A team of volunteers are getting ready to stage a gig for one of Scotland’s most revered singer-songwriters at the Tannahill Centre.
The centre in Ferguslie Park has been chosen as one of the venues for Scotland on Tour, a government-backed initiative to get people back out enjoying live music in smaller community venues.
And on Friday, June 3, singer-songwriter James Grant will take to the stage in Paisley.
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The gig is being organised by the newly established volunteer events team at the centre and development officer Paul Irwin admitted it’s a new experience for them to organise something of this scale.
He said: ““We are delighted that someone as renowned as James Grant will be playing at the Tannahill Centre and we look forward to welcoming James and his fans in the not-too-distant future.
“Whilst not a traditional music venue, our much-loved community space will bring a whole new feel to experiencing James’ unique talents. We’re all looking forward to it here in Ferguslie.”
The volunteer-led events team is made of local residents and the gig marks the first time they are putting on such a high profile concert since the centre reopened last year.
So far they have organised a variety of events for local people including an 80s night, the community gala day and a children’s Christmas party, with up and coming events such as a roller disco and comedy nights.
All the funds from this concert will go back to the group who put on all the events for young people and children for free.
Regarded as one of the country’s finest singer-songwriters, James first shot to fame with the band Love and Money when he was just 18 years old. Writing four classic albums for the band and recording in New York, James worked with world-renowned producers such as Gary Katz of Steely Dan and Tom Dowd, who produced Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton and Aretha Franklin.
Iames has performed or toured with artists as diverse as U2, Nanci Griffiths, Tina Turner, and BB King and appeared on TV shows such as Top of the Pops, The Tube, The Transatlantic Sessions and Wogan.
James said: “I’m really looking forward to playing The Tannahill Centre in Paisley. It’s not a venue I have performed in before but playing these new venues as part of the Scotland on Tour initiative is such a fantastic opportunity to try out new spaces with their own special atmosphere.
“I love the idea of performing on new stages that aren’t part of my usual touring circuit - I can’t wait to play Paisley this summer.”
Dean Owens and the Sinners will perform at the Tannahill Centre in November.
Scotland on Tour takes place between April 2022 and 2023 and supports the creation of hundreds of concerts and performances at much-loved arts centres, town halls and community venues across Scotland. More than 120 artists are set to perform at more than 100 venues across the country as part of the initiative.
For tickets, go to www.scotlandontour.com.
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