MIXING classic country music with modern satire, Canadian singer Ryan Cook comes to Clayhidon on Saturday (April 6) with a lovely mellow sound somewhere between contemporary folk and dyed-in-the-wool country.

With nuances of pop and western swing, Ryan’s songbook also has echoes of the early hillbilly and folk pioneers but stays very much in the current landscape. On stage Ryan has toured as a solo performer opening for Country purists like Dwight Yoakam, Rosanne Cash and Travis Tritt.

His acoustic live show combines thumb-picking guitar styles, original folk and country ballads and vintage music from the 1940s and 1950s. ‘’If you like Hank Williams you’ll love Ryan,’’ was how Ontario-based Rob Skinner of the Red Dirt Skinners put it when he played in Clayhidon last Friday.

Ryan Cook is at Clayhidon Parish Hall at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm). Tickets are £10 adults, £8 for under 16s and £25 family. Supper is £5 if booked in advance. Tickets are available from Caroline Bendle on 01823 681047 or by emailing [email protected] or from villagesinaction.co.uk As usual a licensed bar is on offer.