Calling All Southern/south Coast Soulies

[Russ Vickers]

Calling all Southern Soulies with a genuine interest & love for our music & scene (altho other opinions from across the globe appreciated).

Amongst a plethora of Soul Nights right across the South Coast area from Bournemouth, thru Southampton, Portsmouth & down the coast to Brighton there are a plethora of Soul Nights, mainly oldies & so called 'Across The Board' nights, there are good, bad & indifferent, depending on your personal preference,,,,,,,,,What I am interested in is:

What would make an event 'A Must Attend' promotion ? or what would stop you attending or do you just not care & you go where ever when ever depending when you go out & whats on ?.

Would it be the promoter, venue, the music policy (what would be your preference ?), the DJ's & would a top national & or international DJ line up make any difference to you ?. How often should an event be held, monthly or just a few times a year, making it special.

What I'm really interested in, is what would really WOW you into definitley getting behind a venue & seeing it fly, making it your preferred venue above all others.......

No politics now.....just constructive opinions, I'm genuinely interested in what you think would really get the area buzzing & behind a venue & particular music policy & DJ's & its your chance to voice your choice & opinions on what would get you ot n excited !!!.

Looking forward with great interest to peoples genuine thoughts

Russ

Edited November 10, 2011 by Russ Vickers

[Guest BAKUNIN]

Calling all Southern Soulies with a genuine interest & love for our music & scene (altho other opinions from across the globe appreciated).

Amongst a plethora of Soul Nights right across the South Coast area from Bournemouth, thru Southampton, Portsmouth & down the coast to Brighton there are a plethora of Soul Nights, mainly oldies & so called 'Across The Board' nights, there are good, bad & indifferent, depending on your personal preference,,,,,,,,,What I am interested in is:

What would make an event 'A Must Attend' promotion ? or what would stop you attending or do you just not care & you go where ever when ever depending when you go out & whats on ?.

Would it be the promoter, venue, the music policy (what would be your preference ?), the DJ's & would a top national & or international DJ line up make any difference to you ?. How often should an event be held, monthly or just a few times a year, making it special.

What I'm really interested in, is what would really WOW you into definitley getting behind a venue & seeing it fly, making it your preferred venue above all others.......

No politics now.....just constructive opinions, I'm genuinely interested in what you think would really get the area buzzing & behind a venue & particular music policy & DJ's & its your chance to voice your choice & opinions on what would get you ot n excited !!!.

Looking forward with great interest to peoples genuine thoughts

Russ

Hello Russ,

Rob Sawetz here mate,

You certainly dont lose your enthusiasm mate do you.

Its been a wish of mine to get something going in Newbury again as you know but well it has been like "waking the dead"at times .

What would I like to see and more important what do I think the folks out there want in order to make it work?

EXCLUSIVITY IS IMPORTANT cannot be seen as "just another do"

So venue that has 60s club atmosphere (downstairs cellar type/ Catacombs sort of thing)

So particular style of music rare 6os soul/rnb of all tempos for me

So particular types of people that like that sort of thing ie. our age group 40-60 (has to be said thats the core of our scene isnt it?)

therefore make the club membership only

So djs of a particular ilk and relevant music will come forth (and if I am not mistaken that will include most of the top well known ones and their followings

So I reckon once every month for a small/moderate size club 400 members max would lend itself to exclusivity

Just my opinion really.

Probably whistling in the wind but only because I hanker for the good old days like the majority out there but who funnily enough dont venture out much in the South precisely because they cannot find such a place!

ATB

ROB

[Winnie :-)]

Is this thread exclusively for southern soulies Russ, although I don't travel any more, there's nothing to say I won't again in the future. Just asking

[Trev Thomas]

greety on the d.j. line up would get my vote

[Russ Vickers]

Hello Russ,

Rob Sawetz here mate,

You certainly dont lose your enthusiasm mate do you.

Its been a wish of mine to get something going in Newbury again as you know but well it has been like "waking the dead"at times .

What would I like to see and more important what do I think the folks out there want in order to make it work?

EXCLUSIVITY IS IMPORTANT cannot be seen as "just another do"

So venue that has 60s club atmosphere (downstairs cellar type/ Catacombs sort of thing)

So particular style of music rare 6os soul/rnb of all tempos for me

So particular types of people that like that sort of thing ie. our age group 40-60 (has to be said thats the core of our scene isnt it?)

therefore make the club membership only

So djs of a particular ilk and relevant music will come forth (and if I am not mistaken that will include most of the top well known ones and their followings

So I reckon once every month for a small/moderate size club 400 members max would lend itself to exclusivity

Just my opinion really.

