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Yes readers, we hinted at some big news last month. Here it is.As of this month June 2019, we are no longer contributing the UK Rock n Roll Magazine. After fifteen years June and I are leaving the title. But that's not the big news, it's only part of it. From July this year we will be starting our own online magazine, unsurprisingly called, The Bettajive Review.In it will be the reviews of gigs and weekenders, as well as interviews, CD and vinyl reviews.

1. Beyond Compere Terry Seabrooke
2. Beyond Compere Terry Seabrooke

Groups, bands and artistes, if you want your record, band, event etc reviewed, promoted or be part of our interviews section, please get in touch at Bettajive@aol.comWe now get over 9000 hits per month on this site. It's the place to be seen and get your event some publicity.We will also be featuring the Bettajive Review opening blurb that people liked in the magazine, including the 'Dot.dot' feature, along with the 'Best tracks in the world ever ever' and who knows, some of the old features. But that's next month, what's been happening this month?Firstly, our return to Hemsby, now under new management. Bill Guntrip and his family have breathed new life into the event that featured the hugely talented Gizzelle, pictured above. Check out the review, if you haven't already, here what you see? Help us keep it free by popping a donation over by using the button below. Fitting the Bill.

One of the first bands I reviewed in the world ever ever, was the Kingcats, on Sugardoll’s Diner MSN site, remember those types of site? And that review predated my starting with the magazine, so you can blame Emma Sugardoll for all these years of drivel.​So it was up to March in Cambridgeshire to catch up with Bill and the Kingcat gang, with Rebel Ted Karl Martin on the vinyl decks. Some good stuff as always from Karl, although did he see me queueing at the bar when playing Donna Hightower’s ‘Brush Those Tears’!A decent crowd showed up for the gig, that saw the ‘cats play two immensely popular sets, opening up with Rex Allen’s ’58 Decca dancefloor classic ‘Knock Knock Rattle’, and Chuck Berry’s ’64 three minute operetta ‘Promised Land’.Bill Crittenden is a consummate vocalist, and a talented musician, although his acoustic rhythm guitar is somewhat of a prop, having only four strings on this occasion, one string less and he’d be Seasick Steve! You can get lost in the cover tracks, but then realise for every Mavericks’ ‘I Don’t Care If You Love Me Anymore’, and Ben Hewitt’s ‘Ain’t Givin’ Up Nothing’, there’s their own music, with ‘Coast To Coast’, ‘Saturday Nite’ and ‘Southbound Train’.The second set was well tailored for the dancefloor, with ‘Sea Cruise’ and ‘Please Mama Please’ getting them out, as did their own mainstay, ‘Time of my Life’.

Another Mavericks track, ‘If Only You Knew’, made the set, and it’s clear that this band’s vocal style owes a lot to Raul Malo. They slowed it down a bit with Go Cat Go’s ‘Forever’s Much Too Long’, another huge cover fave by the band. Naturally they were called back for encores, the last of which was another of their own, the ace jiver, ‘Lucky Nite’. ​ A right ding-dong with the Belltones. The following night, it was over the border from Essex into Herts, as Nigel Babb had a real treat of a gig on. He’d secured the Southern performance of Mike Bell and The Belltones, over from Finland.​The previous night, they’d impressed at Hopetown’s Rockabilly Club in West Yorkshire.

Tonight, the rockin’ scene responded in Letchworth, with over 180 folk in from far and wide, as well as surrounding areas. This is the draw of a quality band like Mike Bell, people from Inverness, Grimsby, Peterborough, Southend and London, showing up at Jackman’s Community CentreDJs for the night, Nigel ‘Domino’ Babb and guesting from the Hot Dang Dilly Club, Little Carl. Always good to see Carl out in the ‘burbs doing a set, and between the two DJs, came some cracking tracks. You can mix up the hottest Rockabilly sounds with some classic R&B and straight-ahead Rock n Roll, and attain the right blend for everyone, just like this night.The last time we saw this band, was at the Rockabilly Rave a few years ago, so it was a big circle on the calendar when the date was announced. Miika Siira aka Mike Bell, is a commanding presence on stage with his acoustic rhythm guitar, and the unassuming looking Timo Kalijarvi on lead guitar, the ever smiley Iikku Riepponen slapping the bass with Japi Saario in the drumming engine room.Setting the stall out, ‘Gonna Rock n Roll Tonight’, followed by the coolest Rockabilly bopper, ‘Gonna Ride the Wild Surf’. Cripes readers, it’s nearly ten years since they recorded that for the ‘Scream and Holler’ CD on Goofin’ Records.

