Preston musician Adrian Higham will perform pop and rock anthems at The Hope and Anchor in Chorley Old Road tonight, Friday, from 8pm.
He had grown up watching his father, a session drummer, play in bands all over Lancashire – and dreamed of owning a pub that could host live gigs.
He said: “Watching live music is so much better than the radio. You connect more. It gives artists a chance to grow and show what they can do.
“My family is into music. I like it all, every genre.
“My father is now 71 and still a session drummer. I used to travel around and watch him and his rock band play gigs all over Lancashire.”
Now, Ray is getting to live his dream of having live music acts play in his pub.
“I had owned bars in Preston and sold them, wanting to move else and own a bigger pub that can play live music.
“The Hope and Anchor came up for sale. I didn’t choose Bolton, it chose me.
“It’s been nine weeks since I took the pub over. It’s getting busier and busier.
“I’m getting a lot of new people in and many are coming back who hadn’t been here.
“The pub is very dog friendly and has a large beer garden. It backs onto the Doffcocker Lodge you can walk straight there.
“Older people still call my pub the Little Cocker.
“I like this area. There are a lot of nice people.”
This will be the first gig Ray is putting on.
He said: “I’m just getting my feet. I’m aiming to have live music in the pub once or twice a month.
“I’m going to try and do loads of different bands and see what the consensus is. For now, they will mostly be pop acts and some indie.
“Also, I’m planning on putting on live music, barbeque and a bouncy castle for the kids on St George’s Day.”
Ray is interested in showcasing bands from across Lancashire.
He said: “Since I advertised this, I’ve had loads of musicians sending in videos hoping to perform at The Hope and Anchor.
“I’ll choose an act to play live at the pub next month.”
Punters can look forward to live music acts at the Hope and Anchor next month.
