31/1/12 - The Yardbird, Birmingham

Another new venue for me. I have walked past this place countless times but never bothered with it before as its a Jazz Club.
Anyhow, it is run by the same host who runs the Island Bar open-mic on Thursdays, Jason Pegg.
The format is a featured acts & Open Mic and is very relaxed with quite a good crowd.
Played 3 songs
Please Read my letter - Plant/Krause version
50 things to do before I die - Jon Chapman
Hangman - Peter, Paul and Mary (the dysfunctional family song)
I need to change my starting song and learn some others, or take blue tak and lyric sheets!
Till next time

26/1/12 - Island Bar, Birmingham

 

Never been here before quite a pleasant place, a bit too quite. Starts later than advertised, but I am pleased I stuck it out.

Island Bar is a cocktail bar and only serves lagers or cocktails.

Up first

Played

Please Read My letter - Plant/Krause version
50 things to do before I die - Jon Chapman
Behind Blue Eyes/ Won't get fooled again(part) - the Who
Rocking in the free world - Neil Young
Pinball Wizard - the Who

May be back next week.

24/1/12 - Open Mic, Stirling's Bar, Birmingham

I discovered this place, kind of by accident, as surfing the web looking for open mic nights in Brum.

I was sitting in a Lloyds No1 bar and had already had some beers, including a freebie. Spotted it was on and close to my bus route so I walked to the place, spoke to the host Pete and added to the list. I was up first.

Stirling's bar is in the shadow of the BT tower, just to give some reference to its location.

This was also its opening night. So I was the first to play the Open Mic after the host (who does not count [lol]).

Some pics will follow.

Played
Please read my letter - Plant/Krause version
50 things to do before I die - Jon Chapman
Behind blue eyes/Won't get fooled again(part) - the Who
Rocking in the free world - Neil Young

 

24/1/12 - To work by Bus, Birmingham

Well I had decided that twice a week I will miss the rush hours of Birmingham, by travelling into work by bus.

I am staying with a nice couple in their house and had checked the travel options

I had done loads of preparation, looked at maps, used the bus companies web sites and plotted options. I was ready

Woke up and it was hissing it down. Sod it I was going to stick to my plan.

Laptop, coat, brolly, hat, gloves.

Walked to the bus stop and caught the 9. No idea where I was. I was checking my GPS on my mobile, but no good really. the bus was all fogged up as everyone was damp.

Got off at Snow Hill, not the stop I was planning, but it worked. Crossed the road, waited 3 minutes and caught the 75. This worked too as it drops me virtually outside work.

I now had a return path. So the trip worked, was easy and painless.

Going back was the reverse, but the real reason was that it Steak Club Tuesday at Wetherspoons, so off I went for a few beers and a steak for tea along with a surf of the net.

What happened next, read the next blog entry

18/1/12–Test Match, West Bridgford

My last session down here for a while as I have a job which will take me away during the week.
MozMicDawn were also down to play, so I am looking forward to that.
Played some stuff I have not played for a while
Rock and Roll - Led Zeppelin (wedding singer version)
Sunset Boulevard - Charlie Robinson
In My Heart - Jon Chapman
50 things to do before I die - Jon Chapman
 

MozMicDawn

An excellent trio who rocked the place.

17/1/12–The Greyhound, Beeston

This will be my last visit for a while as I have a new job in Birmingham

Up 2nd and what an act to follow.

Played
Please Read my Letter – Plant/Krause version
Hangman – Peter, Paul and Mary
Rock and Roll – Led Zeppelin.  (Wedding Singer version)
Rocking in the free World – Neil Young

Till next time

11/1/12–Test Match, West Bridgford

It was a good night saw some old friends.

Played

Behind Blue Eyes – the Who
Hangman – Peter Paul & Mary
Rocking in the free world – Neil Young