‘Mean Machine’ is a short, sweet and pacey, and kept the zippy tempo going. ‘Careful Baby’ offered a slightly more sedate timbre, before were off again with ‘Country Boy’, with just an ace lead guitar break from Timo.I’ll flag up as well, their take of Larry Hart’s ‘I’m Just a Mender’, some Louisiana bop, which was a treat to hear mid-set.

‘Last Time to Cry’ is another mid-tempo, Rockabilly pickin’ before finishing with Derry Weaver’s raw sounding ‘Itty Bitty Betty’, with Eddie Cochran’s guitar work represented well in this version.More floor filling from the decks followed, in the room that warmed up considerably, as the tracks got hotter. The band were back on again, this time blasting out another Mike Bell original ‘The Beat That Can’t Be Beat’, which is a real foot stomper. ‘Now we are going to do a Bob Dylan song’ announced Mike, with a ‘be scared’ shake of the hand.

Don’t panic readers, it wasn’t ‘Time’s they are a Changin’ or any other snore-fest, it was a bass thumping rock-out to ‘Baby I’m in the Mood For You’. (I await your return from YouTube having listened to both).With a slight lowering of his vocal tone Mike’s delivery on ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ (not Pink Floyd, keep up please) was ace, with the rhythm very reminiscent of a Spaghetti Western.

Beyond Compere Terry Seabrooke

‘It’s No Wonder’ featured as a tribute to the recently passed Heulyn Duvall, slotted in among ‘Go Hog Wild’, ‘Rockin’ Maybelle’ and ‘Payback’.With the crowd well into them, the lads maintained the quality, with the stroll beat of ‘Lord I’m in Trouble Again’ which has a lean to the surf sound. That lead into the afore mentioned ‘Scream and Holler’, another original, before we closed with a cracking version of Little Ike’s ‘She Can Rock’.

How Miika keeps those glasses on through the show I don’t know, and that guitar has suffered without pick guards I can tell you. And we’ll have ‘Hep Cat’ for good measure to top off.The word from the North, from the previous night, was that we were in for a treat at the Hertfordshire club, and indeed they were right. One of those nights that you can categorically say, if you missed it, you missed out. Some top nights in the offing at Dominos, dig ‘em if you can!Peter Sandberg, Mr Go Getter.

Go Get the Go Getters The last day of May saw a bonus gig for Domino's, this time it was the Go Getters from Sweden. OK OK, before everyone starts posting on Facebook, yes it was Peter Sandeberg and two English guys, Nick Whitfield on lead guitar and Sam French on upright bass.​Guest DJ to swap with Domino on the decks, Steph Brian 'The Professor', so good to see him behind the decks in a rocking club.Big numbers once again turned up to see the 'Ikea Man' (his words not mine), just under a hundred and eighty, which is ace for a Friday night. Loads of 'new' faces as well, again people who had gone the extra mile to get to the event.​Domino brought the band on to the crowd coming gradually forward to the stage, as the fired out 'Red Hot Mama' as their opening offer. All the standard, must hear Go Getter tracks featured over the two sets.

