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The George Coaching Inn: NYSD Piercebridge weekender. What a weekend! Bathed in glorious sunshine, the riverside terrace set the perfect scene: soulful grooves, modern rarities and 70s gems spun by quality DJs. All overlooking the majestic Stone Bridge on the Tees. As we arrived Ian Craig was playing Ron Ayres funky version ‘For Real’. Julie Ann Niccoll played the magical love song that is: Honey Cone ‘If I Can’t fly’. And Jed Hunt gave us the superb Clausel ‘Let me Love You’. The venue offered a Chill out room, with a full program of DJs providing a more laid back and intimate vibe, this catered for connoisseurs and conversationalists alike. As the sun dipped, the energy moved indoors, where the main room boasted a flawless sound system and an immaculate wooden dancefloor. The DJs delivered a stunning mix of modern soul, 70s crossover and just the right amount of 60s gold. Gary Prescots set included a couple of low rider oldies, the mystical, The Autographs ‘Love’s Gonna Do You In’ and the lesser played of Charlene and Soul Serenader’s, ‘Love Changes’. It was great to see Tats Taylor back on the decks, doing what he does best. Kicking off with Moses Smith’s rhythmic ‘Keep on Strivin’. Included was the fabulous Eddie Billips ‘Ask My Heart and Sam Dees’ expressive groove ‘What’s it Gonna Be’. And a relatively newer release Lady Wray ‘Do it Again’ has a definite Betty Swann type quality to her vocals. Ashtons finest was up next: Simon Ingham, starting with the pleading refrain of Johnny Gilliam ‘Room Full of Tears’. His quality set included crossover gems Fortson and Scott and Tommy Ridgely. And the box office dancer that is True Image ‘keep me Dancing’. Jumpin’ Joan offered a typical energetic set, only matched by her inimitable enthusiasm. The evergreen ‘Brothers’ Guiding Light’. Followed by Walter Jackson’s harmonious modern dancer ‘Touching in the Dark’. And James Bell & Highlighters ‘The Love of My Girl’, complete with funky horns towards the end. Mr Culcheth, Baz Maleedy took the penultimate set. Starting with the floor fillers Innersection and Barbara Lynns ‘Moving on a Groove’. A nostalgic shout out for the Detroit Executives ‘Cool Off’, it sounded superb. Baz also played the classic Oldie Willie Tee ‘Walkin Up a One Way Street’. As a fitting tribute to the legendary DJ and late lamented Brian Rae. Finally, Chalky, some superb choices. With a production that sounds like a full orchestra, the fabulous Jonnie Taylor ‘What About My Love’. A personal favourite, the staccato vocals and heavy beat of General Johnson’s ‘Don’t Walk Away’. A great first night ended with the superb album track Corey Glover ‘Little Girl’. Saturday was equally memorable. Afternoon on the terrace, with tunes to completely relax to, Lou Courtney ‘What Do You Want Me to Do’, Lonnie Hill ‘Galveston Bay’ and the ethereal sounds of Terry Winter ‘Shadow Dark and Blue. Evening in the main room commenced with Daz Carr spinning a few classic gems: The Dynells ‘Call on Me’ and the heartbroken refrain of Rhonda Davis ‘Can You Remember’. Including the soulful tones of T.S.U Toronados ‘Please Heart Don’t Break’. Joan started her set with Archie Bell’s version of a ‘Thousand Wonders’. Modern classics’, Vee Gees ‘Talkin’ and Beloyd. Northern dancers: Yvonne Vernee and Stanley Mitchell. And Phyliss Hyman’s tour de force ‘You Know How to Love Me’ Tats second set gave us the wonderful Ty Karim ‘Lightin up’, the distinctive vocals of Bobby Womack ‘Something for My Head’. And Marvin Gaye’s incredible album track ‘You’. Simon kicked off his second set with the HoneyBees flip and my favourite side ‘Never in a Million Years’. Gladys Knight ‘No one Could Love You More’, literally standing room only the dance floor. Another Motown classic: The Supremes and the Tops alchemy that created a ‘A Taste of Honey’. Concluding with the majestic ‘She Just Sits There’ – Ralph Graham. Baz produced an incredible modern set: Michael Wycoff ‘Looking Up to You’, followed by Kenni burke, GQ, Daybreak. The unmistakeable Wee ‘Try Me’ and not forgetting the Mighty Dells ‘Make Sure (You Have somebody to Love you’). Gary Prescot took us to the finish: The timeless Bottom and Company, followed by Corey Blake, Luther and Randy Brown’s modern anthem ‘I’m Always in The Mood’. A superb weekend of sweet soul music concluded with dancers holding hands and held high, singing aloud to L. J. Reynolds ‘Key to The World’.

