A Year at The Crossroads - Perry Foster and Abie Budgen

Crossroads Blues Club has put on live Blues artistes and Blues Jams every Thursday since September 2007 at the Tower of Song venue in Cotteridge, Birmingham.

Although most of the featured artistes have been from the Midlands and have included Steve Ajao, Smokin' Ade Wakelin, Mellow Peaches and Chickenbone Blues, the Club’s name has spread rapidly and The Sorentinos from Santa Rosa, California dropped in to play as part of their recent UK tour.

The gig on 18th September will feature the irrepressible Perry Foster. Perry is a player with a pedigree as long as your arm and has played alongside such greats as HOWLING WOLF and REV. GARY DAVIS. When he formed his 'Delta Blues Band', he recruited CHRIS WOOD, later of 'TRAFFIC' and a very young ROBERT PLANT on vocals and washboard!

Headlining with Perry will be Abie Budgen. Often referred to as ‘Robert Johnson in a Cardigan', Abie is one of the Rising Stars on the Blues scene. She has recently recorded an album of traditional country blues with Michael Roach on guitar and Johnny Mars on harmonica and has already played several successful gigs at The Crossroads.

In addition, there will be shorts sets from Clive Sheard and David Bristow to give the audience a taste of what to expect from their gig the following week.

One of the founders of The Club, Chickenbone John, said ‘In these days of home entertainment and large screen TVs in pubs, it’s good to see that live music is thriving. This will be an evening of great Blues music.’

Tickets for the event are available from the Tower of Song venue or by searching for ‘Crossroads Blues Club’ on EBay.

Crossroads Blues Club meets every Thursday at ‘The Tower of Song’, 107 Pershore Road South, Cotteridge, B30 3JX. Open mic followed by one or two acts (music from 8.45pm).

Further information from Ken Stratford

• www.towerofsong.co.uk/blues
• www.myspace/crossroadsbluesclub