SINGER Kaz Hawkins is living proof of the power of music.

The Belfast-born artist readily admits that were it not for the songs she listened to when she was growing up she would probably not be around today.

"It was my escape to pretend to be this big diva which I'm now emulating on stage." she said. "It's amazing that my dream's come true."

Kaz's remarkable story reads like a work of fiction. Abused as a child by an uncle, now dead, her life spiralled out of control leading to alcohol and drug addiction. An abusive relationship saw her then partner slitting her throat and leaving her for dead. She even contemplated taking her own life

Now Kaz has managed to turn her life around and she's using her own experiences to help others with her new show which she is bringing to Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre next Thursday.

"This show is very personal," she said. "It is based on my life - I call it my mental health musical mission.

"The songs go through from my childhood to now and the aim is to show that there is hope through music; if I can make it out of the darkness then other people can.

"There is so much of a push on mental health at the moment; it's the perfect time to put on something like this and reduce the stigma attached to mental health."

Fans will have been used to seeing Kaz performing with her band - they were on the main stage at last year's Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne.

But this year Kaz is going out on the road with accompanist Sam York.

"I'm loving it to be honest," she said. "Every band will tell you it's getting harder to tour and I'm even actually making a profit for the first time in years. I'm really enjoying this calm version of Kaz Hawkins."

Although known as a blues artist - and with several blues awards to her name - the highly personal show sees Kaz moving away from that particular genre.

"Some of songs have blues content but that's naturally in my voice," she said, "but it's not a blues show."

Kaz promises that the new show will be both an emotional and fun experience.

"I'm very proud that I'm alive," she said. "It's my biggest achievement and I want to share my journey with the audience."

She is very aware that being so personal could cause her own demons to resurface.

"I recognise that," she said, "but I just have to make sure that I'm OK both before and after a show so that I don't succumb to depression or addiction again.

"The show has to be honest and what affects me most is the audience's reaction and knowing that they are with me in that moment.

"The fans have been so supportive been of me as I've moved on."

Kaz Hawkins, Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre, Thursday, September 27. Details from 01282 813374 or www.barnoldswickmusicandarts centre.com