Well, it was another great night at Blazing Saddles last night, but not just musically. We'll come back to the music in a while.
Last night I was joined by Riviera FMs top man Martin Foster, his wife Vicky and Gareth and Paul, Riviera's tech guys. Riviera FM is getting a Restricted Service License for two weeks in April, and one of the shows planned is a live outside broadcast from Blazing Saddles CMC on the 27th April.
At first everything went quite well, and it looked like the show was a go, however after scanning the area for a broadband signal or connection, it looked like the show may not go ahead.
The idea was that the show would be linked to the studio via the Internet, and then transmitting live from the studio, however no Internet, no show. Things were starting to look bleak, but Martin, as always showed faith in his team, and commented that 'If it can be done, these guys will get it done'. Well Martin's faith in his team has paid dividends in the past and it proved no different last night. Gareth and Paul found a way and the show is now on. So thanks to Gareth and Paul it looks like a great night is on the cards.
And now back to the music.
The guest band last night was Bonnie Diamond and Coe, a duo consisting of Bonnie on lead vocals and David on guitar. They hail from the South East and between them bring a wealth of experience and musical talent. Bonnie has worked on various cruise lines and television, with shows including The Benny Hill Show, The Les Dawson Show, Pebble Mill, Yorkshires End of the Pier Show and the Little and Large Show as well as being a support artiste to many named artistes.
David is a well respected and established musician who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. He plays the guitar and writes all the musical backing as well as providing back up vocals and harmonies, as well as the occasional lead.
They provide a range of musical styles including Rock n Roll, Pop, Standards and Nostalgia, but last night it was their Country set, and what a set it was.
The songs were varied and included Hey good lookin, Ring of fire, Summertime blues, Singing the blues, Black Coffee, If tomorrow never comes, Who says you can't have it all, If I said you have a beautiful body, Lyin eyes and a whole host of others. One of the highlights of the night for me was David playing the instrumental version of Ghost riders in the sky, a tune I've been trying to learn myself, but it's always great when you can hear it played well, and it inspires you to try harder.
The show, as always at the Blazing Saddles was top notch. Bonnie and David are very friendly people and very genuine and that comes across in the set. They have that special quality that endures them to their audience and which in turn makes them part of the Blazing Saddles family. They are back in October and that is going to be a show worth seeing again, looking forward to it already.
So once again it was another great night at Blazing Saddles and a Big thanks has to go to Roger Bennett and his team of helpers and indeed all the members of Blazing Saddles. Without their efforts and their love of country music in general, there would probably be nowhere in Torbay to enjoy this whole musical genre. Their efforts help keep country alive and kicking in our little part of Devon.
See you soon.....
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Blazing Saddles Country and Western Music Club
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.
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.
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