AFTER a successful 2006, The Sage Gateshead hosts three of the most talented female country artists in one show.

As singer/songwriters go you cannot get much better than Matraca Berg, Gretchen Peters and Suzy Bogguss.

Peters last played here on a whistle-stop tour including the Gala Theatre, Durham, to a packed house thanks to chart toppers like Independence Day and On A Bus to St Cloud.

Berg is highly regarded for the songs she has written for other artists but can perform in her own right.

Bogguss comes as a firsttime visitor to the North-East and is one of the best voices to emanate from Nashville's hallowed halls, with around seven album releases over here.

For those readers not familiar with any of the formidable three, this is a splendid time to become acquainted.

As country music loses it's hick image and stretches the boundaries to more across the board acceptable frontiers these artists have helped to move the music forward.

Well done to The Sage for bringing a show of this magnitude to the region. A show not to be missed. The box office is 0191-443-4661 for a night to be treasured. Where else could you get brilliant music and beauty at the same time.