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06.01.2024

Happy New Year to everyone !

The first ever blog on the new website, which is still under construction.

"Real, Here & Now"
The big project this year is the recording of my first studio album, entitled "Real, Here & Now".
It is an exciting project with 10 songs covering subjects as diverse as love, the futility of war, environmental issues, and lost childhood. Also a subject that affects us all, namely growing old and the passing of time.
Every song has a message and I hope to touch people's hearts as well as minds.

I love weaving melodies through the lyrics with the help of my lovely old 1954 Gibson J50 Acoustic guitar.
You may also be able to hear on the album a Martin RM50 signature guitar, designed by Ralph McTell himself, and his luthier Tom Mates.

I strive to find poetry in my song writing and so you can see all of the songs on this web site under the "Lyrics" section.

Gigs:

These are still in the planning stage but I will be playing at the Scalby Folk Festival in September. I have played this wonderful festival for the last four years and am always pleased to support the good cause for Martin House Children's Hospice.

"Dance between the Raindrops"
Other upcoming projects are the recording of "Dance between the Raindrops" with the Marske Fishermen's Choir. It has always been one of my most requested songs and I can’t wait to hear it with a three part harmony.

I entered "Dance between the Raindrops" into the 2023 UK Songwriting contest, and it has progressed through to the final. The winner is to be announced soon. Fingers crossed!

Thank you:
For your patience while we develop further this web site.
Much more information to come in the next blog!

25.07.2024

The Studioh! photoshoot
A great day with Tom & Nicola Bentley at their new studio.
Find them here at: https://thestudioh.co.uk

I needed professional photos for the forthcoming album and other publicity projects, so who better than Tom Bentley, also well known for his wonderful video photography work. Find him at: https://summitvisions.co.uk

11.09.2024

Scalby Folk Festival
Another fantastic festival organised by Peter Everitt raising much needed funds for Martin House Children's Hospice.
I played on the Sunday afternoon and had a lovely appreciative audience.
Lots of great music over the three days and all of us playing for free to raise money.

Real, Here & Now
So finally I made it into the studio, and the album is finished !
Three days of intense work at Ayriel Studios, Westerdale, on the North York Moors.
It is a truly amazing place. Peaceful and secluded, surrounded by heather moors.
The live room has a wonderful natural reverb, being a renovated old barn, as well as views over the moors through triple glazed windows.

Sonny Johns, from Leeds, was my sound engineer and co-produced the album.
Jamie Walton, an internationally acclaimed cellist and co-founder of Ayriel Studios, agreed to put down some cello lines on several of the tracks.
His sensitive playing adding texture, warmth and feeling to the songs.

https://ayrielstudios.com

The album "Real, Here & Now" will be released on October 23rd 2024
Just in time for my biggest gig this year at Whitby Musicport Festival.
I am playing at the Spa Pavilion, in the Victorian theatre, on October 27th.