Monday 18 January 2010

So! The Grass Is Green


So for the first time in three weeks we now all know that the grass is green.
Great though the snow may be it’s caused a lot of problems for a lot of people.  Put aside the problems that you all probably had getting into work or even to the bottom of your garden path, the people who have been really hit are the folks who rly upon us all getting out.
Many of the venues that we have all taken for granted for years have been severely hit by a complete fall away in their trade at a time of the year they have come to rely upon as giving them a boost to keep their business’s going  for the rest of the year.   So spare a thought for all the Venues and Promoters who have taken a really heavy hit 2009 – 2010.
And I know what I’m talking about.  As a Driving Instructor, self employed, I lost 95% of my business over the past three weeks, and if you are thinking “well now the snow has gone it will all be back to normal” then you would be wrong.  It will be at least another month before the diary starts to tick over at it’s normal rate.
And that also applies to your venues and Promoters.
The folks they rely upon are now out of the habit, it takes time to get the habits re-established.
For many of the business’s this might well be the nail in the coffin, most have been struggling during 2009, I know I have, and the Banks and Building Societies do not take yet another bad trading period into consideration.
So where you can – and if you can afford it, it’s been tough for everyone – get out (some would say, while you can) and give the venues a bit of support.
As musicians we rely upon these venues, week after week to provide Clubs with free use of rooms, sometimes for a return of a few pints, we rely upon them for the odd booking, and we rely upon them to sometimes provide us with entertainment, normally free. 
My own position is precarious, so if we suddenly go silent, a God send some might argue, you’ll know why.
But to more positive things.
I’d like to draw your attention to a Charity Event on 5th February at the Rotherham Rugby Club.   The proceeds are going towards a fund to send a group of Biology Students currently studying at Thomas Rotherham College to South Africa to work with the WWF.  
What a great opportunity for them!
And what a night of music they will be putting on for our entertainment.   For the Folkies, Toein’ In The Dark will be doing their thing with Andy’s daughter Catherine joining in at some point.  I was lucky enough to see them in duo mode at a Unity Against Fascism Fund raiser in November.   It was quite special.  So well worth the price of the ticket on it’s own. 
Incidentally, Catherine and Andy will be making a special guest appearance at Acoustic Rotherham 6 on 31st January.
Also appearing at their Charity Band Night will be The Karen Mucahey Band, doing her energetic Folk Fusion material and new Band to me Peppermint Charlie.
It’s only a fiver – so if you’re about in Rotherham on the 5th February you’ve got a great Gig to go to.  You’ll find a more detailed account on the News Page HERE
Swansong (that’s Karen and Nigel plus to you and I) having been blagging a few Gigs as well, you’ll find their Gig poster linked on the News page.
Nigel tells me that Karen has also put together a Country Show.  I bet that’s quite good fun.  So watch out for details of them getting out there with it.
The Acoustic Rotherham CD Shop catalogue is growing.  Three new CDs have been listed this week, one each from Acoustica, The Troubadors and Barbara Helen.  If you’ve not listened to their offerings they have also added a sample track for you to listen to – a great bonus.  Get to the CD Shop by going HERE.
And if you are a recording artist like The Mashers, then why not list your CD.  You can find out more HERE
And don’t forget, if all you have is a Demo disc, then you can have it added for free to the Free Down Load section.
And before I head away from the Commercials, here’s a real bargain, Ray Hearne’s CD “The Wrong Sunshine” as an MP3 Down Load, available for only £6.99 from our Amazon Shop.  HERE
If you’ve not already checked the shop out you can buy everything from Clip On Tuners for as little as £9.99 to guitar strings, music books, songs books, guitar stands, all from the Shop and if you think that we have forgotten something then please contact us and we’ll put it into stock.
The Mashers Week.   Well it was quiet.  We had our normal practice on Monday night at The Bridge – why not pop in and say “hello!”
We couldn’t make a session as my lack of business meant that there was no cash for beer or petrol.
But I did manage to get down to The Bridge on Saturday night where a reasonable crowd enjoyed the less than quiet Myke Masher in his Earth Tales rockin’ mode.   It was fantastic stuff, well done Myke, and for one of such tender years as well.
I’d also mention a quick visit to my local WMC where Madness tribute Band, Complete Madness was packing the punters in like sardines.  One of the few Club Bands that can still do this, and it’s just great to the whole Concert Room standing up and trying to dance to Baggy Trousers.
Hats off to you boys – it was a super Gig even if the speakers gave in.
But coming up for The Mashers is a busy little time.  All The Masher News and dates HERE
Monday, we’ll be found at The Bridge for our practice.  Thursday, 21st it’s The Flat Cap Folk Club at the Rotherham Transport Club, A “Come All Ye” Singers Special. 
Monday 25th we’re be at Nellie Folk at The Bridge.
Tuesday 26th we are heading to Burton Street, Sheffield to do 30 minutes for the Hillsborough Folk Club.
Saturday 30th we are at a Private Party to celebrate Theresa’s special birthday, I shall be a gentleman and not say which one.
And Sunday 31st is of Course Acoustic Rotherham 6 at The Queens Hotel where we will be introducing some absolutely brilliant music.
Now, I know that I say this every quarter when an Acoustic Rotherham comes round, but this quarter I am really excited by the line up that has magically come together.  Charlie Barker, Acoustica, Pete Higgins, Jack’s Rake, Mark Hearne, The Misk Hills Rambler, Fools Gold, Folk On Fire, Matt Shore, Dead Cat Bounce, Paul Pearson and Tina McKevit and Matt Hegarty.  An amazing afternoon – and The Mashers have the great pleasure to introduce them.
So put it in your Diary and get to The Queens Hotel in Rawmarsh.   Full details of all the artists can be found HERE
If you’ve not played an Acoustic Rotherham Hiring Fair yet and fancy the idea, then contact us.  Places tend to get taken very quickly.   Find out more HERE
And that brings me to the end of this weeks missive. 
Thanks for your continued support and if you have prayer to spare or a thought in your meditation please think of the people of Haiti.  I may have had a go at the affect of snow to our Country, but it’s nothing when compared to the reality of what they are having to face.

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