Open Mike Cook Island North Devon Festival Special 4th JUNE 2009 7.30 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 are Mike and Clive who between them play rhythm, lead, bass, steel and acoustic guitars, Jim is on keyboards and bass, and Tom on powerhouse drums. Mike and Clive who between them have a wealth of performing experience, form the core of the band - ably assisted by rising stars Tom and Jim who, despite their youth, continue to amaze audiences with their talents. 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.

Sonic Fusion have been playing the South West Music scene for 6 years and have gone from strength to strength to secure themselves as one of the top function bands in the region. Playing anything and everything from swing to soul to rock 'n' roll Sonic Fusion are guaranteed to get you up on your feet and dancing the night away. With successful Theatre shows under their belt (50 Years Of Music and The Summer Soul-Stice to name but two), and an appearance onstage with Joss Stone, dare you miss them?

Ellie Campbell is 15 years old singer -songwriter living in North Devon. I am currently working on recording a CD as well as playing at local “open mike” nights - and picking up a few few gigs here and there.
My songs reflect my life experiences in general- from boys to friends, to going out at weekends, to school and anything that sparks off a line of a lyric to me. I also play covers from a large cross section of artists.
I enjoy performing both solo and with other bands and artists

MILLI TAYLOR An extremely talented 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.

Country Roads....
Featuring Jo Geraghty on vocals and guitar, Roger Beamer on Bass and Vocals, complimented by Jennie Claire’s Beautiful Harmonies and fresh and fun Violin playing!

Rob and Ross –
Rob played guitar in “Purple Haze” during the 1970/80s before family and business took over his life. To his surprise his son Ross took a keen interest in guitar playing and as a result Rob has rediscovered his love of performing - and touring guitar shops ! Both regularly perform together at Cook Island, often backed by the house band, and Ross will also occasionally front a loose band of friends who perform their own material.

KEITH SOMERVILLE is notably associated with performing his own acoustic compositions 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!

JOHNNY BUTTON, a "blow-in" from Essex, has lived in North Devon since the 1980s. A guitar legend in his living room for many years, he was at last cajoled into public appearances and now regularly performs an eclectic mix of Rhythm and Blues with a touch of Soul – not forgetting most of the Rolling Stones back catalogue! Catch JB at various local “open mikes” including Cook Island as well as at other well publicised local events.

Dave Smith

Singer-songwriter has a long and varied musical and entertainment background. Born in Liverpool, and 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. After settling in North Devon, 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 ‘Open Mics’. and other local events

REVIVAL
Based in the South West, Revival are an up and coming versatile 3 piece band who play a wide variety of musical styles from the rock n roll era of the 50’s
to todays chart music. Revival bring together a wealth of experience in performing, recording and teaching music with involvement in projects throughout the South of England including sessions with solo recording artists, Queen and Pink Floyd tribute bands, cover bands and working with equipment manufacturers.

The members of Revival:
Paul Gregory – Guitar / Synth / Vocals
Blues influenced and fond of ‘keeping it simple’. Pauls playing style and musical approach is probably best described as ‘Clapton meets Mark Knopfler meets Billy Gibbons’. Add a mix of todays great music and his ability to adapt to different musical styles and, you have a performer who relishes taking on new ideas.

Darren Wright – Bass Guitar / Backing Vocals

Influenced more by modern guitar bands, Darren has the ability to take bass-lines a stage further and really drive the rhythm section of a 3 piece set-up. Coupled with his ability to quickly memorise new material, he adds some excellent vocals which really complement Pauls lead lines.

Steve Spittle – Drums / Backing Vocals
A former drum teacher, Steve has a real feel for the nuances and dynamics in music. Steves timing is rock-solid and is coloured with some superb fills which still allow space for the other band members to ‘go off on one’!
Steves ability to sight read drum music, and offer a great vocal range for backing means that Revival can get the most out of a three piece set up.

www.myspace.com/rockingrevival or www.lemonrock.com/revival
alternatively, Revival can be contacted on 07813 613678 or 07751693433.

Leigh Wigg, now a zoo keeper in North Devon , had a previous existence in the music industry, working with bands on the London punk scene, including famous names such as “the Damned”. After a few weeks sitting in the audience at open mike nights , Leigh had the urge to dust off the old guitar and start performing again – an excellent singer guitarist who can be caught in the act on a regular basis at Cook Island