TEESDALE’S longest running open mic marks its 15th anniversary next month. From early jamming sessions to now attracting musicians and audiences from far and wide, Butterknowle Open Mic has plenty to celebrate.
It started up thanks to Bryan and Klara Whiley, and the late Stuart Hare. Mr Whiley was thinking about joining a band once he retired. “Klara said why wait? You know one or two people, so why don’t you get together and have a jam session,” said Mr Whiley.
About six musicians gathered at Butterknowle Village Hall for the first session.
“I had one of those flip-charts and I wrote the chords of a song out, Knocking on Heaven’s Door. We all sat round and played and sang along. It sort of grew and we started getting other people coming along,” he added.
They decided to invite friends and family along to listen and when that proved successful, the group decided to organise a “proper” open mic.
Word began to spread and a bigger hall space was needed.
Mr Whiley said: “The aim was to provide a venue for musicians who wanted an audience to play to – that is why we started doing it.
“We pride ourselves on our audience; they appreciate the music. And we get some of the top local performers of acoustic music. John Wrightson, who is one of the top song writers in the north, has hardly missed a session. We’ve had some talented players from Stockton, Darlington, Bishop, from all over really.”
Another regular performer is Malcolm Elsbury and the Old Age Travellers, and the likes of Richmond Hillbillies, Andy Yeadon, John Weighill and Robson Field have also taken to the Butterknowle stage, along with the Whiley’s own band Button Hole Jam.
Performers cover a wide variety of genres as well as ages.
Mrs Whiley said: “We had Robson Field start with us when he was 14 years old and Kirsty McLachlan came when she was young: her mam said, ‘could you put her on quite early because she has school tomorrow’.”
Another feature of the session is its punctuality, with doors and bar opening at 6.30pm and music starting promptly at 7pm after Mr Whiley has drawn up a roster of performers.
And it is always held on the last Sunday of the month.
Mr Whiley said: “Apart from lockdown, I think we’ve only ever missed two sessions, one through bad weather and one where we went to a folk festival in Cambridge.”
His wife added: “We are on 12 months of the year. In its heyday we were getting 60 to 70 people.”
The event attracts about a dozen artists and an audience of about 40 people.
Mrs Whiley said: “Every time we have no idea who is going to turn up.”
Another feature of the open mic is its ambience.
Mr Wiley said: “The first time Andy Yeadon walked through the door he said, ‘This is a great set-up’. The stage lights were on and the tables were set out cafe style.”
Also assisting with the organisation of the evenings is Heather Dunn who runs the raffle and Geoff Morson who operates the sound table.
Mrs Whiley said: “We do the bar and we do a raffle because obviously we have to hire the hall and we don’t charge an admission fee.”
Her husband added: “Where else can you go for this sort of entertainment for free?”
Through the raffle proceeds, the open mic has been able to buy its own sound equipment as well as support various charities.
Mrs Whiley said: “We always do at least one charity event a year. We did one for the war effort in Ukraine, James Cook’s cancer ward and the Great North Air Ambulance Service.”
It has also helped a local schoolgirl attend an international trip and cash has been given to the village hall.
The 15th anniversary session is on Sunday, March 26, when cake will be served.
