A VETERAN gig-goer and the ‘face of south Buckinghamshire’s music scene’ says listening to new talent gives him “a massive buzz”.

Rupert “Rupe” Butterfield is the definitive guide to live music in the area, with his weekly gig guides in Freetime and his comprehensive online blogs.

The Bourne End resident has been singing and performing since primary school in the 1950s, where his class used to sing-along to the BBC’s Singing Together and Rhythm & Melody radio broadcasts.

He caught the music bug and has performed ever since, drumming with John Renbourne in The City Sounds blues band, scores of acoustic sets around the country and, fast forward to the present day, linking up with The Nag’s Head pub as its resident blues band.

But in 2003, the Bucks Godfather of Gigs launched his website, Rupe’s Gig Guide, after realising residents did not know about the bustling music scene.

He said: “I started going to jams in the area when I first moved here from Guildford, I used to go to a few pubs and venues, and though of this gig guide.

“I knew there were lots of bands in this area but I realised the public didn’t really know, there were all these bands and venues doing live music, and no-one knew about it – which was such a shame.”

Rupe has since become a recognised face on the Thames Valley music circuit, and has even helped put together a number of bands after receiving SOS calls.

And he still gets that buzz at the age of 64 of seeing promising performers take their fledgling steps on the music ladder – and has high hopes for a couple of south Bucks starlets, including a potential X-Factor finalist.

He said: “I still love it, I still get that buzz. I saw a girl perform on Saturday called Coralie who has made it through a stage of X-Factor – she has come along really well.

“I saw her a few years ago and thought she had potential, but she has come on leaps and bounds. There is also a talented guitarist called Matt Allan, who is very popular on the circuit – it gives you a good feeling seeing them.”

Some readers may also know Rupe by a more formal title, Mr Butterworth, ex-teacher at John Hampden Grammar School – where he gain huge kudos.

He said: “I was a PE teacher and also taught the sciences. I remember one Red Nose Day, myself and heads of department performed to about 400 pupils in the hall – my street cred shot through the roof that day.”

Visit www.rupesgigguide.co.uk for more information.