Brean Country Music Festival 2009
Well, here we are again, it’s early September and very slowly approaching our annual drive down to Brean Sands, near Burnham-On-Sea, for what is, in my opinion, the best Country and Western music festival in the U.K. The entire town of Brean goes over to country music for the entire week, whichever pub, club, Holiday Park or bar you visit country music artistes are featured and thousands of people walk around the area “dressed up” in a wide array of country and western attire, happy in the knowledge that they are surrounded by like minded souls. There are parades, shoot-outs and a truly friendly festival atmosphere throughout.
The largest venues also have their car parks turned into market places, with hundreds of stalls selling “country” related items, clothing, guns, footwear, music cd’s , flags, nicnacs and souvenirs ranging, in price, from pennies to hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds.
We have booked into Pontin’s on Friday 25th September 2009 until Friday 2nd October 2009, this year we have chosen to go “Classic”, in previous years we have gone “Club” but decided the extras in “Club” did not warrant the financial differential.
Pontin’s Country Music and Dance Festival at Brean is organised every year by Rusty Douch, a former country and western artiste, who is very well supported by his team supplying dance tuition, country disco’s and the trilogy’s etc. Rusty introduces the acts and is master of ceremonies throughout the week.
As in previous years there are a dozen or so people going from St. Bernadette’s Country Music Club in Scunthorpe, we are hoping to have as good a “craic” this time as we’ve had in the past.
I’ve done a little on-line research and thanks to Rusty Douch’s website have a list of the artistes appearing at Pontin’s, I’ve also managed to find out who’s playing at “The Tavern” and “The Seagull” during our week down there so we have an idea where we’ll be heading each day. I’ve decided not to list all the artistes appearing here as I will be mentioning who is on where and who we decide to see and where later in this blog.
As I will be taking my laptop with us this year for the first time, I hope to include photographs as we go. Last year I made very basic notes and wrote a blog on our return. This can be found here:
http://breancountrymusicfestival2008.blogspot.com/
Unfortunately, this year Roz and Johnnie Walker will not be joining us, Johnnie died of a massive heart attack shortly after our return from last years festival. This, obviously, came as a great shock to us all. We all feel that we were just getting to know Johnnie and Roz I know and we all enjoyed their friendship and company. Johnnie will be sorely missed and it’s a pity that Roz decided not to make the festival this year but of course we all understand, although Roz has said that she will probably come next year.
Well, it’s here, Friday September 25th 2009, Keith and Sheila arrived to pick Ray, my wife and myself up at our place at 0830hrs, in the hire car, we had picked up last night, thank goodness it has a huge boot, the amount of gear we manage to take is astounding, all our clothes for the week, which includes a vast array of country clothing. We are self catering, although most evenings we eat out in the one of the many cafes, restaurants etc that abound in Brean, we still manage to fill two boxes and a cooler bag with “essentials”, bread, milk, butter, cereals, coffee, tea, sausages, pies and cooked meats just to save a few bob and avoid improving the Somerset economy.
The journey went fairly well, the usual road works, held us up from time to time; we stopped at a service station on the M5 for breakfast and eventually arrived at Pontin’s at 1515hrs. The usual long queue to book in at reception snaked through the amusement arcade, we have gone “classic” this year, so are not allowed to book in before 1600hrs, so we popped over the road to “The Seagull” where we had a coffee and watched the line dancers strutting their stuff. Mel and Jan are hosting events here and teaching line dancing during the day. One of the strange things about “The Seagull” is that they have a no line dancing policy every evening, although all the artistes play country. Strange but “there ya go”. After our coffee we picked up a list of the artistes appearing there and at “Scotties”, a smaller bar on a campsite next door operated by the same people as “The Seagull”. We then wandered up to “The Tavern” to check out who’s playing there up this week; we picked up a few leaflets from there too listing the artistes appearing there and at “Dickies”, another bar in the same complex
featuring country artistes all this week. Armed with all the leaflets we will be able to work out who to see and where at this years festival. Of course some of the good acts will be appearing at different venues at the same time so we are bound to miss some of our favourites but hey, you can’t see ‘em all, unfortunately.
