It was tough going last Friday and Saturday night, 30th April and 1st May. I had to put up with two consecutive gigs with the Ben Waters Band at the Sherborne Beer Festival in Sherborne, Dorset. Two nights of boogie, blues, rock’n’roll and beer. Ah me. It’s a tough life, etc.

That was followed by an extremely pleasant Sunday afternoon at the Park Hotel, Weymouth, Dorset with Brahms & Liszt. Those of you familiar with rhyming slang will know that a band was never more appropriately named.

Next weekend, it’s a pair of gigs in lovely little boozers with Little Dixie – at the George, Reforne, Portland on the Saturday (8.30 p.m. – ish start) and at the Hope & Anchor, Bridport on the Sunday, starting at 3 p.m.

The Thursday night jam sessions are moving home. After a year and a half of great sessions at Mariners, we’re off to Finn’s, in Westham Road, Weymouth. As ever, new bands, established acts and solo musicians are invited to take to the stage. If you want to book a slot (maximum four numbers) contact me.

There’s lots of developments regarding the Barrelhouse Blues Orchestra – a live recording of the Orchestra’s performance of the Rolling Stones classic Jumping Jack Flash, recorded at Bryanston Arts Centre and featuring ex-Stones guitarist Mick Taylor, is due for release on the 24th May. There’s a lot of media interest about this event, including a tie-in with Bournemouth Football Club. The Orchestra is playing at AFC Bournemouth’s stadium, Dean Park, on Thursday 13th May. Guess what – if enough of you out there buy the record, we could end up on Top Of The Pops! Get yourselves down to your local HMV and be a part of history.