I first started writing songs in the early 1970's-exactly when
I can't pinpoint-as a result of getting involved in the folk
scene around the Tunbridge Wells area -a pub called "The
Compasses" as I recall. I was influenced by the writing of
Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Roy Harper and Jeremy Taylor.
I moved to Leicester in 1973 where I have lived ever since. I
continued to write songs until the late seventies, the high
point being, I suppose being reaching the Midlands final of
the Melody Maker Folk Rock Contest , receiving a special
commendation from the judges. From the late seventies to
nigh on the millennium I wrote absolutely nothing due to
the demands of a family and teaching career, emerging
about ten years ago as a "born again folkie". Out of about
200 songs I've written, about most have arrived in the last 20
years. Most of them have seen their debut at the club I
attend regularly, the White Horse Folk Club, Seagrave,
near Leicester.
For some time fellow folkies have been encouraging me to
release some of this insanity to the world at large. Up until
now the cost of recording has stopped me but the arrival of
Tascam's little box of tricks (try the US 122, it's brilliant !)
has made it possible to produce three solo CDs and one
with "On the Fence".
Apart from the songwriters mentioned earlier, I suppose I
have been influenced by 25 years teaching children, and
also by the times I have spent working on farms and
building sites. I think there is a lot of building site humour
(slightly censored) in the songs. Does this make me a
FOLK SINGER I wonder ? ?
Six solo CDs to date and number 7 ("Aspects of Lurve" ) in the pipeline plus two collaborations with Steve Cartwright -"Legends of Leicester/Leicestershire - volumes 2 and 3.