'Welcome to My Hell' for instance followed on from 'mama before a trio of kickers, 'No Brakes', about a car that nowadays does indeed have, no brakes, followed by 'Junkyard Dog', a song of some fifteen years in age, and the New Wave-y sound of the Undertones' 'Teenage Kicks'There was a bit of respite from the seemingly relentless onslaught of pace and power, with Johnny Horton's 'Honky Tonk Man' before it was wound up again for the drum thumping 'Mexico'.Between sets we had The Professor, who played a cracking set of jive and stroll, a full floor throughout. Then more Go Getting with 'Hip Shaking Mama' picking up the pace from the first set, with 'The Devil Made Me Do It' hot on the heels. A bit of Bo featured during the set with 'Mona' morphing into 'Who Do You Love' and with pseudo-trepidation, they took on the Ramones' 'Sheena is a Punk Rocker'. More favourites followed, the Go Getter must have 'Like a Wolf', a reworking version of 'Summertime' originally from the Gerschwin Brothers musical 'Porgy and Bess', but with more reference in this environment, to Gene Vincent's 'Record Date' version.Finally the forlorn request that kept coming from the back of the hall, was answered as they topped the show off with the 2001 dancefloor fave, 'No Heart To Spare'. Of course not, not when you have Nigel on the mic and the crowd in Hertfordshire on a Friday night in May.

Back they came with Sandy Harris jumping up on stage to take over the drumming duties which left Peter able to play harmonica on Bo's 'You Don't Love Me' blues bopper. Massively popular band with the crowd in at Domino's, and some ace tunes from the decks too. OK Folks, a word about 'The Madman'.

A site that came to our attention recently, with a mysterious artist, who refers to himself in the third person and resides in places unknown. What you need to know is that he provides a Graphic Artist/Illustration and Artistic service with that edgy, modern day greaser feel about it.

As always readers, click on the artwork to take you to Krypticart, and check out the samples of his excellent artwork.Last call for the Rockabilly Rave 2019 which at the time of writing will be nearly over in two weeks time. Word from Chatabox Towers earlier this week, was that there were ten chalets available and that was it! Don't blame each other if you haven't booked and you miss out, or us, cos we've been banging on about it for months alreadyAtomic, under canvas and in the hangar at Sywell Aerodrome in Northants, at the end of July is always a first class weekend, and has a class line up.It's the 7th Rock Ridge Rumble at the beginning of August, another weekender under canvas, this time in the North East of the UK. Kevin Greener and Tracey Hobbs present another solid line up, at what is becoming the go to event in that part of the countryThe Riot has a cracking line up, but there's more With more and more people coming to the Rhythm Riot for all four days, we’re going to open the ever-popular Lunars Bar on Thursday for the first time, with a fabulous new feature for one night only an absolutely stunning all-valve sound system! Y ou can be sure that it sounds just as good as it looks!

So get set for an All-Vinyl R&B Rent Party with 5 hours of non-stop dance floor fillers sounding just like they should. If this don’t mo ve you, you ain’t got a pulse! Book online now at Rhythm Rot - 14th – 18th November - Camber, Sussex, England TN31 7R. ​ The Red Feather Club in Horham Suffolk welcome another first at the home of the 95th BG. The very popular Revolutionaries!! People have be talking about this gig for months, tickets already selling book early to avoid disappointment. When there gone there gone.A shout out for the Rockabilly Blowout, now in it's 6th year.

Rockabilly blowout #6 a big majority of the weekend tickets gone!!! Have you got yours??

Click in link on the flyer to grab a ticketWith the success of this years first Southport Rumble (see our Weekender Reviews section for a full review and pictures), here's some info about the next one ' Once again, thanks to everyone for making the 1st Southport Rumble such a memorable success. You all were great, bands, staff, DJs and all the fab bands on stage. There was a slight mistake on next years flyer which stated £50 deposit per person, this should of course be per chalet.New flyer above and what a line-up we have for next year, with a total 8 I international bands, several of which making first appearance on UK soil. We have kept pricing same as this year and booking lines and website now open.

To book use following link and scroll up to the 2020 Rumble flyer or to or use the Pontins booking hotline 41 From the comments received looks like going to be a full one so suggest get your deposit paid asap to secure your place.' Claire and Neil Seabrook have already announced their full line up for their third Hot Rock n Boogie event in Lincolnshire next May. It falls on the first May bank holiday, so you won't have to scuttle off on Sunday 'coz of work', and you get to enjoy their strongest line up yet.Hemsby folks! How good was that?

