Monday 25 January 2010

Davie Ritchie Benefit Gig

Saturday the 23rd January saw a magical coming together of musicians and bands, and audience in the basement of Blackfriars Bar in Glasgow, to honour and raise some funds for their friend and co-musician, Davie Ritchie, who has suffered from Cancer, and has undergone some very 'heavy' medical treatment over the past year or so.
First up was Waldo - street musician, with an accompaniement on bass, which got the evening started. Next up was 'new' band "The Scimitars" who got the audience into a great mood with some excellent tunes and songs.

Next was a bit of a change - but nothing unexpected in the Glasgow music scene - Gus and Fin gave a good range of rock/blues songs accompanied on their ukelele's!!! Yes Ukelele's! They were excellent especially their rendition of a Gary Numan classic 'Aren't friends electric'!!

The Frank O'Hagan Band then took the stage area and performed some excellent music - getting several people in the mood for dancing, and singing along.

Sandy Watson, who has to be thanked for being the main organiser of the whole occasion, with help from several other people whom he did thank [- but I did not have enough paper to write down any names!!], then announced the winners of the raffle prizes - all of which were enthusiastically collected. They then auctioned off a football, signed by the present Celtic team - which raised £115, and was then re-donated to be auctioned again, raising a further £105!! A slide guitar and case was donated by one of the barstaff, and it raised £115 as well.

After the auction, Donna Ritchie to thank everyone on behalf of Davie [who had managed to attend the gig], before the Vagabonds took to the stage and rocked the evening into the morning, with classic Who, Rolling Stones, and Beatles covers
Many of the musicians from the Clutha Vaults Open Mics attended the gig, including, Bob Leslie, Elspeth Durkin, Suart & Jenny Workman, Jer McDade, Waldo, and Johnny T Miller were spotted in the crowd.
The audience started to disapate a little after the Vagabonds had finished their set. They were followed by the Bottleneckers, with their usual flair, but I am afraid that this was the point when I had to leave with my group of friends.
It was an excellent evening, with a great mix of cover bands, giving a very entertaining evening and raising money for a very worth person - Davie Ritchie.

Friday 15 January 2010

Davie Ritchie Benefit Gig

Blackfriars Basement [36 Bell Street, Glasgow]
On Saturday 23rd January 2010
from 9.00p.m. until 3.00 a.m.
Admission £6.00 on the door.
[first band 10.00p.m.]

Some of Glasgow's most popular cover bands will be combining for a fabulous evening of live music entertainment, paying tribute to and helping a guru and genuine Glasgow and West of Scotland Rythm and Blues legend, Davie Ritchie - lead singer of the Cobramatics.

Bands: The Vagabonds
Frank O'Hagan
The Bottleneckers
with The Kingpins, The Spooks, The Mohawks, The Mighty Saturns
and of course
The Cobramatics
with special guest stars and DJ's

So come along and support the bands raising funds for this worthy cause and have a great night out - full of live music!!