Festival 'Keys' man Terry Snowden has been shortlisted for a National Radio Award for the third consecutive year.  

The National Community Radio Awards cover all aspects of radio with finalists representing the production, programming, journalism, community engagement, training and volunteering that reflects the creativity and passion that producers, presenters and dedicated teams bring to delivering local radio while serving their respective communities across the UK.

In 2024, Terry's Forever Manchester Audio Show was shortlisted for the Specialist Content Show of the Year while last year he took Silver in the Sage Presenter of the Year category. 

Winners of the 2026 awards will be announced on Saturday 24 October at a national awards ceremony in Birmingham where Terry and a team of fellow presenters from Manchester's ALL fm have been shortlisted in the 'Live Event/Outside Broadcast of the Year' category for organising and staging a 26.2 Hour Marathon Broadcast involving almost 100 contributors. 

Terry, who recently stepped away from radio to focus on musical pursuits with The Festival Blues Band, said "It's always great when your efforts are noticed and your work gets recognised, so fingers crossed and maybe third time lucky, although in the wonderful world of radio I seem to be more of a bridesmaid than a bride" 

The Festival Blues Band have announced details for their official launch in Stockport. The gig will take place at The Arden Arms on Saturday 20th March 2027 at 8.00pm

The launch event will also feature a support act and include one or two surprise guests. However, in keeping with the bands general approach to live gigs and performances, finer details are being kept under wraps until things unfold on the night.

So it looks like "You Gotta Be in the Room" for the celebration and any surprises! 

When The Festival Blues Band launch at The Arden Arms in Stockport on Sat March 20th 2027 the band will dedicate their first official gig to support the work of Signpost for Carers.  

The Stockport based charity recently celebrated 40yrs of supporting unpaid carers across Stockport.   

A carer is anyone providing help or support for a friend, neighbour or relative who is unable to manage independently due to frailty, illness, addiction or disability. Many see themselves as merely helping someone they care about and often don't recognise or see themselves as carers as such.

Signpost for Carers exists to ensure unpaid carers are recognised, valued and supported throughout their caring journey, and recognised for their work and extraordinary commitment to supporting others.

The charities CEO Bethan Kelly said “We are grateful to The Festival Blues Band for raising awareness of Signpost for Carers alongside providing the opportunity to raise funds at their exciting launch event at The Arden Arms on March 20th.”

Lead singer and Festival Frontman Paul Shelton said "We can't wait to get the show on the road, and being able to help a great local charity to continue making a difference in people’s lives will be an added bonus. We are really looking forward to what will be a pretty special night".

The Festival Blues Band plus support
The Arden Arms - Stockport - SK1 2LX
Saturday 20th March 2027 - 8pm 

DID YOU KNOW: that the original font used for The Festival Blues Band's 'logo' is taken from the Brothers Bold Font Family.

First released in 1999 it is a sans serif typeface designed by John Downer.

Brothers Bold is featured on the band's limited edition  'Original Collection' merchandise.

The design was influenced by the lettering found on the Cole Brothers Traveling Circus who toured shows in the early nineteenth century.

DID YOU KNOW: that the bands original name was 'The FESTIVAL'.

(Blues Band) was initially placed in-brackets as a descriptor.

However, people began using both the name and descriptor together and HEY PRESTO! - They got married and became The Festival Blues Band.  

The Festival Blues Band is committed to 'Keeping Music LIVE'!

This is especially important in a world where times are hard for local venues, their staff teams, and all the incredible local bands and artists who grow, develop and benefit from our local music scenes. 

And let's not forget the brilliant audiences who faithfully continue to support local music and the shared enjoyment it generates.

The role grassroots venues play in keeping local music scenes alive and their part in nurturing the development of some brilliant local bands and talents remains essential. 

Therefore, other than short, simple showreels, the Festival Blues Band has a 'NO VIDS' policy and refrains from posting performance videos.    

We believe in Keeping Music Live and seeing us 'live' supports both the band and the brilliant venues we are fortunate to be able to play at.

Due to a number of complications and planning issues, the original launch of The Festival Blues Band (Sept 25th 2026) has been postponed.  

The event has now been re-scheduled for March 2027 with full details including new date confirmation, time and venue will be announced soon.  

Despite this unfortunate delay, there is lot's going on behind the scenes with a focus on other things such as brand development, a new website, and the introcuction of branded merchandise.  

The delay has also given the band time to schedule studio time to record tracks and produce new material.

Festival Keys man Terry Snowden explained "a number of factors led to the postponement of the launch event we had originally planned".

However, the situation provided the opportuity to get some songs recorded and look at developing a few other things.

So there's lot's going on that can now be incorporated into the band's revised launch plans.

I suppose, in the grand sceme of things, it's a relatively short delay really. I'm looking at it in terms of just a few more weeks rather than months. 

But we are planning to put on a show worth seeing, so it will be well worth the extended wait"

You are welcome to provide feedback and notes for the Message Board via email at Festivalbluesband@gmail.com 

"Really looking forward to catching you guys" - Mike Briggs