AUSTRALIAN singer Caddy Cooper has played gigs across the globe including a recent military tour in Afghanistan.

Now the acoustic blues, country and folk musician cannot wait for her next outing — at the Belmont Bull, High Street — on Friday night.

She is looking forward to playing for a friendly crowd in the traditional village pub, showcasing songs from her two albums.

Caddy, from Perth in Western Australia, said: "It'll be my third time at the Bull, it's a gem of a venue.

"I've been up and down the country and touring internationally for the last couple of years and I love venues like the Bull.

"I've done the southern leg of the tour and I'm just about to embark on the northern leg.

"It's a totally different crowd up north. I love it, there's always a bit of banter.

"Once you pass Birmingham, people are very keen to hear new music and that's very exciting as a musician."

Inspired by her father who played blues guitar, Caddy learnt to play the instrument at the age of nine and began song-writing at 11.

After training at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts in music theatre, she appeared in musicals such as The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof and A Chorus Line before moving to London to try and crack the West End.

Caddy, who has lived in London for nine years, said: "I failed dismally but it was the best thing that happened.

"At 25, I made the decision to hang up my dancing shoes and focus on song-writing."

Her first album, Snapshot, was released early last year followed by Outside the Wire in March, which exploded onto the country and blues scenes to rave reviews.

She also published a songbook for children in 2010 followed by an EP in 2011 and is currently working on a live album to be released in October, with two more studio albums in the pipeline.

She said: "One of my heroes is Dolly Parton and she has released 48 albums.

"If I manage to get that far, I will be a happy girl."

Trained as a classical soprano, she has performed for the likes of Sir Richard Attenborough and HRH the Duchess of Cornwall and enjoys enticing her audience with tales of life, love, loss and the fragility of the human condition.

Described as a travelling soul, her latest tour took her to Australia, Europe, India and festivals, the length and breadth of Britain, as well as Afghanistan.

She said: "I went to India and Singapore, all sorts of different places. It was a special year and 2015 is shaping up to be very similar.

"I go back to Australia once a year to see my family and tour.

"I feel so blessed to do what I love.

"I'm very lucky to be able to go out and see the world and tell my stories and the stories of people around me.

"My songs are like my babies, they are very close to my heart."

Caddy Cooper will be at the Belmont Bull, High Street, at 9pm on Friday. Tickets cost £7, call 01204 811 370.

For more information, visit caddycooper.com.