TO make it as a blues singer, not only do you have to have shedloads of talent and a lifetime of abject misery, you have to have a credible name.

Ever heard of Blind Lemon Meringue? Thames Valley Trevor? Jivin’ Jack Russell? Semi-detached Simon? Carsick Steve? Nope, nor have I.

That’s why Catfish Keith is such a real dude. Not only does he have a remarkably cool moniker, the Chicago-born blues singer-songwriter and bottleneck guitar whizz has spent more than 30 years recording and touring the globe, and playing with such legends as John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Robert Cray and Taj Mahal, fr’instance.

Not only that, as you can see from the picture, he has unfeasibly large fingers.

He’s currently on a UK tour which stops off at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester tomorrow night, Saturday, November 5, which is conveniently the date of the next DA Blues sessions.

Tickets at £13 are available from the box office on 01305 266926.

However, if you can’t wait until tomorrow for your dose of quality live music, the Electric Place in Bridport tonight, Friday November 4, is the place to set your sat nav for in a welcome return of the mighty Sam Kelly and his Station House band.

Sam’s one of the most in-demand drummers, having been thumping the tubs for decades, originally with Brit-funk pioneers Cymande back in the 1800s, and has held down the groove for names such as Chaka Khan, Eddie Floyd, Robert Plant, Imelda May and many more.

Sam and his crack band will be playing tracks from their Funkin’ Off The Blues album, which was released earlier this year and a splendid time is guaranteed for all tonight.

Tickets are £10.50 from the box office on 01308 428354.

And talking of quality musos (seamless link, thanks..) we’re in for a treat next Thursday, November 10 when blues guitarist Sunjay graces the Royal Portland Arms on Portland with his amazing skills.

Since being nominated in the BBC’s Young Folk Musician award in 2012, the Derby-born finger-picker has been picking up prizes and accolades for fun.

It’s quite a coup for the pub to have an artist of this calibre, it’s free admission and Big Al Whittle’s supporting, so what’s not to like?

And finally, you, yes, YOU, have to chance to be preserved for all time tomorrow night, Saturday, November 5 when John Stone and his band Stone (how on earth did they think that one up?) will be recording their gig at The Boat That Rocks at Portland Marina.

John will be unleashing more of his sparkling and well-crafted material with the help of Ady Milward on drums, Mark Phillips on guitar, Joe Isaacs on bass, and, of course, you, a-whoopn’ and a-hollerin’ for this fine body of bluesy, country and pop work.

Till next time…

TONIGHT (4)

King Leviathan, Fissure of Riddles, Hummune, Terran Spacer (Finns, Weymouth)

Sam Kelly’s Station House (Electric Palace, Bridport)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Andy Quick Trio (Boat That Rocks, Portland Marina)

Tony England (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Sheryl Lee (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Zoe Schwarz and Blue Commotion (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Acoustic Session (Victoria Inn, Chickerell, Weymouth)

The Remedy (Park, Weymouth)

Dr Robert (Rum Shack, Weymouth)

Acoustic Rooster (Ropemakers, Bridport)

SATURDAY (5)

Catfish Keith (Corn Exchange, Dorchester)

Surfing Birds (Finns, Weymouth)

Slipstream (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

The Dolmen (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Woodchuck (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Johnny King (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

New Era (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

The Silhouettes (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Park, Weymouth)

Neil Wale (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Stone (Boat That Rocks, Portland Marina)

Shooter (George, Dorchester)

Finn (Bridge Inn, Preston, Weymouth)

Steve Simpson: One Bloke One Mandolin (Ropemakers, Bridport)

SUNDAY (6)

Owen Lister (Revolutions, Trinity Road, Weymouth) 1pm.

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, St Nicholas St, Weymouth) From 3pm.

Sheryl Lee’s Sunday Club (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 7pm.

Bitter and Twisted (Britannia, Portland) 4.30pm.

The Duke and The Broad (King’s Arms, Weymouth) 5pm.

Ann and Norm (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth) 5pm.

Wildwood Jack (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

MONDAY (7)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (8)

Dougie Cooper’s Jazz Night (The Star, Weymouth)

Du Kane (Boot, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (9)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Open Mic (Bull, Fordington, Dorchester)

THURSDAY (10)

Seth Lakeman, Wildwood Kin (Electric Palace, Bridport)

Sunjay (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Leggomen (George, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic (George, Dorchester)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

FRIDAY (11)

Punk On Your Hits (Finns, Weymouth)

Martin Maton (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

The Shakespearos (Kings Arms, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Karen (Park, Weymouth)

Lewis Craven Band (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)