IN 1997 local singer-songwriter and guitar teacher Allie Fox approached Helen Calder at The Salmon in Galashiels to ask if she could hire the upstairs room for a monthly acoustic music session.

Allie's modest idea was to run a small club where her guitar pupils and young local musicians could meet up to network and play together, as well as stage the occasional guest night for emerging singer-songwriters.

Now, 20 years later, the String Jam Club is one of the best-known small Scottish venues on the live music circuit, has been voted the second best gig in the whole of the UK by the Guardian, beating Oasis, and was Club of the Year Nominee in the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2007.

Over an eventful 20 years it has hosted a veritable Hall of Fame, welcoming world-class musicians from across the globe covering many different genres, as well as over 1000 local, amateur and semi-professional musicians who have performed opening sets in the club's coveted support slots.

From 1997 to 2013, String Jam Club met monthly at the Salmon, where Allie took the role of compere and organiser, as well as resident musician with local folk-rock band Eclectic Shock, featuring Frank Usher on guitar, Gavin Dickie on bass and Dave Haswell on percussion.

Bringing other musicians together nurtured many new collaborations between younger musicians at a time when there were very few other venues offering open mic sessions.

String Jam Club provided an environment where young singers and guitarists could network, hone their performance skills and get experience of performing through a professional sound system in front of an audience - not to mention conquering their nerves.

In 2014, String Jam Club moved to its new home at the County Hotel in Selkirk after extensive refurbishments at the Salmon meant that the function room was no longer available.

“It was a very sad day for all of us,” explained Allie, “but we landed on our feet when we discovered the County.”

String Jam Club is noted for the eclectic quality of the music it presents and its friendly atmosphere, its longevity, and for the welcome it gives to everyone who loves acoustic music.

The club has come a long way since its started out in 1997, and in 2017 it celebrated its 20th Anniversary Year, hosting a perfectly packed programme of some of the world’s most adventurous and original music, beginning with South African guitar virtuoso Derek Gripper who has been described as 'the one of the most celebrated guitarists in the world today' and had played at New York’s Carnegie Hall only a few days before pulling into Selkirk.

Amythyst Kiah from Tennessee followed in February on her first major solo UK tour. She went on to play the main stage at Cambridge Folk Festival and recently toured with the Indigo Girls.

March saw the legendary blues picker and songwriter, Wizz Jones, take to the stage – a man of such distinction who at the age of 72 is playing better than ever and with the youthful vigour of a 20 year-old.

Best Duo nominees at the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards O’Hooley & Tidow made a deep impression with their wide-ranging songs and delicate harmonies and humour - it was no wonder that their last three albums made it to Mojo Magazine’s Top Ten Albums Of the Year.

As if it couldn’t get much better, String Jam Club was delighted to welcome back Nashville’s incomparable Mary Gauthier for her third visit.

Described by the New York Times as 'one of Americana music’s most admired artists across the US and around the world', Mary has received standing ovations at the home of country music, the Grand Ole Opry - understandably, she got the same in Selkirk!

In September regular guest and one-man-miracle-man Preston Reed blew the audience's socks off with his unbelievable instrumentals.

The irrepressible and hugely popular five-piece alt-bluegrass band, The Coal Porters, headed back to String Jam Club in October for their fifth visit, and as ever their superb musicianship, seamless vocal harmonies, witty banter and sheer exuberance won them their inevitable standing ovation.

In November, String Jam Club was lucky to book the legendary Mary Coughlan - arguably the greatest singer to have emerged from Ireland in recent years.

The final night of String Jam's 20th year featured songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rory McLeod - the man who opened for Allie when she launched the club at its new home in the County Hotel.

Mercurial, unique, on fire with energy, commitment & the joy of singing, his performance epitomised what live music is all about, and was a fitting end to this special year.

Reflecting on the past 20 years Allie told us: “It’s all about teamwork.

"A whole group of volunteers are now involved with organising the events and we’re always looking for more.

"The club’s regular sound engineer is David Little from Sound Station Studios, there’s a lighting team and there are people who help out on the night.

"Also Borders Chartered Certified Accountants print and help distribute over 200 posters to our poster teams throughout the Borders.

"Professional photographer Michael Fitch of Hainingside Gallery in Selkirk takes photos of each event.

"The club is especially grateful to the County Hotel and their staff who do so much to help and always go the extra mile, including discounts on hotel restaurant meals for String Jam ticket holders.

"It might sound like an obvious thing to say, but we really are so grateful to all who come and support the club, and in doing so help to keep music live in the Borders.

"People are the lifeblood of String Jam Club & their presence is the beating heart of live music. Without you, we wouldn’t be here.”

The music continues at the String Jam Club this week with an Open House concert on Saturday (January 13).

The line-up is still being finalised but will include Kathy Stewart-Kennedy, Ali Rae and Deleerit, duo Neil Macleod and Colin Macfarlane, Seoras Ashby and Frank Usher, as well as Al James and Sue Bremner.

Anyone interested in joining the star-studded line-up should contact Allie on stringjamclub@vixenrecords.com.

Doors open on Saturday at 7.30 pm - tickets from the County Hotel (01750-721233) or pay on the door.