PETE Oakley first trod the musical boards in Burton when, as a fresh-faced Burton Grammar School pupil, he became a familiar figure performing floor spots at the town’s folk club.

Now in his 40s, it's been music all the way since for Pete who, as well as having established a national reputation as a top performer of blues and roots material - much of it his own - he has four albums under his belt and runs his own successful music business in Station Street, Burton, supplying the local music community from everything from guitars to glockenspiels and exporting instruments all around the world.

It's a dream that's come true by dint of hard work for Pete, who shrugged off serious health problems in recent years and just kept on singing and playing.

As a long-time energetic supporter of the Burton and South Derbyshire music scene, who is just as likely to be seen performing an impromptu floor spot or playing back-up guitar for other singers as he is topping the bill, it is fitting that Pete’s contribution to the Mail's On The Record compilation was recorded at Netherseal’s burgeoning Pokey Hole Folk Club. Indeed, it is the only live track in the collection.

Says the father-of-two: "It’s the title track of my latest album and gives a good representation of what I sound like completely live and with no whistles or bells!

"It was recorded by Roger Bird, someone else who’s made a big contribution to the local music scene over the years with his sound engineering - I think it’s great that Rog has got onto the Mail's cd.

"It's really good to see the local newspaper getting behind local musicians and the local music scene. Hopefully it will inspire venues to back local artists and encourage local musicians to get out there and get amongst it. Hopefully this will be the first of many."