Not only is he a local, he also a passionate musical and IT instructor, at the town's Kibble secure centre teaching young people.

Dad-of-three Al told Scene: "It's fabulous to see how the young take to music, it really makes a difference.

"I've just bought a new piano because I've got one boy who's really exceptional at it".

Al (37) has been playing music for 20 years and has his own home recording studio. He describes his music as "Travis-like and melancholy".

His children are all musical too, and eldest daughter Amy (16) follows in her father's musical footsteps as an orchestra leader with the RSAMD.

Al told Scene: "I don't gig as much as I used to. I lived in Glasgow for 15 years and I went to a lot of open mic nights. Before I started at Kibble I was gigging about five nights a week".

As a lifelong St Mirren supporter, Al penned his first song for The Buddies two years ago.

He said: "St Mirren was almost relegated from the SPL, but then scored three goals.

"I'd had a few beers, and in 24 hours wrote The Buddies Came Roaring Back , recorded it and posted it on the internet.

"My music was also used for a Chick Young documentary on Radio Scotland called The Love Street Story.

"I was invited to the last game of the season and got VIP treatment, and the song was playing over the tannoy".

And Al's previous band's album was licensed for MTV's The Real World, and his first solo album Crackerjack, released in November, was snapped up by an American company, but Al declined the offer.

His next gig is at the Houston Inn on Sunday, from 6pm till 9pm. Entry is free. Meanwhile, keep an eye on The Extra for news of an upcoming Crackerjack launch.