Probably whistling in the wind but only because I hanker for the good old days like the majority out there but who funnily enough dont venture out much in the South precisely because they cannot find such a place!

ATB

ROB

Brilliant reply & just what I was after Rob, thank you for taking the trouble. Hope you are well.

ATB

Russ

[Russ Vickers]

Is this thread exclusively for southern soulies Russ, although I don't travel any more, there's nothing to say I won't again in the future. Just asking

No Win, as stated in the original post, all positve opinions eagerly awaited, altho I'm very interested in the South Coasts contingents opinions particularly.

Best Russ

[Winnie :-)]

cheers, I'll have a think

[Guest]

Pay my train fare

[Russ Vickers]

greety on the d.j. line up would get my vote

Hey Trev, mine too buddy, thx for the reply.......where you from BTW Southampton by any chance ?.....what else do you want from your Soul Night out mate.....just interested.

Best Russ

Edited November 10, 2011 by Russ Vickers

[Russ Vickers]

Pay my train fare

Well Ken, you would be on any guest list of mine mate........

Best Russ

[Guest]

Well Ken, you would be on any guest list of mine mate........

Best Russ

Cheers Russ, i was only messin' anything you come up with i'll try to be there no messin' good luck.

[Russ Vickers]

Cheers Russ, i was only messin' anything you come up with i'll try to be there no messin' good luck.

Thanks Ken, I really appreciate that, I remember very well the 'help' you always gave at the Newbury Nighters & I wont forget that..........

Russ

[Guest brummiemick]

I have very limited experience of events and dont feel qualified yet to say what music policy would draw in the crowds but if it was in the right place at the right time, I would try to get up to 8 people to come along.

As there is a fair amount of monthly competition across the region i would suggest that it should initially be a significant Special one off event with an attractive theme that suggests a major event in the south i.e. "Massive Southern-Northern Soul Revival !!!!" with a great DJ line up and support from regional DJs - maybe with more than one room to increase appeal. In my opinion the more inclusive the event, the more likely it is to succeed.

Another thought would be to consider whether any of the Haven type resorts would be suitable venues as people from further afield might fancy a coastal break (Remember its like the Med down here compared to up North ) If possible try to avoid major conflicts with other events in the region and make it just after pay day! If successful attendees could be polled on whether they would like it to become a quarterly or bi monthly and memberships could then be offered. Apologies if it seems like I am teaching people to suck eggs but these are my views as a newbie fwiw

Edited November 10, 2011 by brummiemick

[Winnie :-)]

What would stop me attending?

Probably a poor venue, I like a decent size dance floor, preferably wood, I don't like over zealous security, seen and not heard suits me. Would prefer it not to be a town centre job ie: nightclub as they've normally already got their own client¨le with fairly fixed ideas, so might lead to an atmosphere?

What would make me attend?

Decent music policy, although I love oldies, if I'm making the effort I'd expect the DJs to as well, so I'd want something a bit different. I'd like a fair bit of modern played and some of the funkier stuff.

Easy parking, I'm very lazy.

Size wise, 300/400 I'd like it to be off the beaten track, not to the extreme of Bretby, more like Sheridans

DJs, if it had Sam, Arthur, Dave Thorley and Dave Abbott on I'd immediately be interested and stands to reason if you have that calibre DJ on, the accompanying ones would be of a similar standard.

Timescale: Quarterly

Yeah that would work for me

[Russ Vickers]

200 hits & only a handful of replies.....your constructive opinion is very important, get posting people, let the promoters know what you want, be specific, yes its your opinion & nothing can ever be everything to everyone, but it will give a broad outline of opinion.

Russ

[Russ Vickers]

I have very limited experience of events and dont feel qualified yet to say what music policy would draw in the crowds but if it was in the right place at the right time, I would try to get up to 8 people to come along.

As there is a fair amount of monthly competition across the region i would suggest that it should initially be a significant Special one off event with an attractive theme that suggests a major event in the south i.e. "Massive Southern-Northern Soul Revival !!!!" with a great DJ line up and support from regional DJs - maybe with more than one room to increase appeal. In my opinion the more inclusive the event is the more likely it is to succeed.

