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This is the archive of the combined Barking Spider and Andy Broad Portsmouth Blues Site mailing lists.
For the latest information on what's on at The Bullfrog Blues Club click here
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On Friday 27 June, The Bullfrog Blues Club officially starts its residence at it's new home, The Cellars at Eastney, leaving South Parade Pier after an eight year unbroken residency. We've a truly GREAT gig lined up to kick things off in style - The Gary Fletcher Band, featuring Pick Withers the original drummer from Dire Straits! Tickets are the usual bargain Bullfrog Blues Club price of £8 advance, and there's quality real ales and ciders at The Cellars too! As a founder member of The Blues Band, Gary Fletcher has been at the top of the blues tree for over 25 years. More recent Blues Band recordings have included Gary’s songs and his song "(Could've Used a Little) Greenstuff’' has gone on to become one of the band’s anthems - all a reflection of his solo development in recent years. Gary's solo album ‘Human Spirit’ received rave reviews and features all new recordings with a stellar line-up of musicians such as Rob Townsend, Paul Jones and Dave Kelly (all from The Blues Band), Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody (both from Whitesnake etc etc.), Steve Simpson (Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance, Roger Chapman's Shortlist etc. etc.), Mark Feltham and Dennis Greaves ( both from Nine Below Zero) . Pick Withers was a founder member of Dire Straits, who formed in 1977, with Mark Knopfler, David Knopfler and John Ilsley. Soon after, they recorded a demo tape, Cult deejay Charlie Gillett,of BBC Radio London liked it so much he played one track - "Sultans of Swing" - on the radio, and two months later, Dire Straits signed a recording contract with Phonogram Records. In 1978, Dire Straits began touring Great Britain opening for Talking Heads (The Barking Spider saw 'em at Southampton University - what a gig!). After their debut single "Sultans of Swing" started to climb the U.K. charts, the group went on their own headlining tour, which led to a U.S. recording contract with Warner Bros. Records, and before the end of the year, Dire Straits had released their self-titled debut worldwide. They received more and more attention in the U.S.A. and landed at the top of the charts in Australia and New Zealand. The following year, Dire Straits performed in their first North American tour, playing 51 concerts - all sellouts. "Sultans of Swing" entered the top ten in Britain and the U.S.A., and 'Dire Straits' reached top five in both countries' album charts. Bob Dylan saw the band play in Los Angeles, and was so impressed that he invited Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers to play on his next album, 'Slow Train Coming'. The album "Communique" was released in 1979, and included the single "Lady Writer." Again, the album flew up the charts, as did 1980's "Making Movies", which included the singles "Skateaway," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Tunnel of Love." Their most famous album, 'Love Over Gold' was released in 1982, and after the album's release, Pick Withers left the band. As well as Pick Withers,The Gary Fletcher Band includes Steve Ling on lead guitar, and Gary’s son Jack Fletcher on bass. More details on www.garyfletchermusic.co.uk You can purchase your tickets in person at “The Cellars At Eastney”, 56 Cromwell Road, Southsea, Hampshire, PO4 9PN, at the bar from 2 pm - 11.30 pm Monday - Friday: and 12 noon – 11 pm on Saturdays and Sunday. I'f you'd rather pay by credit card online, either go onto The Cellars website, www.thecellars.co.uk. or ring 02392 826249 Alternatively, you can pay by cheque (payable to "The Cellars at Eastney"). Send cheque to The Cellars at Eastney, 56 Cromwell Road, Southsea, Hampshire, PO4 9PN, with a note, clearly stating GARY FLETCHER BAND , how many tickets you ant , and the name the tickets are reserved under. Please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope for the return of your ticket(s). Or (you feelin' lucky, punk? ) Turn up on the door on the night - The Cellars has a capacity of 120.