In July 1999 Andy Herrington wrote off for a Nine Below Zero CD and jokingly asked if they would play a gig at Ripley. When the reply came from Gerry McAvoy that they could do September 4th it was no longer so funny.

Worries were twofold - what would a band with the class and pedigree of Nine Below Zero think to playing a hall usually reserved for badminton and would anyone turn up!

Andy trawled his address book and twisted arms yet two days before the gig only 40 tickets had been sold and deep embarrassment looked on the cards.

The day before the event the Yorkshire Post gave the gig a cracking preview saying the band were not to be missed and sure enough over 100 turned up. Andy had great help organising the gig from family Lynne, Glen and Michelle and good friend and fellow music lover Peter Bellerby.

Local musician Jed Thomas got the night off to a good start and as Peter Hustwit was introducing Nine Below the band ran on to the stage with a great shout from Dennis Greaves of "Ripley Town Hall". The usual energetic Nine Below Zero set followed and after Lynne and sister Tracey took to the dance floor on the second number the boogie lasted all night long. For Andy it was a dream come true - his favourite band in his own back yard.

Although a financial loss was made the high which the organisers got from the success of the gig was incredible - for Andy it lasted all the next week when on holiday in Ireland and where a guy on the west coast suggested the next artist to appear at Ripley - Aynsley Lister...