We had a wonderful unplugged-style Little Dixie gig at the Park Hotel, Grange Road, Weymouth, Dorset on Friday 27th May, without guitarist Richie Edwards but with percussionist extraordinaire Steve Mutter. The pub has been transformed by landlord Pete Smith into a great music-orientated boozer, which is far too close to my house for safety. We were even subject to attempted bribery by a visitor from Russia in an attempt to persuade us to carry on playing at the end of the night – I think the concept of closing time was foreign to him!

On Saturday, at midday, C Sharp Blues convened for an open-air gig on the sea wall at Chiswell, Portland, a fantastic setting for an afternoon of funky blues. On bank holiday Monday, in the noble hamlet of Burton Bradstock, Dorset, Little Dixie fired up at the Three Horseshoes at 9p.m. to round off a great weekend.

The following weekend, on Friday 4th June, Little Dixie returned to the Ropemakers, West Street, Bridport, Dorset, accompanied by Speedy’s remarkable disco. On the Sunday, C Sharp reconvened for a gig at Finns, Westham Road, Weymouth that was a cracker once we got the PA sorted out.

The Barrelhouse Blues Orchestra’s single, the live version of Jumping Jack Flash recorded with ex-Stone Mick Taylor, actually snuck into the Top 100, but failed to make the Top 40 as we’d hoped. It would have been so funny to see all 22 of us shuffle onstage for Top Of The Pops! Another single is being planned as I write, another intriguing project – more details as they emerge.

You can still but the single, of course - Jumping Jack Flash, by the Barrelhouse Blues Orchestra, SMCDSBBO 001.

The jam sessions continue at Finns in Westham Road, Weymouth, Dorset. As usual, if you want to get up and do a few numbers, contact me or just turn up at the gig before 9 p.m. and book yourself a slot.