Bill Guntrip and his family and team presented an excellent weekender at the revamped Richardson's camp in Norfolk. And next year as you can see from the flyer, it's shaping up well. What isn't on the flyer yet, is the recent announcement, that the one and only Rhythm Shakers will be playing. We had a brilliant red haired lady headlining this year in the shape of Gizzelle, next year, Marlene Perez and the boys.Flyer Artwork by Andy Brittan of out our reviews of both Hemsby 62 and Hot Rock n Boogie events from 2019 here on the flyers folksOK ladies and gents, that's it for this month. Check back for details on the new magazine. Advertisers, bands.

DJs, event organisers, record labels and all, do please get in touch ahead of time and join us for the ride​Cheers til then. Well readers, what do you think Ray Cotton of the Jets has to punch the air about? That's right folks, it's Bettajive Review blog time once again.Three gig reviews to showcase this month folks, we've been a bit busier this month around the clubs. More about the Jets later but in the meantime, it's:-Chest the ticket. A road trip up to South Yorks for another of our interests, coincided with Chesterfield Rock n Roll Club’s monthly gig.

This large market town for us is identifiable by the crooked spire on St. Mary’s and All Saints church, the score ‘nil’ and a top-drawer Rock n Roll club and crowd. This event featured Johnny Flame and the Dragons, so it would be rude not to eh readers? In fact, we’d seen the band before playing at a weekender, and on the back of a truck in Buntingford High Street, but never in a club, so another draw.​DJ’s for the night, were residents Steve O and Andy B, all on vinyl 45s, and a veritable myriad of different rhythms to suit all styles. It was immensely gratifying to see so many in for the night, when you hear of clubs struggling to get folks through the door. There were bums on seats a-plenty even half an hour after doors opening at the Old Whittington Miners Social Club.

Johnny Flame and the Dragons consist of Greg Escrader on vocals and rhythm guitar, Neil Roope slapping the bass, Andy Wren on lead and the ubiquitous Mark Kemlo on drums. If you’re familiar with these individuals, you might have an idea of their sound. At just after nine, they hit the stagerunning! Boom, in with Norman Whitcher’s ‘Somebody’s Been Rocking My Boat’, with ‘Have Myself a Ball’ rattling along too.Among the enthusiastic and energetic stage show, there’s some quality Rockabilly, with a cracking version of Tony Casanova’s ‘Showdown’ shining. Neil shifted to the centre taking on Jimmy Patton’s ‘Oakie’s in the Pokie’, a frantic song that his vocal style is well suited to.

Beyond Compere Terry Seabrooke

Loved ‘Betty Ann’, which filled the floor, as did ‘Playmate’, ‘Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor’ and ‘Rock Tick Tock’, which I’m not sure I’ve heard covered before.Between sets, a well-supported Atomic Jive contest took place, before the four lads blasted back onto the stage and picked up where they left off. Benny Cliff’s lyrical oddity ‘Shake ‘Em Up Rock’ stood out, as did an excellent take on Billy Fury’s ‘Don’t Knock Upon My Door’, Royce Porter’s ‘Do I Love You’ and Larry Donn’s beauty ‘Honey Bunn’. Lob in Neil doing ‘Bop-a-Lena’ and you’ll get the gist of the true vibe in the room. Huge rowdiness for the lads as they hit back with ‘What a Dolly’.Cool beans in Chesterfield folks, go and check this well run and vibrant club in Derbyshire.Like what you see? Help us keep it free by popping a donation over using the button below. Welcome back.

To the Fireball Club in Lowestoft, Suffolk, the most easterly Rock n Roll club in the country. Ian ‘Rockin Shades’ Soanes was back in business for the first time in eight months with a new band from the Midlands, the Hi-Boy Trio, with himself on the decks.​Once again, it was good to see a decent crowd in, at a club that has suffered with clashing events in the past.

Those in enjoyed a goodly selection of varied tunes from the decks. The band, in blue shirts and black pegs played two sets of staple classics, ‘Matchbox’ ‘Honey Don’t’, ‘Brand New Cadillac’, that type of stuff. All very loud and proud, although if I would make a comment it would be that the tempo sounded all the same all the way through. Mix it up guys, and you’re onto something good.The Jets. ​ Viva Letch Vegas.

