’MASTER of Original Acoustic Blues’ Doug MacLeod plays in mid Wales for the first time in his long career this weekend.

Rhayader Recent Live Music nights at CARAD in Rhayader have seen some of the best British touring artists blow their audiences away. Now it’s time for MacLeod to take to the stage.

MacLeod, an outstanding guitarist, songwriter and winner of multiple Blues Music Awards has been described as “one of the very best acoustic blues exponents in the world".

MacLeod said: “The Blues is a misunderstood genre. A lot of people think it’s about sadness, but really, it’s about overcoming and seeing the goodness in things.”

Promoter Chris Rogers, of the Mid Wales Rhythm and Blues Club, said: “Doug MacLeod is as good an acoustic blues artist as you could hope to find. He does all original material and wows sell-out audiences wherever he plays.

"He’s known for his superb songwriting, guitar wizardry, warm soulful vocals, wit and unforgettable live performances.

"He’s a master storyteller and entertainer drawing on his 40 years on the road as a bluesman, introducing each song with a great story about why and how it came about, painting a picture in each audience member’s mind before then delivering a masterpiece in song.”

Chris added: “It’s a great privilege for us to get such a brilliant artist coming to play live here in mid Wales. He’s currently touring Europe then, soon after playing Rhayader, he heads back to the USA to play some top venues to end his tour.

"As support for Doug we’ve booked the amazing Aberystwyth-based Big Joe Bone playing ’Blues-Grass’ music, a mix of Delta Blues, Bluegrass, Oldtime, Gospel and Hillbilly music using his raspy vocals, hard-driving harmonica rhythms, sublime bottleneck slide guitar playing and lightning finger-picking skills on five-string banjo.”

Doug Macleod and Big Joe Bone play live at CARAD, East St, Rhayader LD6 5ER on Saturday. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.