Where to begin ……….. Wow wow wow 🤩😯😱🤯 Firstly I’m immensely proud of what we acheived last night. 400 Revellers from all over the place came together to Celebrate the life of the one and Ted Massey We had people from all over the U.K. and even from the states and Europe turned out in full force. We got to the venue at 530pm with people already arriving 🤯 Doors officially opened at 7pm but we allowed people through from 6pm to help with the congestion. Now let me tell you this doesn’t happen anymore like days of old, Ted’s night was on 7pm - 6am and by 730pm we were very busy. By 8pm we were rammed out and I mean rammed out. The coming together of all genres of the scene from the oldies to the children of the night, the RnB the rare to the funk crews. Also fellow DJ’s turning out that wasn’t playing and to promoters of successful nighters, all dayers and various soul clubs from around the U.K. all in attendance to make this night a special event. The idea why I decided to put this tribute event on for my friend was due to the private funeral and many of the soul community wanted to pay their own respects to the maestro that couldn’t do this at the funeral. The idea was only to ever make money for Ted’s chosen charity the British Heart Foundation. I will do a follow up post with the full total of what we have all raised in the coming days. We all have our own ways of dealing with grief of a loved one. Ted was very special to me as you all will be aware as your all reading this. I felt I needed to do something for him to celebrate his life with a gathering he would have been humbled but very proud of what we acheived last night. This night will always be with me as I can quite honestly say we smashed it it was that good Some special thank you’s from me personally : Firstly for the pocket rocket wife, what an amazing woman not long since having major back surgery and she took charge of all administration and control of the door with spreadsheets last night I could not have done it without your help babe 🙏❤️ Ian Pep Pereira for giving up his niter date and venue and working with me for allowing us to put this special event on cheers dude 🙏❤️ Soul Mafia On Wax for their awesome sound system in the venue Hugh Frank Deeley, Rico,Sara and Deano you know how much you guys mean to me🙏❤️ For the epic wristband I choose in Ted’s beloved Villa colours which pleased a few Blue Nose and Wolves supporters 😉🤣🙏❤️ Sara Baker for her guidance, support and advice and helping Kimmie on the door last night love ya 🙏❤️ The DJ’s each and everyone of you played your part and thanks again for wavering your fees and making this night special for us all 🙏❤️ Ted’s family for giving their blessing for putting this event on and having one of Ted’s Niece and husband and their two lads come along, representing his family and to see the love in the room from Ted Soul family 🙏❤️ We had an idea to hang Ted’s shirts around the foyer area which was emotional but so fitting and we ended up selling a good number of shirts raising more money for the charity 🙏❤️ H the door supervisor was brillant as she worked tirelessly randomly doing bag searches and her massive effort in moving cars illegally parked up the street to appease the committee members 🙏❤️ Not forgetting my eldest daughter Pee for her support keeping us refuelled with drinks and food 🙏❤️ We had a shakey start with only 1 behind the bar early doors but we got there in the end. I don’t think they realised the sheer size of the numbers expected in from early doors. Thanks to Lea Hall club and all staff I reckon you had a belter of a bar take 🙏❤️ And lastly to you all who have attended or given donations towards the charity🙏❤️ This night was Truly awesome and emotional for me, the buzz and the atmosphere in the room last night I really don’t think will be matched it’s was as good as it gets 🙏❤️ Thank you all who took time out to personally thank me and the team from good friends and colleagues to so many people I have never met your kind words and support means everything to me 🙏❤️ All I can now say to my bestie looking down on me, Ted would be brimming with his infectious smile, with so much love and affection he would have been honoured and proud what we all acheived last night 🙏❤️ We did our very best Maestro, you will never ever be forgotten 💙💙 Now time to rest heal my broken body and maybe just maybe we do it again next year, who knows a bigger venue perhaps 😉 if there’s a call to keep Ted’s memory alive. We may just do it 💃🎶🙏❤️ Love to you all Taz 🙏❤️💙

