TROY Redfern, who grew up in the Welsh borders in the shadow of Hergest Ridge, has this year signed a record deal with award-winning Belgian label, Blues Boulevard and this month sees the release of his first album on the label, Backdoor Hoodoo.

The Troy Redfern Band, who will play Garway Live! on Saturday, July 11, began playing live two years ago and quickly gained accolades from world class producers Jim Eliot (Ellie Goulding, Paul Oakenfold) and Charlie Francis (REM) after playing at Hay Festival.

Troy began playing guitar at the age of 12 after watching the infamous over-the-top Johnny B Goode scene in Back to the Future. Many of his formative musical years were spent playing, writing and performing with Joe Gooch (until recently with Ten Years After), when they both lived in Kington.

Having built his own studio in 2008 and experimented with eclectic genres to produce his first two albums, Werewolf Etiquette and Playing with Fire, Troy decided in 2013 to form a band under his own name. Joining him in the band are bass player Stuart McDonald, who played bass in Paul Rodgers' post-Free, pre-Bad Company band, Peace, and drummer Alex Bridge, a student of the world-renowned drum teacher Bob Armstrong. "One of the most exciting bands to have emerged in recent times," declared Blues Matters Magazine.

The Troy Redfern Band will be in Garway Village Hall for Garway Live! on Saturday, July 11 at 8pm. Doors and bar open from 7.30pm. To book, call 01981 580056 or email bookings@garwaylive.com