So far, since arriving we have seen Geoff and Marie, John and Glenys with their daughter Marie and her son Joe, Blue and Lin, all from St. Bernadette’s CMC. All unloading and moving into their respective chalets, Lin has received a text from Brian informing that he and Dawn will be arriving tomorrow.
This being the first evening and having had a large breakfast on route we have opted for fish and chips from a takeaway over the road from Pontin’s tonight.
Saturday 26th September.
Last night was amazing, at about 2000hrs Keith phoned to ask where we were, so we quickly finished getting ready and joined them all in Pontin’s concert room, where Tony Rouse and Ridgeway County were playing. Just as we arrived I noticed a couple of security guys confiscating alcohol from a group of people in the hall, it seems that Pontin’s are strictly enforcing the rule that only drinks purchased in the bars are allowed into the entertainment venues. Now we are all aware of this rule but the country music fraternity have a culture of passing round hip flasks of all sorts of alcoholic tipple, this is not an attempt to do our hosts out of revenue, it’s a tradition that will remain no matter how Pontin’s attempt to control it, I think most people here would agree to stopping people bringing in beer and the like from outside fair enough but if they get too silly about it they will alienate a lot of people who might well stop attending the festival. I, honestly believe that a blind eye should be turned to the hip flask thing but hey they believe they are protecting their interests so providing they don’t get too silly about it, and folk don’t get too open and obvious about breaking the rule I’m sure a compromise can be made.
Sorry, I digress, we spent an hour or so at Pontin’s, Tony Rouse was good, of course, he usually is, we have had Tony at St. Bernadette’s a couple of times in the past and he is a quality act. Ridgeway County seem like quite good musicians but to be frank I wasn’t over enthusiastic about the overall sound of this outfit who I can’t remember having seen before and I don’t think I’ll be going out of my way to see again in the future.
A few of us decided to go walk about, Blue had arranged to meet Pete and his wife Jules, a couple from Blue Nickel, at “The Tavern” so we headed there first, it was packed in the main room sp we popped into “Dickies” where “Broadcaster were playing, these seemed quite good until, for their second number, they played their version of Will Young’s “Leave right now” which as it far from a country song as you are likely to get, so Keith refused to stay and listen, we returned to the main room, and did actually meet up with Pete and Jules, we then headed back to “The Ocean Bar” which sits in the “Lazy Days” holiday park. On route we met up with John, Glenys, Geoff and Marie who joined our group, which now numbered twelve. It is not a very big place but it’s usually friendly and the drinks are very reasonably priced. There was a duet playing, “Diamond Gates” who although not brilliant certainly entertained well enough. We had an excellent night in there, in fact, hip flasks were being passed around freely, containing an assortment of potent mixtures including, vodka with apple, black Sambuca, whiskey and Tia Marie, we sang alone to a lot of the old country favourites, Lin and Blue even managed a very cramped couple of line dances. The “craic” was extremely great particularly for the first night which is usually a quieter affair altogether. We finished the night in “The Queen Vic” bar in Pontin’s where we bumped into a fair few people we’ve met on previous occasions. I’m not too sure what time we left there but I do know I’d had more than enough to drink. I usually wake up early but this morning was an exception, I didn’t get up until 0930hrs, by the time I had breakfast and got dressed Keith was phoning to ask where we were, he and Sheila were looking around the stalls at “The Seagull” we ventured over there and up to “The Tavern” which holds a market in a field behind, as well as all the country stalls. We booked for Sunday lunch, while we were there. We met up with Sheila and Keith there and saw a number of the others wandering about. We returned to “Pontin’s to see the lunchtime act “The Twang Daddies”, who, following great debate with comments ranging from we like ‘em from Ray and Sheila to “they’re crap” from Keith, the general consensus of opinion was they are not very good and Marie, whose opinion is very much respected by us all, stated “I’ll not go out of my way to see them again”. Now, where have I heard that phrase before? Oh yes, earlier in this blog I said the same about “Ridgeway Country” didn’t I?
As I’ve been feeling a little under the weather today, probably because of the unusually high volume of alcohol consumed last night we popped back to the chalet for a rest for a couple of hours before meeting up with Sheila and Keith at 1900hrs this evening for a meal at “The Plaice” a rather nice little restaurant bar over the road from “Pontin’s. We’ll see what tonight brings, it has been mentioned that “The Ocean Bar” has karaoke tonight which Marie (Glenys’s daughter) fancies, so we could well be heading there, watch this space.
