Thursday 16th August saw Eddie Martin at his very best, with an enthusiastic crowd of 130 at the Ritz enjoying his every strum and blast on the old “Gob-Iron”.

I’ve seen Eddie quite a few times, but there seems to be something extra in his performance now that connects his music to the audience in a way I’d not seen before. The guitar playing was authentic, and the harmonica exquisite. His vocals created a truly american blues feel, and unlike many other British Blues Players, he delivered the songs as they should be delivered, with joy and expression. Thanks Eddie for great night, come back soon.

Thursday 19th July 2007 saw Jackie Oates take to the Ritz Stage ably accompanied by brother Doug (Jim Moray) on Guitar and Vocals.

Jackie produced an accomplished performance with an enchanting traditional vocal and polished viola and an interesting harmonium accompaniment, and we look forward to seeing her again at the Folkfest on Sunday 2nd September, when she will be appearing in Manor Gardens at about 1.15pm. Jim also delighted us with a couple of self-penned numbers, with strong vocal and excellent guitar playing.
It’s nice to see younger people playing traditional songs with feeling, and delivering them in a style that is appealing to all ages.

Check out Jim Moray’s music at Jim’s Myspace
Check out Jackie Oates’ music at Jackie’s website or
Jackie’s Myspace

One of the great things about the club is that every week, we normally end the evening with an impromptu jam session, normally lead by Pete “guess what chord I’m playing now” Beach. Here’s a photo courtesy of Caroline from our normal weekly club night (3rd May 2007), with the aptly named “Jock Strap Ensemble”

Another great performance from this high energy quartet, the Rats brought their melting pot of traditional styles to a packed audience at the Ritz Acoustic Club on Thursday 16th Feb. To try and describe or categorise their music is difficult, blending traditional Irish and Northern Working Class Folk Music into driving Punk, Ska and Jazz Rhythms. They really look like they are enjoying themselves, and the audience certainly did. We can’t wait to see them again at the Folkfest in September when they will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday.

Great support also from newcomer Mike Stafford from Yeovil, our own Steve Brown, Greg Aylmer and Dave “Busker” Harris. The Night was finished off in style with excellent performances from the “rejeuvenated” Gordon Cambell, and the welcome return of Pete Stearn and Kate Riaz. What an evening for only £3.50 including a buffet!!

This is becoming a very popular event in the month, and has seen local artistes and acts from afar; Boys from Melbourne St, Pete Quin and Debbie and Phil Beckett, “Siren” (Steve Brown and Juliet Blackburn), Diana Johnstone, Bag of Rats, Kevin Brown, Jackie Oates, Eddie Martin, Ember, Tiny Tin Lady. All have been excellent nights with good audience attendance. These nights are designed to showcase local acts and individual club members or club members collaborating, so here’s your chance to get up and do a 45min set in front of an appreciative audience.
As usual, the showcase set is between 9.10 and 10.00pm with normal Open Mic Club Sets from 8.30 - 9.05pm and 10.05 - 11.00pm.
Every third Thursday of the month we have these excellent Buffet/Showcase nights and the cost increases to £3.50 for members, £4.00 for non members and £2.50 for Students and Children.

A Big Thanks to Ashley and Deborah Dow from Rag Mama Rag for putting in a fantastic performance at the Club’s Christmas Bash. Their mix of Blues and Ragtime from the 20’s and 30’s brought the house down. Ashleys great mix of styles and tones from his wide collection of acoustic guitars, provided the perfect variety of textures to the evening (the lap steel was my favourite). Debororah provided the perfect accompaniment with metronome-like playing of a wide variety of percussion and spoons, and some haunting blues harp. The packed audience wouldn’t let them get off the stage until about 11.50pm … fantastic night, great music (the support acts are also worthy of a mention, namely Steve Brown and his awesome collection of Xmas Songs plus Curly, Dale, Richard and Dave Chave providing a soulful start to the evening), great food (thanks Sarah), great Raffle (thanks Trish) and great sound (blowing my own trumpet)

16th November - CATFISH KEITH AT THE RITZ
Catfish provide an excellent evening of Stomping Blues in front of 91 paying guests at the club. His laid back Iowa style connected with the audience, and his guitar styles of pinched harmomics, percussive strumming and excellent slide playing, kept a distinctive “Catfish” style to all of his music. The crowd bayed for more and after elongated encores, we had to let him off the stage …. some 30 minutes after he should have finished. The support was ably supplied by club members Graham Cook, George Birt and Chris Elswood. Another great Guest Night at the Ritz Acoustic Club.

Check out Catfish Keith’s Official Website
and check out some Catfish Keith Sound Bites

A Small Number of these limited edition T-Shirts (only 100 ever printed with Black Logo on White T-Shirt) are still available for sale at £10.00 each including P&P. Sizes L and XL. These will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Telephone GC Music on 01278 794434 or email: george@gcmusic.co.uk

After a successful trial run and a summer layoff, the Acoustic Cafe is back in business at Nunney Village Hall (near Frome) from Sunday 1st October.

A relaxing afternoon with drinks, snacks and Sunday papers will be accompanied by a ridiculous range of wonderful performers pushing the boundaries of acoustic music to their limits and well beyond.

Facilities will be laid on for children who also get free entry so take the whole family!

Performers who wish to play should just send an email to info@nunneyacousticcafe.org or just turn up early to book a spot.

The Cafe is keen to promote new performers. They can’t afford to pay anyone (yet) but if any of you star performers would like to do a 30 minute set as a featured artist or band in the coming months, they would be delighted to give you some free publicity.

The cafe is equally keen to promote young performers so if you know anyone who is ready to take their first steps onto the stage in front of a very friendly audience, please tell them to come along.

The new Line-up for the Ritz Acoustic Club is as follows:

Chairman: Paul Austin
Vice Chairman: Bryan Counsell
Secretary: Laura Smith
Treasurer: Harry Boyce
Publicity Officer: Dominic Wills
Stage & Equipment Manager: Greg Aylmer
Membership Secretary: Caroline Boyce
Webmaster: Graham Cook
Officers without Portfolio:
Trish Liles
Pete Beach
Nigel Snook
Don Counsell