Well, we’re still locked down so no gigs for the forseeable, and, probably like many of you, I’ve lost a few friends alomg the way.  I think I’ve built four guitars for Bridge Street Guitars over the last year and completed my latest one for a custom order last weekend, so that was positive.  I’ll sell the others when the world opens up again.  Here’s a vid of my demoing the most recent one for the buyer.  You can keep up to speed with my builds on the Bridge Street Guitars FaceBook page if you’re into that sort of thing.

I might work myself up to doing a couple of livestreams again sometime soon, so keep an eye on my facebook pages – Bob Bates and Bad Bob Bates

The new album, DeadBeat, is selling well and I’ve been doing well in the IBBA charts (Independent Blues Broadcasters).  Hoping for a review in Bluesmatters magazine soon – fingers crossed.  New songs already coming along for the next one.

I’m seriously considering putting a band together for a couple of DeadBeat full live performances once we get Covid under control and the world opens up again – watch this space.  I’ll choose a couple of great venues for it.  Any venues fancying a bit of BBB solo or even the full band when things are better, please drop me a line – check out the bookings page for the email contact.

Day job keeping me alive for income – hope you’re all doing OK out there.  Stay safe.

Well, here it is, available as a download and hard copy CD from my Bandcamp site.  I hope you like it….

“This one is for all the deadbeats out there— a collection of delusional rants, hopes and fears, and plaintiff reflections on 2020. There’s plenty of fun stuff in there too, especially if you like guitars and bars… Rock, blues, boogie and alt country to die for.   Lots of new songs coming through too so hopefully this album will pay for the next!”  BBB Nov 2020

Worldwide digital distribution will kick in sometime in 2021, once I’ve actually sold enough copies for real money rather than the paltry streaming payouts!

I’ve started recording my new album – at last!  First day complete at The Old Church Studio in Thropton with Adam Forster on the desk and drums on the 13th August  – two tracks in the bag (“Sundown in Santa Cruz” and “The Face In The Mirror”).  I’ll be at Mill Studios in Alnwick from the 26th August for three days with Ally Lee at the desk, then back again with Adam in September all being well.

All contributions gratefully received via – paypal.me/BadBobBates

Hey I’m live streaming (high qual vid and audio) from My Big Bedroom on Thursday Aug 30th from 8pm – 45 mins plus.  Details here and the event itself will appear here 

It’d be soooo good to see you there, but I’ve have my begging bowl out to help pay for recording the new album.  All contributions completely voluntary to paypal.me/BadBobBates  It all goes towards the costs of recording the new album.  Thx!!!

Friday 19th June, 8.15, Tynedale (virtual) Beer Festival.  Starts 7pm and runs through evening.  Similar set up Saturday 20th June.  https://www.facebook.com/tynedalebeerfestival/ 

Check out the beer fest FB page for details.  I’m on solo live streaming from 8.15 on the Beer Fest FB page, but the event runs on the 19th and 20th from 7pm each night.  Local breweries arranging beer pick ups 🙂

Live streams coming up:

Sunday 24th May – Northumberland Day Live Jam @ Lockdown (facebook) – 4pm

Monday 25th May – Barnard Castle Meet – 4pm

Others just as I fancy – keep an eye on www.facebook.com/badbob.bates

Here’s some tunes for you, recorded in between my remote working during the Covid 19 lockdown (early days here…)

Sundown in Santa Cruz and Bruce Richard Reynolds

The Haunting

Your Sister Cried

25 minute live solo set – Delaware Slide, The 27, I’m On Fire, Sausalito, Ace Of Spades, Bruce Richard Reynolds

All dates either cancelled or subject to cancellation and change how.  I’ll be doing the odd live stream on various platforms, and I’m also posting and sharing lots of vids and suchlike on the BBB Facebook page if you’d like a look 🙂

…up the Tyne Valley, just off the train at Corbridge…

So, I’ve been trying out an Acoustasonic.  I figured it might save lugging a large acoustic guitar around as well as adding an alternative/lighter electric (telecaster) sound.  Here’s a couple from it’s second outing – a gig at Barry’s place in Sunderland (Barry from The Futureheads).  Covers I’m afraid.

I’m On Fire

Cheque Book

To Love Somebody

I’m quite pleased, but I’ll not be retiring my Godin in a hurry…

Folsom Prison Blues