Balladeers and Chancers Season 5

Thanks to you all for continued support and positive things to say about Balladeers and Chancers. From a small chat over a pint one dark rainy night at The Dukes long ago in 2006 I took a chance to try an idea that had previously been succesful in Bradford and see how it worked in a rural location.
The premise remained the same..to give new musicians a guaranteed stage to perform irrespective of whether they had performed before or were known, and to open this stage to accomplished and practised musicians who wanted a new venue to perform at.

My fear, particulalry coming to Presteigne, was that a local music mafia would object to this upstart and i'd be given a tough time. Instead Pete Mustill immediately offered not only use of a p.a. (any of you who know me will attest to my complete lack of confidence in the technical arena) but also set it up before each gig; the landlord provided generous hospitality to all musicians and, unknown to most, a ready donation into the hat each time, and we were off.
Last year a new p.a. arrived complete with sound engineer and, both at the Dukes and our ventures into Hay, we've been very lucky to have Tony Lancett setting up before each gig and staying throughout to sort out technical hitches and refine the sound.

All this happens pretty much word of mouth which is where I rely on you all who read this(occassional) blog which i hope to attend to a bit more in the years ahead.I need people to hear about Balladeers and Chancers to attract even more performers.
As you know ,whilst the spirit is acoustic (we accept all but would ask you strip the Marshall stacks,flying V's and multi skin kit to a refined bongo and semi acoustic) those who attend regulalry will know that the 'envelope' continues to be pushed on that one...thanks Simon and Dave for a truly enjoyable synth and drum- machine ramble through 80's Indie to close last season B&C, as a case in point.

So far we're approaching 60 or so acts who've performed, some who have obviously returned to play in other seasons and will do again.
However,as many of you know I dont want this night to become static..if it becomes a clique, it dies. So,please help by telling all those bedsit musicians that there is a place for them to come and perform..the beers good,the sound refined, the audience as warm and welcoming as you could hope for..


pax



stephe