A previous open commitment this Saturday meant I hadn’t planned to attend a Soul event, but I got away early enough and was able to get to Dodgers local bi-monthly Soul fest, I’m glad I did. This was a special edition, which included top DJs of our scene with a touch of Northern Soul royalty. A gathering of the great and the good of Stockport’s Soul community made a full house. Friendly faces, a joyous atmosphere and superb music. Gavin Bates got things moving nicely with the big voice of Tony Middleton ‘To the Ends of The Earth’. The classic blue eyed Northern dancer, Micky Moonshine. The ever popular, The Jelly beans. And the seductive tones of Frankie and the Classicals. Guest DJ Simon Ingham, brought his box of magic along, kicking off with Cleveland Robinson ‘Love is a Trap’, the swinging ‘Ive Given All My Love’ by Patti Austin. An artist that doesn’t do bad tunes, Cody Black and the ebullient ‘I’m Slowly Molding’. Not forgetting Kenny Gamble’s stellar classic, ‘The Jokes on You’. The next guest DJ was Billy Mailey, with a top selection that included the harmonious girly sound of The Sparkles ‘Try Love’. The banging dancer, Rudy Love. Mill Evans version of Nolan Chance’s classic. And the timeless masterpiece that is Judy Freeman. Robbo was up next, accompanied by the inimitable Bob Hinsley making a surprise appearance. A complete set that ensured there was no let up on the dance floor. Opening with Tony Clarke’s moody and reflective ‘The Wrong Man’. The refined sound of the Tangiers, classic 70’s, Bit’s and Pieces and Alfie Davison. The powerful and sad refrain of Jewel Akens ‘My First Lonely Night’. The song accredited to Sukiyaki on the 45, which is the original Japanese version of the song. Our host Dodger did the final lap. The catchy sound of James Barnett ‘Keep on Talking’. Classic Island oldie Jackie Edwards ‘Feel So Bad’. A real blast from the past in Sister Sledge ‘Love Don’t go Through no Changes’. I had forgotten how good that sounds when played out. Dodger closed his set, and the night came to a premature end to the sound of ‘The Voice’ aka Chuck Jackson an unmistakeable Levine production ‘All over the World’. A great night was had by all.

Well being one of the chosen 400 to be honoured to attend this event for such a well loved and generous man words fail me to describe the night. We arrived 15 minutes after the doors were opened to find the place buzzing, with people showing their respect for Ted. The whole organising of this event was nothing but superb and the varying music being provided the the DJs was awesome. There was music for everybody, some records known and some new to some of us. The floor was well prepared for dancing and was never empty all through the night. I'm not going to point out any DJ that was exceptional as they all were. I would like to once again thank the organisers for putting together such a tribute to a popular DJ and that it may become an annual event.

One of the most packed soul do's I've ever been to. Totally high calibre of DJ's so the music was outstanding, a wonderfull and fitting tribute to a great man. Incredibly well organised too with lovely little touches like the claret and blue wristbands and, of course, a floor so immaculate that anyone can dance on it without recourse to any outside assistance. Would be awesome if this did become an annual event.

