As regular readers will know, we like to occasionally feature individuals who make their mark on the community and whose activities we believe will be of interest to a wider readership. Today, we’re introducing Graham Pope who has been putting on live music events and promoting musicians over the last 20 years in and around East Sussex.
Graham’s involvement was born from a passion for live events enabling people to enjoy music of a high quality/musicality in venues where they can get up close and personal to really see and hear the musicians in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Previously, Graham ran his own music club – The G Spot – and created the Uckfield Blues & Roots Festival which successfully ran for 10 years.
Graham’s early music experiences came from listening to Radio Luxembourg hearing such artists as Sam Cooke and Ray Charles and listening to his uncle’s record collection which included the Shadows and Elvis Presley. Then came the explosion of the Sixties music with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones leading the way together with Motown artists including Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross, all followed by a myriad of amazing artists covering all genres of music.
Graham’s philosophy is that, whilst genres and labels help to give us an idea of what to expect, good music is just good music whatever the genre so he urges people to never to think that all blues or folk is dreary, for example. He says: “While some might fall into that category, remember that if it wasn’t for blues and folk music we wouldn’t have had the Beatles, the Stones or anything that followed. I believe musicality should be the defining feature.”
Over the years Graham’s put on a wide variety of events covering Celtic roots, folk, Americana, blues, jazz, country, soul, reggae and ska, rock, and even some pop and indie. He’s worked with a variety of artists ranging from local musicians to Grammy award winners, Brit Award winners and many who have performed at Glastonbury, The Royal Albert Hall, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and even one who performed at Woodstock. He reminisces it’s sometimes that gigs you have the least expections for that turn out to be the best ones, and often it’s those that take place in small, intimate, local venues featuring talented local musicians.
Graham’s been fortunate to have worked with many talented people including Rory Graham (Rag’n’Bone Man), Jo Harman, Aynsley Lister, Amethyst Kiah, Ian Siegal, Mike Farris, Steve Knightley, Martyn Joseph, Luke Jackson, Miller Anderson, Elles Bailey and many more, too numerous to mention. He extends his gratitude to all the musicians, promoters, bookers, agents, volunteers, venues and loyal fans who have made possible his musical journey to date. And I have no doubt that gratitude is reciprocated.
Of course, in order for people like Graham to keep putting on such fabulous events for us all to enjoy, people need to get out and support live events including ‘open mic’ nights. It’s incredible how much musical talent there is on your doorstep. Remember music is a great therapy and you can always find something to suit any mood.
You can email Graham at gpevents@hotmail.com
Here’s a rundown of what Graham has coming up for us
Only 10 tickets left for AYNSLEY LISTER – Friday 26 September with a 7.45 start at CROWBOROUGH COMMUNITY CENTRE . It is unlikely that there will be tickets available on the door.
https://wegottickets.com/event/654639
If you are a fan of Aynsley Lister you should love the Adam Sweet Band and we also have David Migden and Joe Gibson as support for this event on FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER at CROWBOROUGH COMMUNITY CENTRE – all tickets are available online from:
https://wegottickets.com/event/666746
THERE WILL BE A BAR FOR BOTH OF THE ABOVE CROWBOROUGH EVENTS
The ADAM SWEET BAND are definitely destined for e en greater success so please take this opportunity to see them here in East Sussex whilst you can, and you also get DAVID MIGDEN & JOE GIBSON two of the very best musicians opening the show. If you love live ROOTS MUSIC, this is a must see.
Since being crowned Introducing Stage winners at The Great British Rock and Blues Festival in 2023 the Adam Sweet Band have been rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the tightest units on the circuit.
They have built on their success with triumphant performances at venues and festivals across the UK, including London’s 100 Club, the Brudenell Social Club, Sidmouth & Rye International Jazz & Blues Festivals, the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival and they have supported the likes of Wishbone Ash, Kris Barras Band and Elles Bailey. In 2025 they were nominated in the category of ‘UK Blues Emerging Act of the Year’ at the UK Blues Awards.
