Thin in the ground at The Navy. Words: Dave Whiteman, Pictures: Laurence Gale

Listening to Radio Shropshire just the other day I was delighted to hear an interview with one of our Open Mic regulars, Melissa Severn. She’s had a really busy summer, playing festivals up and down the country and supporting Union J at this year’s T Live amongst other things, so it was nice to find out what she has been up to. Melissa was appearing on the afternoon show with Adam Green and Vicky Archer and as well as the interview, she played live in the studio, singing one of her own compositions, ‘Hurricane Mouth’. Anyone tuning in would be amazed, I’m sure, to hear that she is still only 16 years old, she sounds so mature. Nice also that she remembers her roots…when asked where her confidence comes from, she gave a great plug to Newport Open Mic, telling listeners that just three years ago she played live in front of an audience for the first time and credits the Open Mic with helping to develop her stage craft.

In a nutshell, that is what the Open Mic is all about. Countless young singer songwriters and bands who are now out gigging throughout Shropshire and beyond, got there first break on the Navy Club stage. Seems not many of our regulars appeared to be listening however, as the turnout was the lowest I have seen in the last dozen years….must have been the football.

Resident lensman Laurence Gale kicked off the evening with regular musical accomplice Rob Bryon…..who had a very nice guitar that I hadn’t seen before…more of that later! Their confidence seems to be growing with each performance, so the fact that there were so few players on the board worked to their advantage and they did an extended set.  Ronnie Lane was, for me, one if the unsung heroes of first the Small Faces and then later The Faces. Always overshadowed by Steve Marriott as a songwriter and of course Rod Stewart as a singer, he never got the recognition he deserved. In later years he had a cottage in Shropshire and could often be found jamming in the local pub. Sadly he died aged just 51, but his original composition ‘Ooh La La’ is one of the great pop/rock songs and Lol and Rob did a great version, as well as a couple more of my favourites from Paulo Nutini and Squeeze.

Next up John Minor told me just before he got on stage that he is off to see Jeff Wayne perform War of the Worlds and as a tribute to him he played his own version of, ‘Eve of the War’. This is probably Wayne’s most famous work, but did you know he also composed more than 3000 advertising jingles….and The Big Match. Maybe a version of one of his other tunes, ‘World of Sport’ next time John?

It wasn’t just the audience that was thin in the ground this week…..very few performers had their names on the board. Rob Bryon persuaded me to get up and do a few tunes with his fantastic Tommy Emmanuel guitar…how could I refuse? A Beatles medley and a couple of songs from the Police brought the best out of a lovely instrument…..fancy swapping for mine Rob?

Haven’t seen Ed Sullivan in ages.  As a local firefighter here in Newport, an instructor for the Fire Service AND  the father of three small children, he does not have a lot of free time to himself, but after a masterful display of harmonica and the reception that he received, I am sure we will see him on stage again very soon. Ed was one third of brilliant local band Weasel Diesel, and confessed to me how much he misses the live music scene.

So if you fancy making the transition from singing with a hairbrush in front of the mirror or playing your guitar in your bedroom to no-one in particular, why not come on down to The Navy on a Tuesday evening? There will always be a warm welcome and plenty of encouragement and who knows…maybe it will be you we next hear on the radio!

Many thanks to Russ Harris who was there at 7pm to help with the kit, and the legion of roadies who helped dismantle at the end of the evening….stars the lot of you. We have a great facility at the Navy, one of the few places in the town where the stage and room is big enough for a live band. There were so few at this week’s Open Mic I was thinking of holding the next one in my front room. Remember, if you want live music, support it or lose it.

Till next time, keep it live!