BLUEBELLY DIARY

3/4 July 2004 ,Dundee Blues Bonanza

Westport Bar on the Saturday Evening was quite busy ,we had a warm welome,even after my Olympic string breaking record ,10 seconds into the gig. After a false start the downstairs bar seemed to enjoy the music and Bobby was cajoled into a Bass solo by his new fan in the corner.It didn't take much persuasion.There were also bouts of sporadic dancing by members of the audience,. Not by the few members of my family who had come in from Montrose ,but by independent punters gripped by the rhythm of Bluebelly music.

The Mercantile on Sunday Evening was far more subdued.The festival crowd were dwindling and we followed AlanJones &Fraser Spiers to play to a small but attentive Audience for the first set .After "She broke my Heart" one punter was very concerned for Bobbys health and our ,now frequent ,stage to audience banter raised our spirits and created a bit of atmosphere.The second set had an even smaller crowd but the Bar Staff were listening too and the Manager even bought a CD.

All in all a very enjoyable Festival ,perhaps lacking the cameraderie of a Festival Club or even a central point for Artists to meet ,like Orkney has ,but still a good weekend .We are looking forward to next year!!!

DOUGIE

17 July 2004 Market Bar Inverness

Absolutely brilliant night, all except for setting up. Nightmare gig to get into!!

Bobby's son Ross gave us a hand ,and apart from an accidental disaster with the Mic stand was a welcome sight in a sea of immovable people who decided to sit on the stage while we set up.

We did a set with the full participation of the audience ,encores and all.

A visit from an old work colleague Susan and a familiar face,Colin, made the gig even more relaxed for me.Great night and a gig in th e near future on the cards

25 July 2004 Medicine Music BBQ

We went on first in the afternoon and played our short and sweet set for about 40 minutes. Lovely weather and a good crowd. My daughter Sarah did her Roadie bit this time and now wants to come to all the gigs .Don't know if all the places we go to will be suitable for an 11 year old !!

This BBQ at the Maple Court in Inverness is for the Maggies Cancer Charity and Rob Ellen has invited a few of us to contribute .Sets from Calamateur,Jeep Solid, Galipaygoes and Bayo Seco along with others went down a treat. We went back at night to play another set inside in the evening and had a real good day,even sold a CD to someone who asked me to sign it ,much to the bemusement of my wife who didn't believe such a thing happened,an ego boost indeed.

A successfull day and all for chariteeeeeee !!

2/3 July 2005 Dundee Blues Bonanza

Another great Festival and bigger crowds this year than last. Caught up with Paul Rose again ,to be amazed by his virtuoso guitar work. Head & shoulders , head & shoulders!!!!!!!!. Also enjoyed the top notch racket made by Jed Thomas ,in the Rory Gallacher mould , superb !

Son House was also a highlight for my mate Stuart and I as we went down early on the Friday. Bobby missed him. Oh dear,what a shame ,how sad ,never mind!!

As for us ,we went down well and managed to overcome difficulties caused by Bobby breaking a Double Bass string ten minutes into our Sunday set at Bar Rio.It made me feel that he cant have any more digs at me for breaking strings all the time. Costly replacements are now on the beast.

Pictures of our gig at Mickey Coyles on the Saturday are now on the Dundee Blues Bonanza site which has a link on our Links page.

Looking forward to next year already.

.

DOUGIE

11 NOVEMBER 2005 NEVISPORT BAR, FORT WILLIAM

Great night in what looks to become a regular haunt for us ! Quite busy for a winter night and the set went down well. Joined for a jam by Cameron who went home to get his Trumpet. He sat in on a couple of songs. Michael had a dazed and confused bash at my guitar in the break and then we had another guy from Skye come up and join us for "Knockin' on Heavens Door". We are back there on Feb18th & March25th,and looking forward to it already.

DOUGIE