STEWART FENWICK sends in his

SCOTTISH REPORT

WE’RE well into the summer festival season, with well established events being joined by new additions to the calendar.

One of the new events is the Southern Fried Festival, an Americana Festival in Perth over the weekend of 1^st-3^rd August. Nanci Griffith (above), Dean Owens, Billy Joe Shaver, Elizabeth Cook and The Coal Porters appear in two concerts on the Friday night. The Saturday night features a concert titled “Lost Highway : The Songs Of Hank Williams”. Other artists appearing over the weekend include Racheal Harrington, Sid Griffin, Allen Toussaint and Southpaw. Tickets can be booked at www.horsecross.co.uk

Six miles up the road from Perth is the village of Guildtown, home of the annual Bluegrass Festival. This year is the 22^nd event and is held July 18^th-20^th with bands from America, Czech Republic & Scotland. Special Consensus are the American headliners, and are joined by Czech band Country Cocktail. Home-based Goldrush, Dapper McDans & Alan & Louise Mairs complete the line up.  The whole weekend is only £35, with a discount for SBA members. More info and tickets from Alec Dunn on 01259 214908.

Singer-songwriter Bob Cheevers is undertaking a lengthy UK wide tour. The Scottish dates run from July 23^rd at Hootenanies in Inverness, right through until August 10^th at Edinburgh’s St.Brides Acoustic Music Centre, with dates in Glasgow, Dunfermline. Coatbridge, Lochmaddy, Perth & Ullapool in between. He has a new album out called Fiona’s World, inspired by an English artist, who drew a picture of him at a gig. The rest, as they say, is history!

Also touring are the Hunger Mountain Boys, who have dates as widespread as Ayrshire, Aberdeenshire & Stornoway.

On the recording front, look out for Norman Borland’s album, One In A Million. Norman is originally from Northern Ireland, but has been based in the West of Scotland for many years, and worked with several club bands, the most recent being Toe The Line. The album was recorded in Glasgow’s Stealth studio and has been picking up airplay on stations like Highland Radio in Donegal, Celtic Music Radio in Glasgow and CMR Nashville.

Any info for the column can be sent to Stewart Fenwick, 18 Chapelhill, Clackmannan. FK10 4JP, or e-mail: StewartFenwick@aol.com