‘CONNIE,’ whispered the late BB King, ‘Your voice makes my heart sing.’

A Royal Albert Hall audience sizzled with anticipation as Connie Lush warmed up the crowd ahead of a concert by the most influential blues musician of his generation and the music’s most potent symbol.

The Liverpudlian songstress recalled, “Nervous? I was both petrified and ecstatic at the same time!

“Not only was I on stage at the Albert Hall, but BB King was listening yards away.

“For him to say that about my singing, well that was so incredible. It will live with me for the rest of my life.”

Connie grew up on Liverpool’s tough as teak Scotland Road and was singing in her church and school choirs from the age of seven, never imagining that one day she would be crowned the first lady of British blues.

“I kick myself for not talking to BB King more, but I was in awe of him,” added Connie who will make her debut at the Grand, Clitheroe, on February 18.

“It was so easy for him. He just had this uncanny perception and played like an angel.

“Sometimes BB would sleep until a minute before he went on stage.

“His valet would wake him up, brush his coat and then BB would light up.

“He had this beautiful rhythm and self-deprecating attitude that I’d never seen with any other person.

“The first day on tour, well I didn’t know how I was going to cope.

“But he was such a lovely human being who just created a magical, friendly, vibe.”

With a powerful voice, the strength of a 3am Bourbon Whiskey and a stage presence that could fill her beloved Anfield, Connie never believed that she could make a career out of singing.

However, it was her husband, Terry Harris, the bass player in her band, who persuaded her to give it a go – and they have worked together ever since.

“I was a later starter, and 29 before sang in public,” she said.

“I’m from an Irish family, so we always sang at home. It was a happy place. It was in our DNA I suppose.

“Yet I never wanted to be in the business.

“I didn’t think I was good enough.

“I loved singing – I just didn’t think I was anywhere near the standard to make money from it.

“I thought I’d get four or five years and then the game would be up and they’d find me out.

“The first time I sang in public Terry said that he’d created a monster. I always giggle about that.”

Twice voted European Vocalist of the Year, she is busy writing a follow up to last year’s album, Renaissance, which received wide acclaim and saw her nominated for Best Female Blues Vocalist at the British Blues Awards.

“It is such a privilege to travel, to play our music to people because the world is the university of life.”

One song, the moving Lonely Boy, is a particular favourite, she says.

“I was pals with this lad, and we just sort of looked after each other at primary school.

“He was a troubled soul, though.

“I never saw him again, but I still think about him, wondering where he might be in the world.”

Connie Lush, Grand Theatre, Clitheroe, Saturday, February 18. Details from 01200 421599.