire Show + More.

There’s a lot to get through this week so we’ll get straight into it. 

An interesting night at Nellie Folk on Monday, with folks coming in from Wath and Mansfield, always great to see rare faces in the Club.  Much needed as well as many of the Club regulars were off on their holidays enjoying the weather elsewhere. 



Comedy moment of the night came from The Masher, who having been called by Roy to do his bit opened his guitar case to find it devoid of lyric sheets – so twenty minute beer warming round trip was called for to collect the lyrics for Cows With Guns and Rich Man’s Paradise. Apologies to Dave who took the brunt of "Fat People In Love".

It was just a very nice relaxed evening.   If you’ve not yet made the trip to this great little singers Club do make the time one fourth Monday of the Month. 

Saturday found The Masher and his road crew heading out to Wortley Hall for The South Yorkshire Show. 



By way of change the weather was being kind to this outdoor event and it was good to see that as early as 12:00 the car park was filling up nicely.

Wortley Hall is one of those Stately Homes bought for the people, and so this event is seen as a gathering of the South Yorkshire left.    If you want to find out more about the Hall there’s a Wortley Hall Remembered Summer Show on the 7th July, tickets £10, to book call 0114 288 2100 or turn up at Reception by 7:00pm.

Good to see a turnout of our local Labour MPs, ranging from those is disguise as holiday makers in Summer attire to John Healey who decided a suite might be a good plan.  It has to be said that the speech session was  typical of such events with all the right things being said, yet, when the chips are down and they’re back in their Westminster home the words are soon forgotten.  Hence one or two heckles from Public Service Workers.   

A great range of music for the Main Stage entertainment, from the brave and very professional set from pop singer Aimee, the swing of Steve Symon and of course the wonderful Charlie Barker.



The Masher was tucked away on the Acoustic Stage in the Bar area, with three twenty minute sets to entertain those seeking refreshment, the sets broken by Main Stage acts The Yogs who made an excellent Irish contribution, and raised over £100 for Cancer Research and Louise Distras, who found it just a little too hard to fight against the PA from the main stage. 



It really is a pity that someone did not consult a singer regarding the setting up of stages though. 

The Acoustic Stage was just that, and to raise one’s voice over the sound or music coming from the Main stage that had it’s speakers directed straight at the Acoustic Area made life extremely difficult for us performers.  Perhaps in future they can find some way of setting up the Main Stage so that speakers take the sound away from the Acoustic area, or provide a PA for the Acoustic Area that allows for a proper performance, and provide some help to the artists. 

It was good to see so many friends from Rotherham.  The Rotherham Red Choir were in action as were Toein’ In the Dark as part of a dedication Ceremony for a Memorial now in place at Wortley Hall to the men of South Yorkshire who fought as part of the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War.



You can find all the pictures HERE

Unfortunately, by the time I got home and recovered it was too late to get to Beanfest at The Star, which by all accounts was a fantastic day of rocking music.   But here’s a picture.  Thanks to Dave whose pictures I’ve nicked.



I did get into the Bridge for a quick one where The Bangkok Messiahs of Groove were in residence rocking out covers.  Suspicions of why some Bands need to disguise themselves all confirmed.

I'm told that there were strange going ons at The Rawmarsh Trades and Labour Club.  Mrs Masher went to buy me a pint and tells me that The Eaton Rifles the Band listed to be playing were not be seen and concert room shutters pulled down.   One wonders what the dirt on this one might be.

Next week The Rawmarsh Masher’s Road Crew will be in action for what will be a very busy weekend.  Saturday we’ve again been invited to play at The Birdsedge Village Festival at 2:00pm, and immediately following that we head off to The Acoustic Circus Festival at Heckmondwicke for a 4:30 on stage performance. 

Sunday finds the Masher and Crew heading up the A1 to The Nature’s World Festival at Middlesbrough.   Should be fun. 

All details on the Diary Page HERE

Which indeed brings me to the Diary Page.  On Thursday I got a less than flattering Voice Mail from a mystery caller complaining that their event for this past weekend had not been posted to the Diary.   

You will forgive me for replying on this page as there was no call back number.

First, I need to know about an event, and even if it is in my sub-conscious I remind people on regular occasions to check that their Gig / Event is listed and to Email me if something is wrong or worse missing. 

Second, the service is FREE.  From the tone of this person’s voice one would think that they were paying some sort of Premium Advertising rate.   But I assure the person concerned that the oversight had nothing to do with issues I might or in my mind do not have with certain people on the organising Committee.

That said, more generally, please check the Diary pages regularly and make sure that your links are working correctly, that your event is listed and the details correct.  If you need to Email or complete the listing Form we’ve recently added on the main Dairy page.   HERE

I have been really pleased with the positive influx of hits on the Web Site generally, with all pages being investigated by many of the visitors to the site.   It’s good to see people exploring especially the Music areas.

It’s also good to bring positive news about artists who have appeared at Acoustic Rotherham.  Sam Eden who travelled all the way from Malvern to appear at an Acoustic Rotherham event has a new CD out you can find full details HERE and Dom Collins who had us in fits of laughter with his great comic songs has now risen to the great heights of gaining proper Representation HERE

Charlie Barker tells me to expect a new CD from her soon and she too now has professional representation.  

And don’t forget Anna Shannon has a CD coming within the next week.  Look out for "Up The Rigging". 

Keep an eye on the Amazon Shop HERE for their release. 

Our Phoebe is launching her considerable talent as a Music Teacher in a Freelance capacity   I know we all wish Phoebe the best of luck with this venture and will of course be referring those wanting instrument training, keyboard, beginner’s guitar and bass, vocal training or music theory.  I’ve added a link to how to contact Phoebe on the Resource Page HERE

Good to see that several of the Acts associated with Acoustic Rotherham were out playing Rallies on Thursday in support of the Public Workers Unions.   Phil Cockerham did the big Rally in Leeds, he reports that it was a great turnout and experience.  Great stuff Phil.

Healthy folks might be interested in a truly healthy music weekend I came across.   Follow the link HERE

A reminder to those listed for Acoustic Rotherham 12 that I need your Profiles / Pictures and Track asap please.  

Some might be wondering what has been happening with the UKFCN.  

From what I can understand George Papavgeris is heading up a Sub Group to look at a Code of Good practice for Folk Clubs, Agents and Artists.  How this will be presented is yet to be decided. 

I’ve got mixed feelings on that one.

The idea of the Data Hub and Web Site still apparently has credence and has a sub group following it up.

The most exciting idea for me to so far come out of the Focus Group is the idea of a Folk Alliance, based upon the US concept.   

So many of our top acts have benefited from attending the American Alliance Meets, contacts being made, music being heard  by the people that matter etc..

It’s an idea that Acoustic Rotherham has loosely tried to use as a template to varying degrees of success. 

Initially a UK Folk Alliance would  seek to run Regional Conferences, and volunteers have been making themselves known.  

I’ll let  you know how things progress.

I think I’ve covered everything for this week.  Just a reminder that The Three Tuns Singers Club is Tuesday night, well worth the trip for a sing.

Whatever you’re doing this week have fun and keep it LIVE.

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