LOCAL singer/songwriter Alec Martin is celebrating a scoop for his free music fanzine 'Busker'.

Alec has secured an exclusive interview with Country Joe Macdonald, star of the 1969 Woodstock festival.

And he now hopes he can persuade Country Joe to do a gig in Bolton.

"He has always been one of my favourite musicians, and I was lucky to be at both his early 70's UK festival performances," said Alec.

"I'd been in touch with him before via the internet and my Buskers Ball website is mentioned on his site alongside such luminaries as Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin. "When I decided to start a local fanzine for acoustic musicians I thought I'd approach him for an interview and much to my delight he agreed."

In the interview, Country Joe, who was an active anti-Vietnam war campaigner, talks about his famous performance at Woodstock, his local performance at the Bickershaw festival, and his current music.

"Although he appears to have mellowed slightly, it is apparent that he still he is still highly committed to the 'hippy' ideal," said Alec. "His website is a must for anyone interested in the Californian music scene of the late 60s."

Country Joe is hoping to tour the UK next year, and Alec hopes to bring him to perform at an event in Bolton.

"We may not be able to pay him much, but we'll certainly show him the old festival site at Bickershaw and make sure he has a great audience."

The full interview will shortly be available on the BEN website at http:www.thisisbolton.co.uk