As the title suggests this entry is about the Blazing Saddles Country and Western Music Club, a local club based at the Cavendish Hotel, Belgrave Road, Torquay. They meet every Wednesday evening from 7.45pm through to 10.30pm.
The club is run by a gentleman called Roger Bennett, who is one of the nicest people I know. Full of knowledge about the country scene both home and abroad, he tirelessly puts together the club meets, but he is also assisted by the other club members, in fact the whole club is like a large family, and that gives it a very special feel.
Each week the club hosts a live act. The acts come from all over the UK, and highlight just how big country music is in Britain. Acts like Clear Cut, Chris James, West Country, Pedro, Double JR, Glen Rogers,Double Barrell and Campbells Country to name just a few are regulars at the club, and the performances they give are slick, professional, family friendly and full of fun. In fact whatever band comes to the club, they become another member of the family that is Blazing Saddles.
One such act that I was lucky to catch is Johnny Holland. He was the guest act on Wednesday 16th February. Johnny hails from the Midlands, and has the look and presence that is every inch country, from the hat on his head to the cowboy boots on his feet, you know you are going to get the real country and music show, not someone playing the part. From the moment he was introduced, you got the feeling, here is a guy who is at home with what he does, and the banter with the audience emphasized what he is about.
But what of the music. Well his repertoire included tracks like Messed up in Memphis, People are crazy, Mexicali, Carbo San Lucas, Ride the River, Laid back and low key, Neon moon, Small town Saturday night and one of my favourites Gallway Girl, plus a whole load of others, all delivered brilliantly. The only downer on the performance was that it came to an end, I could have quite happily sat there all night listening and enjoying the performance.
During the break and after the show I got to have a chat with Johnny, and I found him to be as genuine a guy as you could ever meet. It really was a pleasure to meet a real star. He even kindly gave me one of his albums 'Ridin High', which if you get the opportunity, buy a copy, because it's a great album. Definately going to get plenty of airplay on Riviera Country.
And he's just one of the acts that performs regularly at Blazing Saddles. Coming up in the next few weeks are duo Sapphire on Feb 23rd, soloist Jim Worton on Mar 2nd, duo Bonnie Diamond and Coe on Mar 9th and on Mar 16th 2 Card Trick. If they are up to the standards of Johnny Holland, and I don't have any reason to doubt they will be, they are going be some great evenings down in Torquay.
Johnny himself will be back in the bay on Sept 28th, and I for one will definately be there.
Well, that's it for now, but watch this space for some exciting news about a possible LIVE outside broadcast from Blazing Saddles in April.
But, before I finish I would like to thank Roger and all the members of Blazing Saddles for another really wonderful evening.
