I had been waiting for weeks for this, and I was not disappointed!

I had never seen Chris Bannister before, and what a brilliant performer he is. 

I had heard the odd John Denver song, but with his stories, he brought the music to life, not one bum chord, and his voice was higher than Eric Johanson's! 

I love "Calypso “aka the yodelling song, he owned it! 

If you have not seen him, you really should! Having sung a few times in Wigan myself, I was keeping an ear out for the Lancashire accent, but like my accent, it's a mixture . And yes, we did understand him  😀

I was so pleased to finally see two of my favourite lads do the support spot, worth the sore fingers & elbow to capture this magical moment. 

John Wrightson is a powerhouse of song writing, playing-  an oh! That voice. John Dickens is an amazing guitar player and adds the magic which makes the performances outstanding, he is often kind enough to be my 'guitar buddy' too, and makes me sound better by adding that magical fairy dust of his skillful playing.

Below is the 'full fat' performance, showing the warm and very human personalities of these two gentlemen.

THE OLD WELL INN (8pm) 21, The Bank, Barnard Castle DL12 8PH *OPEN MIC NIGHT* ☎ 07999-741246 or 01833-690130                                                                               📨 royrimachatts2014@gmail.com   Facebook Page  All welcome, amateurs to professionals, or those that wish to come along and enjoy the show! All performers get their first drink on the house! (Every Thursday)

Having almost coughed a lung up, trudging up what appeared be the side of a mountion, I finally fell through the doors of this rather lovely pub. 

Malcolm Elsbury hosts this wonderful night. It was my first visit, and I was delighted to see that I knew most of the people there from the Candlelite & Butterknowle Clubs, the room was warmer than my home too, so that was a splendid start :)

We all managed to get 7 songs each, and a lovely variety of music, from great Folk Music, to  contemporary, singer/songwriters and a chap with a tablet for backing - anything goes! 

A pretty quiet but what a wonderful night. This beautiful venue and the committee who run the club make for a brilliant night of great sound, friendship and often, laughter. As Don Henley and his record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), do not allow others to sing and post his songs on YouTube without permission. 

I have uploaded John Wrighson's wonderful version of "Annabel" here. 

In my opinion, John sings Don Henly songs much better than Don Henley does, and he's not miming!

John Dolan happily accepted the requested "Dundee Ghost"

THE DUNDEE GHOST
As recorded by Matt McGinn on "Honesty is Out of the Fashion" (1968)

Noo a deid man seldom walks.
He very rarely talks.
It's no very often you'll find him runnin aroon;
But I am a refugee
Frae a graveyard in Dundee,
An' A've come tae haunt some hooses in Glesca toon.
A've come tae haunt some hooses in Glesca toon.

The reason I arose
Was tae get masel some clothes,
Fur it really gets hell of a cold below the grun (ground);
But A whispered tae ma sel'
"Och, I think I might as well
Hang aroon fur a while an' hae some fun,
Hang aroon fur a while an' hae some fun."

A man put oot his light
On a cold an' wintery night.
A showed him one o' ma eyes an' slapped his heid.
He says: "Oh!" an' I says: "Boo!"
He says: "Who the hell are you?"
A says: "Don't be feart; A'm only a man that's deid.
Don't be feart; A'm only a man that's deid."

Now, the fella knelt an' prayed
An' this was what he said:
"Why in the name o' God have you picked on me?"
So A pulled away his rug
An' I skelpt him wan on the lug.
"The reason," says I, "I'll very soon let you see."
"The reason," says I, "I'll very soon let you see."

When he brought the polis in,
A battered him wan on the chin.
The polis turned aroon an' he blamed ma fren (friend).
He marched him tae the jail.
He'll be in there quite a while.
But I'll see naebody takes his single-end (a wee house).
I'll see naebody takes his single-end.

