On the air : dAVe wAtKIns

Blues Train first aired in January 2011 as a monthly show, playing all areas of blues, from the big names to the smaller ones. It soon changed format as I decided that the big names were getting enough airplay already, so I decided to concentrate on the new and up and coming artists. It soon became apparent that the blues community was very supportive, not just the artists but the fellow radio jocks, PR people and the listeners, and the show started being noticed. I’m not a blues encyclopedia, I have always just played what I enjoy and made it a show that can be appreciated by anyone. I have discovered so much new music since starting the show, it’s been great fun!

The show is now being noticed for playing a good selection of mainly new release blues and roots, and has regular listeners in all parts of the world, which is amazing. I’ve only recently been able to host the show weekly and its made a difference already to what I can cover. I’m passionate about the show and how good the playlist is, so sometimes might go a little overboard, but it’s only because I want as many people to hear the music as possible. I’m pleased that I am part of the schedules of some very cool stations worldwide, including KCOR in the US and Blues & Roots Radio in Canada.

As to the future, I just want to keep finding new listeners, the same as every jock out there. I want to keep up the high standards of the playlists and I spend a lot of time every week sourcing new music. I’d like to be able to accommodate more live studio guests too, but want to always make the focus of the show more about the new releases, as other shows already do live sessions very well. A long term aim is to perhaps develop a podcast version and try to emulate the King of Podcasts, Dave Raven!

The show airs live every Wednesday 8-9pm UK time via www.frome.fm – it’s always great when people discover the show for the first time. Live chat happens during every show via www.facebook.com/groups/ BTRSocialClub

The Blues Train is on Twitter, @ BluesTrainRadio and has a blog, http://bluestrainradio.blog.com.

Finally, here is a small sample showing some of the albums Dave currently likes to play songs from:

1. JW Jones Seventh Hour

2. Pete Cornelius Groundswell

3. Sean Chambers The Rock House Sessions

4. Blue Eyes Cry Sleepin’ Alone

5. Aynsley Lister Home

A lineup of Chicago’s finest musicians was in attendanceveteran bassman Bob Stroger, guitarists Billy Flynn and Tom Holland, bassist Melvin Smith, singer Willie Buck, harpist Matt Skoller and keyboardist Johnny Iguana. Representing the ladies of the blues, Big Time Sarah, who nightly can be found at Blues on Halsted, sang at the wedding ceremony and the reception. She is a wonderful ad-libber and really tailored the songs to make it special for John and Lisa.

The reception was held at the Shriner’s Hall in Richmond, a few miles down the road from McHenry. The Hall is a big old barn and was decorated from top to bottom with blues-related memorabilia. The name card on every table paid tribute to a deceased Chicago blues legend like Koko Taylor, Phil Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Willie Big Eyes Smith,

Pinetop Perkins and Magic Slim, with a short biography and a picture. Of course with such a range of musical talent at the party, all wanted to play at the reception including the groom himself, John Primer. What a great jam it was, and what a perfect day for a great love story to come together.

noRFoLK BLues LInK

The Norfolk Blues Society are very proud to have built strong International links with The Nashville Blues Society, one of the US biggest and most active blues societies. As well as having shared memberships, discussions are ongoing about artist’s exchanges involving playing at each other’s events. Exciting times for NBS who recently ran the first ever Dereham Blues Festival and are planning an even more adventurous follow up for 2014.