MICHAEL Weston King is best known for his work in the alt country band, My Darling Valentine, whose single 100,000 Words became a BBC Radio 2 hit, but this month he is heading for Cricklade to perform solo at the new acoustic music club.

Michael has worked with some of the top names in the country music scene including Nick Cave (who many say his voice most closely resembles), Nils Lofgren, John Cale, Steve Earle, Arlo Guthrie, Steve Forbert and Townes Van Zandt.

The singer/songwriter toured with Townes in 1994 and 1995. Townes was guest singer on Michael’s debut album, The Glory Down, with his earlier band The Good Sons. In 1999 Michael sang Lay Me Down as a tribute to Townes on his first album as a solo artist Alongside his music, Michael is a strong political activist and in 2010 released a collection of protest songs called I Didn’t Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier. Following its release Michael has appeared at a number of political rallies and human rights events all over the world, and in 2011 he performed his first live show in China.

On January 25 Michael will be playing at The Old Stables, behind the White Hart Hotel in Cricklade. The acoustic club has been set up by the chairman of the annual festival Nigel Wynne and music veteran Sean Devine. To book tickets (£10) visit www.facebook.com/theoldstablesclub - Flicky Harrison