TIM Porter is a busy man on Mondays. When he's not at his day job as a graphic designer in Banbury, he's in the pub.

He doesn't have that much time for drinking, though, as he's preoccupied with looking after the musical acts he's booked to play at the George Hotel in Lower Brailes.

A harmonica player in his own band, the Workhouse Blues Band, his hobby (if that's the right word) as an amateur promoter began some five or six years ago with a series of acoustic nights he organised at the pub.

Since landlord Brian Cocken moved in three years ago, the music has gone from strength to strength with acts on just about every Monday night and on other days too.

"I play harmonica and my wife, Helen, teaches piano, so we are generally interested in music," said Tim.

"One of the things that has been a real catalyst is that the landlord is interested in music and you have got to have an interest because it isn't really a money-making venture.

"It is more of a service for people to try to do something interesting."

Since the music nights began, interest from lovers of the blues and jazz-style music he promotes has grown massively.

Tim said: "We are quite well known now because we advertise in specialist magazines.

"I get three or four calls every night without fail from people wanting to play."

The George has now become a firm fixture on the circuit with well-known names from the Blues scene now queuing up to play, including touring American and Canadian acts.

'Name' acts include Mike Sanchez and Kent DuChaine.

Monday nights fit well into the acts' schedule as they are often gig-free evenings for them.

Tim is keen to ensure that all the acts he puts on meet a certain standard and he said: "Most people will send a CD or have a reputation that precedes them.

"Because I know a bit about it, I will either have heard of them or a friend will. I always try to listen to the band first."

He is equally keen to make sure that local bands get the chance to play in public and said: "There are very few venues for people to play at, especially local bands and performers, so it is giving a platform for them, as well as getting some bigger acts too."

Some of those local acts, says Tim, could go on to bigger things.

Top tips for stardom include the Bluetits led by young Brailes guitarist Oliver Cheney and the band, Franksound.

Now the George attracts people from far and wide and Tim says there have only been two or three from the hundreds of shows when he has felt uneasy because of a low attendance.

He has also acted as a promoter for other venues, with occasional music nights at the White Bear in Shipston and occasionally at Brailes village hall. He has also helped to organise the now-annual Shipston proms.

Forthcoming attractions include The Mean Fiddlers, who will play from 2 to 4pm on Sunday at the George, the same day Mainstreet appear at the White Bear. The next night (October 15) sees a visit to the George by American guitarist Mary Flower, from Denver, Colorado, who has attracted rave reviews for her finger picking and lap-style slide guitar.