New weekly Birmingham blues club launched by Big Bear Music given seal of approval by opening act

The debut act at Birmingham's new Blues club called the venue "stunning" with the "best acoustics in the city".

Rich Dickinson's Driving Force were the first band at the weekly Blues at the Bartons on Friday night.

Big Bear Music's latest home for its live music offering is The Palace of Varieties at The Bartons Arms, Aston High Street.

Instantly recognisable as one of Birmingham's landmark pub what most do not know is the upstairs room has near perfect acoustics for live music.

Stroud's Rich Dickinson's Driving Force was Big Bear's choice for the first ever act. As a tried and tested method the audience of the first Blues concert were aficionados who will spread the word enticing more music lovers as each week goes by.

Big Bear Music founder Jim Simpson has got his black book of performers out and every Friday night is booked with talent for the next two months.

He said: "People will love this venue. The upstairs room is just incredible, if it was on Broad Street it would be classed as one of the best venues in the country. The acoustics are just incredible, they knew what they were doing when they built this place all those years ago."

Jim, 87, added: "It is not rocket science, if you put quality performers regularly in Birmingham people will come and see them. Rich Dickinson was the perfect pick to get Blues at the Bartons started."

However, Jim is smarting about the future of the Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival in July, which will be the 41st and final year, due to funding cuts.

And Jim should know he has been putting live music in front of eager West Midlands audiences for six decades. Former manager of Black Sabbath, Jim booked their first tour and helped them take those first steps to global stardom.

The Bartons Arms was saved from oblivion last summer when a local consortium prevented the landmark watering hole from disappearing down the plughole of history. The Bartons Arms has dusted off The Palace of Varieties upstairs which will be hosting all sorts of acts, as well as the Friday night blues gigs, as the owners' vision of turning the premises into a destination pub.

Stroud Bluesman Rich Dickinson was the first act at Blues at the Bartons, he said: "I've never been to this venue before, it is absolutely stunning. What a beautiful place but what is amazing is the acoustics, this is the best sounding room I've ever played in Birmingham and I've played all over.

"This blues club will be a success, I hope I am invited back."

This Friday sees Just Doin' It, and then in June Slide Boy Roy, the Melvin Hancock Band,  Jamie Thyther and the Worried Men and The Honeyboy Hickling Blues Band will be performing. 

Entry is free to Blues at the Bartons.