Go West (Errm) Young Man...

I've always worked to the philosophy that as one door closes, another will slam in your face. Not an original thought but quirky and it just appeals to me for the way in which it spins homilies on their head. So, has anything changed for me in recent weeks following my move to the Pembrokeshire National Park? Has being away from the hub of Welsh Blues music adversely affected my life?
Well, in a word, no.  Or, at least, not a great deal. Certainly not in a negative way, anyway.
Last weekend, I was invited to introduce the British Blues legend, Mick Pini, to the stage. Beforehand, I interviewed Mick about his life as a Bluesman and this will appear on the Blues Exclusive some time soon. I'll also be reviewing the show in the Gig Review pages of this website too. 
Opening for Mick that night were my good friends, Glas, a very able local band with lots of potential. Glas will be recording a Live album on May 19 at the Royal Oak in Cardiff (itself a legendary Blues and Blues-Rock venue) and I am truly delighted that they have asked me to host that evening too.

In July, I will be compering the 2nd Annual Abertillery Rock and Blues Weekend. This event was started by local music enthusiasts after the demise of the very popular Abertillery Blues Festival which stuttered to a halt a couple of years back because of budget cuts - just a year short of its tenth anniversary.  Last year's inaugural event, which I also hosted, was very well supported by the faithful and there is now a feel of permanency in the organising camp and some darned good bands lined up to play.
So, I'm very pleased that my contacts in south East Wales are still bearing fruit (Bluesberries?) but moving west has also had a beneficial effect. I was invited to meet with Chris Osborne and Malcolm Cawley a few weeks back 'for a beer'. Unless I'm driving this is usually a clarion call and I graciously accepted their invitation.
During a wide-ranging conversation about Blues music, Pembrokeshire life and local personalities, I was delighted when they invited me to join the committee of the Tenby Blues Festival. I'm just back from my first committee meeting and I can tell you that this year's festival, the eleventh, has all the hallmarks of a memorable weekend. I recommend that you take a look at the Facebook page for Tenby Blues Festival and also check the website which is currently being updated with details of this year's event. Then, mark your diary to keep the weekend clear.
I think I can safely say that the next time I slam a door behind me, I will once again ensure that it's a revolving door...