MILES Salter, York writer, musician and storyteller, will be most familiar to readers of The Press from his sterling work running the York Literature Festival. In another string to his bow, he will be fronting York punk-folk-acoustic cowboys Root 64 at The Picnic, the 2014 Bielby Music Festival in Bielby, near Selby, on Sunday at 7.10pm.

"If you haven't seen the band, we're a bit like the sort of thing that Bad Shepherds and Hayseed Dixie do: souped Americana with a dash of folk music," says Miles.

The band started in 2009 as a trio with Miles on acoustic guitar and vocals, Oz Hardwick on bass and Nick Thompson, from the Buttermountain Boys, on fiddle. They have now expanded to a five-piece with Steve Purton drums and Ron James, who once met Jimi Hendrix and toured with Rory Gallagher in the 1970s, on lead guitar.

"We're hoping for more gigs in the future," says Miles. "Expect songs by Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell, Woody Guthrie and, erm, The Eurythmics on Sunday, when the festival will be raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, so the event's in a good cause."

Bielby Music Festival will run from 3pm to 10.30pm, kicking off with the Barton Community Brass Band and also featuring saxophonist Snake Davis, Pink Cadillac, Vintage Belles, Livvy Rooks, Lucky 13 and Work in Progress.

Doors will open at 2.30pm; bars and burgers will add to the enjoyment; tickets cost £10, children £5, on 01759 318328 or 01759 318314.