Finally, over the border, a short hop indeed by comparison to the past two weekends, to Hertfordshire. This time it was a return visit to Jackman’s Community Centre in Letchworth for an evening at Domino’s Club. On stage, the Jets, with Domino himself and Jimmy Guntrip on the decks.Having seen a few of the regulars at the club, giving toothy grins through social media in Las Vegas, there was a slight concern about potential numbers, especially as in the UK, we were basking in the warmest weather for an Easter since records began. No one needed to worry, as in excess of two hundred peeps jostled for position in the hall. Oh, and what do you know, another Atomic heat, that’s four in five weeks, are they following us about?​The two DJs played some ace stuff, loads of Rhythm and Blues for the dancers, Big Joe, Wynonie, Ruth, LaVern, Roy Brown et al, as well as some top Rockabilly and Rock n Roll.

Interesting nowadays, that Little Richard’s ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ is now the go to jive contest starter-for-ten, overtaking ‘Boogie Woogie Country Girl’ in regularity.Bob Cotton. The Jets, now in their forty first year of performing, took to the stage with the punchy title track of their 2003 album, ‘Bolt of Lightning’, followed by the corking ‘Razor Alley’ and the multiple light show of ‘Yes Tonight Josephine’. Last call for a couple of weekenders taking place in May, and sliding in just under the wire is Claire and Neil Seabrook's Hot Rock n Boogie Weekender, here's some details. The second Hot Rock n Boogie weekend in Spalding and we can't wait! 12 incredible bands, our 3 awesome DJs return PLUS - NEW FOR 2019. Guest DJ's throughout the weekend, TWO wooden dancefloors, DJ Lounge, FREE dance lessons, FREE shuttle bus service to and from Windcatch Camping & Caravan site and so much more!!CAN ONLY COME FOR THE EVENING?

Evening passes will be available on the door with entry from 7pm.Call them on: 67 to book your tickets!!And we'll be there for the second year running, reviewing and photography, so nip over and say helloAnother event that we'll be attending to review and photograph, is Hemsby 62. We are returning after a number of years, to catch up with new management Bill Guntrip, and his team's stellar line up. Headlining is Gizzelle, herself making a return visit, and believe us when we say readers, if you haven't heard her voice or seen her show before, you are in for a treat.​Plus the Extraordinaires making a rare UK performance, the Polecats, Charlie Hightone and The Rock-its, The Go-Getters and the Revolutionaires to name a few, should give you and idea of the diversity of the line up. A lot of the accommodation was sold by the end of March, but don't miss out. Contact the numbers on the flyer for detailsThere's a one-two punch in Wakefield in May, with two gigs in a week, the Meekats on the 11th and as part of their mini tour of the UK, Mike Bell and the Belltones play on the 17th.

Hopetown is a great rocking club folks, well worth the trip.​From there Mike Bell and the Belltones are heading South to Hertfordshire, and Domino's club. You would have already read about that venue above, but don't take my word for it, join those already in the know. Heading into the summer now with the Rockabilly Rave, four days and nights of the best music in the world ever ever. Excellent line up and the word from Rave headquarters is The Rave is filling up fast now. All Luxury,Classic one bedroom and Classic two bedroom chalets are now sold out!!! We have some Popular chalets still available online and via the Booking Office on 33.The Red Feather Club in Horham Suffolk welcome another first at the home of the 95th BG. The very popular Revolutionaries!!

People have be talking about this gig for months, tickets already selling book early to avoid disappointment. When there gone there gone.Did you know folks, at Atomic Vintage Festival, there are fifteen fabulous bands across two incredible, action-packed days, with more than a dozen DJs, four music venues, flag-start drag racing, vintage-style cinema, classic and custom car show, huge vintage market, Sunday morning flea market, soapbox derby and lots more. It's a 1950s paradise!ATOMIC FESTIVAL - Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th JulySywell Aerodrome, Northants NN6 0BNBook online now atThe week following Atomic, it's the 7th Rock Ridge Rumble event in the North East near Gateshead, here's what they say.

Rock Ridge Rumble returns Fri 2nd Aug to Sun 4th Aug. 3 days of the fittest Rockin Bands in the country, all in the huge marque, incredible sound and light and simply the best bar you could wish for.

