THE String Jam Club will welcome Rab Noakes back for his fourth visit to the club this weekend.

The singer is one of Scotland's most well-respected songwriters and has been at the cutting edge of contemporary songwriting for almost 50 years. From his first album in 1970 to his most recent highly-praised 2015 release 'I'm Walkin' Here' - Rab has firmly established himself as both a prolific and gifted writer of hook-laden songs and an original and affectionate interpreter of the American popular music back-catalogue. With material ranging from blues to country, from early Motown to Beck, from Sam Cooke to Radiohead, and from Felice Bryant to the inimitable Rab Noakes himself, it is easy to see why his repertoire has been described as "a roots festival in itself" (The Herald), always crossing boundaries, always committed and focused, and always injected with his own inimitable stamp on songs he loves, making them his own.

 But in the last two years Rab was dealt a major unexpected blow after he was diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils, provoking fears that he might never sing again. After surgery to remove the tumour, a gruelling 30 rounds of radiotherapy and two bouts of chemo, Rab has confirmed that he is now definitely back on the road to recovery and the new album ‘I’m Walkin Here’ was finally released in October. The diagnosis and arduous treatment turned his life upside down, delaying the release of the album, but thanks to his mental fortitude and the support of his wife, Rab was determined to tackle the situation head on, taking one day at a time, ever focussing on the music, working away on the launch date and the design of the sleeve notes. “It kept me going, even through the tough parts.”

Finally, as Rab recovered, his album ‘I’m Walkin Here’ came to fruition in October 2015 and what an album it has proved to be. Unbelievably, it’s his 19th solo album - a double CD containing a mix of new and original material, fine interpretations of other artists’ songs and, as ever, superb production and great guitar-work.

Rab first started singing at the age of six, and since then has gone on to build an illustrious career which reads like a Who’s Who of music.

A founder member of Stealers Wheel with the legendary Gerry Rafferty, he has also been involved in major collaborations with Lindisfarne, and Barbara Dickson.

Releasing his first album in 1970, his most influential release was 'Red Pump Special' - recorded in Nashville with acclaimed producer Elliot Mazer, which remains a collector's item to this day. Always a mover and a shaker in the music business, Rab has worked as Head of Entertainment at BBC Radio Scotland, runs his own record label and media production company, Neon, and is on the Executive Committee of the Musicians Union.

His high profile in the industry and his well-earned reputation as a man who makes things happen led him to curating the outstanding celebration concerts for both the late Gerry Rafferty and Michael Marra at Celtic Connections.

In January 2015 Rab played a significant guest role in the prestigious opening Celtic Connections Concert at Celtic Connections, a spellbinding award-winning orchestrated performance of Martyn Bennett’s acclaimed ‘Grit’ album by Greg Lawson. Later that year year saw Rab on tour, TV and radio as well being honoured by Nordoff-Robbins with a Tartan Clef award for Contribution to Music.

There is no doubt that his live shows are the beating heart of his music. His intensely riveting and compelling style always works its magic on audiences, never failing to engage and inspire. Don't miss this consummate artist live and up close. His fabulous songs, catchy melodies, superb guitar picking and eloquent turn of phrase will not only entertain you, but will also make you feel that you have seen and heard something extraordinary in the presence of one of Scotland's greatest.

The man who has been described as "the closest Scotland has to musical royalty” is well and truly back. This is a great opportunity to visit the String Jam Club at The County Hotel in Selkirk and hear this wonderful artist who, after such a challenging time, is now saying “ I don’t think I will ever stop singing.” The rest of the world is a much richer place for it.

Rab plays the String Jam Club at the Royal Hotel in Selkirk on Saturday, May 21.

Tickets priced £14 are available from the County Hotel 01750-721233 (50p card transaction fee)

15 per cent discount on restaurant meals for String Jam Club ticket-holders between 6-7 pm (advance table reservation recommended).