A WARM summer breeze wofted into Westhoughton from the unlikely source of Nashville, Tennessee.

Cathryn Craig is a well-known session singer in what is known to be the musical capital of the USA, while Brian Willoughby is best known for his dalliances with the Strawbs in the 1970s.

Both have solo careers and albums, which are currently running alongside as they tour in the UK.

Their performance is an interesting mix of country-style singing (Craig has a superb voice) and Willoughby's lovely guitar work. They opened with Two Hearts, one of Craig's own songs, and probably one of her strongest, and took us through the range of their material.

One of the most moving highlights was the song Alice's Song, written by Willoughby about his seven-year-old autistic daughter.

Craig has a wonderful demeanor, responding with great charm to the enthusiasm which the packed audience greeted the duo.

They encored with Amazing Grace and everyone joined in.

Long may they continue to perform together, and let's hope they return to the area for another gig soon. NICK JACKSON

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.