A VETERAN international journalist and photographer is calling time on his day job to boost the careers of Dorking's most talented musicians.
French-born Serge Ferragut – a Dorking resident for 37 years – has spent his career chronicling major events from the war in Iraq to the Olympic Games.
But now he has decided to focus on setting up a weekly open mic night after being blown away by the consistently high quality of singers and bands he has seen in the town.
The Westcott Road resident told the Advertiser: "I started this about a year ago because I had been going to hear music at The Star in Dorking every Thursday.
"I just thought, 'Wow, what the heck is going on here'? You hear everything from jazz to country music and rock 'n' roll, originals and covers.
"There's so many good ones around, fantastic writers and performers."
Mr Ferragut, 66, plans to have five artists – playing in any style – perform two songs each before a winner is picked by a panel of three judges.
The four weekly winners from each month will then perform again in a final, with the overall winner getting a chance to perform live on BBC Surrey.
Such is the depth of talent available, Mr Ferragut said he has already signed up 300 interested artists for the Monday night gigs, which he hopes to launch within the next two months.
"To go on the radio you really need to be somebody," he said. "The task of the judges is find that special unsigned writer who is capable of doing that.
"This is a great opportunity for local musicians and I hope it will attract a lot of people on what is usually a quiet night."
Mr Ferragut said he had been particularly impressed by local bands Radiocity, The Dorks and Hector's House.
He added: "I have heard bands here that deserve to be playing festivals, people that are technically as good as anyone. I would happily pay to see them. Now is the time to let these people have a crack at the big time. The world needs to know about these guys."
The club nights will take place on Monday nights at a venue which is yet to be decided.
For further information, e-mail sergeferragut@btinternet.com or call 07825 030639.
