A WOMAN? Playing the guitar? Good grief, they’ll be getting the vote next.

That’s the typical reaction of any old duffer the first time they hear Chantel Macgregor, who was voted guitarist of the year AND female vocalist of the year at the prestigious 2013 British Blues awards.

And blow me down, chase me round and call me Barbara, can she make that axe howl.

She’s got the tone of Robin Trower, the inspiration of Hendrix, the energy of Joe Bonamassa and the haunting vocals of a digitally remumbled Stevie Nicks.

Yep, she’s got the Jewson lot.

Chantel was turned down by many major labels at the age of just 14, being told: “Great voice, but girls don’t play guitar like that.”

Which is precisely the point, you doofusses! (Or is it doofi?) Anyways, she enrolled at the renowned Leeds College of Music, becoming the first student to achieve a 100 per cent pass mark with 18, count ‘em, EIGHTEEN distinctions.

She’s currently touring the UK and you can give your earholes and eyeholes a right treat when she plays at The Electric Palace in Bridport next Thursday, September 11. Tickets are £12 and available from the box office on 01308 424901.

Now then, singer/songwriter, guitarist, bassist and all-round decent dude Steve Wilson has been rockin’ and rollin’ round these parts since arriving from Corby by spaceship along with the Little Green Men back in the 1880s.

And tonight, Friday, September 5, Steve and his quality band will be hosting a rather cool evening down at his local boozer, the Old Ship at Upwey in Weymouth.

He’ll be raising money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, a cause which is very close to his heart.

As Steve tells me: “A good friend of ours passed away earlier this year. It was so sudden and she was so young, with a young family too, and my wife and I felt we should do something in her memory.

“Next week, we’ll be walking 23 miles of the Jurassic Coast to raise money and tonight, I’ll be playing many of my songs with my band and some special guests.

“We’ll also be doing a request spot where punters can make a donation, and we’ll play whatever they want to hear.”

It promises to be a splendid evening, but if you can’t get there tonight and put your hand in your pocket for this very worthy cause, you can donate at justgiving.com/ steve-wilson17 or by text wils65 to 70070.

Till next time...

NICK HORTON