NOW firmly established in its new home at Maltby, the Rock music club will return from its summer slumbers with probably its strongest ever line up of autumn artists.
The club, previously at the Rockingham Arms, Wentworth is now clearly at home at the Wesley Centre, in Blyth Road Maltby.
But though the location may be new, the standards remain as high as ever - along with the tradition of handing the post-summe opening slot to Vin Garbutt.
And that is who takes to the stage on Friday, September 5.
Born in Middlesborough to an Irish mother and English father, he embarked upon an apprenticeship at ICI and by way of a little light relief became a regular at the folk club at Middlesborough's Rifle Club.
His family music traditions and the experience gained at the club persuaded Vin to become a professional musician at the age of 21. His first album Valley of Tees came out in 1972, and he has, since, travelled the world singing his songs, playing his guitar and whistle and he has become one of the most popular performers on the folk scene.
The following Friday sees the first of three duos to visit the club in quick succession.
First up are Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick, on September 12.
Carthy has been at the forefront of the British folk scene forever. He is a wonderful musician and although many others have tried to follow in his footsteps, none of them have done so. Swarbrick is a master fiddle player who was in the mix at the inception of folk/rock music with Fairport Convention, after an initial partnership with Carthy.
Since recovering from his life-threatening lung illness he is now back where he belongs. The electricity between Carthy and Swarbrick has to be seen to be truly appreciated.
On Friday, September 19, it is the turn of John Tams and Barry Coope to visit. Tams is one of the great British songwriters with a career spanning four decades in every medium. A member of the Albion Band and Home Service he is perhaps best known for his work at the National Theatre and as Rifleman Daniel Hagman in the Sharp television series. Barry Coope is a tremendous singer and keyboard player, he also forms part of the acapella band Coope, Boyes & Simpson.
The North East musical tradition provide Bob Fox and Stu Luckley for Friday, September 26.
Together, they ignited the folk scene when they got together in 1977. Their album Now't So Good'll Pass was voted Melody Makers folk album of the year in 1978. They were England's most refreshing and inspiring folk duo with an intriguing array of instruments and arrangements that were totally original and innovative. They deliver ballads with simplicity and turn well known material upside down.
The following month does not let up, with Allan Taylor visiting on October 3.
Now locally based, guitar maestro Martin Simpson is at the Rock on October 10. The following week (October 17) sees Clive Gregson on stage.
Catfish Keith is at the club on October 24, followed by Dave Burland, on October 31.
In November, Dave Swarbrick is back with his new band, Lazarus - featuring Kevin Dempsey and Maartin Allcock (November 7).
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FeaturesMore Rotherham newsMore Doncaster newsMore Barnsley newsCheck out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic sectionMore music.Gig guide.Entertainment news.Latest sport.The full article contains 598 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
