FROM racking up runs to belting out riffs, former international Test cricketer Mark Butcher is enjoying an unlikely renaissance as a respected blues artist – and he’s coming to High Barn next Friday (Feb 10).
The 39-year-old, who took charge of the England team when captain Nasser Hussain was injured in 1999, put down his bat for good three years ago in favour of the guitar.
Thanks to his high profile in the public eye, he was soon able to rebuild a new reputation for his stellar musicianship – even winning praise from the master of British blues Eric Clapton.
It’s an unlikely transformation for Mark, the Surrey skipper who captained England to victory at the Headingley Test in 1999. Following a car crash in 2004, he suffered a devastating knee injury that never healed, prompting his early retirement.
At next week’s gig, he’s sharing the spotlight with long-standing friend, collaborator and fellow guitarist Matt Taylor. The pair, who now play together regularly, will be performing songs from their combined back catalogues.
Mark’s first album Songs From The Sun House came out in 2010. Produced by Matt, it featured the song You’re Never Gone, which he originally wrote and performed in 2002 for the funeral of fellow Surrey player Ben Hollioake.
He’s also secured gigs with a roll-call of famous faces to make any blues fan green with envy. Among those he’s jammed with are ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, jazz giant John Etheridge, pianist Georgie Fame and former Small Faces drummer Kenney Jones.
Their High Barn gig will be an unplugged outing, but Mark and Matt also play together in the Mark Butcher Band, an altogether more cranked-up venture that’s been praised by critics including BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris.
Matt’s no musical slouch either – on top of running his own band The Motives, he’s performed alongside Boy George, Madness frontman Suggs, and soul songstress Mica Paris.
And the pair aren’t the only big names coming to High Barn this month – the coming weeks will see a cavalcade of talented tunesmiths hollerin’ up a mess of blues at the Great Bardfield venue.
On February 17, acoustic slide player Michael Messer is strutting his stuff, while the marvellously-named Big Boy Bloater – whose fans include Jools Holland, Mark Lamarr and Red Dwarf’s Craig Charles – is coming on February 23.
Music lovers of a more soulful bent will also want to check out Nigerian funk and R&B singer Ola Onabule, who comes to High Barn on February 18.
To find out more or book tickets for these events, visit www.high-barn.com or call (01371) 811291.
