IT seems the North-East in July is the place to be for country music. A week before the annual North-East Country Festival (this year held at their new venue in Wolsingham), The Sage at Gateshead has announced its first American Music Festival from July 21-23.

Country rock, bluegrass, folk, rockabilly, honky tonk and alternative feature plus free events on the Saturday and Sunday in Performance Square presented by Jumpin' Hot.

Included in the line-up are The Greencards (voted best new band at the Austin Music Awards), singer/songwriter Jeb Loy Nichols, Eve Selis and her band and Californian band the Hacienda Brothers.

On July 21 Tony Joe White appears in Hall Two while Randy Newman is in Hall One. On July 22 legendary Texan singer songwriter Guy Clark appears in Hall Two with Soloman Burke. On July 23 its Tift Merrit as the opening act for Dwight Yoakum in Hall One.

The following weekend Lampchop appear in Hall One on July 29 and on July 31 EmmyLou Harris appears plus support act Jon Randall. For tickets call 0191-4434661.Who is to say that in future years we may end up with our own North-East 'Wembley' International Festival right here on our doorstep.