
AN evening of live music will be held in memory of Frome musician Griff Daniels who died in October last year.
Family and friends of Griff have organised a special gig, ‘Griff’s Big Night Out’ which will be held at the Cheese & Grain on Friday 17th February.
The line-up includes Captain Cactus and the Screaming Harlots, Simon Allen, Pete Gage Blues Band with special guests including Jon Amor and Vicki Burke, Domenic DeCicco, Al O’Kane and The Griff Daniels All Stars playing music from the Valley, Skeeters and Critters.
Mark Brookes who is helping to organise the gig said, “Griff’s involvement in the Frome music scene helped the town gain a reputation for excellent live music over many years, running the regular Wednesday night Roots sessions at The Olive Tree and more recently at the Grain Bar, Griff introduced music lovers to a variety of live acts from solo acoustic artists to big bands, some local but many travelling from other parts of the UK to play in Frome.
“Griff’s own bands were upbeat and popular, over the years his bands included The Havana Fireflies, The Critters, The Skeeters and the Valley. On a smaller more local scale, Griff’s acoustic work with Nikki Mascall and more recently Vicki Burke, warmed atmospheres in pubs and bars with cool songs interspaced with Griff’s engaging and softly spoken banter.
“Encouraging young musicians to get up on stage and go for it was another of Griff’s specialities. More than 20 years ago, a bunch of Wiltshire schoolboys talked their way into supporting one of Griff’s bands at a private event. As ever, Griff was supportive and gave them the chance to show what they could do. The young band went on from that first appearance to become The Hoax, one of the most successful British Blues bands of all time, winning multiple awards. Looking back, members of the Hoax still namecheck Griff Daniels as one of their major influences.
“Griff’s Big Night Out on Friday February 17th will celebrate the wonderful musical world that Griff inhabited. His family have nominated Dorothy House, Macmillan nurses and We Hear You as the charities that will benefit from the event. The event starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £10 from The Cheese & Grain box office, either in person or online.”