Sunday 27th September
Last night we met with Keith and Sheila, as arranged, and popped across the road to “The Plaice”, now I’m not about to go on about our meals here except to point out that “The Plaice” is one of the better restaurant and has an extensive menu. We enjoyed our meal. One of the bar staff, a “happy” looking young fellow, took a liking to my sheriff style badge, which actually has the legend “Kansas City Brothel Inspector” inscribed. This so delighted the lad that he fetched a mate to show him the badge, he was obviously very taken with it also, so I made a gift of it to them. They were chuffed to bits, bless, ‘em.
After the meal we wandered back to “Pontin’s” where all the others were gathering, including Dawn and Brian, who have arrived a day late, better late than never.
“Four Card Trick”, were playing when we arrived and seem a really good band, it’s the first time we have seen them and were pleasantly surprised. The main act tonight is “Hayley Oliver Band”, who got a mixed reaction from our very critical group, but who was described by Rust Douch as having one of the best voices in country music. Personally, I liked her but had to agree with Keith when he stated, quite forcefully, that the lead singer should be “fronting” the band and not stood to the side virtually obscure. Nobody has said, as much, but it became obvious that Hayley Oliver is blind and had to be led onto and off of the stage. I think that the sound engineers had not helped her cause as the sound quality varied tremendously from song to song. Maybe it is just the poor sound system and the acoustics in “Pontin’s”, which to be quite honest we have all complained about in previous years.
We left “Pontin’s”, returning to “The Plaice” to see a duo, “Back to Back” who were quite good, Sheila told us that they had appeared at “The Hawthorn’s” CMC in Brigg before.
We decided we really should go to “Kracker’s” to see the legend that is Mickey (what a voice) Page, as we got there, we bumped into some of the others, also on walk-about, “Kracker’s was packed to the gunnels and there was no way we were able to get in. We wandered over to “The Ocean Bar” on Lazy Days, which was equally packed but we did squeeze in, Karaoke was featured here, but there was no way any of us could get near enough to participate. I was still feeling a little under the weather, so not really “up for it” . I only had a couple of diet colas all night and certainly no alcohol. So when we made our way back to “Pontin’s” at about midnight Ray and I left them to it and returned to the chalet for an early night. Most unusual, but hey discretion and valour spring to mind.
Looking forward to lunch today, feeling quite a bit better than I did yesterday, I’m pleased to say; although I seem to have a horsy voice I don’t actually have a sore throat.
I seem to be having a problem getting on line here. My 3 dongle is showing no signal all the time, the staff in the shop say that 3 has a reputation for poor signals around here, so to go online I have had a purchase a “Pontin’s” Wi-Fi internet access card for £4-00 for one hour, which I can only use within a very limited area around the clubhouse. The alternative is their internet café, which allows you access via their computers at very expensive rates. Whatever happened to virtual free access broadband, for everybody?
Keith and Sheila called to see if we wanted to go to the car boot sale behind “The Tavern” before meeting the others for lunch, I went with them; Ray joined us a little later. The car boot has plenty of stalls, a lot of which sell a lot of tat, others were selling quality western wear, however, I was unable to find a jacket that I liked or suited me, which amused Keith and several stall holders who all seemed to want to “extract the urine” out of yours truly.
We met up with Lin, Blue, Dawn and Brian for an excellent carvery lunch; afterwards we wandered down to “The Ocean Bar” to see the now infamous Mickey (what a voice) Page.
In all fairness, he is actually very good and the comments about his superb voice are not unfounded. Back to “Pontin’s” for the last few numbers from “Rancher”, this lunch times band. They seemed very good, what little we saw of them. Ray managed to find a rather nice western hat; at least one of us has bought something this week, then back to the chalet to prepare for tonight.
I went off to the main concert room quite early; Marie was there already, we grabbed a couple of tables and a dozen or so chairs ready for when the others arrived. Marie had on her very attractive saloon girl outfit; Glenys arrived shortly after wearing a very fetching saloon girls costume also, Glenys appeared very self conscious in the lady of the night wear, in fact she felt she had been propositioned on her way to the club. I did take a photograph but have been forbidden to reproduce it here as Glenys does not wish to have her picture out on the World Wide Web for all and sundry to letch over. I guess a life size version at St. Bernadette’s Club will be O.K. though.
