Review

The 6th Smokie International Blues Festival was the first Scottish package hotel festival of it's type within a very scenic setting. The lineup include an ambitious  list of 26 artist in total.........John O'Leary's Sugarkane commenced (their set) with a rollicking version of "Born In Chicago". John on blues harp, Dave Day on guitar and stand-in keyboard player Jay Tamkin provided the opportunity for some vittuoso performances on such songs as John Lee Williamson "Early In The Morning"  and the pulsating "Black Cat Bone".......Headliners were The British Blues All-Satrs. Bob Hall led piano shuffle "Riding With The Blues" before Tom McGuinness fronted "Sitting On Top Of The World" with guest John O'Leary.

adapted from a review by Duncan Beattie in  Early Blues (website www.earlyblues.com)

John O'Leary's Sugarkane made it's first trip to Scotland and played on friday night at the festival with regular members

 Dave Day, Roger Inniss, Wayne Proctor

Special guest Jay Tamkin stood in for Jools Grudgings on keyboards. 

In addition John played a guest spot with The British Blues Allstars on Saturday night.