SATURDAY 18TH APRIL WILL BE LAST GIG PLAYED AT THE CHESTNUT TREE.

THE NEW MANAGEMENT NO LONGER WISHES TO HOST LIVE MUSIC. I WILL THEREFORE BE CONCENTRATING ON THE BLACK HORSE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOYAL CUSTOM OVER THE YEARS, AS WELL AS A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE BANDS THAT HAVE PLAYED FOR US.

ON A FINAL NOTE IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD MAKE THESE LAST GIGS A HELLUVA PARTY AND GO OUT WITH A BANG.

The Sheldon Marquee (or the Chestnut Tree as it always has been known) has been quite special place for me and live music. Once a place where my Dad and his family would spend endless evenings and it was really fitting that a further generation down the line was that I was there too. It’s always been the centre of attention for the community in Sheldon and the surrounding areas for a long time when the area was first built.

I remember when I was in my first band Final Redemption and having the opportunity to play at the place and I was excited and delighted a the opportunity to do so.

I also spent my 18th Birthday there, watching Dizzy Lizzy and how the place was starting to spring to life as a music venue. I managed to play a few more gigs with Final Redemption and a couple with FulBright and LegendX as cover, thanks to John & Daz from DNA and of course Kite.

Hampton Street played numorous amounts of times, along with the covers band the RockHits. I started to have a real affection to the place and considering I’d moved house and it was less that a 4 minute drive away.

My 24th Birthday in which I played three sets in one night, is something I won’t forget for quite some time.

After Saturday, I will miss the place. Not only as a musician who has performed there but as some one who has been very grateful to play and enjoy live music.

It’s a shame the current management don’t see the full potential of the place as a music venue for the future, considering places are closing left, right and centre, it’s the only place in the surrounding area that does so. Who knows, I might go down there for a curry. Yes.. A curry.. I mean.. Why?!

Thanks to Kite, Keith, John and Daz for their efforts and giving me the opportunity to play there.

I just wish my Grandad was around to have seen me play.

Long Live the Nuts.