AMERICAN folk star Otis Gibbs is playing a free gig at the Royal George Inn in West Coker on tonight (Saturday).

The renowned singer first stepped on stage at the age of four when he sang Jimmie Rodgers’ country music classic ‘Waiting for a Train’ at a neighbourhood honky tonk.

Since then he has toured across the world, playing everywhere from labour rallies in Wisconsin, to anti-war protests in Texas, Austria and the Czech Republic.

The Indiana native is known for his anti-war songs and radical lyrics, with much of his work focusing on the world outside of popular culture.

In 2004 he released the critically acclaimed album ‘One Day Our Whispers’, featuring the track ‘The Peoples Day’ which was later included in a Wall Street Journal list compiled by Billy Bragg of the Top Five Songs with Something to Say.

This placed Gibbs in the company of Bob Dylan, The Clash, Sam Cooke, and Chuck Berry.

His latest record, ‘Grandpa Walked a Picketline’, was released October last year and showcases Otis’ ability to breathe life into the characters of his songs.

Otis is playing the Royal George Inn as part of his tour of the UK and Ireland.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

For more information click on the links below.