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Rupert Hughes and The Often Herd

My guest today is Rupert Hughes, guitarist, singer and songwriter with the bluegrass band The Often Herd, and also a guitar tutor, sideman for the likes of Martin Stephenson, and someone who has been known to knock out the occasional classic in his other band Rupert Hughes and the Old News. The Often Herd are one of the North East’s most successful bands. They’ve taken their brand of bluegrass all over the country and toured Europe. In 2025, their talent was recognised with an award from the International Bluegrass Music Association that will take them to the United States this year to play in Nashville, Kentucky and at the Grand Ol’ Opry. Rupert suggested three songs to include in this episode. They are: Cool Summer Rain, Sycamore Gap and Remember my Name. You can find these and the band’s album Where The Big Lamp Shines, on their Bandcamp page, and there some excellent videos of live performances on their YouTube channel. https://theoftenherd.bandcamp.com/music [https://theoftenherd.bandcamp.com/music] https://www.youtube.com/@TheOftenHerd [https://www.youtube.com/@TheOftenHerd] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com [https://3tynespodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Bonus episode: Alston Live Festival preview

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com [https://3tynespodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Bonus bonus episode: Hexham Bandstand Sessions

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com [https://3tynespodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Mr Ant's Bar

Today’s episode is the second in which we take a look behind the scenes at the practicalities and challenges of providing music in grass roots venues. This time, I’m talking to Richard and Eileen, the proprietors of Mr Ant’s Bar in Hexham. Mr Ant’s has been a success through several years in which business has been difficult for the hospitality industry. As part of their strategy to create a strong brand identity for the bar, Richard and Eileen provide live music every Friday night – usually a solo act or duo performing familiar covers but with room for some original music too. Recently, they decided to take a step forward and put on a full band on a Saturday once a month. In this episode, Richard and Eileen talk about their business and their thinking in developing this side of the live music they offer. I also talk to the musician Colm Charles Gray, who was performing at Mr Ant’s, to learn about the path that took him there and about his experience of playing in this setting. You can follow Mr Ant’s Bar on Facebook. Colm, and his band The Quiet Fire, is on Instagram. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com [https://3tynespodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Matty J Erskine

Today’s episode takes a look behind the scenes at the music business you’ll encounter on a Friday night in the pub. Matty J Erskine talks about how he came to be a pub DJ, MC and quiz host, charting his career from his early, try-anything days at sports events to MC-ing festivals like BAAFest. He reflects on the lessons he’s learned over many years of making sure that people enjoy a good evening out, the challenges facing grass roots musicians and the financial realities of making music available in public settings. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com [https://3tynespodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]