HE is one of Scotland’s most influential and well-respected songwriters of the past four decades.

And now Rab Noakes is set to make a date with Selkirk’s String Jam Club.

The veteran musicians has firmly established himself as a prolific and gifted writer of hook-laden songs.

He’s collaborated with the likes of Lindisfarne, Gerry Rafferty, Stealers Wheel, Barbara Dickson and Michael Marra to name a few over the past 30 or 40 years.

And he’s also released 19 highly-acclaimed albums since bursting onto the scene back in 1970.

Allie Fox from the String Jam Club is delighted to have Rab playing next month. She said: “Rab Noakes has made a remarkable contribution to music over the last 35 years in many ways.

“It is the live shows that are the beating heart of his music, and his intense and compelling style always works its magic on audiences, never failing to 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 also make you feel you have seen and heard something extraordinary.” The String Jam Club has already staged two sell-out shows in its new County Hotel home since moving from Galashiels last year.

It is expected that the ticket demand will be just as high for the Noakes gig on Saturday, March 8.

Allie added: “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 himself, it is easy to see why his repertoire has been described as ‘a roots festival in itself’.” Tickets, priced at £10, are available by phone on 01750-721233, or in person at the County Hotel.