I should mention here that we played bingo; Glenys won £198.68 on number 16 while I was waiting on number 22, so near yet so far.
“Livewire” featured here tonight and were excellent, in my opinion the best act so far this week, a young male/female duo that both have excellent voices and play a wide range of quality country numbers keeping both the dancers and listeners very satisfied. They have appeared at Brigg so will travel, here’s hoping Keith can convince Tony Lilleyman, who books the acts at St. Bernadette’s CMC, to arrange in the future. (Fingers crossed)
The headline act was the “Susan McCann Band”, now I realise that this lady has a world wide reputation but in my very humble opinion she thinks she is a lot better than she actually is. The band, were indeed, a fine band of musicians who worked very hard to carry their leader but the selection of classic country songs mixed with Irish favourites did not “hit the spot” I would much rather had listened to “Livewire” for another set than Miss McCann.
We haven’t seen anything of Blue and Lin tonight; somebody said they were going over to “The Plaice” to see Hayden Country. Glenys and John wandered off to see if they could find them there.
Although I was “drinking” we decided not to go to “The Queen Vic” another early night!
This is getting a bad habit. Some of the best bits are in the “Vic” late at night.
Monday 28th September
This morning we are meeting up with Sheila and Keith and finding Brean Village Hall, where they are holding a country market morning, we then intend getting to “The Seagull” to see a young singer named “Kay D” who is receiving very complimentary reviews wherever she appears, here’s hoping she lives up to her reputation.
Well, I met up with Keith and Sheila as arranged, I left Ray in bed, and she suggested we meet at “The Seagull” later.
The village hall is probably a mile or so down the road, we took a steady stroll, there were very few stalls there, most of which we’d seen yesterday down at the “Tavern”, we didn’t stay long and bought absolutely nothing, we returned to “The Seagull” stalls and had another browse around. I tried on a “Confederate” artillery sergeant’s uniform top, Shelia and Keith both gave the impression that it didn’t suit me; I can still hear the laughter ringing in my ears.
We met with Ray as arranged, I showed her the same uniform, and she gave a resounding “NO” to the idea so I guess Keith and Sheila’s opinion was reinforced. I decided not to buy it.
We watched the eighteen year old “Kay D” perform her first set at the “Seagull” lunch time session: all the reports about her being an up and coming country star are very well founded, she was absolutely brilliant. I look forward to seeing more of this young lady in the future. We will all be working on Keith to try bringing her to “St. Bernadette’s”
Chrissy Byrne (formerly of Blue Orchid) was there selling a “Hunks and Chunks” of British Country calendar in aid of the Bone Cancer Research Trust. Now I realise that the cause is a very good one but I can’t help but wonder if that is the main motivation for Sheila and Ray having to declare it the “must have” purchase of the festival.
We popped back to “Pontin’s” to see Darren Busby, one of our favourite artistes of course, and guess what? He had “That” calendar, opened on the June page, which just happens to feature him, wearing Lycra shorts and little else.
Darren was superb as always, the day had started well.
We all met up at “Pontin’s in the evening, the first act “Nashville Rose” were rather disappointing, I’m afraid to have to say that the overall quality of acts appearing here are not really up to scratch this year. I think Rusty needs to address this problem before he loses too many of his regulars at the festival.
Texas Tornados, who we have seen in the past and quite like, were next up but most of us opted to walk over to “Scotties” to see “The Hanks” as it turned out a very wise decision because we had a great night over there. “The Hanks” were brilliant, a proper country band with great songs brilliant harmonies and all round superb entertainers. Blue has them booked at “Blue Nickel” in late October, I hope to be there. I must add, here, that the bar staff were
really friendly and happily joined in the “craic” which made a pleasant addition to the nights enjoyment. We joked with them about “getting their pips out” which was actually a reference to removing a lemon pip from Sheila’s drink but it was all great banter. The
At closing time, after Blue and Keith had had a chat about future bookings with the band we ventured back to the “Queen Vic”, needless to say that finished the night off perfectly, the atmosphere was superb, Lots of great artistes appeared on stage with “This and That” including John Permenter, the international famous fiddle player who is tomorrows headline act at “Pontin’s” and “The Smokey Mountain Boys” absolutely brilliant. We had all had a fair amount to drink but I think Sheila deserves a special mention, she was absolutely “rat arsed” and if we tell her half of the things she did, which included trying to climb over the wall in the “Vic” and falling arse over tip, she will probably never touch a drop of alcohol ever again. Ssssssshhhhhh say no more! Oh and Chrissy was there, selling “That” calendar again, now, I think all the ladies in our select group have become keen supporters of the Bone Cancer Research Fund because they all seemed very keen to contribute.
