EAST Lancashire’s newest music venue will welcome one of the legendary Louisiana bluesmen next week as it opens its doors for the first time.

The first concert at the Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre on Rainhall Road will be performed by L’il Jimmy Reed.

His show will be the first of four in the space of seven days as the venue celebrates Barnoldswick Blues Week.

Also lined up for the intimate venue will be New York bluesman, Popa Chubby next Saturday, guitar virtuoso Eric Sardinas on Thursday, January 26 and David Knopfler, founder of Dire Straits with his brother Mark, who plays on Friday, January 27.

The venue is the brainchild of musician and promoter Peter Barton who has created a bar and restaurant in what were three former cottages and converted the cellars into a music venue and listening room.

McCullough’s Bar, Peter’s wife’s Julie’s maiden name, opened just before Christmas and the Bernulfsuuic Restaurant - it’s the ancient name for Barnoldswick - opened this week. But for music lovers it’s the downstairs venue which promises to be the most eagerly awaited.

“I’ve played all over the world with bands like The Animals,” said Peter, “and some of the best gigs we have done have been in really intimate spaces.

“I just wanted to recreate that I’m now looking to music lovers across East Lancashire to support me.”

L’il Jimmy Reed may now be in his late seventies but his love for his music still shines through.

“Man, I just love playing,

“I play every day. I don’t practice as I’ve got 17 nursing homes I go to.

“I’ve got my one man band and every day I go and play at one of them and they all love it.”

Jimmy is concerned about the state of the music scene.

“Too many young guys are rapping and there aren’t too many old blues players like me left,” he said. “But there are a lot of young white boys playing, The blues ain’t never going to die.”

Jimmy, who will be backed by pianist Bob Hall and his wife, bassist Hilary Blythe, is no stranger to East Lancashire having played at festivals in both Burnley and Colne.

“I’ve got plenty of fans in the UK. I think they love the blues more than in the States, They have rap and jazz which takes their attention and they don’t appreciate it the same way as they do in the UK. I love coming over.”

For tickets and details of all events at the venue visit barnoldswickmusicandartscentre.com or call 01282 813 374

Know that area pretty good.

Justlove it I play every day.

I don’t practice Ive got 17 nursing homes I go to. I’ve got my one man band and every day I go and play at one of them.

The people in all of them love it.

Too many ypung guys are rapping and there aren’t too many old blues players left

There are a few of them in Missisippi play8ng but the blues aint never going to die. There are a lot of young white boys playijg it so they’ll keep it alive.

Bad times are good for the blues I got plenty of fans in the UK and they love it. Fans world over mostly the same but I think in th UK love it more In the States they hacve rap and jazz which takes their attention and they don’t appreciate it the same way as they do in the UK. I love coming over