BEN ‘BLUE’ Waters is moving from Haworth to Skipton for his regular Blues and Roots Night.

The singer-songwriter’s monthly residency at the Black Bull in Main Street has finished, but a new event will begin this month at the Cross Keys.

The first gig at the Otley Road, Skipton, pub will be on October 21, and they will continue every two months if successful.

Ben has run blues and roots gigs around the Keighley and Haworth areas for several years, warming up the audience with his own songs, then introducing leading acoustic acts from around the region.

Headliners on October 21 will be Bradford blue/folk quartet Hoodoo Operators.

Formed in late 2014 they quickly released a four-track EP, played some Bradford gigs and was signed to Wide Mouth Records.

Ben said: “Looking to entertain through songs about drinking, murder and catchy hooks, they have gained a big following.

“They have just released a new eight-track EP called I'm A Bum, A Tramp, A Hobo, A Boxcar And A Jug Of Wine.”

The main support act will be Howlin' Mat, described as “every inch the blues man” and fast becoming one of the hardest-working solo acts in the UK.

Ben added: “His wife did leave him, he did lose his house and sleep in his car, he does have no money and his back does hurt.

“So when you hear Howlin’ Mat play you know it comes straight from the heart as he wrings every ounce of passion out of his guitars to bring you his real life tales of cheap hotels, too much alcohol, late nights and fast food.

“This is no fancy fair with the rough edges all polished and made squeaky clean, but the real raw roots deal.”

Ben Blue Waters will play the opening set, starting things off with his trademark acoustic slide guitar blues and boogie.

Elsewhere in Craven, the Marisca Trio will perform a programme entitled From Mahler to McCartney at All Saint's Church in Burton in Lonsdale from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturday, October 15.