A NEW showcase for talented folk and acoustic musicians is being lined up for Stourport.

The scheme is the brainchild of Matt Worley, who runs Worley's Strings and Things, in Lombard Street, Stourport.

He intends the Riverside Folk and Acoustics Club to stage regular events at Stourport Boat Club and has already arranged the first in a series of open mike nights there for Thursday, November 11.

"It's not only a folk club - it's a folk and acoustic club," he explained. "We want to concentrate on more local singer-songwriters."

Convinced there was currently an unmet need within the folk-acoustic market locally, he said: "The feedback we have had has been tremendous."

He added: "It's going to be everything from traditional folk to modern singer-songwriters. We're trying to stay away from pop and rock.

"With the number of people we know who are into the music and the folk stream, it shouldn't be a problem to fill. "

Matt, 25, is an all-round musician himself, counting the banjo, guitar and mandolin among the instruments he plays.

He is working with two partners on the club project, explaining: "We have come up with the idea and done all the work. We have got all the dates for our open mike nights. The first is to try and raise a bit of money for the first band we book. We will have the main opening night early on next year."

Acts already scheduled to perform during the initial open mike night include Barret Hadley, who plays Irish music, and Straff Dance, who plays ragtime and classical guitar.

Jake Flowers, a singer-songwriter who has just launched his own record label, Shackled Ram Records, will be on the bill, as will Pops, who combines folk singing with comedy.

Traditional folk will be presented by Les Freeman, while Matt Worley will also be among performers.

"What we want is other people to come down and do whatever they want," said Matt.

Anyone who wants more information about the Riverside Folk and Acoustics Club can contact Matt on 07951 782592.