MUSICIAN Jon Amor warned his friends on Facebook this week he was about to start a massive self-promotion and they were all going to be sick of him but there is not much chance of that happening when he tops the bill at a blues festival in Devizes this summer.

Amor, who grew up close to Devizes, went to Lavington School and became a legend with his band The Hoax, will be at the Saddlebacks Blues Festival at Devizes Sports Club on July 8 to help raise money for good causes including Julia's House children's hospice.

He remains very much in demand on the blues circuit and is always made welcome at any home town gigs. But he only turned to music when his first ambition of playing football for Liverpool did not quite materialise.

When he was about 15 he took up guitar and became a huge Dire Straits fan before The Hoax was born when they played at a friend's birthday party.

Amor will play at the sports club on the main stage with The Boom Band where other artists will include Jo Harman, Lisa Mills, Elles Bailey and Blue Dog.

Appearing on the MPL Guitars UK stage will be Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue, Poplar Jake and The Red Hot Trio.

The first Saddlebacks Blues Festival has been organised by Devizes Rugby Club and Devizes Sports Club with support from the cricket and tennis clubs and will include 12 hours of music from 11am to 11pm.

Rick Kibby from the organising committee said: "This is a new event for Devizes, a safe family friendly, all day long festival dedicated to the very best of blues music bringing internationally acclaimed bands to the heart of Wiltshire." A wide variety of food stalls and a beer tent will add to the festival feel.

Money will go to Devizes Sports Club, Devizes Rugby Club and mental health charity CAREIF as well as Julia's House.

Tickets cost £25 or £60 for a family tickets. They are available from www.disorderlysounds.co.uk or from the sports club, Avon Trophies, Devizes Books, The Peppermill and Sound Knowledge Marlborough.

A website www.saddlebackbluesfestival.co.uk will also go live shortly.