SINGER-songwriter Tara Chinn plays an eclectic mix of songs inspired by a tough 80s upbringing in Birmingham.

Influenced by artists ranging from Billie Holiday to Coldplay, the daughter of the well-known historian Carl Chinn has been making a name for herself since the release of her 2006 album Night Racing.

The title track is based on Tara's memories of her father working as a bookie at a racetrack and her young parents' struggle to raise their family.

Travels through the USA, which included working with top musicians and producers, helped Tara refine her pop/country style before she recorded the critically acclaimed album.

Tara Chinn will be on stage at The King's Head, Birmingham, on Friday May 23.

Listings

Thursday May 22

 Open Acoustic Night - The Longlands, Stourbridge.

Jam Night - The Moorings Tavern, Stourbridge.

Acoustic Open Night - Benjamin's, Halesowen.

Roge David - The Little Chop House, Colley Gate.

Comedy with Dave Dinsdale - The Holly Bush, Cradley Heath.

Voodoo - The Thorns Inn, Quarry Bank.

Sarabeth Tucek, Jacob Golden, Chris Mathews plus Paper Thoughts - Little Civic, Wolverhampton.

Westlife - NEC Arena, Birmingham.

Oxzide - JB's, Dudley.

Terry Clarke - Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

Acoustic Brew feat. Ian Cole, Bruno Gallone, Andrew Buckley, Abbot of Unreason plus Matt Woosey's Rain - Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

The Muffin Men feat. Jimmy Carl Black - Robin 2, Bilston.

Monotone, The Wild Ones, Sons of The Desert plus Codette - Bar Academy, Birmingham.

Friday May 23

The Dark Blue Boogaloo feat. Miss Halliwell - Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

Acoustic Open Night with Brian Clee - Eagle and Spur, Cookley.

Rhythm Beat 30+ - Benjamin's, Halesowen.

New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack, Paradoxic, Scarlet Fear plus Diamond Lil - Little Civic, Wolverhampton.

Does It Offend You Yeah - Carling Academy 2, Birmingham.

Bi-Polar Baby, The Vehicles, Regis plus Nine Dart Finish - Bar Academy, Birmingham.

The Holloways DJ set - Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Free At Last - B3 Bar, Birmingham.

The Antarctic Monkeys - Rock Cafe 2000, Stourbridge.

Tara Chinn - The King's Head, Birmingham.

Girls Aloud - NIA, Birmingham.

State Radio, Beat Union plus Walk.Don't.Walk - Barfly, Birmingham.

NC Big Band - Royal British Legion, Lower Gornal.

The Bon Jovi Experience plus Madison - Robin 2, Bilston.

Malcolm Jeffrey - The Woodman Folk Club, Kingswinford.

Saturday May 24

Azriel, Nochaa, A Clear Conscience plus Bloodshed Betrayal - Civic Bar, Wolverhampton, 6.30pm start.

Telegramme, Chris Wallbank and The Cowards plus Jimm Zombie - Little Civic, Wolverhampton.

Malakai - Bar Academy, Birmingham.

Queen on Fire - Rock Cafe 2000, Stourbridge.

Tia - Labour Club, Quarry Bank.

Shayne Ward - NEC Arena, Birmingham.

Bohemians - JB's, Dudley.

Science Vs Romance - Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

The Cavern Beatles - Robin 2, Bilston.

Sunday May 25

Relight Your Fire 30+ - Labour Club, Colley Gate.

Smarty's 30+ - The Kingfisher, Wall Heath.

Original Music Extravaganza - Holly Bush, Cradley Heath.

Silver Creek Country Band - Nag's Head, Wordsley.

Open Acoustic Night - The Longlands Tavern, Stourbridge.

Hot Club de Paris - Bar Academy, Birmingham.

Leigh Maddison - Labour Club, Quarry Bank.

Abigail's Mercy, New Generation Superstars, Tin Omen, The Beautiful Deadly Children, Deviant UK, Reism, Necrotise plus DJ Trilobite - JB's, Dudley.

Eddy Morton - Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

All Day Live Music feat. Emma Scott DJ set - Roadhouse Bar, Merry Hill.

NC Big Band - Himley Hall, Himley, 2.30pm start.

