Ashby CMC was our first of many country music nights out in the festive month of December. Phil Lloyd was the original artist booked for December 2^nd but unfortunately Phil had been in hospital and was recuperating after an operation so it was John Ashton who had been invited along to make his first visit to this club. John put on a really good three set show which I really enjoyed the songs were of mixed tempo nice to listen to and most of them had the dance floor full of line and partner dancers a selection I think worthy of a mention are the Hank William’s numbers Rambling Man, Take These Chains and Love sick Blues from Tennessee Ernie Ford “Shot Gun Boogie” Patsy Cline’s Crazy, Charlie Riche’s Behind Closed Doors, John Denver’s Back Home Again and Marvin Gaye’s Lucky Lucky Me.

            Tuesday the 4^th the Missouri Raiders had local country star Darren Busby so we knew a great night was guaranteed from the start. There was no surprise when he started off with two numbers to get the dancers on the floor, Tim McGraw’s Just to see you smile and Blake Shelton’s Some Beach, Darren then continued singing song after song including Tracey Byrd’s The cowboy and the Dancer, Rodney Crowell’s Lovin all Night, Merle Haggard’s Today I Started Loving You Again and many more before finishing a first spot which lasted 50 minutes. Darren’s second and third spots were a little shorter but still packed with good country songs A great night here a Lucarley’s Club which was brought to a close with Darren singing John Fogerty’s Streamlinin.  

            Wednesday the 12^th we were at the Grimsby CMC to see Father and Son duo Clear Cut. Three enjoyable sets a few song I have selected are from the Mavericks All you want to do is bring me down and There goes my heart this one had the dancers on the floor with Tempted from Alan Jackson Don’t Rock the Juke Box and Here in the Real World, Eddie Ravens Island, Keith Whitley’s Don’t Close your eyes, Tracy Byrd’s Water Melon Crawl and George Jones’s Billy Be Bad. Another good night at the Excelsior Club as always a none stop night in addition to the live act they have name cards, raffle, open the box,Dec_2007.htm quiz and shoot out.

            December the 14^th Ludford Christmas Show with Budgie Coleman and the Mustard Band. With the night being all ticket and fully sold out by early November meant the room had been set out so it was plenty of room and every one was comfortable. Just after 8-15 Marion introduced Budgie and the band who gave us a night to remember of great live country music with no backing tracks. I have picked out four songs from the first set which I really enjoyed Budgie singing “Devil Woman, Mona Lisa, Blue Jeans and Help me make it through the night which they ended this set with. During the break we had a supper served at our tables which was provided free as part of this Christmas night we also had time for a chat and to purchase tickets for the raffle which with the annual thanks from Marion and Eric to the helpers took up most of the next break. The second and third set’s from Budgie and the band were brilliant how different and enjoyable it was to hear the songs sung how they should be with just the band for backing, not sure the ones who only come to line-dance will agree with me a few of them left after the second set unbelievable I would have still been there a 1pm if the show had gone on that long but unfortunately the show came to a close just after 11-30 with Budgies final song Six Days on the Road which he sung after deafening applause and shouts for more, a few more songs I have selected from what we enjoyed are Me and Bobby McGee, The Cowboy Rides away, Tulsa Time, Don’t Close Your Eyes Cottage in the Country, Ashes of Love, The Wild Side of Life, The Two of us and I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas. I understand Budgie Coleman and The Mustard Band have been invited back to Ludford one Saturday in October don’t miss out ring Marion or Eric on 01507 313475.

            After missing a week we were back at Ashby CMC on the 16^th to see Arizona Flame. This is a well known trio with George Mackintosh providing lead vocals with backing from Son Chris on Keyboard and Neil Roberts base guitar so I was surprised there wasn’t a few more in it was a pity because it was a good night even with Georges old jokes and not a lot of change in the act from the last few times I had seen them. I need a Breather, Cherokee Boogie, Keith Urban’s The River, George Strait’s The Chair, Alan Jackson’s Murder on Music Row and a medley in the third set which included Alice, Your Cheating Heart, Take these chains and Please help me I’m Falling in love with you would be my pick of the best tonight.

            The last one of the year for the Missouri Raiders at Lucarley’s club was a real Cracker Alan Williams the artiest plus the Raiders doing a full dress Trilogy to a recording sung by Steve Chase, a huge buffet (no wonder we put on weight) and a free Christmas raffle and a room full of people all in a festive mood. Alan told me he had been suffering with a cold the past week but it didn’t show in his performance three great sets of good country songs a few were Keith Palmer’s My Arms, Marty Stuarts Tempted, Susan Ashton’s Closer, George Straits I just wanna Dance with you and one I always enjoy Alan singing George Jones’s She’s My Mother.  

            Immingham CMC was our next night out on the 21^st but it proved to be a bit of a disappointment. American Spirit was the Christmas Show duo and as many of you will probably know these two usually have quite a bit of fun and banter with the audience and between themselves which always creates a good atmosphere but this night as they sung there way through three sets the people in the room seemed very cold towards them, it was probably the room which is quite large and the tables are quite a distance from the stage. American Spirit’s songs this evening were mixed but mainly for the line-dancers. One other thing which I thought didn’t help this night was that the DJ for the night during the breaks played line-dance tracks but repeated several that American Spirit had in their program. It was a shame as the last twice we have seen American Spirit it has been a great night.

            Boxing Day Night at the Grimsby CMC was a great way to finish our 2007 Country Music nights in the company of two artists from the north Mike Kenny and Middy both these artists did two sets each and a couple of songs together to finish with, this meant it was a night of none stop entertainment. Mike Kenny start and soon had the dancers on the floor with Tempted, Some Beach and kept them on their feet most of his two sets. Middy’s two sets had a few different song’s, in particular we enjoyed Alan Jackson’s USA Today, Lonestar’s Just Tequila Talking, Merle Haggard’s Mamma Tried and Rodney Atkins’ Wasted Whisky. This was a really good night out.