Noo the polis thocht him daft,
An' a lot o' people laughed
When the fella said a ghost wis in each hoose,
But whit the fella said wis true,
An' A might be visitin you,
Fur just remember A'm still on the loose.
Just remember A'm still on the loose.

Not many people know what goes on behind the scenes of this website, and why I can only reply to emails Mon - Wed 9am - 11am.

Filming. I drive to the locations and film interview, gigs, songs, reviews of clubs etc, and filming takes time, due to processing at home and the uploading.

In saying that, I have been to some beautiful loications and met some amazing people. The hard work is worthwhile, and the site brings people to life, which the printed versionc could never do, and also, keeos people's memeoray alive, asd seen with Ann Alexander, who is very much missed.

This is why Patrons are worth their weight in gold, as they are enabling keeping this website running in many ways, filming being one of them.  

I am also presently making 6 albums, and that takes time, so never a dull moment :)

THE DUN COW ACOUSTIC CLUB  (7.30pm ) The Dun Cow, Bournmoor, Houghton le Spring DH4 1DY *OPEN MIC* (Every Monday) 🐶 Now has a non-profit maikng entry fee of £2 entry and you will recieve a raffle ticket too.  Worth every penny as this is a brilliant and very popular night of music and friendship.  The new price is to cover the rental of the room.

FOGGY FURZE FOLK CLUB has now had a name change and is now HARTLEPOOL FOLK CLUB, so thought I'd let you know in case you wondered why the Foggy Furze has vanished and a 'new' opened, it's one and the same :)

It's been a while since my last visit, as Friday & Saturday nights are usually my crash & burn days after a hectic week out 'clubbing'. I spent Saturday processing films which takes hours to do. It also gave me time to add a few bits and bobs and change some bits and bobs on the website.

************************************

As the nights are light for longer, I enjoyed the journey to this pretty seaside town, and managed to park the car after two circuits of the street, and lugged my red guitar up the stairs to a wonderful chilled out, friendly evening of wonderful music and humour.

Liz Bishop is a lovely lady and runs the nights with ease, and helped by the man who his worth his weight in gold, John Weighill.

I decided to do one of my own songs "Angels Don't Have Wings', the Roger Whittaker song 'The Last Farewell' and the brain strain of a head mess.... 

I introduce it as a  song that Karen Carpenter SHOULD have recorded, but never did, then I sing it in the style of Karen Carpenter ( actually in my natural contralto pitch) then watch people googling or muttering "I'm sure that was Gerry & the Pacemekers ...

"Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" is a song written by Gerry Marsden, Freddie Marsden, Les Chadwick and Les Maguire, the members of British beat group Gerry and the Pacemakers.  It was was recorded by Gerry and The Pacemakers themselves in April 1964. The Gerry and The Pacemakers recording became an international hit, and remains one of their best known singles.

Other singers that recorded it were: Louise Cordet in 1964, Steve Lawrence in 1964 , José Feliciano in 1968 , Rickie Lee Jones in 1989, Gloria Estefan in 1994, Robben Ford in 1995 , Canadian boyband B4-4 in 2000, Paul Carrack in 2010 , Post Image with John Greaves in 2011, Nellie McKay in 2015 and  Ronnie Spector in 2016

Not Karen Carpenter.

I loved the variety of music. 'That Damn Guitar' was fanatsic, I googled it, thinking I'd give it a go, only to find out that it was written by the lovely lady who sang it. 

It was lovely to meet eveyone (in some cases, again) and of course, how wonderful to see David Walker giving it large. 

If you have not been to this club, you really should.

Saltburn Conservative & Unionist Club, 1 Balmoral Terrace, Saltburn. TS12 1AS  Upstairs in the Balmoral Room Last Friday of the Month. 7.30pm for 8pm Start, Free! Hosted by Liz Bishop & Friends.

Always a warm welcome to this club, and this was not a night to miss, the amazing John Wrigston Band.

I had not seen them in the new line up of John Wrigston, Graham Brotton & Kenny Jobson. Sadly, Joan was not able to be at this gig, and we all really missed her.  

