'Music was his true passion' - remembering a popular art teacher

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Colin regularly hosted and promoted gigs in Evershot, Rampisham and Ash, introducing musical genres including tex mex, cajun and rhythm and blues to the area. An art teacher in Yeovil, music was Colin's true passion, and he put on performances by London bands including Diz and the Doormen, Juice on the Loose and Balham Alligators.

Colin was also responsible for getting highly acclaimed luminaries to perform, including Dr John, Flaco Jimenez and Peter Rowan. The memorial gig is organised by Colin's son, Matt Browning.

Matt, who lives in East Chelborough, said: "My dad was quite the figurehead, and his gigs were a great success. People still ask about him and are keen to keep the music going. His big thing was music people could dance to, and he'd get world famous acts to perform. Things petered out after he suffered a stroke and passed away 20 years ago, but we want to keep his impact alive with these memorial gigs."

Matt recalls how him and his brother would help their father run the gigs while they were young, when band members would stay in their family home. He adds: "It was amazing to come home from work and see luminaries from America, like Dr John, sitting at my kitchen table."

The Big Time Boogie will begin at 6pm, with four bands taking to the stage throughout the evening. Colin's friends Eva Harvey and Val Crabb have helped in getting these bands coming to Dorset. Diz & the Doorman will be performing alongside Clay Bottom Jug Busters, Flaky Jake and The Old Malthouse Jazz Band, presenting a mixture of traditional jazz, twenties swing and zydeco blues.

With a fully licensed bar alongside cocktails, hot food, real ales and plenty of dancing, the evening promises to be full of rock, roll, bop and boogie. Proceeds will be put towards the maintenance and upkeep of Evershot Village Hall.

Tickets are £10 in advance, available from www.fannyhatstand.com, or £15 on the door.