Having been in a country band myself I know how easy it is to avoid doing your own material...there's simply so many good songs out there its hard enough to decide on a set, never mind about doing your own stuff.

Left Hand Drive have made a brave decision though recording a mini album of all their own work, and they played the new Buskers Ball session this week to give the tunes an airing.

And I'm happy to report it all went really rather well!

There's always a tendency for British writers to slip up when writing what is essentially an American style of music. I read an interview with Roger Greenaway once about how difficult it was for him when he moved to write in Nashville. Just small differences in language, but they can ruin the feel of a country song. From what I heard though Left Hand Drive appear to have got it just about right (well they are an experienced band...not through age lads, you just started young!).

The album has been recorded at Bolton's Ionian Studios and will be pressed up later this month. It will sell by the boxful at their gigs, and if it gets to the right people could do their careers a world of good. Certainly nice to see even country musicians prepared to take the time to do original material...its the only way for local music to go.

Send me a copy of the album when its ready (if you don't I'll buy a copy anyway...oops shouldn't have said that, should I?).

PS Note to the harmonica player...never play with your back to the crowd! I did once and the entire audience stabbed me in it!