Mr Ant's Bar

Today’s episode is the second in which we take a look behind the scenes at the practicalities and challenges of providing music in grass roots venues. This time, I’m talking to Richard and Eileen, the proprietors of Mr Ant’s Bar in Hexham.Mr Ant’s has been a success through several years in which business has been difficult for the hospitality industry. As part of their strategy to create a strong brand identity for the bar, Richard and Eileen provide live music every Friday night – usually a solo act or duo performing familiar covers but with room for some original music too. Recently, they decided to take a step forward and put on a full band on a Saturday once a month. In this episode, Richard and Eileen talk about their business and their thinking in developing this side of the live music they offer.I also talk to the musician Colm Charles Gray, who was performing at Mr Ant’s, to learn about the path that took him there and about his experience of playing in this setting.You can follow Mr Ant’s Bar on Facebook. Colm, and his band The Quiet Fire, is on Instagram. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com