By Alan Wilson, Rocktalk writer

IT’S THE day the music died for the award-winning Famous Bein Inn, near Glenfarg, with the new owners no longer putting on its famed music nights.

The sad news for music fans across Fife and Tayside and beyond is that, under a “change in direction,” the days of world-famous bands or musicians at the tiny venue appear to be over.

Former owner David Mundell, who steered the venue to the title of Scottish Music Pub Of The Year 2003 and to be shortlisted in the UK Music Pub Of The Year Awards in 2005 and again this year, has begun putting shows on in the nearby Glenfarg Hotel instead.

David said, “I sold the hotel last year and the new owners asked me to continue putting on the music, which I did as a promotions company, Mundell Music.

“Due to a change in direction now it has been decided that with immediate effect all music is to cease forthwith. Sadly the new owners have decided that they do not want any association with the music.

“Because of this decision, Mundell Music had no alternative but to cancel some of this weekend’s (BeinStock) Festival’s shows, ie Iain Matthews/Southpaw/Paul Jones and Dave Kelly.

“The BeinStock Festival will now take place at the Glenfarg Hotel.”

David ran the Bein Inn for nine years, building it into a world-famous venue famed for live music where acclaimed musicians from all over the world performed “unplugged” in front of small audiences in the intimate concert room.

David’s fantastic music memorabilia collection was also on show, evoking memories of rock, folk and blues legends from the sixties and seventies including Keith Richards, Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton.

Among stars who have played there over the years are Andy Fairweather Low, Maggie Bell, Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Henry McCullough Band, John Hammond, Fairport Convention, John Martyn Band, Dean Friedman, Gene Parsons from The Byrds, Animals, John Jorgensen and Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze.

Festival details can be obtained on 01577 830241 or at www.mundellmusic.com