All for only £70 for 3 days, with free camping with all tickets. Other ticket options availableA shout out for the Rockabilly Blowout, now in it's 6th year. Rockabilly blowout #6 82% of the weekend tickets gone!!!

Have you got yours?? Click in link on the flyer to grab a ticket. At the end of summer, there's the Rockabilly Rebellion in the South West, here's what they say and their line up£15 per person in advance either in cash or via PayPal link below£20 per person on the doorREVOLUTIONAIRES The NUT JUMPERS, JAKE CALYPSO LARRY ADAMS and his Rhythm Heirs, CARL MORRIS TRIO, The CRAWLIN KINGSNAKESDJs, Rock Ape - Flintstone - Little Ian - Jailhouse Rocker - Mid Century Chap Wobbly Webster - Big BopperThose who came to the last one will tell you what an amazing venue this is and it has hosted many American greats in the 50s. The REBELLIONS’ are going from strength to strength; No2 was fantastic ask anyone who came?, Multi storey car park next door will be open until 1AM - last band will finish around midnight. Any other info please call Trev (Rock Ape) on 33 or Clare on 34.The Riot has a cracking line up, but there's more With more and more people coming to the Rhythm Riot for all four days, we’re going to open the ever-popular Lunars Bar on Thursday for the first time, with a fabulous new feature for one night only an absolutely stunning all-valve sound system!

You can be sure that it sounds just as good as it looks! So get set for an All-Vinyl R&B Rent Party with 5 hours of non-stop dance floor fillers sounding just like they should.

If this don’t mo ve you, you ain’t got a pulse!Book online now at Rhythm Rot - 14th – 18th November - Camber, Sussex, England TN31 7RLWith the success of this years first Southport Rumble (see our Weekender Reviews section for a full review and pictures), here's some info about the next one ' Once again, thanks to everyone for making the 1st Southport Rumble such a memorable success. You all were great, bands, staff, DJs and all the fab bands on stage. There was a slight mistake on next years flyer which stated £50 deposit per person, this should of course be per chalet.New flyer above and what a line-up we have for next year, with a total 8 I international bands, several of which making first appearance on UK soil. We have kept pricing same as this year and booking lines and website now open. To book use following link and scroll up to the 2020 Rumble flyer or to or use the Pontins booking hotline 41 From the comments received looks like going to be a full one so suggest get your deposit paid asap to secure your place.' Just a quick nod to Humdinger next year, no line up yet but as it says on their website Over one third of places have been booked already! Watch this space for details of next year's line up.It's going to be a Humdinger!Like what you see?

Help us keep it free by popping us a donation using the button below. Ah, there you are loyal readers. Our blog title pertains to the time of year, April, although if it puts you in mind of the Drifters 1958 Atlantic recording of the same name, good on ya!

How busy have we been in the past couple of weeks then? Actually that's a rhetorical question, we have been busy with two monster weekenders since the last blog.​Shake Rattle and Roll #17, and the very first Southport Rumble. You can read about both events here ​featuring Earl Jackson and Jake Calypso (pictured below) and a whole host of varied Rock n Roll acts. As for club gigs folks, only one in the month of March and that's another visit to Nigel Babb's club.​ Hit that floor once more. Just the one club gig this month with us attending two weekenders in successive weeks. It was another trip to Letchworth and the Jackman Community Centre, where Nigel ‘DJ Domino’ Babb put on another double DJ night.

Unusually, he was not in the equation, although he’d secured the services of Ian Strop and his ‘Strops Hop’ and Cat Talk Lee Russell.Strops Hop who you can also hear on Rockabilly Radio or Mixcloud, started DJing in the late 70s-early 80s and Lee was a regular on the Essex scene in the early noughties, and the Welsh Rockabilly weekender more lately. So, two forces of nature, with boxes of delights for the near one hundred music lovers that showed up.A first class blend of Rock n Roll, Rockabilly, jumping Rhythm and Blues and Western Swing.

Some people think that DJ’s just play the same tunes in a different order, but these guys did what all good DJs do and excavated some rockin’ nuggets from the vaults, and found tunes you’d not heard for years, or before even.Another top night out in Hertfordshire ahead of Domino’s list of band nights during the rest of the year. Check the ads below for details. Last call for the Hot Rock n Boogie weekender, taking place on the Bank Holiday weekend in Spalding, Lincolnshire. I am writing this for you with just one month to go.