Another thought would be to consider whether any of the Haven type resorts would be suitable venues as people from further afield might fancy a coastal break (Remember its like the Med sown here compared to up North ) If possible try to avoid major conflicts with other events in the region and make it just after pay day! If successful attendees could be polled on whether they would like it to become a quarterly or bi monthly and memberships could then be offered. Apologies if it seems like I am teaching people to suck eggs but these are my views as a newbie fwiw

Mick, the opinion of people like yourself are the most important IMO & thank you very much for posting.

Russ

[Russ Vickers]

What would stop me attending?

Probably a poor venue, I like a decent size dance floor, preferably wood, I don't like over zealous security, seen and not heard suits me. Would prefer it not to be a town centre job ie: nightclub as they've normally already got their own client¨le with fairly fixed ideas, so might lead to an atmosphere?

What would make me attend?

Decent music policy, although I love oldies, if I'm making the effort I'd expect the DJs to as well, so I'd want something a bit different. I'd like a fair bit of modern played and some of the funkier stuff.

Easy parking, I'm very lazy.

Size wise, 300/400 I'd like it to be off the beaten track, not to the extreme of Bretby, more like Sheridans

DJs, if it had Sam, Arthur, Dave Thorley and Dave Abbott on I'd immediately be interested and stands to reason if you have that calibre DJ on, the accompanying ones would be of a similar standard.

Timescale: Quarterly

Yeah that would work for me

Winnie - thank you for that, again brilliant reply & I have very similar views myself.

Russ

[Russ Vickers]

What could make an event different enough to stand out & be counted & make the most important punters, the ordinary dancers & attendees want to attend, in these days were every dancer counts is there anything that will raise your interest high enough for you to really give a promotion a fair chance....we wanna know, so spill the beans.

Russ

[Russ Vickers]

The passion of the promoters & resident DJ's has to be a major factor for me, along with the obvious things like venue etc....I also think there has to be a clear music policy, even if it is very broad the punters need to have an idea what to expect & where the promoters want to take the venue musically....initially the promoter will guide this with the choice of DJ's, but when & if the punters get it, they will drive it along too & eventually if everything falls in to place the venue will take on a character all of its own....waddaya think ?..........I would also add that as importantly, its gotta be a bloody good night out..I know from old, that them South Coast Soulies, some of which rarely venture out these days no thier stuff & party hard..............what would get you back on that South Coast dancefloor again - others would sooner travel these days, albeit a few, but again what would entice you to embrace a venue on your doorstep, your presence is as essential as any & would rubber stamp the promotion maybe ?

Russ

Edited November 10, 2011 by Russ Vickers

[Trev Thomas]

Hey Trev, mine too buddy, thx for the reply.......where you from BTW Southampton by any chance ?.....what else do you want from your Soul Night out mate.....just interested.

Best Russ

originally from southampton, moved to yorkshire 21 years ago, in fact you came round my house once in mid 80's with dickie from portsmouth

[Russ Vickers]

originally from southampton, moved to yorkshire 21 years ago, in fact you came round my house once in mid 80's with dickie from portsmouth

Thats right, I bought watsit on gold Peyton off you for about a tenner......thats bugged me for years who you were, do you still hear from Dickie ?. Bloody hell, you have a great memory Trev.

Best Russ

Edited November 10, 2011 by Russ Vickers

[Trev Thomas]

Thats right, I bought watsit on gold Peyton off you for about a tenner......thats bugged me for years who you were, do you still hear from Dickie ?. Bloody hell, you have a great memory Trev.

Best Russ

george "juke" byrd - i know im in love with you. not seen dickie for years, probabally only saw him a couple of times after that day

[Tim Smithers]

Dj's with passion and imagination ( which is sadly lacking down south ), playing original vinyl, large venue for all the traverling soulies, a promoter who likes the music more than the money, oldies and lesser played in the same room and a ban on all events in the south up to a month before lol to keep everybody hungry for there soul

[Guest]

russ...why do you only mention the south coast?..theres plenty of soulies in the south but not all live on the coast....brighton gets a mention but there are hardly any from that area that travel

moldie

[Chalky]

greety on the d.j. line up would get my vote

Greety did a great set at Lifeline Has the knowledge and experience, something no amount of money or hot box can buy.

[Russ Vickers]

russ...why do you only mention the south coast?..theres plenty of soulies in the south but not all live on the coast....brighton gets a mention but there are hardly any from that area that travel

moldie

I only mention the South Coast area specifically, but not exclusively, as traditionally it is/was a hotbed of soulful activity, not intending to leave areas out, but that was my stomping ground for Soul Nights & there was always a big following that would usually all be at the better events......

