WITH his fourth album just weeks away from completion, and his current offering Gravel a huge success, Ellie Hargreaves reports on how up-and-coming Milnthorpe musician Pete Lashley made the transition from singing for his supper to singing for thousands.

The local singer/songwriter first made his mark on the music scene busking Down Under' in Sydney and Melbourne, where he decided to realise a lifelong dream to take to the stage and studio full-time. "It struck me when I was busking, just how well my music was going down with the people walking past. The response was so encouraging and I had offers to play in a number of bars," he explains. And so, on his return to England in March 2001, Pete penned his eponymous first album - a mixture of original acoustics and covers - and the gifted guitarist has never looked back. Southern Upland Plateau followed, with added percussion from fellow-musician Carl Iredale winning more fans, before Gravel quite literally hit the streets late last summer.

Despite the title, Pete's voice maintains the smooth quality of the first two albums but, with Andy Smith on drums and Carl Ireldale once again providing some background bass, this feel-good compilation has added depth.

The CD kicks off with the strangely uplifting Glen Rosa which, with Pete's dulcet tones, sets a broad style-precedent for the following 11 songs. Got a Letter's droll word-play is a definite album-highlight and, with some energetic strumming in Toothpick, is guaranteed to get your feet tapping. Gravel should appeal to a wide audience - making it ideal as an alternative dinner-party milieu or as music to listen to while you drive.

As well as supporting former Squeeze star Glenn Tilbrook, and successful seventies rockers Wishbone Ash, Pete has played a number of live sessions for Radio Leeds, The Bay and Lakeland Radio and can still be seen busking daily throughout the Lakes, much to the delight of his ever-increasing fan base.

If you miss Pete strumming the streets, why not catch his soaring vocals tomorrow night (Saturday), at Troutbeck's Sun Hotel, or at The Fighting Cocks at Arnside on March 6.

For more information on upcoming gigs, or Pete's albums, all of which are recorded and produced locally at Bentham's Stonegate Studios and available online, visit www.petelashley.com.