We suppose it was a bit of any irony that the runners and riders in the 6th European Blues Challenge in the beautiful town of Torrita di Siena, Italy, was decided on the same Saturday evening as the Grand National. The bad news being, despite doing the UK proud, Red Butler (picture: John Bull) were unplaced - the winners being Eric 'Slim' Zahl and The South West Swingers from Norway, with the Netherlands Phil Bees Freedom second and Germany's Wellbad (see our Vid Of The Day) third. The good news is of course that Red Butler are appearing at our WRC BluesRockFest at Leo's Red Lion in Gravesend on Saturday 24th September.

With just two weeks to go now to Christmas Day, today's Vid Of The Day is not one for the squeamish! Believe it or not it actually features one-man 100% genuine Blues boogie machine Andy Twyman who performed (with his clothes on) at our very first BluesFest in 2013!

Don't forget that there is still time to get on the WRC guest list at The Onyx Bar, Covent Garden, for tomorrow night's gig featuring Amor & Fisk. As with the first event it will be free for WRC members and there will be 20% off food in the restaurant and there is a happy hour from 5pm - 8pm. The guest list will be limited to 70 so if you want to join us and bring a guest then message us asap in the contact box below. The Joel Fisk & Jon Amor Electro Acoustic Duo originally came together as an experiment in the Summer of 2014, when the pair embarked on a short tour of the UK. The chemistry hasn’t gone unnoticed, as they’ve been nominated in the Acoustic Act of the Year category in the British Blues Awards two years running, leading them to be one of the most in-demand duos on the British Blues Scene.

On this week's Route 66 Track Of The Day, Tim Smith from The Brew chats to host Rory Auskerry plus there's new tracks from their album 'Shake The Tree'. There's also new music from Joanne Shaw Taylor (pictured), Aaron Keylock, Smoove and Turrell, Bad Touch and Blackberry Smoke plus some classic tracks from AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Leslie West's Mountain, Queen and Chuck Berry.

With a review waiting in the wings, today we have some more excellent pics courtesy of John Bull from Sunday night's gig at London's O2 Academy Islington. You can check out Diamond Head's photo gallery here, KilliT's gallery here and New Device's (pictured) gallery here - plus don't forget our photo gallery here!

"No pressure then as they kicked off our fourth BluesRockFest at 3pm at Leo's Red Lion, Gravesend, with already a sizeable crowd in attendance. As expected their forty minute setlist would draw completely on their new album as they opened with the tifter wearing Funkas' cool bassline on 'River' and immediately the Red Lion punters were, ahem, hooked. 'Trust Yourself' with Turner's 'Joplinesque' groovy, gravelly voice and tangible stage presence, was a great foot stomping romp with a great riff from Black. Taj Mahal's 'Leaving Trunk' grooved and rocked in true 60's/70's style whilst 'Brand New Day' emphasised the tightness of a band excelling in all the right places. Black's intro on the album title track took things down tempo with some intricate guitar work combined with Turner's hypnotic captivating voice that saw the appreciative crowd hanging of off every word. Classy." Read the rest of AJ's Born Healer BluesRockFest review here plus check out our photo gallery here.

With BluesRockFest sadly over, we now turn our attention to Wrinklystock V taking place at the Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford on Saturday 26th November. Our 'Monsters Of Irish Rock' gig sees headliners Limehouse Lizzy continue to keep the spirit of Thin Lizzy alive, with special guests U2 Tribe. With over half the tickets gone already - make sure you order your tickets now priced £22 here in order that you don't miss out!

And talking of BluesRockFest - Absolution who appeared at BluesFest in 2013 and 2014 have released a teaser for their new album 'Blues Power' which will be available worldwide on CD and Digital Download via Target Records from next Friday 30th September. Their first single 'Nothing But A Broken Heart' is today's Video Of The Day and you can order your own copy of the album direct from the band here for £13 (plus postage) with every copy pre-ordered before this coming Sunday being personalised and signed by the band!

Rory Auskerry's Route 66 show is back on the airwaves here at 6pm tonight and Rory will be talking to good friend of the WRC - Sari Schorr who we will be seeing at her new album launch with her band The Engine Room at The Half Moon, Putney in London on Monday 5th September!

Today's Vid Of The Day is a new promo sent to us by Gary Seager - a member of one of our LastMinuteBandz - Bad Pennies. A tight, no-nonsense Rock & Blues band hailing from the Medway Delta - the four-piece play tribute to Rory Gallagher, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Dr. Feelgood, Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter plus more - and are available for pubs & clubs, rallies, festivals and events around Kent, London and beyond!

Today's Blues Club Podcast Track Of The Day has another two hours of non-stop Best in Blues with More Music and Less Chat featuring Blues, Rock, R&B/Soul, Swing, Acoustic, Jazz, UK IBBA Presenters' Picks, New Releases and Classic Tracks. Music this week includes Buddy Guy, Keb' Mo', Robert Cray, Sari Schorr, Wily Bo Walker, Rebecca Downes, The Jeremiah Johnson Band, Lucky Peterson, Dave May Band, Thornetta Davis The Blues Spiders, Anne McCue, Richard Townend & The Mighty Bosscats, David Vest, Sammy Eubanks, Martin McNeill, Robin Bibi, The Jon Storey Band, Jack J Hutchinson, The Jive Aces, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Ritchie Dave Porter, Tom Walker Trio, Jeremiah Marques & The Blue Aces, William Bell, The Mentulls (pictured), Mississippi MacDonald, Nimmo Brothers, Auld Mans Baccie, Aretha Franklin, B. B. & The Blues Shacks and more.

With just over 11 weeks to go, Liverpool Doom metallers Conan (Vid Of The Day) have confirmed their place in amongst an already exciting Doom n' Stoner celebration! HRH DVS is a two day, two arena event which takes place at The O2 Academy, Sheffield, over the weekend of 1st & 2nd October. Other home-grown bands to confirm include Vodun, Poseidon, Dusteroid and Sheffield Stoners, Regulus. The inaugural HRH DVS has been sold out since March, however HRH have now decided to open up the Academy 3 for a special unplugged arena, creating a further 100 tickets which were released on Thursday. To reserve one of these last few precious tickets, either book on-line here or ring Harri on 0203 287 4994.