We left at about 0245hrs; the others remained until goodness only knows when, they were all in absolute top form. We’ll see how many rally forth on the morrow.
Tuesday 29th September.
No arrangements have been made for today as yet. I know Ray wants to see “Campbell’s Country” at “The Seagull” and “Spur” at “Pontin’s” this lunch time so we’ll see what today brings.
, Campbell’s Country” were as good as ever, they continue to impress, gentle humour with quality vocals, we’ve seen them several times and they never disappoint.
“Spur” are a pair of young lads, who we’ve had at St. Bernadette’s and I must say are absolutely brilliant. They have excellent voices and an impressive song list, which pleased the lunchtime audience so much so that Rusty announced that he has booked them for an evening session in 2010. All in all a very pleasant lunchtime session.
We met up with Sheila and Keith for an excellent evening meal at “The Seagull” before returning to “Pontin’s” for the night’s entertainment, which featured Alan Gregory, who was a fairly average line dance singer, followed by John Permenter.
The highlight of the evening came when old friends Paul and Silvia, turned up in full Chinese outfits complete with baby in cradle and a backpack with rice growing in it. Absolutely brilliant, as we have come to expect from these two lovely people, they never fail to create an amusing diversion, year after year. Lots of people forget, of course, that when the west was won there was a large Chinese population, working in most of the newly build towns in wash houses, kitchens and laundry’s, so the connection is not as bizarre at first appears.
Paul has already told me he has something very special planned for next year. I, for one can’t wait.
A few of us wandered off over to “Scottie’s” to see “Stubby”. After a slow start, the “craic” was plentiful yet again; it all began with a little banter with the great bar staff and quickly degenerated when Blue and I had a smooch together to one of “Stubby’s” ballads.
Stubby is a fine old style country singer, who entertained well enough, but was somewhat over shadowed by our antics. The entire audience seemed to enjoy our performance as much as his. The bar staff added to the fun by placing black bendy drinking straws into out hats which had the appearance of microphones, this amused a number of the punters as did our hand jive routines and general horseplay. Several fellow customers thanked us for a great night, which was nice. “Bless ‘em”
We returned to “Pontin’s” in time to watch the Native American Trilogy, which was an impressive affair as expected, played out to Johnnie Cash’s version of “Talking Leaves”
Only Sheila, Keith, Ray and myself visited the “Vic”, we stayed for a couple of drinks and left at about 0130hrs (ish) .
Wednesday 30th September.
Ray and I took a stroll over to “Scotty’s” for the car boot sale, it was very disappointing, so we wandered back up to “The Seagull” stalls then into the bar to watch the lunchtime session there, unfortunately Chrissie Byrne was on, we left during her first number…need I say more?
Big Whiskey were performing at “Pontin’s” unfortunately this duo now have the unenviable title of the worse act appearing at the festival this year (so far).
We have been discussing whether or not to book at “Pontin’s” for next year’s festival. The quality of acts has been poor, the ever present, over zealous, security presence, the price of drinks and the overall run down condition of the chalets and the main concert room have all been the source of concern, which has led to some, if not all of us considering booking elsewhere for 2010. The one and seemingly only redeeming feature, which may cause a change of heart, is the great atmosphere and quality of the end of night frivolity of “The Queen Vic” which of course would be inaccessible to us if we decided not to stay at “Pontin’s”.
John joined Ray and I in visiting a few of the caravan sites locally to compare prices with “Pontin’s” as we are considering our options for future stays in Brean.