Russ

[Russ Vickers]

Dj's with passion and imagination ( which is sadly lacking down south ), playing original vinyl, large venue for all the traverling soulies, a promoter who likes the music more than the money, oldies and lesser played in the same room and a ban on all events in the south up to a month before lol to keep everybody hungry for there soul

I'm with you on that one my friend, unfortunately I dont think many of the promoters would even consider working together on that one, altho it would be a fantastic aspiration........hope you are well buddy.

Best Russ

[Russ Vickers]

george "juke" byrd - i know im in love with you. not seen dickie for years, probabally only saw him a couple of times after that day

He got heavy into the Rave scene & never really got back into the soulful fold so to speak, I've seen him maybe a handful of times since the early 9ts. I think I also bought the Montclairs of you that day too ?. How did you know Dickie BTW ?.

Best Russ

[Guest]

I only mention the South Coast area specifically, but not exclusively, as traditionally it is/was a hotbed of soulful activity, not intending to leave areas out, but that was my stomping ground for Soul Nights & there was always a big following that would usually all be at the better events......

Russ

well i attended the blue lagoon,cagneys and various other soul events on the coast and imvho there wasnt many that frequented both of those

the chat about a large SOUTHERN EVENT was talked about ages ago...all the local promoters were invited to air there views etc but nothing ever came of it

i remember tom powers and i plus dave and steve plus a few others having a chat...cant remember off hand who suggested every team of promoters putting money into an event...on one of the piers if i remember rightly

moldie

[Russ Vickers]

Greety did a great set at Lifeline Has the knowledge and experience, something no amount of money or hot box can buy.

Top man Greety with awesome taste.....its them Yate boys ya know .

Russ

[Russ Vickers]

well i attended the blue lagoon,cagneys and various other soul events on the coast and imvho there wasnt many that frequented both of those

the chat about a large SOUTHERN EVENT was talked about ages ago...all the local promoters were invited to air there views etc but nothing ever came of it

i remember tom powers and i plus dave and steve plus a few others having a chat...cant remember off hand who suggested every team of promoters putting money into an event...on one of the piers if i remember rightly

moldie

Well its been something I have had on the backburner for many years, unfortunately to fill the place would take a good 500+, very few would attend without a very good DJ line up & I'm afraid there might be too many egos & musical differences to pull it off successfully.

Ironically when I was gauging opinion on Karens site, it only managed in making me realise that many promoters were not prepared to put there own self interests to one side for the better good of the scene...............hey ho, no biggie for me, my main interest is the SOUL & where I can get a good fix, at present I travel for it, but in the past would also do plenty of local soul nights too, not many that inspire me these days though, I'm willing to be proved wrong though & in some respects my initial question is about that.....I've been attending events down south since 1978 ish, way before the time period your speaking about, so not specifically about that era.......altho during the Blue Lagoon period if you got 60 in on the South Coast you'd had a major result.........dont forget it was just pre retunees & well before handbaggers .

Best Russ

[Guest]

Well its been something I have had on the backburner for many years, unfortunately to fill the place would take a good 500+, very few would attend without a very good DJ line up & I'm afraid there might be too many egos & musical differences to pull it off successfully.

totally agree with that statement

Ironically when I was gauging opinion on Karens site, it only managed in making me realise that many promoters were not prepared to put there own self interests to one side for the better good of the scene.........

i dont recall you asking many if any promoters from round this area...less than 50 miles from the coast.....

.....hey ho, no biggie for me, my main interest is the SOUL & where I can get a good fix,

as is mine

at present I travel for it, but in the past would also do plenty of local soul nights too, not many that inspire me these days though, I'm willing to be proved wrong though & in some respects my initial question is about that.....I've been attending events down south since 1978 ish, way before the time period your speaking about, so not specifically about that era

i was attending events at that time too but not really on south coast......bedford..hinkly etc

.altho during the Blue Lagoon period if you got 60 in on the South Coast you'd had a major result.........dont forget it was just pre retunees & well before handbaggers .

i remember going to the lagoon and cagneys when they had well over 60 through the door

Best Russ

atb moldie

[Russ Vickers]

atb moldie

Not quite sure what points you are making here, if you have any contributions to make with specific regard to the initial post would love to hear them .

Best Russ

[Guest]

Not quite sure what points you are making here, if you have any contributions to make with specific regard to the initial post would love to hear them .