Last year's event was a massive success for Boston Jive couple Neil and Claire Seabrook, and a few tweaks this year will pretty much guarantee a top weekender. Camping and a shuttle bus is available too.The 62nd Hemsby Rock n Roll Weekender, is also the first for new owner, Bill Guntrip.

The Hemsby site itself has also undergone some radical alterations, so basically, attendees will almost be going to a new weekender. Heading the line up is Wild Records Gizzelle, who is no stranger to Hemsby, and the Extraordinaires are making an all too rare appearance in the UK. High energy and high quality throughoutThe Rockabilly Rave, now established as a four day event, never disappoints. Regular performers like Jack Baymoore and the Bandits and Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys will be hitting the stage with newcomers like Colton Turner making their Rave debut.

Chalets are steadily selling, and it's heading for another sellout. Don't miss out.I've pinched the blurb from the Rockabilly Rebellion site to advertise their Rebellion #3. Those who came to the last one will tell you what an amazing venue this is and it has hosted many American greats in the 50s. REVOLUTIONAIRES, The NUT JUMPERS, JAKE CALYPSO, LARRY ADAMS and his Rhythm Heirs, CARL MORRIS TRIO The CRAWLIN KINGSNAKESDJs Rock Ape - Flintstone - Little Ian - Jailhouse Rocker - Mid Century Chap Wobbly Webster - Big Bopper.

For Reb Kennedy, across the pond. Wednesday April 17 in fabulous Downtown Las Vegas WILD Records is proud to present this night of savage rockabilly from three Southern California Wild artists.DJ Domino, Nigel Babb starts his live music events, after a number of successful record hops. To kick it off, one of the top bands on the circuit, The Jets, celebrating their 40th (and then some ) year of performing. Bound to be a good one folksATOMIC Weekend is now just 4 months away.

Early-bird tickets are available until the end of April but don't hang about. Especially if you want a camping pitch!Book online now at www.AtomicFestival.co.ukCan you believe readers, that it's the seventh annual Rock Ridge Rumble? Well established in the North East of the UK, Kevin Greener and Tracey Hobbs bring you another stellar line up, for just seventy of your English pounds. Andy Garner's very successful Red Feather club welcomes another first at the home of the 95th BG. The very popular Revolutionaries!! People have be talking about this gig for months, tickets already selling book early to avoid disappointment.

When there gone there gone.A three Day Rockabilly event in memory of James Robson featuring top bands and DJs. Plus Car Show, Sunday Flea Market, Stalls, Raffle, Double Bass Raffle and Reduced Bar Prices. Raising awareness of Asthma and funds for Asthma UK. Jack and the Real Deals (UK), Dollar Bill (UK), Rimshots (WAL), Fatboy (SE), Carlos And the Bandidos (UK), Honkabillies (UK), Spunyboys (FR), Booze Bombs (DE), Marc and the Wild Ones (DE), Desperados (USA), Doel Brothers (UK), Fat n Furious (UK) Scotty Baker (AUS)I've nabbed an update from Robin and Colette Weathersbee's Rhythm Riot page regarding this year's event in November on the south coast.

They say that w ith more and more people coming to the Rhythm Riot for all four days, we’re going to open the ever-popular Lunars Bar on Thursday for the first time, with a fabulous new feature for one night only an absolutely stunning all-valve sound system!We couldn’t wait to show it to you - and you can be sure that it sounds just as good as it looks!So get set for an All-Vinyl R&B Rent Party with 5 hours of non-stop dance floor fillers sounding just like they should.If this don’t move you, you ain’t got a pulse! My goodness here we are in the third month of the year for heaven's sake. This upcoming month is going to be a busy one for the Bettajive Review, with us attending the 17th Shake Rattle and Roll Weekender, and the inaugural Southport Rumble, flyers below. But before that, a couple of club reviews.Retro-fit. First gig to review, featured another sortie down to Paul and Belinder Lawrence’s Memphis Belles club, in Mytchett, Surrey, or Camberley if you will. This venue is a spacious one, with an elevated stage, especially handy for those like us with duck’s disease. DJ for the evening, is resident spinner Aaron ‘Jumpin’ Around’ Kilner, who as well as rotating the rpms, is starting his offspring very young on the scene, with the latest addition to his growing family bobbing about in mum’s arms.Live on stage this time, Western Star recording artists, The Retrobaits, who we’d seen at Hot Rock n Boogie and Rhythm Riot weekenders in the previous months, and wanted to check them out in the club environment.

