Fife's Top Quality Singer

Friday 5th September - Woodside, Cowdenbeath

Another quiet night at the Woodside Inn.  The wee crowd that was in was very appreciative though, and I can't fault them for enthusiasm.  They seemed to mostly comprise of men in their 40s and 50s, and me and the barmaid. 

It's unfortunate when such a lovely wee pub is quiet like that, but I suppose understandable given the current credit crunch.  I wonder if many people are saving themselves for Saturday night, maybe staying in and having a couple of beers and a takeaway in the house on a Friday.

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Friday 18th April - Woodside Hotel, Cowdenbeath

Well I had had a pretty rotten day, what with one thing and another, so the last thing I felt like doing was going to a new venue.  It's always nerve wracking, and my confidence was at an all time low. 

I needn't have worried.

This wee hotel in Cowdenbeath is a great venue.  Despite being a Friday, a few people braved the cold (Market) weather, and came out for a drink.  I suspect a few of them were curious about the new singer listed in the local paper.  I was quite nervous to begin with, and the stage is tiny wee, so I couldn't really move about all that much.  My first set (of 2 x 1 hour sets) went quickly, and the break d-r-a-g-g-e-d for a full half hour, as I was so keen to get back up there.  I got chatting to a good few people in the break though, and I think they seemed happy with my first set.

During the second set, a good few more people came in and joined the general banter that had been evident all evening.  This lifted my spirits a bit more, and I was really enjoying myself with a bit of rock when I glanced at the clock again.  10 minutes to go!  I quickly threw in a couple of ballads and that was that.

The Woodside, I told them, had restored my faith in humankind.  To find a pub where the people are so warm and friendly straight away is rare.

Go there.