THE Band Room is expanding beyond Low Mill, Farndale, in its 20th anniversary year to stage an Otis Gibbs gig in Reeth Memorial Hall on July 17.

“We’re going on a pilgrimage to Reeth for this one because this gorgeous Yorkshire Dales village 50 miles west of Farndale is in our DNA,” says Band Room promoter Nigel Burnham.

“Not just because it’s on exactly the same line of latitude as Farndale, and on Alfred Wainwright’s Coast To Coast Walk, but also because it was there, in 1995, we had the idea for The Band Room.”

Raised in Wanamaker, Indiana, Otis Gibbs sings of social justice – or the lack of it – in a powerfully intimate blue-collar style reminiscent of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.

“His sharp lyrics and raspy vocals remind us of Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, but he’s also been likened to Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen... and hell, yes, even Bob Dylan.”

Back at The Band Room, in the North York Moors, near Kirkbymoorside, Nigel will present Kate Young, alias Kate In The Kettle, on May 8 and Chris Smither on October 24.

“Direct from the front line of experimental folk, demon folk fiddler Kate Young is a musical whirlwind, lately seen contributing ferociously feisty violin and vocals to The Moulettes on their UK tour with Bellowhead,” says Nigel. “Before that, she stole the show when touring with fellow fiddlers and harmony singers Eliza Carthy. Bella Hardy and Lucy Farrell.

“Americana singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso Chris Smither had a long-term working relationship with Bonnie Raitt, who called him ‘my Eric Clapton’, and he evolved into a folk and blues synthesist touched by genius. His songs have been covered by Raitt, Emmylou Harris and Diana Krall; he’s toured with Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Tom Russell; and he’s sparkled on disc with Allen Toussaint.”

Looking back over two decades of Band Room concerts, Nigel says: “We’d like to thank all the great acts who’ve played here these last 20 years. Stars like Cerys Matthews, The Handsome Family, Howe Gelb, Waterson: Carthy, Willy Mason, Allison Moorer, Richmond Fontaine, Laura Viers, Eilen Jewell, Mary Gauthier, Peter Rowan and Kate Rusby. And we’d like to thank every single fan who’s been out to Low Mill to see them. We couldn’t have done any of it without you.”

• For tickets and more information, visit thebandroom.co.uk