Published: Monday, 15th February, 2010 10:09am

Musicians drive to promote live music in Borders

by Ally McGilvray

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THEY are already on the road to success. However, 24-year-old singer-songwriter Craig Jeffrey, from Galashiels, and 17-year-old singer-songwriter Naomi Chapman, from Stow, have just released a new four-track CD, along with Hawick band Up In Arms, as part of a drive to promote music in the Borders.

And, after securing a sponsorship deal with Galashiels garage Ostle's Tyres, they believe they are on the right track.

Music fans are being asked to pay whatever they think it is worth. The CD, which has been released under the Village Hall Promotions label, is being given away in return for a donation after the Currie Road tyre fitters sponsored around 1000 copies.

And, we can reveal, the money raised will be used to fund a new charity compilation album to promote unsigned acts in the Borders. It is envisaged any money raised will be donated to NHS Borders make a difference campaign - which supports health services in the Borders.

It is also hoped to stage a music festival, featuring only local musicians, in Newtown St Boswells later this year.

The tracks on the limited edition album - including Another Day Alone and Saving Grace by Craig Jeffrey, Jet Black Mascara by Naomi Chapman and Dens Away by Up In Arms - have all been written and recorded in the region.

It is expected to go on sale during a fundraising tour, with gigs to be announced in Galashiels and Stow in the coming weeks.

Promoter Bill Jeffrey told the Border Telegraph: "There are lots of talented young musicians in the Borders, as good as anything you might hear on the radio, and they deserve their chance to be heard.

"We were born and brought up here, it's a place we love, and we think there's a big world out there which would appreciate a lot of the music that's being made here."

But he added: "Our main aim just now is to use some of the pblicity that Craig has attracted to showcase some of the other talent in the Borders. We will never get A&R folk down here unless we do something about it and we're in the position now where we can ask them and they will be willing to come."

It is hoped the not-for-profit music festival will be staged in Newtown St Boswells in September.

The ground has been donated by Milestone Garden Centre, a marquee has been donated by the Boys Brigade in Hawick, Amber Tower Entertainment and Spectrum Discos have offered to help with the sound and lighting equipment and ATS have offered to help with car parking.

It is understood BBC Radio Scotland presenter Tom Morton has also offered to compere the event.

However, talks are still ongoing and organisers have appealed to local businesses for their support.

Bill, the father of Craig Jeffrey, added: "We are planning a fundraising tour to raise money for the festival. Ostle's Tyres have sponsored 1000 CDs and we plan to hand them out to help promote the gigs."

It follows on from the singer-songwriter's incredible success over the past year.

Craig Jeffrey, who has been asked to support 80s icons Hue and Cry on their forthcoming tour, has been booked for performances up and down the country following the launch of his debut album Don't Blow Away - which has also received airplay on ITV soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street.

Last month he played five gigs in two days at Celtic Connections in Glasgow - the country's biggest winter music festival.

A review of his performance in the Big Issue said it was only a matter of time before he is listed alongside the likes of chart-toppers James Morrison and James Blunt.

It followed his appearance on the Danny Kyle stage last year.

And, this year, Naomi Chapman followed in his footsteps by performing on the same stage.

She beat more than 300 other young musicians from around the world to win a slot at the festival in the heats of the competition after submitting three of her own songs.

And, after qualifying for the final, she performed to a packed Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow on Saturday.

Speaking on her return, Naomi, who performed four songs - including self-penned track Jet Black Mascara, which features on the new CD, and a cover of Kings of Leon classic Cold Desert - said: "It was the biggest thing I have ever done.

"It was standing room only and I was really nervous but I enjoyed it."