HONESTLY, you wait for one international artist of outstanding quality and immense talent, then two come along at once.

Worse than them buses, I tells ya.

First up, and we’re honoured to have a visit all the way from Hawaii of guitar whiz Colin John.

The Transpacific Bluesman, more than an ace on bottleneck, slide, fingerpickin’ and just about everything else you can do with a Tele, has been hailed by Mojo magazine as “ferociously entertaining funked up R&B” and described by Guitar Player Magazine as: “What Jimi Hendrix would have sounded like if he’d quit the rat race, moved to Hawaii and taken up surfing.”.

You’ve got two chances to catch this amazing player this weekend as he’s at the Britannia on Portland tonight, Friday, February 10 and, heading over to the mainland with a gig at The Star in Weymouth tomorrow, Saturday, February 11.

And if that’s not enough for you insatiable minxes, Canadian singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing will be gracing us with his presence next Friday, February 17 with an intimate gig at Sutton Poyntz village hall, just outside Weymouth.

Originally from Vancouver, Stephen was brought up in Ireland and apparently went to school with future members of U2.

Well, that’ll learn him.

A founding member of Canadian roots rock super-group, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, he’s collaborated with many artists including Richard Thompson, Sarah McLachlan and Nick Lowe.

He’s touring the UK this month promoting his latest album Every Soul’s A Sailor before heading back to his native Canada for more dates in March and April.

Blowhard Nation is the first single from the album and as Stephen says: “It’s a roots rock anthem inspired by my incredulity and outrage over Donald Trump’s con-man campaign of hate and fear.

“I’m donating all of my proceeds from the song to War Child Canada, a charity serving the very people Trump wants to turn away from a life of health, education, and safety,” he adds.

It’s an all-ticket gig next Friday so get in quick. They’re £13 and you can get yours from 01305 837299. GO!!

And finally, for those of you of a less nervous disposition, there’s an epic night of metal mayhem at Finns in Weymouth next Friday, February 17.

Headlining are Bridgwater’s extreme metal masters Kinasis, and support comes from sludge/blues groovesters Thieves by the Code, who hail from Brighton.

Also appearing are Bristol’s death metal charmers Embodiment, along with Bournemouth alt-rockers Between the Void.

An impressive line-up and it’s a big ol’ bash to celebrate Fissure of Riddles’ axeman Mark Taylor’s, ahem, significant birthday with all welcome down the mosh pit. Doors open at 7pm.

Till next time...

GIG GUIDE

TONIGHT (10)

Surfing Birds (Finns, Weymouth)

The Darwins (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

The Leggomen (George, Weymouth) and later..

The Leggomen (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth)

Drive By Jamming (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Lucy Harvey (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Aaron Carter (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Matt Black (Park, Weymouth)

Chill (Rock, Weymouth)

Colin John Band (Britannia, Portland)

Side Door Project (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Slipstream (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Paul Gibson (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Fat Marrow Blues Band (Ropemakers, Bridport)

SATURDAY (11)

Jo Harman, Elles Bailey (Corn Exchange, Dorchester)

Black Sky (Finns, Weymouth)

Dr Robert (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Steve Wale (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Paul and Joe (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Alexander (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Stu Walker (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Sheryl Lee (Park, Weymouth)

The Leggomen (Tom Browns, Dorchester)

The Sneakers (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

TBC (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Hunter and The Bear (Boat That Rocks, Portland Marina)

Colin John Band (Star, Weymouth)

Tripod (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Jukebox Junkies (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Revolution (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Powelly, Leggomen (Ayya, Weymouth)

Mother Ukers (Ropemakers, Bridport)

BJ McCabe (Bridge Inn, Preston, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Rock, Weymouth)

SUNDAY (12)

Ratpack (Belvedere, Weymouth) 7pm.

Roger Mac’s Open Mic (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Amy Hopwood (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Sheryl Lee (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

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

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

Replay (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth) 2-5pm out the back, and in the front…

Sarah and Billy (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Johnny Mac (Black Dog, Weymouth)

MONDAY (13)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (14)

Leggomen (Boot, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Dougie Cooper’s Jazz Night (Star, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (15)

Ian Sedwell Remembered (Tom Brown’s, Dorchester)

Jam Night (Belvedere, Weymouth) Come on down and have a play. All backline provided.

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth) Acoustic folk, every Wednesday.

Open Mic Night (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Open Mic (Bull, Fordington, Dorchester)

THURSDAY (16)

Sainty’s Sexi Show (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Leggomen (George, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic (George, Dorchester) With Elijah Wolf

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth) Strum on down from 8pm.

FRIDAY (17)

Fairport Convention (Electric Palace, Bridport)

Stephen Fearing (Sutton Poyntz village hall, Weymouth)

Kinasis, Thieves by the Code, Embodiment, Between the Void (Finns, Weymouth)

Danx (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Freezer (Spice Ship, Weymouth)

Helena Mace (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Charlie (Park, Weymouth)

Andy Grant and Robbie McIntosh (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Drive By Jamming, New Breed (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Bad Intention (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Rich Baxter (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Phil Jenkins (Brewers Arms, Martinstown)