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Why isn’t anyone coming to watch?
By Lauren Rogers (The Worcester News)
WHERE have all the blues fans gone? Entry to the Cellar Bar blues night, held at the atmospheric Worcester drinking venue every month, may well be free, the musicians may well be painfully talented, and you may have to travel miles before finding a similarly tight-knit music community. But Worcester people, it seems, have been strangely apathetic.
"The unusually cold weather has hit my audiences so far this year," said Bob Jones, organiser of the event and one half of R&B Jones.
"February was OK, but January and March were very sparsely attended. I need to give the blues a shot in the arm."
Now, as we enter spring, Bob is urging music lovers to come along and taste what they've been missing.
"Blues Night has been catering for music fans who like their music honest, live, uncompromising and, above all, of top quality," he said.
"Audiences are beginning to pick up as the severe weather during the winter has given way to spring - and, hopefully, a return to the packed audiences such a presentation richly deserves."
The next blues night - on Tuesday, April 15 - is extra special for Bob. Not only will he be celebrating the event's third year, but he will be marking the 25th anniversary of blues legend Muddy Water's death and his own 65th birthday.
So far, the line-up includes The Bluestoones, Slidin' Steve, Black Cat Bone, David Bristow, Pete Unwin, The Players, Holly Jeffrey, Babajak, Rod Jones and Poor Bob himself.
"Worcester, formerly a live music desert dominated by karaoke and tribute bands, is now spoilt for choice," said Bob.
"A venue that combines the very best performers in the county with free entry to one of the most hospitable ambiences for live musicians, celebrates Worcester's varied range of musical tastes without putting a strain on the wallet."
Blues Night, at Cellar Bar in Foregate Street, Worcester, is held the third Tuesday of every month. You can see Slidin' Steve for free next Tuesday at the Cellar Bar in Worcester
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