Ray and I dined at “The Plaice” once again, before meeting the others in the concert room; Tim McKay features here, as do “Boney Fingers”. Tim is not one of my favourite artistes but he seems to have a bit of following from the younger line dancing types. I haven’t seen “Boney Fingers” and we didn’t stay long enough to catch them this time either, as a group of us wandered up to “The Tavern” to see “Longshot” and “The Thrillbillies” The was an added bonus of a native American trilogy and an Indian Prayer taking place too.
We had a couple of drinks and watched a set from both groups before deciding to visit “Kracker’s bar once more: Danny Rivers (Cowboy Singer) was appearing, although not the greatest artiste around there was room for our entire group to sit and mingle with a nice crowd.
John and Glenys joined us there: John was very angry and explained that the security guys at “Pontin’s” had been very intimidating towards a young family who were seated nearby, so incensed was John that he complained to the security guy and to the duty manager about their cloak and dagger tactics, covertly observing people they suspect of bringing in drink from outside. This coming on top of things mentioned earlier has convinced a number of us to seek accommodation elsewhere for next year’s festival.
We did finish the night off in the “Vic”, Rusty sang a couple of “Bluegrass” numbers accompanied by John Permenter once again, Hayden, Livewire and Nashville Rose, all aided “This, That and The Other” to entertain us in their usual excellent manner. We had all had quite a lot to drink and usually enjoy each others company but I think Blue and Keith deserve a special mention here; they were on great form once again and always manage to make a great night of what might have been an average one. Bless ‘em. Thanks Lads.
We left the “Vic” at about 0200hrs, that’s all my drinking over for another festival, as I’m driving on Friday no alcohol for me on Friday. What is it they say about all good things come to an end?
Thursday 1st October
Ermmm well, last full day today, Ray and I browsed the stalls once more, looking for bargains, I don’t seem to be able to find the sort of items I’m looking for when wandering about, I look at loads of stuff then change my mind, usually just after Ray has made a witty comment or two.
Lunchtime saw us once more in “The Seagull” for the first session. We hoped to see “Diablo” but “Harrison County” were on first, this pair are really quite good, we’ve had them at our club and I think they are doing ok. The steel guitar and fiddle playing have added to the overall sound. We didn’t stay long however and wandered back over to “Pontin’s to see “MT Allen” who are amusing and really quite good, unfortunately this duo are splitting in the near future and are only honouring bookings at present. Luckily, they will be appearing at “St. Bernadette’s” before they go their separate ways.
Every body seems a little lethargic today, whether its last day blues or too much alcohol last night is difficult to work out.
Last night saw us meeting with Shelia and Keith and popping over to “The Plaice” one again, in case you haven’t realised, “The Plaice” is the place of choice for our evening meals. Later on, in fact, Lin and Blue joined us there. After another fine meal we wandered back to “Pontin’s, where “Diamond Jack” were playing their first set. This really good duo, play mostly line dancing stuff but in a very likeable way. The headline act for the night was “The Nathan Carter Band” on tour over here from Ireland. Believe it or not, they are actually booked to play at St. Bernadette’s Club next Friday as part of the tour. Small world eh?
After a short discussion, it was decided to visit “Scotties” again, we had enjoyed to previous visits so much that it seemed only fitting to end the week there.
We were not disappointed, “Rootin’ Tootin’” were playing, well two thirds of them anyway.
Excellent old style country well presented in a humorous way, featuring Mandy on the double bass.
The excellent bar staff, (I really should have made a note of their names) were pleased to see us and told us they were just asking where the “pips” lads were. The “craic” was good, if a little more subdued than had been the case on our last couple of visits, probably because some of us were not drinking with having to drive home in the morning.
We did finish the night / week off at “Pontin’s” to watch the final, open, trilogy which was superb as it featured “Il Silencio” “Talking Leaves” and American Trilogy.
We said farewell to everybody and ended proceedings with “Best of Friends”
Friday 2nd October
Well folks that’s about it for another year. We packed and left Brean at 0930hrs, had a fairly uneventful journey home, only doubting the “sat nav” once as it took us past the M42 turn off before instructing us to exit. Oh well…… We arrived home in Scunthorpe at about 1430hrs.
Oh and if you ever visit Scunthorpe make sure to drop into ST. Bernadette’s Country Music Club any ol’ Sunday night, to meet the gang, be sure to mention that Richard sent you.