I'm just about feeling human again after a great weekend at Piercebridge. Well done to Harry for all the hard work which paid off big style. The outdoor area with the weather we have wanted for the past three years was amazing with a great array of music across the styles and genres. The crowd so relaxed and loving the vibe by the riverside. All the Djs were just off the scale and the mix of styles was just great to hear, old, new, classics to forgotten to new to the ears, all mixed up and flowing seamlessly, just brilliant. Here are some of what I played across 4 sets inside and out....they are certainly not in order and there are some missing as I just can't remember, I know there were more 60s Carl Hall – Is Your Love Going Or Growing Zingara – Love’s Calling Beres Hammond – Do This World A Favour Lou Courtney – Somebody New Is Loving on You or was it I Don’t Need Nobody Else? Leon Ware – Inside Your Love Jean Wells – What Have I Got To Do Tavares – Too Late Bobby Womack – Love Ain’t Something You Can Get For Free Johnnie Taylor – What About My Love Sandra Wright – Midnight Affair Greg Perry – I’ll Always Be In Love With Love Jack Ashford – This Ain’t Just Another Dance Song Voices Of East Harlem – Take A Stand Willie Hutch – (I Wanted To Be A Rock & Roll Star) Woman I Still Got Loving You On My Mind Odyssey – Our Lives Are Shaped Benny Johnson – Baby I Love You O’Jays – Extraordinary Girl Carl Henderson – How Deep Does It Go Down To Earth – Everyday Perri – Upside Down Perri – No Place To Go General Johnson – Don’t Walk Away Bobby Taylor – Don’t Be Afraid Rance Allen Group – I Feel Like Going On Margie Joseph – I Can’t Move No Mountains Gregg Diamond feat Luther – Hot Butterfly Chanel – My Life By All Means – In Your Arms Marlena Shaw – It’s Better Than Walking Out Lamont Dozier – Why Can ‘t We Be Lovers Peabo Bryson – Crazy Love Tower of Power – It Really Doesn’t Matter Gene Chandler – Love Is Growing Deeper Cory Glover – Little Girl Eddie Leon – Let Me In Your Arms Again Solo – Blowin’ My Mind Ronnie Dyson – Just A Little Love From Me Temptations – Loneliness Made Me Realise Sam Dees – Fragile Handle With Care Aristocrats – Loving You is Mellow Curtis Mayfield – You’re So Good To Me Darrow Fletcher – Love Is My Secret Weapon Darrow Fletcher – No Limit Imperial Wonders – Lord What’s Happening To The World? Marjorie Ingram – Another Woman Involved Seville - Show Me The Way Johnny Moore – It Maybe Tears Of Joy Dexter Wansel – Sweetest Pain Johnny Moore – Call It What You Wanna (I Call It Love) Mistura feat Tiffany T’Zelle – If You Ever Need Somebody Hill St Soul – One Life Bridge – Crying For Love David Ruffin – Anything That You Ask For Tony Owens – (When You’re Wrong) You Got To Pay The Price Soul Stirrers – Trying To Be Your Friend Leon Haywood – The Streets Will Love You To Death

My 3rd visit to Piercebridge and it just gets better...It's all a bit of a blur now but all I can say is Great Crowd, Great Venue, Great Music and a Great shame you missed it if you weren't able to attend! One for the calendar next summer if you get the chance for sure. Thanks to Harry & Chalky for asking me to DJ with them again and thanks to the crowd for putting up with me