Best Russ

im replying to your posts russ...thought that was the point of a forum...if you can raise a point surely i can reply to it

the whole south coast scene is dis-jointed....5/6 different promoters all telling everybody that will listen that there event is the best...promoters telling others what they should or shouldnt listen too....ive been to nearly all the events on south coast and you certainly wouldnt get anywhere near 500+ soulies from those events......you can get all the big name djs too but would ppl travel when most can be heard week in week out in the midlands and noth wards

moldie

[Guest]

RUSS...A very good question and one that is obviously very close to our hearts...I will respond properly before luchtime tomorrow mate but I think there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed ...

All the best

RICH

[Russ Vickers]

Any how its 2.30 here & its now officially my 50th Birthday......I'm off to bed now, so look forward to reading some great constructive posts in the morning..........

Night, night........hic !!!

Best Russ

[Guest]

Any how its 2.30 here & its now officially my 50th Birthday......I'm off to bed now, so look forward to reading some great constructive posts in the morning..........

Night, night........hic !!!

Best Russ

happy birthday russ......50?...you look older lolololololol

[Russ Vickers]

RUSS...A very good question and one that is obviously very close to our hearts...I will respond properly before luchtime tomorrow mate but I think there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed ...

All the best

RICH

I'll looking forward to that mate.speak soon......

Russ

[Russ Vickers]

happy birthday russ......50?...you look older lolololololol

Its been a hard life, 8 hours on the train to Wigan from Fareham in '78 via Reading !!!

Russ

[Guest]

Its been a hard life, 8 hours on the train to Wigan from Fareham in '78 via Reading !!!

Russ

thats something you never get over lolol

moldie

[Guest]

there is a strong following down here in Plymouth and the few events i've been involved in has had fantastic results. The Plymouth crew are regular travellers and think nothing of going up north to get their fix ... also attending the Bridgwater nights. At a guess, if you were to get the right DJ's in and it didnt clash with Bridgwater or Keele, I think you may have a chance of them attending even though it is a nightmare journey.

you mention about the politics in your opening post Russ ... but i'm sure you are aware that politics among the organisers around some parts of the south coast is present ... getting them all together is a non starter imho. it would need something fresh like you are proposing and getting the right mix of DJ's. Just my opinion for what its worth. Also, I think adding Nik Mac to the line up would pull in some of the old crowd, he is known and respected and i think that showed when he organised 'We've Got Soul Baby' events

regards,

mike

[Russ Vickers]

there is a strong following down here in Plymouth and the few events i've been involved in has had fantastic results. The Plymouth crew are regular travellers and think nothing of going up north to get their fix ... also attending the Bridgwater nights. At a guess, if you were to get the right DJ's in and it didnt clash with Bridgwater or Keele, I think you may have a chance of them attending even though it is a nightmare journey.

you mention about the politics in your opening post Russ ... but i'm sure you are aware that politics among the organisers around some parts of the south coast is present ... getting them all together is a non starter imho. it would need something fresh like you are proposing and getting the right mix of DJ's. Just my opinion for what its worth. Also, I think adding Nik Mac to the line up would pull in some of the old crowd, he is known and respected and i think that showed when he organised 'We've Got Soul Baby' events

regards,

mike

I agree with all of that Mike, the Guz lot have always travelled & I was constantly in awe of the miles they put in to attend Nighters.....

Best Russ

[Guest eddiep]

Happy 50th birthday Russ !

It's now 2.21 here and my 44th birthday !

All the best,

Eddie

[Russ Vickers]

Happy Birthday to you too Eddie.....av a gud un mate

Best Russ

[Guest ritchie]

Check out what Neil Self has managed to do in Gloucester with Soulfusion....

Probably the best Soul night in the country?

Not suggesting a carbon copy but tweak it to suit your locals and make it attractive enough to encourage travellers.. Big name guests ect , progressive modern room,

I really wish you the best of luck

We would travel from Oxford to something worthwhile...

And yes membership is required for Soulfusion

[Supercorsa]

Here's my twopenneth worth..

Off the top of my head I can think off numerous events that have been listed in events, there's Bournemouth Pier & Bournemouth Hotel, Bournemouth Uni, Bournemouth Railway Club (attempt in new venue), Ghetto Soul, The Crown (Southampton Soul Club), Southampton Alldayer, Toddy's Events in Eastleigh & Southampton (sorry can't remember name), That Soul Bar thing in Southampton Town Centre, Gosport Soul Club, Portsmouth Lido, Chichester (occasional soul do's), Portsmouth Modern Soul thingy, Bognor Regis FC, Brighton Allnighters, Patching (Sussex Soul Club), Conservative Club Southsea, Bournemouth Allnighters, not forgetting Farnborough, Bisley and others such as Bridgewater within a reasonable distance of the South Coast.

