Open Mike Cook IslandNorth Devon Festival SpecialTHURSDAY 5th JUNE8.00 p.m. to Midnight

If you like good music in a good bar and friendly atmosphere OPEN MIKE at COOK ISLAND, MULLACOTT CROSS, ILFRACOMBE is the place to be on a Thursday evening. This year we are holding a NORTH DEVON FESTIVAL SPECIAL NIGHT on Thursday 5th June and have invited regular local musicians to be part of this exciting event.

The evening commences with the houseband THE AVERAGE BLUES BAND and then progresses with a real cross section of musicians ranging from unaccompanied solo singers, unplugged acoustic duos, to definitely plugged bands. The age range moves from 10 years old to 70 years and on many occasions there is a real cross section of all ages performing at one time. A typical evening is open to anyone who comes along who wishes to play or sing but as this is a Festival Event it was decided to invite regulars who have been coming to Cook Island over the last two years to perform. The format of this one off will included musicians of all ages and musical genre.

THE AVERAGE BLUES BAND is made up of Mike and Clive who between them play Rhythm, Lead, Bass, Steel and Acoustic guitars, Jim is on Keyboard and Bass, and Tom on drums.
The core of the band is Mike and Clive who between them have a wealth of performing experience.
Tom and Jim despite their youth continually amazes audiences with their skills and expertise.
The style of music is mainly BLUES with departures into the more upbeat old style R & B, using material from J J Cale, Keb Mo, Peter Green, Eric Clapton, John Mayall and many more. www.redshoesmusic.com

SONIC FUSION North Devon’s premier function band Formed in 2003 Sonic Fusion is an exciting, fresh and lively band to hit the South West music scene, they recently backed Joss Stone. Together they have many years of experience, playing in bands of all kinds to suit many different occasions. Their style of music is diverse and guaranteed to get you out of your seats. Not to be missed! www.sonicfusion.biz/

ELLIE (14) is a young singer/ songwriter who p lays gigs and open mic nights locally. She has been playing guitar, singing and composing for about two years. Her style of music is very broad and her own song writing style changes a lot depending on who or what has inspired her. She has a voice way beyond her years. She is a Christian and is involved, musically, with the church and youth groups.

MILLI TAYLOR An extremely talented 17 year old singer/songwriter who has been likened to a young Eva Cassidy. Based in North Devon she has played many gigs at venues locally including New Year Eve Celebrations on The Square in Barnstaple, The Hub in Plymouth, Rock Against Child Pornography Fundraiser at Marlboro Club in Ilfracombe, The Thatch in Croyde, Aggi in Braunton, Birdman Rally in Ilfracombe, and many more besides! Milli was a finalist in the Battle Of The Bands held at the Queens Theatre Barnstaple in 2007 organised by Lantern Radio. Milli enjoys playing covers from a variety of artists as well as her own original tracks and is accompanied by her talented band Olly White on rhythm box and drums and James Myers on bass. Visit her website at www. millitaylor.com.

CABLECAR-CATASTROPHE The combination of four extremely talented and passionate musicians Tom Gilkes (drums); Jim Heard (piano and vocals); Jake Turner (bass guitar); Sam Ratcliffe (acoustic guitar and vocals) make up Cablecar-catastrophe. Caught in the friendly crossfire of Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly and Block Party, Cablecar-catastrophe are an new exciting Indie pop band based in North Devon. With a intensely creative rhythm section that complements melodic catchy vocals, their energetic stage presence is truly infectious. Their quest for reflective Indie-pop perfection is second to none. Cablecar-catastrophe can offer a tasty selection of original tracks but are also armed with many interesting covers. There is no denying that Cablecar-catastrophe give an unforgettable outstanding live performance.

KEITH SOMERVILLE is probably associated with playing acoustic songs in styles similar to James Taylor, Paul Simon, Neil Young and Jackson Browne, The upsurge of interest in "unplugged" performances in the 90's led to Keith forming The Acoustic Cafe at Ilfracombe's Landmark, with friend John Paterson. However, these days he likes nothing more than to rock along a bit with the Average Blues Band - it's that unfulfilled wish to be in a band thing!

CHRIS AYLIFFE AND CAROLINE CASSANELLI. Chris started playing guitar in 1958 in Soho, and in the early 60’s busked with Ralph McTell in London and later in Paris. He also played with John Renbourn and backed Jackie McShee for 3 years before Pentangle. In 1966 he retired from the Folk scene, but remained in contact with Ralph McTell and many others. In 1980 he moved to North Devon and picked up his guitar again. Chris first worked with Caroline 25 years ago, but she retired from singing to bring up her family. They met again 4years ago and started playing and singing together. Chris plays finger style guitar and Caroline’s style of singing can be described a Jazzy Blues. A unique and electrifying combination.

JOHNNY BUTTON, a "blow-in" from Essex, has now lived in North Devon for 27 years and plays an eclectic mix of Rhythm and Blues with a touch of Soul, and although he has played guitar at home for many years, he only started playing in public about 4 years ago at the Landmark Acoustic Café. Since then he is a regular at Cook Island Open Mike. He also supported the Speed the Plough event in January.

DAVE SMITH Singer-songwriter Dave Smith hails from a long and varied musical background. Born in Liverpool, influenced by Latin, Soul and the 60’s Merseysound, he was playing in bands from the age of 17, performing at ‘The Cavern’ and other well known clubs. Settling in North Devon 15 years ago, Dave concentrated on song-writing and penned the winning song on BBC TV’s ‘Steps to the Stars’ in 2000, performed by his daughter Jenny-Lynn. With his distinctive husky vocals, playing guitar and harmonica, he regularly performs his own songs at local ‘Open Mics’. He is keen to find a bass and percussionist to develop his latest material.

ALCHEMY Mark and Ian met at a Cook Island Open Mic night and quickly realised they had similar music tastes and eventually started performing together a few months later. They have since formed The Alchemists, a successful five piece function band with an age range of 17 to 60 so nowadays they have a varied playlist. This time they go back to the start with the original love of simple rock and roll music andballads that brought them together in the beginning. Alchemy. www.alchemistrocknroll.co.uk

DAVE CLINCH who plays Bones, Bodhran, Whistles, Uilleann pipes and sings, but not all at once. He spent many years on the London Irish session scene and since moving to Devon has concentrated more on singing. His influences are Victor Jara, the Chilean singer /songwriter and guitarist who was murdered by the fascist Pinochet regime and also the late, great Luke Kelly of The Dubliners.