Dave (guitar), Stuart (bass) and Darren (drums) make up the trio, looking sharp and sounding pretty darn good.Their style takes influences from all areas of Rock n Roll, taking a rock out version of ‘Pink and Black’ to start with, immediately followed by the Cliques’ ‘I’m in Love With a Girl’ featuring some exact harmonies. Rockers like ‘Modern Romance’, ‘One Hand Loose’ and ‘Boppin’ The Blues’ were offset by the Carnations’ strolling winner ‘Long Tall Girl’.‘Rockabilly Boogie’ topped off the first set off, which had also featured ‘All Systems Go’ and ‘Old Father Time’ that we’d not heard before and suggest you check out.The second set took on a more party time vibe, with audience participation required during Del Shannon’s ‘Runaway’. I think you can guess which bits the audience did, and wonderfully in tune they were too Likewise ‘Runaround Sue’ and ‘Teenager in Love’ got the similar treatment. Then there was Bob Doss’ Starday Rockabilly classic ‘Don’t Be Gone Long’ that rocked out, completely contrasted by the Jive Five’s ‘My True Story’.Yes readers, a very varied set, delivered with enthusiasm and fervour, at a well run club, check it out sometime folks.Duck's disease? = Arse too close to the ground;)Phil Haley and his Comments. ​ Hot to Trot with Bost. North next (well it is for us) to Spalding in Lincolnshire, and the South Holland Centre.

The centre is on three floors, the top one housing the dance hall, and well worth the altitude and climb. A bumper crowd had turned up to take in Boston Jive’s latest presentation, that of Phil Haley and his Comments, with Mister Big Feet and the Reverend Boogie on sounds.Tell you what readers, you have to be Johnny on the spot for this type of event, even Claire and Neil Seabrook, Mr & Mrs Boston Jive, had a job to find a parking space an hour before doors opening.

And once in, the hall fills up quicker than the staff can pour one of their ales. I don’t touch it myself, but it had some kind of weird name, ‘Gnat’s Knacker’ or something.The floor was pretty well populated throughout, a real dance slew to both DJs sets, well the clue is in the title, Boston Jive. And perfectly suited to the event, were Phil Haley and the Comments. Real quality here folks, hardly surprising as the band have been performing together for twenty five years, and there can’t be many better at recreating the Bill Haley sound.Those sounds aren’t limited to the classic commercial tunes either, they nip back to the earlier stuff, the likes of ‘Real Rock Drive’ and ‘Live It Up’. But it’s the best known that got the biggest responses from the floor, with the ever popular ‘Shake Rattle and Roll’, ‘Rip It Up’ ‘See You Later Alligator’ for example. ‘Sweet Sue’ is a beauty, and their rendition of ‘Piccadilly Rock’ was just like hearing the record. ‘Rudy’s Rock’ features the exceptional sax blasting of Allen Parish, segued into Phil taking on ‘Goofin’ Around’.With Phil a little hoarse, Martyn Savage, the bass ace, took on a bit of the vocals with some Jodimars stuff, before the second set.

The crowd descended onto the dancefloor for the band’s own ‘Talk To Me’ which is a must have for a Phil Haley set, and their shot at a Blues bopper ‘Baby Where Are You’ (the band’s original composition) is a thumping good track. All driven along in the rhythm engine room by drummer Gary Davidson.‘Rock Around the Clock’? Better had, hadn’t we.

Great stuff once again, in a fine setting. Claire and Neil Seabrook are super enthusiastic promoters, which radiates through their crowd, making for a good atmosphereLike what you see, help us keep it free by popping us a donation please.