Just thought I would create mention of the event on 12 November at the Sommet Centre in Nashville.A mention because I am going to it and then spending 2 weeks circulating the music bars and the like of the Music City.
I'll let you know the outcome on my return.

Last Friday night at the Aberdare Coliseum I witnesssed what could prove to be the surprise act at this year's Cambridge Festival.
The poster said Americana artist Elizabeth Cook would be in attendance. That was only part of the story for the princely sum of £12. Supported by her hubbie Tim Carroll(he of New York Punk/Rock band 'The Blue Chieftians'), the Nashville based couple proceeded to entertain with tales of past achievements and 'HILLBILLY DANCING'!
Mrs Carroll's last album was called 'BALLS',produced by no less an alumini of Americana than Rodney Crowell.The attractive blonde possesses this characteristic in abundance and one day will surely be a major star.
So if you are going to the Festival do not miss the couple as they wrap up their summer schedule around Europe.
One final thought is that if they decide to make a motion picture about Dolly Parton, Elizabeth Cook would be an ideal candidate for the role - all the Director would have to do is give her an upper body appendage.

Sadly passing away in Stoke Mandeville Hospital today is the man who's rasping voice gave the Dave Clark 5 19 Top 40 hits in the UK and considerably more in the US.
Mike Smith was aged 64, but had been paralysed from the waist down as a result of a spinal cord injury he had sustained in 2003. The official diagnosis being pneumonia brought on by a chest infection. He had been a patient in the Buckinghamshire Hospital since 2003, but had returned to a specially adapted home to spend his final days with his wife, Charlie.
The DC5 are due to be inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 10 March, along with Madonna, John Mellencamp and Leonard Cohen.Mike was last seen in public when he attended the recent London concert of his friend Bruce Springsteen.
Whenever the 60's are overviewed by the rock press the achievements of this band generally get over looked because they never developed into a progressive outfit devouring the chemical weaponary of other 'muso's'.
Mike is now the second member of the group to die;saxophonist Dennis Payton passed away in 2006 from cancer.
Although the group broke-up in the early 70's, Mike Smith never embarked on the solo career he should have.Hopefully after this sad event and the forthcoming Hall of Fame investiture Dave Clark will allow the band's material to be made available so that todays fledgling youth can become aware of classic British Pop.
The memory of the band is entrenched in my memory courtesy of a gig on 23 April 1963 at the Shrewsbury Granada that was bearly audible thanks to the screaming girls that always ruined concerts in the primitive days of sound systems. Visually though Mike Smith shone over this as he stood pumping out the keys on his Vox organ.
Don't be surprised if Bruce slips a DC5 song into his repertoire on the upcoming UK tour - you read it here.

Listening to the HORA tales on the Podcast reminded me of my wife's tale with Van.
In around 2000 when Van was living in the Pontcanna district of Cardiff he was prone to visiting 'The Pumping Station' Antique Centre on Penarth Road, where my owned the cafe. His dish of choice was Jacket potato and baked beans washed down with a mug of tea.
My wife never being short in coming forward approached him on one of his visits and told him she liked his new album, but thought his duet with Tom Jones was rubbish. Van's reaction was a typical grunt and off she sauntered back behind the counter.
Several weeks later Van arrived again with an entourage and they settled down for their ordered food. At around 4.30pm one of the minions approached the counter and asked for more tea - only to be told by the wife that she closed at 4.30pm prompt. The minion said something along the lines of " Do you know who wants another cup?" To which my wife reinforced opening hours and forlorn party vacated the building.
To this day I am unsure if this was another example of my wife's diplomacy skills or an opportunity missed.

Having just returned from the States - California, Arizona and Nevada - I was wandering around the Danish styled town of Solveg on a Sunday morning trying to find a suitable place to change a travellers cheque. I happened to find a book shop amongst the numerous coffee and pastry establishments.
Finding the music section I came across the David Crosby autobiography 'Since Then' and The Beach Boy' Brian Wilson book 'Catch a Wave'. taking into account the handsome exchange rate that UK residents now have Stateside I presented my purchases and a 100 dollar cheque to the woman behind the counter.Her initial comment surprised me when she said "You've just missed David he was in here 5 minutes earlier". Evidently the 'Walrus Moustached' one had been on the very spot I was now standing on with his wife and daughter. Fortunately as we completed the transaction I discovered that this was no ordinary copy of the afore mentioned tome but A SIGNED COPY. Strangely Brian had not been so generous.
Leaving the shop my wife and I scoured the attractive streets of the doll's house facades for a musical hero, but without any joy.
Which set me thinking about just how many instances there have been where my attitude of well if he can't be bothered to speak to me why should I!
When I was in College and booking groups for our 'Dances' it was the acts I should have booked that that still make me think why(?)did I turn down Elton John, Rod Stewart, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Peter Green when they were available for under £75.