Gwyn Ashton - Bar Risa, Birmingham.

The Notorious Brothers plus The Screamin' Eagles - Robin 2, Bilston.

Monday May 26

Open Mic Night - Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

Band Showcase Night - Rock Cafe 2000, Stourbridge.

Bob Mould Band plus Oppenheimer - Carling Academy 2, Birmingham.

Santogold - Bar Academy, Birmingham.

The Osmonds - NIA, BIrmingham.

Pull Tiger Tail, Midas plus Strange Kojak - Barfly, Birmingham.

KFFM Live feat. Jazz Thrash Assassin plus Jimm Zombie - Cellar Bar, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

Stipe plus The Red and White Stripes - Robin 2, Bilston.

Tuesday May 27

Folk Night - The Plough Inn, Wollaston.

Open Acoustic - The Windmill, Lye.

Open Mic Night - The Britannia Inn, Wollaston.

XCerts (c) - Little Civic, Wolverhampton.

Dio - Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Zolof The Rock and Roll Destroyer plus Pickled Dick - Bar Academy, Birmingham.

Peter Tork and Shoe Suave Blues - JB's, Dudley.

Wednesday May 28

Move to The Rhythm, Dance to The Beat 30+ Event - The Whittington Inn, Kinver.

Jam Night - The Maverick, Amblecote.

Noise Pollution - Rock Cafe 2000, Stourbridge.

Open Mic Night with Simon and Lee from Voodoo - The Church Tavern, Quarry Bank.

Ravens Creed - Little Civic, Wolverhampton.

The Black Keys - Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Napoleon IIIrd - Bar Academy, Birmingham.

Kids in Glass Houses - Barfly, Birmingham.

Impro Comedy Night - Old Joint Stock, Birmingham.

Thursday May 29

Open Acoustic Night - The Longlands, Stourbridge.

Jam Night - The Moorings Tavern, Stourbridge.

Acoustic Open Night - Benjamin's, Halesowen.

Roge David - The Little Chop House, Colley Gate.

Comedy with Dave Dinsdale - The Holly Bush, Cradley Heath.

Comedy Night feat. Martin Bigpig, Rob Heeney, Gareth Unwin plus MC Kevin Coleman - Little Civic, Wolverhampton.

Robots in Disguise plus Huski - Carling Academy 2, Birmingham.

The Beautiful Thief, The Rush Hour, Douglas Firs plus Barkerhound - Bar Academy, Birmingham.

Phoenix Big Band - Conservative Club, Blackheath.

Obsidian Rain - JB's, Dudley.

Arthur Ebeling - Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

Acoustic Brew feat. Vicky Smart, Jonny Connection, Chris Matthews plus La Mascleta - Cellar Bar, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

The Strawbs plus Jake Flowers - Robin 2, Bilston.

Friday May 30

The Dark Blue Boogaloo feat. Kidnapper Bell - Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

Acoustic Open Night with Brian Clee - Eagle and Spur, Cookley.

Rhythm Beat 30+ - Benjamin's, Halesowen.

Paradoxic plus Sour Mash - Little Civic, Wolverhampton.

Old Irons, The Shakletons, Scream Sayonara plus Coplus - Bar Academy, Birmingham.

Avril Lavigne - NEC Arena, Birmingham.

Kick up The 80s - JB's, Dudley.

Retro Rock - Room 2, JB's, Dudley.

The Jamm - Rock Cafe 2000, Stourbridge.

Tapes N Tapes plus Land of Talk - Barfly, Birmingham.

Musicians From Singapore - Barber Institute, Birmingham, 1.10pm start.

Dressed to Kill plus Sweet Seduction - Robin 2, Bilston.

Saturday May 31

Now Assassin - Roadhouse Bar, Merry Hill.

King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys - The Barn, Birmingham.

Adrenaline, Hellfire plus Slab - Little Civic, Birmingham.

Old School Tie, Midas, The Trilbies plus Underclass - Bar Academy, Birmingham.

Eden Duo - Labour Club, Quarry Bank.

Reed Quartet - The King's Head, Birmingham.

UK Guns and Roses - Rock Cafe 2000, Stourbridge.

Hot Rod 55 - Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge.

The Vegas Kings live - Robin 2, Bilston.