Following on the success of the Open Mic night last month The Royal Oak will now be holding a Music Night every month.

A change of structure this month heralds the start of a regular monthly event.

I will continue to act as host and am joined by Salty Dog who made a suprise appearance last month, captivating the audience with a great set.

This has allowed me to do something that I believe will be welcomed by many.  A lot of people have seen Rich Howie before, in short bursts as a host for open mic nights around Cheltenham of playing with his old band, 'Snog the Dog'  But it is very rare for Rich to play a full set in his own right.  This will be the one NOT to miss!

Music will comprise of a mix of acoustic, blues, folk, roots and contemporary.

Please note that this is not a karaoke event although there will be a short 'open mic' section after Rich's first set.  Anyone wishing to play should register early as time is very limited.

What a brilliant night the first Open Mic at The Royal Oak, Bishops Cleeve turned out to be.

Things started of quietly with a short set by myself followed by another from Rich Howie, (right). Within 30 minutes the room was beginning to fill and people were congregating outside the door. When Rich started his set, there was quite simply a lot of jaws dropping. It was electrifying.

I was really pleased to welcome Joe Griffiths and Nicole Warfield, both from 'Krush' in the audience.

Then Steve Parkes, (below), turned up, guitar over shoulder having just ridden in on his push-bike from Cheltenham. It wasn't long before he was up doing his first set. Scary following Rich!

Nonetheless he carried it off well and was well received by everybody. Despite being concerned how his voice was coming over, I can assure you Steve, it was bloody good.

While Steve was playing, we were joined by Alan Jones, (right), who had WALKED it from Cheltenham! Thank's Alan, that was really nice of you.

Again a great set which went down well, lots of contemporary stuff and a great, distinctive voice, made Liam Gallagher sound a cheap imitation. No names but one young lady was shouting, "Your my favourite, I'm your biggest fan". I had to smile as her husband was sat besides her. I do like your style Alan, always look forward to you playing.

During a short set by myself I was pleased to be joined by Joe on Sax. What a privilege for me. Certainly improved the numbers having the sax filling it out with a couple of solos from Joe.

Everybody came up and did another set ending with a bit of a jam with myself, Joe and Rich, (right). Boy, did I enjoy that!

A longer set by Rich just had people on the edge of their seats. Rich plays loud at times, but it was nice to see that people were listening and not talking, in fact it was like that for most of the night. One good reason for having it in a separate room.

Getting towards 10:30 and three chaps who had been sat in the top bar earlier came into the room. One asked if they could get up and do a couple of songs. Forgive me lads, but the first thing that went through my mind was that they thought it was Karaoke and I wasn't sure what they were going to do. So I said, "Ok, just the one". It was therefore a pleasant surprise when one asked if they could borrow my acoustic and another my electric. But even then I had no idea what was to come. What I didn't realise was that this was "Salty Dog". Halfway through the first number and I was in the bar negotiating an extension, which fortunately they agreed to. What a great time the lads gave us. Everybody was grinning like Cheshire cats. Wow, what a night this was turning into. 

Salty Dog were the surprise of the night.

Just when we thought it was all over, with Rich doing a couple of closing numbers, we were in for the treat of the night. He started playing "Smokestack Lightning" and was joined after the first minute by the harp player from Salty Dog. Things like this don't happen too often these days.

Rich ended the night with a superb version of Black Sabbath's "Fairies Wear Boots", How the hell do you hit those notes? Awesome.

Yes, it was a great night and one for which I was so proud to have been part of. What astonished me, was at the end, everybody was shaking everybody else's hands. Audience and musicians, musicians and musicians, but amazingly, the audience were congratulating each other! What a success. Thanks to everybody. It really was a dream come true for me.
Let's hope that the landlord lets us do it again.

The Prince of Wales, Cheltenham has just changed hands and scrapped the Open Mic night.

So Rich Howie quickly reorganised an impromptue Open Mic at the St Paul's Tavern.  Now nobody could suggest that there was a big crowd, given the short notice, but that didn't stop eveybody having a good time.

I really enjoyed playing and listening to the rest of the guys. It was good to have an acoustic bass backing me too, considering the odd keys I was playing in, it was an impressive jam.

So well done to, Rich, Alan Jones and Stephen Parkes, (forgive me I can't remember the bass player's name), I hope you can all make it to the Royal Oak on Wednesday.  It would be great to hear you all again. 

That looks like it could be a very busy night if everybody who says they'll come, do so.

Brilliant news.  Darren, the landlord of the Royal Oak has given the go ahead for an Open Mic night on Wednesday, 21st, July.

The first night will be a 'pilot' but I am sure that it will just be the first of many.

Rich Howie will be assisting me on the night and I'm sure that fans of Rich will be excited with the new venue.  Rich is well know around Cheltenham and is the resident host at The Prince of Wales in Portland St.

The night will be a mix of music ranging from Folk, Blues and Rock.  Experience has taught me that acoustic sets can't easily follow a rock set, especially when Murry or one of his mates is on the drums. 

Also, I am keen to give newcomers a chance to air their stuff and to pick up some tips from the 'Pros'. Therefore, there is an hour put aside for them before the main event and before the public arrive.

A rough timetable for the evening is as follows:

7:00 - 8:00  Beginner's Workshop.

8:00 - 9:30  Acoustic and Unplugged.  (Yes, electric guitars can be used but no drums and bass at this time).

9:30 - 11:00  Anything goes. (Drums, Bass, Guitar, Sax, Keyboards etc.)

The whole idea is for individuals to play a few numbers, but everybody is invited to enter into the spirit with a jam whenever appropriate.

Pleas note that this is not a karaoke event although singers are invited to jam with the musicians.

There is no need for anyone to register in advance, but it would be nice to hear from anyone likely to attend that night musician, or visitor.