Cale Tyson: Jumpin’ Hot Club, Cluny2 Newcastle

NASHVILLE-BASED Texan Cale Tyson is fast making a name for himself, and with a band over-flowing with talent he knocked them dead when he made his regional debut. Supported by pedal steel (Bret Resnick), bass guitar (Andrew Hunt) and drums (Pete Lindberg) Tyson moped up with his exciting brand of bar-room-powered honky tonk country.

Tyson pulled a bunch of songs from his latest album Careless Soul to go with those from Introducing Cale Tyson and added some country standards out of the air. It was an exciting ride, as the boys, headed by the amazing exploits of Resnick won the hearts of the audience as they shared their joy of having completed a month long tour of the UK, and seeing off the Netherlands and other mainland Europe locations.

Whether by way of a pedal steel led instrumental, or when an ever-busy Lindberg showed off his love of Hank Williams and western swing, or when bassist Hunt did a Carl Perkins cover the entertainment level never dipped an inch. When it came to an encore Tyson came back on his own before the boys returned mimicking "rock musicians" as they bared their chests for the grand finale Why You Been Gone So Long.

Support act Tia McGraff and her partner Tommy (guitar, harmony vocals) played their part with a tidy set more mainstream than Americana. Her worth as a singer-songwriter gained a bunch of new admirers and trade at the merchandise table.

Maurice Hope