A RISING Clacks blues star is set to host a concert in October as he ramps up a fundraising drive in a bid to perform his “dream gig” in Mississippi.

Gator Aid will go ahead at The Royal Oak in Alloa on October 29 with a range of acts to appear on stage as organiser Iain Donald, stage name The Gator, is raising funds to perform at the Alice Mae Festival in Ripley, Mississippi.

In what promises to be a night packed full of talent, there will be a range of acts appearing from around Clacks and further afield.

On the bill for the night is Martin Mullady, the Wee County man who this year unleashed his debut solo single, top Clacks talent Danny Wilson and guitarist and singer Graeme Campbell.

Adding to the list will be Wee County band Deltamanic, The Folk Drama, as well as singer and songwriter Barry Honeyman.

With a wide range of styles from Scottish traditional to contemporary, Comrie musician Audrey McGregor Williams has also been confirmed along with Dave Stewart, Mike Gordon and The Write Angle.

The Gator's fiancée Fiona Gault, also known as Gaulty, is also supporting the event and is featuring the artists on her Dunoon Community Radio show on Mondays.

Iain, 36, has been challenging his hardships into his powerful delta blues music and has been invited to the Alice Mae Festival by organising artist Garry Burnside.

It came after he and his partner, Scotland's bluesome twosome, interviewed the musician on their radio show.

Garry Burnside, who is credited with inventing Hill Country blues, is one of the youngest sons of blues singer, songwriter and guitarist RL Burnside.

It is a lifetime opportunity for Iain, who has been gaining recognition with his delta blues.

On his fundraising page, The Gator said: “I've been a struggling blues musician all my life and my greatest influences have included artists like RL Burnside and Garry Burnside.

“After recent hardships like losing my parents, the costs that it presented and having to move house this opportunity is one I'm desperate to take and quite simply can't afford it.”

Doors will open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start on the night of the charity gig.

Tickets are £10 each, available from The Royal Oak or the artists.

Visit bit.ly/3y8HZWbto support The Gator's fundraiser directly.