Out of all those I'd only travel to Farnborough (reason being is a short 20 minute drive down the M3 for me) and I haven't even been there for getting on 2 years!

My opinion is that the majority are either doing it for the so called kudos of saying they run their own event & can dj or they do it so they don't have to travel themselves. Between them all compare how many resident Dj's there are to guest Dj's, and even then the guest dj's seem to be from neighbouring events! This is only my opinion, but the problem is too many are afraid to state the bleedin' obvious.

For what it's worth, I don't think there is a must attend event anymore or is there likely to be, sorry.

[Supercorsa]

Check out what Neil Self has managed to do in Gloucester with Soulfusion....

Probably the best Soul night in the country?

Not suggesting a carbon copy but tweak it to suit your locals and make it attractive enough to encourage travellers.. Big name guests ect , progressive modern room,

I really wish you the best of luck

We would travel from Oxford to something worthwhile...

And yes membership is required for Soulfusion

I don't travel, however when possible if I can visit family in Gloucester and can attend Soul-Fusion on the same weekend then I'm more than happy to do so. I only wish it would finish just an hour later, seems to finish too early. Other than that it's a fantastic evening out.

[Guest BENSON BOY]

Check out what Neil Self has managed to do in Gloucester with Soulfusion....

Probably the best Soul night in the country?

Not suggesting a carbon copy but tweak it to suit your locals and make it attractive enough to encourage travellers.. Big name guests ect , progressive modern room,

I really wish you the best of luck

We would travel from Oxford to something worthwhile...

And yes membership is required for Soulfusion

Have to endorse everything Richie has said,Soulfusion is a jewel, Neil Self has put so much work(and some) into Soulfusion,to make it what it is.

Us guys from Oxford have to travel distances most weekends,and would welcome another venue in the South.

maz

[Guest]

Here's my twopenneth worth..

Off the top of my head I can think off numerous events that have been listed in events, there's Bournemouth Pier & Bournemouth Hotel, Bournemouth Uni, Bournemouth Railway Club (attempt in new venue), Ghetto Soul, The Crown (Southampton Soul Club), Southampton Alldayer, Toddy's Events in Eastleigh & Southampton (sorry can't remember name), That Soul Bar thing in Southampton Town Centre, Gosport Soul Club, Portsmouth Lido, Chichester (occasional soul do's), Portsmouth Modern Soul thingy, Bognor Regis FC, Brighton Allnighters, Patching (Sussex Soul Club), Conservative Club Southsea, Bournemouth Allnighters, not forgetting Farnborough, Bisley and others such as Bridgewater within a reasonable distance of the South Coast.

Out of all those I'd only travel to Farnborough (reason being is a short 20 minute drive down the M3 for me) and I haven't even been there for getting on 2 years!

My opinion is that the majority are either doing it for the so called kudos of saying they run their own event & can dj or they do it so they don't have to travel themselves. Between them all compare how many resident Dj's there are to guest Dj's, and even then the guest dj's seem to be from neighbouring events! This is only my opinion, but the problem is too many are afraid to state the bleedin' obvious.

For what it's worth, I don't think there is a must attend event anymore or is there likely to be, sorry.

if you are thinking of putting one on Russ, the idea of bringing in some 'name' DJ's is the way forward imo ...and as i said previously, Nic Mak as the local attraction for the Bournemouth/Poole crowd

[Russ Vickers]

I've not got any hard & fast plans for any new promotions particularly, altho I have always maintained that when my personal circumstances with regards to actually being in the UK to do something change & the climate locally is right I would like to promote again. I would only consider this however if I felt I could really do something worthwhile.

Every now & again I like to gauge opinions on the area from a soulful perspective, just to keep my finger on the pulse of the general feeling of whats happening & also what people may actually want. There have been some cracking promotions in the area over the years, there are some promoters out there still who have thier hearts in the right place....however IMO its all a bit stale right now, I think an injection of pure passion might be whats needed to reinvigorate a few souls out there, that & maybe a slightly different perspective.......who knows.

Mike - I agree pretty much with everything you have said.

Thanks to everyone else for the great contributions - I would like to keep this going for a few days & I hope there are more constructive comments posted, before I will finally draw some conclusions........wheres Dave Abbott, Steve C, Charmain, Alfie, Bearsy & others, there are lots of folk out there who's opinions I greatly respect who could really add some more insight into this thread.

So keep the opinions coming, so far no bollox either, so would like to keep it that way.

Best Russ