Country rockers headline new slot

11:31am Wednesday 19th March 2008

THE Green Light Sessions are a new live music slot at Bar Nine in Stroud, starting on Friday.

"There's so many talented bands around here, I just wanted to give them the opportunity to play in a good environment," said Robbie Duncan, who is organising the monthly sessions.

Robbie has been a DJ at Bar Nine for two years.

"I noticed that there's a lot of tribute band gigs around here, but for people who are trying to do something a little bit different, there are fewer opportunities," he said.

And for the first Green Light Session, Robbie has asked Chalford Country and Western combo, Gnashville to play.

"That's because I'm probably one of Gnashville's biggest fans," said Robbie.

Gnashville formed in January 2006 and have played many local gigs, including The Stroud Fringe Festival (2006 and 2007), The Ragged Hedge Festival and The Daneway Music Festival. They play a high energy set of original country rock songs and some well known classics.

"Country and western is a great music form, but we aim to give it a more up tempo feel. The idea is to get everyone dancing," said Bill Andrews, Gnashville's bass player.

"A year ago our set was mainly cover versions, but now it's mainly originals.

"Our guitarist, Tim Dean is the song writer. He writes about classic country music themes - heartbreak, love and loss. At first he stuck really closely to a traditional country format, but lately he's been writing more about his own experiences and developing his own style. It's the darker side of country," he said.

Bar Nine, John Street, 9pm.