A WIRRAL musician and Texan singer/songwriter are to re-unite next month for a special concert in aid of St John's Hospice in Wirral.

The last time Hoylake-based Jimmy Rae teamed up with Christene LeDoux - dubbed the Texan Troubadour - was for a gig in Jimmy's hometown in November.

On Friday, April 20, their Songwriting by Candlelight fundraiser will be held at the Station Café next to Hamilton Square's Railway Station in Birkenhead (8pm start).

"Christene had such a good time when she was last here and is looking forward to returning - it's going to be a special night," said the 46-year-old, who plays with his band The Firewalkers at Liverpool's Cavern Club tomorrow night (Thursday, March 29) and has a solo gig at Slinky's Café Bar, West Kirby on Thursday, April 5 (9pm).

He added: "I promised Christene we would do something the next time she came to the UK and the Songwriting by Candlelight show is going to be a much more intimate performance."

Tomorrow's appearance at The Cavern is The Firewalkers' first Liverpool gig, but the last time Jimmy played there was at its official re-opening in June 1984 as one half of '80s duo The Reverb Brothers, which also featured Colin Free. The occasion also marked the release of their first independent single, Ain't So Sorry - and as a tribute an updated version of the song will be performed tomorrow.

"I have great memories of The Cavern re-opening event," recalled Jimmy, who is working on material for an album that he hopes to release later this year. "The Reverbs were chosen to represent the next generation of local bands and the event was covered by TV crews and press from around the world.

"We were dressed up in 1960s gear, complete with quiffs, and had our own jukebox on stage. We looked more '60s than some of the Merseybeat bands who had been invited to the launch!"

The duo went on to sign with RCA Records and toured the UK and Europe with Joe Jackson and fellow Wirral band OMD, who re-formed earlier this year and play at the Liverpool Empire in May.

"I was really pleased to see OMD are back and there's a common thread that a lot of '80s bands are re-forming," Jimmy, who by day runs his own marketing company, told me.

"It's been 20 years since I got out of the business and I've got a wife and kids to support, so I have got to make a proper living these days!" he joked.

Sharing the stage with Jimmy and the boys at The Cavern gig are four other bands from across the country.

The Firewalkers will give away a free three-track CD to anyone who arrives before 9pm. Admission is £4.50 or £3.50 with the special flyer downloaded from Jimmy's website: www.jimmyrae.co.uk Tickets for Songwriting by Candlelight are available from St John's Hospice, next to Clatterbridge Hospital, Mount Road, Bebington (Tel: 343-0778).