My second visit to Grimsargh Village Hall, and it didn’t disappoint. An excellent night with a two- room setup catering for Northern Soul fans and seasoned crate diggers alike. The main room provides a spacious, moody setting with a superb dancefloor and just the right amount of atmosphere. The elevated DJ setup gives it a proper club feel. I didn’t spend as much time as I would have liked in this room, but I did get chance to test the great surface and savour the atmosphere. The DJ’s kept the patrons happy: Gamekeeper Jones playing the incredible Al Macarther, Tony Mundey spinning the dance favourite, the Constellations “I Didn’t know How to”, and George Falzon treating us to some Motown, including the gem that is Francis Nero. I was in the 2nd room for all of Derek Robertsons main offering, and I certainly missed out, his playlist was an impressive selection of sought after tracks: That included the dictionary definition of Northern Soul: The Professionals. The Antellects, The Admirations and the superb crossover track, Eddie Billips ‘Ask My Heart’. The dancefloor remained busy late into the evening. Stephen Condron playing September Jones’ haunting anthem ‘I’m coming home’, the Marvellows ‘Your Little Sister’ and the uptempo Jimmy Seals. The final spot in the main room was taken by Mick Smith, who signed off we a few real nighter tunes: Jaywalkers ‘Can’t Live with You’ and Paul Sindab’s palpitating ‘Do What You Wanna do’. The second room, aka The Dolly room has a different vibe altogether – smaller, more intimate. Here, DJs had the freedom to dig deep into their collections to include some obscure gems and forgotten treasures. Dolly’s first set gave us the rarely heard and serene Party Favours ‘Changed Disposition. Wonderful harmonies with the Vows ‘Tell Me’ and Sunday ‘Ain’t Got No Problems’. New to me, the bluesy Tyrone Wonder Boy ‘If You Don’t Need Me’. Concluding with a rhythmic tonic: Talmadge Armstrong ‘Give it Up’. Gamekeeper followed with the Hypnotic Dream Merchants, Mighty Joe Young and another track new to these ears: Tony Owens ‘I’ll be There’, a soulful forte with mournful horns. Derek Robertson gave us an excellent set, certainly from personal perspective, laced with 70’s gems: Bobby Thurston, Garfield Flemming and j. B Bingham ‘All Alone by the Telephone’. The magical dancer Flame N King ‘Ho Happy Day’ and Carol Andersons crossover diamond, ‘Sad Girl’. Karl Bodi offered up a great mix: a standout was the quality vocal and rhythmic bass of Barbara Lynn ‘I Don’t Want a Playboy’. The deceptively inexpensive Emotions ‘Stealin Love’, the entreating refrain from T.S.U Tornandos ‘Please Heart Don’t Break and The Stafford anthem: The Righteous Brothers ‘It’s Up to You’. Karl concluded with a track I’d not heard before, a blue eyed and a Marleena Dietrich esq ballad Cheryle Thompson ‘Don’t Walk Away’. Tony Mundey’s short set gave us Little Johnny Taylor ‘Zig Zag Lightning’ and another R&B offering this time with a funky groove, Cecil Garett and Fascinations ‘Bearcat’. Gamekeeper and Dolly took us on the home straight. Including some popcorn tracks, the pick of the bunch Clydie King ‘Only the Guilty Cry’. The big production, Jewel Akens ‘my First Lonely Night’. Dance magic with The Invitations ‘Watch out Little Girl’. Followed by the regretful tones of Paul Sindab ‘I’m a Fool’ and Bobby Blue Blands finest ‘I Ain’t Myself Anymore’. A superb night of Soul music dancing and friendship came to an end far too soon, to the sound of Johnnie Mae Matthews ‘I Have No Choice’.

A little late posting but I couldn't not add to what everyone else has said. Absolutely cracking weekend, fabulous weather which is not something you usually have to factor in, but when you have outside DJ areas in such a beautiful setting, it certainly helps if it's 30 plus degrees. Fantastic mix of music, brilliant bunch of people, and a busy dance floor from the off on Friday which set the tone for the whole weekend. So good to see the madder than mad bunch Kev J, Gaz S, Kev C, Colin D, John B, and of course Tats after so many years 😍 Congrats to Harry and all who had a hand in organising such a great event x

WOW WOW WOW The best one yet at Piercebridge, musically right up there with the best !! Perfect Weather and company, what's not to like? As already stated, if you haven't been yet, what are you waiting for? Already looking forward to next year!!