As if wilfully trying to prove the point that they are not a bunch of elitist arty types, the folks at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff have made their first booking Max Boyce.

That's right, after Bryn Terfel and Charlotte Church have opened the mega-venue in November, come December, Boyce is in the house.

Fitting perhaps, for it were the Glynneath boyo that first gave voice in that other Welsh venue beginning with M, the stadium.

But precious few have followed in the great singer's echo there so let's hope that luck doesn't follow him to Cardiff Bay!

Tonight the Valley of the Crow welcomes the seasoned Welsh entertainer waving giant inflatable leeks before him like it was himself on the road to Damascus.

He's in the Congress Theatre, Cwmbran, from 7.30pm playing classics like The Outside-Half Factory, Rhondda Grey and Morgan Moon.

2004 is Max's 31st year as a professional entertainer. On November 23, 1973, he recorded his first album, Live At Treorchy Rugby Club.

He had already recorded some of his earlier songs at the Valley Folk Club in Pontardawe and when EMI heard the album and subsequently saw Max perform live in concert, he was invited to sign a contract to record two live albums of his songs and stories.

The musicians for that evening were hastily gathered together that afternoon. Without almost any rehearsal, the songs and stories were recorded.

The audience, apart from a few close friends, were given the tickets after they failed to sell at 50p each.

* Tickets these days are £15. Dial 01685 723112 or surf to www.maxboyce.co.uk for more info.