AT the age of 81 after singing and playing in his native Mississippi for most of his life but being largely unheard of, Leo Bud Welch finally took the blues world by storm when – on April 19, 2013 – he was secretly recorded performing at the 50th birthday of his new manager.

Now a couple of years on and still going strong – Leo is coming to play gigs in Leigh and Southend.

The privileged coup for the area is thanks to his friendship with local man, Ken Willingale, 65, of Scarborough Drive, Leigh who met Leo while he and his family were on a US holiday.

Ken said: “My family did a tour of the south in 2014 and one of the highlights was a stopover in Clarksdale, Mississippi, for the annual Juke Joint Festival.

“We parked at the camping ground and in the morning offered to help some people parking next to us, only to find out is was Leo with his crew and family.

“Within minutes we were helping them set up for our private performance and eventually, drawn in by the music, we found we had quite an audience sitting round and enjoying the show, all down to good old southern hospitality.

“Needless to say, we offered the same should they ever come over to the UK and this is the second year they've stayed with us."

Leo Bud Welch is lined to play at the Railway Hotel, Southend, on August 25, and Ten Green Bottles, Leigh, on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31. Music from 8pm.

Slide guitarist Martin McNeill plays support at both the local gigs.

  • Martin McNeill hosts Monday Blues sessions in Leigh every week, usually at Peggy Sue's music bar but on this occasion at Ten Green Bottles.