The Ship Inn, Eston gig was great – packed to the rafters with a non-folk crowd who listened and joined in at the right moments. My mum, Betty, managed to come along and got a big cheer just for being my mum! The mighty Shea family turned out in force and sang some great songs after the interval – thanks guys. It was the 1st time I had heard Danny Shea sing and play – he should do more!
The Cornsheds Festival was another sell-out raising a load of cash for The Great North Air Ambulance – a hard gig to do but well worth it. I went along on the Saturday night as a punter with good friends Taff (the Roadie) Evans and Shaun King – enjoyed the real ale and some good rocking music. It was a shame that the torrential rain put paid to our planned camping experience.
Florida was hot!!!!! The temptation of the swimming pool proved to win out on songwriting though I did get one or two new songs polished up.
I really enjoyed performing at the Saltburn Festival and also seeing other performers I had not seen for a while – Tom McConville, Bernard Wrigley etc. I played 3 concerts in a day including 2 at venues that would make my dad (card carrying Labour Party member and friend of Dennis Skinner) turn in his grave – The Conservative Club and The Masonic Hall! There’s no business like show business.
The Ullapool gig was postponed, but that gave Doreen and I an opportunity to go to the Edinburgh Fringe to see our nephew, Jonathan Davies appear in “Oh! What a Lovely War.” I know he’s family but he was good, as were the rest of the cast!
I also got a chance to catch up with fellow Teessider Eddie Walker (www.eddiewalker.net) who was performing at the Wee Folk Club on the Fringe. Eddie’s guitar playing was sensational – if you’ve never seen him, check him out. My sister in law, who had never been to a folk club, thought it was great. I performed a few songs during his show and have been promised a gig there next year.
It was also good to be able to spend some time with my brother Ian, who I’d not seen for ages. In fact we spent more time together over the three days in Edinburgh than we have done in the last 20 years combined.
I’m really pleased to have started work on my new CD. I had a really successful day in York recording five new songs with Chris Johnson (www.chris-johnson.info) at the controls. Looking forward to further sessions in September.