RIBBLE Valley musical promotions company Hollow Horse is named after a 1980s hit by Liverpool pop band The Icicle Works.

Little wonder then that owner Carl Barrow is counting down the days to when Icicle Works leader Ian McNabb arrives at Hurst Green’s tiny Village Hall in the spring.

The entrepreneur behind this unlikely gig, who has also booked nineties stars Dodgy and Midge Ure, the Ultravox frontman and co-founder of Band Aid, is on a one-man mission to bring national names to local venues.

“It is incredible to think that Midge Ure, who played in front of millions of people worldwide at Wembley during Band Aid, is going to be performing in front of 250 folk at Hurst Green, but I just love the idea of people coming along and seeing that intimate musical connection between the artist and the audience,” said Barrow.

“We’ve had tickets sales from all over the country, from London to Longridge, so people really want to come and see this type of live event.

“Live music is one of life’s greatest pleasures, so give local venues a try as the small venues are the new home of the big stars.”

Originally from Manchester, he moved to Ribchester to run the village tea-room, where regulars were keen to hear live music in the summer garden.

“We put on a couple of acoustic acts, a few local bands and then I thought about the idea of a mini festival, so we started Ribfest, and it has grown from that really.

“What we are doing with Hollow Horse is a natural progression, I suppose.”

Midge Ure’s solo show on February 28 comes just days before Ultravox launch a tour of Germany, Austria and Switzerland as support to rock god Alice Cooper.

It will be the first of a series of gigs at Hurst Green being promoted by Hollow Horse Events, featuring McNabb, Dodgy — one of only three gigs nationwide to launch their greatest hits album and featuring their top ten hit Staying out for the Summer — Nick Harper and Ian Prowse and friends.

“I’m a massive fan of Icicle Works, so having the opportunity to work alongside Ian McNabb, a guy I’ve always admired for his musical output and one of my musical heroes, is huge for me.

I’ve a motto in life, ‘If you don’t ask then you don’t get.’ Maybe I was in the right place at the right time, but bringing these artists to the Ribble Valley is hopefully the start of something big.”

For more information on all Hollow Horse Events contact Carl on 07824 488410