Taking his cue from the British blues boom sounds and rock riffs of the 60s and 70s, independent blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Adam Sweet has been carving out his own territory between classic rock, blues and Americana for over a decade. With his band he delivers brooding blues and rootsy rock, balancing richly detailed song writing, soulful vocals and expertly piercing guitar work.
‘The Green Manalishi’ / ‘Oh Well’ (Peter Green tribute) – Adam Sweet Band live at Crescent Records
ADAM SWEET BAND EVENING HRH BLUES 2025
Adam Sweet Band | ‘New Friend’ | live at Exeter Phoenix
EARLY BIRD TICKETS for the following events are still available but only until 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 :
ERIN HARPE & JIM COUNTRYMAN plus NOTHING IN RAMBLING (SISTER SUZIE & ANDY TWYMAN ) at NUTLEY WAR MEMORIAL HALL on THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER 7.30 start – EARLY BIRD £15 plus booking fee
https://wegottickets.com/event/666989
Erin Harpe has been playing country blues since she was a little girl, getting her chops from her virtuoso dad, roots/blues musician & stellar guitar expert Neil Harpe. The two-time “Blues Artist of the Year,” and leader of the band Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers, has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, playing stages large and small throughout the US, UK and Europe, and opening for everyone from ZZ Top to Honeyboy Edwards, Buddy Guy and James Cotton.
Sister Suzie and Andy Twyman take you on a musical journey through Mississippi and Louisiana performing music by artists such as Memphis Minnie, Blind Boy Fuller and Elmore James. Guided by a mutual passion for early blues, they evoke the playfulness, power and soul of the music.
SPIKEDRIVERS plus NIGEL BAGGE & EDDIE ARMER at NUTLEY WAR MEMORIAL HALL on SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER 7.30 start- EARLY BIRD £15 plus booking fee
https://wegottickets.com/event/666991
This is one of the SPIKEDRIVERS farewell gigs so let’s give them a great send off!
One of the most original, innovative and exciting bands around, their combination of gutsy slide guitar, rock-solid bass, infectious grooves and highly distinctive vocals, creates a sound that is uniquely their own. They take you on a journey, from southern juke-joints and lazy front porches to the huge open spaces of dust bowls and railroad tracks disappearing into the distance…..
Acoustic performers with a soulful blend of folk ballads and blues music, Nigel Bagge and Eddie Armer play a mixture of original songs and classics from some of the great writers of contemporary roots music. Nigel’s warm vocal style and distinctive guitar playing is intertwined with Eddie’s sensitive harmonica and mandolin playing.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE INVITED TO BRING YOUR OWN REFRESHMENTS FOR THE GIGS AT NUTLEY
MARTYN JOSEPH at UCKFIELD CIVIC CENTRE on FRIDAY 16 JANUARY 7.45 start
https://wegottickets.com/event/670027
Martyn Joseph is a completely unique and mind-blowing artist. Take everything you think you know about singer songwriters and rip it up. For one man and a guitar he creates a performance with a huge far-reaching sound that is energetic, compelling, and passionate. Be it to two hundred people or twenty thousand, he blows the crowd away night after night.
He is gifted with the rare ability to speak to the soul with his expressive and poignant lyrics and has a career spanning over 40 years, 27 studio albums, over a half a million record sales and thousands of live performances.
Compared to Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews, he has created his own style and reputation as a mesmerising live performer and stands in his own right, built on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best live music experience of their lives.
A unique talent driven by passion, social awareness, and love for his trade, he’s a jaw dropping guitar player who has developed a unique percussive style, teamed up with a powerful show stopping voice, and has been called “The Welsh Springsteen”.
I Searched For You – Martyn Joseph
Martyn Joseph : Last Night I Heard America (2024)
Martyn Joseph : Born Too Late (2021)
IF YOU WISH TO SIT WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS ( 4 or more ) IT IS BEST FOR ONE OF THE GROUP TO BOOK THE TICKETS ONLINE – I WILL THEN TRY TO RESERVE YOU SEATS TOGETHER
You can email Graham at gpevents@hotmail.com
