Sorry everyone.
Have just been alerted to the fact that there’s a problem with my email / contact form here.
I don’t know how long this has been the case, so please accept my apologies for any inconvenience caused.
While it’s being fixed, please use this email address:
benitajohnson76(at)yahoo . co. uk

I have disguised this from spammers but use the @ and less spaces and it’ll work fine

I’ll let you know when this site is back to normal again.
Thank you for your patience

BJ

1) My NEXT GIG will be a joint-headline slot with super-talented songwriter and very lovely local chap Ben Maggs at BREWERY BLUES, Brewery Arts Centre in Cirencester. Friday 10th May. Details about the event including tickets can be found on the venues’ website. The venue itself has been nominated for the Cirencester Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2013 and is currently in the top three as voting stands. It is an outstanding performance space, well-run and thoroughly deserves the recognition. If you haven’t been there yet, put the date in your diary and see you May 10th

2) As some of you may be aware now, I run a music event at an intimate venue in Stroud called The Lock-keeper’s Cafe on Wallbridge Lock. This is a fairly new venture but seems to be going well and we’ve had some top class acts performing, including Louise Latham and Ethemia. On SUNDAY 28TH APRIL we are very privileged to be hosting KATEY BROOKS as part of her new tour. Support will be from young Cheltenham-based singer-songwriter JAKE WATSON. So for gorgeous cake, warm vibes, outstanding music up close for your enjoyment, make sure you make it along. It all kicks off 2pm and will run until about 4pm non-stop! It’s FREE ENTRY, though the venue makes a point of taking a voluntary collection to help pay the artists. You’ll be getting quite a lot for your coppers though

• a stuffed crow, a picture of crows
• an American football helmet
• an ornate or interesting smoking pipe
• a white rabbit (not necessarily real)
• a genuine messy painters palette, used
• a clock with no hands

Take care of yourselves, and thank you for stopping by!

Happy Easter folks! Here’s the latest news round-up at BJ central ……

“M.I.L.K. PRESENTS….” (STROUD)

The live music afternoons I’m arranging at The Lockkeeper’s Cafe/Bar in Stroud are going well. Last month we staged the enchanting tones of LOUISE LATHAM, who is currently hotly tipped for the big time. http://www.louiselatham.com/music.php

The gig was very well supported, so my hope is that we’ll be able to continue providing opportunities to catch some great acts in the friendly and intimate environs of Wendy’s cafe.

This Sunday from 2pm we have a fantastic double-bill featuring 19 yr-old self-taught harpist and singer-songwriter Elly McCabe and also ETHEMIA, a hard-working and accessible folk duo blending wonderful harmonies with thought-provoking song-writing.

Here’s a link to Elly performing live in Bristol:

http://youtu.be/1BXuEu7aJ-c

The gig is free entry, though there will be a collection box for the musicians on the bar.

SOLO GIG AT THE LOUISIANA, BRISTOL

My next solo performance will be on stage at The Louisiana, Bristol BS1 6UA – SUNDAY 7TH APRIL.

My set starts 7:30pm and tickets can be bought in advance from me for £4. Just drop me a line and let me know you want one

NEW ALBUM ON IT’S WAY …..

Yup, that’s right. It’s called “Home” and is a stripped down acoustic offering showcasing some new songs. The last album “You Should Know…” garnered some top reviews and was generally very well received. However, the message from fans has been that they want to take home a CD that represents what they liked about my live show. “Home” will try to do that. Stand by for news on a release date….

stay tooned… x Bj

There’s quite a bit happening for me in February and this could well turn out to be a busy year, with the release of a new album in the pipeline, filming, collaborations on other projects… All very cool.

“CROWS PARLIAMENT” will be playing. This is a local band fronted by singer-songwriter Jack Bird. I have joined them in the capacity of second vocalist. It’s really different for me – a bit grunge-alt-americana. I’m having fun with it. Come and see what you think

http://www.myspace.com/jack.bird

SUNDAY 24TH FEB 2PM @ THE LOCK-KEEPER’S CAFE/BAR, WALLBRIDGE LOCK, STROUD GL5 3JS FREE ENTRY
Modern Pop/Folk artist “LOUISE LATHAM” will be playing a very special intimate show for the people of Stroud. Think Sarah MacLachlan, Tracy Chapman and Tori Amos…
I will provide a short support set in the break.
Management of the Sunday music events at the Lock-keeper’s are something that I have taken on recently and show signs of being well-supported through the coming months. They will always be free (optional collection for the band).
We are very fortunate to have Louise along this month, as she is considered as something of a rising star nationally. She will have copies of her album “Reclaimed” with her on the day. The album, released on Carnelian Records, has garnered much critical acclaim.
www.louiselatham.com

As ever, thank you all for your support. I look forward to seeing you at a gig soon.

Terrific Gig for AGE UK Gloucestershire, yesterday at The Lock-keeper’s Cafe/Bar. Thank you so much to everyone who took part, to Wendy and her team for hosting us and most especially to all the folks who turned up to show their support and donate. I know the charity will be very pleased with the money raised and put it to great use. Well done everyone

Here’s a track from YAFFLE – my poetry / music collaboration with Helen Gregory.

Molasses

We’ll be performing at The Lock-keepers Cafe/Bar in Stroud on Sunday 27th Jan 2pm.

So, 2012 was pretty good. . .!!

Johnny Coppin called me “a fine singer-songwriter”…

I began work on an alt/pop project with Jack Bird of Crows Parliament, one track entering the urban chart on Ujima Radio, Bristol …..Listen Here

I Event Managed the Bandstand Marathon entry for Stroud, getting us a spot on BBC Points West and winning us the accolade of Flagship Event for the south-west on the closing day of the London 2012 festival…..See Here

I performed at 4 small festivals over the summer, in addition to Larmer Tree Festival …Here’s me in The Shed

I played a mini-tour of the Netherlands …

….. along with the usual gigs around and about …..

So, what’s in store for 2013?? More work with Jack Bird…  a spot of singing for his band Crows Parliament … probable bookings at Glastonbury and Larmer Tree festivals …. Music Programming at Stroud venue The Lockkeeper’s Cafe/Bar …. another mini-tour …. and some interesting gigs coming in…. !

Just time to draw breath then! 

x Bj

Hey everybody. Here’s hoping you are all having a fabulous Christmas time

PS:

There will be no OPEN MIC at Stratford Park Leisure Centre in Stroud tomorrow as the venue is closed. We’ll be back on 4th January next year!

**CANCELLED! !! Open Mic at Stratford Park Leisure Centre tomorrow (14th Dec). Due to illness – sorry
Normal service will be resumed as soon as I stop spluttering….. **

The Miners Arms

A brilliant time was had by all Friday night – as far as I could tell – at The Miners Arms, Whitecroft. My thanks to Bob and everybody there for being so welcoming and appreciative. I am sure I will be back very soon.

New Stroud Open Mic

This Friday (7th Dec) will be the first night of the new free Open Mic at Stratford Park Leisure Centre Cafe/Bar in Stroud. An unlikely sounding choice of venue perhaps, but I’m convinced that sport or at least health and music DO mix. And at the very least Music IS Leisure. This is a new project I’m running with the assistance of local musician John Kelly. So if you fancy coming down Friday evening, regaling us with some self-penned (or not) verses – be you poet or musician – then feel free. Similarly if you just want to sit and listen – you know where to come. Kick off is at 8pm. Arrive 7.30pm to sign up or a slot. We finish early – 10pm – so still time to go on to the pub afterwards!