Peter and Pat of Pipe Dream opened the night with two songs. Then John Fisher did a wonderful set of 1920/30/40 songs. A truly wonderful night was enjoyed by all. It was also Angela Harland's first visit to this club, and it was great to see herself enjoying the musical splendour of the very talented artistes. 

Thanks to John for the sound, Stasi who looks after the door and Ken Arkley who helps set the equipment up.

Blue Bell Pub, Fulwell Rd, Roker, Sunderland SR6 9AD. Upstairs. Last Thursday of the Month.

I went to enjoy the gig, and the films recorded are:

An All American Boy, Diary of a Northumberland Miner, Here Comes the Sun, Somewhere in America,  Sunyn Afternoon, Those Days Have Gone for Good, Tin Soldier (a wee bit of feedback does not matter, as this was a superb perfomance of my very favourite JW song) & You Made it Right.

What a treat! John Dickins & David Walker.

Song 1: Call It Stormy Monday But Tuesday Is Just As Bad original by T-Bone Walker

Song 2: Hound Dog original by Big Mama Thornton

Tonight's singer of the month was the amazing Keith Morrison.

His sublime voice treated us to some well known popular songs, and indeed some of his lovely self-penned delights.

He was supported by floor singers Sammi, John Wrighston, Derek Reed, Chris & Bernadette Boyd and Steve.

As  it was the club's first night in it's new venue,  The Turf Hotel, Victoria Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4DW POC ☎  Dave Barker 07785 308002, my pal Ian & I decided to head South to see everyone. Trouble is, as I was nattering away, and he was on auto pilot, we kept going South until he realised that Bedale meant that we had overshot. Hence our late and not very glamourous entrance.

I was gobsmacked by the size of the room, and indeed the sheer amout of happy shiny faces.  

What a brilliant night we had .

It was a great night of music and chat with 25 people in the room and 21 of those performing.  

There was some great music and I thought that the room worked out well for us. 

The next session will be in two weeks time on Wed 1st May at 7-30pm and we hope for another great night then.

RICHMOND FOLK CLUB (7.30pm) The Turf Hotel, Victoria Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4DW POC ☎  Dave Barker 07785 308002 Next door to the Georgian Theatre in Richmond.  Access to our room is via the right hand front door rather than through the main bar area.  There is plenty of parking in the market square which is free after 6pm.  Please do not park in Lidl Car park as restrictions apply. (Wednesday) 

A message from Dave Barker

" Hi Everyone,  our sing-around last night at the Travellers Rest at Skeeby had to be held in the main bar/restaurant area as the usual upstairs room had been reserved for the darts team.  This was far from ideal but we still had a good night.  We spoke to the new tenant who made it clear that they will be turning the upstairs room into a restaurant area such that we will not be able to meet there in the future.

Having discussed options I can now confirm that we shall be moving to a private room with a bar in the Turf Hotel, Richmond from Wednesday 17th April.  For those not familiar with this pub, it is next door to the Georgian Theatre in Richmond.  Access to our room is via the right hand front door rather than through the main bar area.  There is plenty of parking in the market square which is free after 6pm.  Please do not park in Lidl Car park as restrictions apply.

We shall be starting as usual at 7-30pm and finishing about 10-30pm.  I hope as many of you as possible can join us on 17th to make our new venue a great night and feel free to bring some friends along.

We look forward to seeing you then"

Cheers Dave Barker

It was wondeful to be back at the Candlelight Club, especially so as two of the Folkie Family are poorly. 

I was overjoyed to Joan back and David Walker still has what it takes for a bit of the Blues. As requested, Davd was filmed 'warts 'n' all, I'm glad as we would have missed the upside down harmonica!

TOFT HOUSE, THE HOME OF UNPOPULAR MUSIC (7pm £8) Middlesbrough Little Theatre Club, The Avenue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough TS5 6SA 

My first visit to this lovely venue revealed a hidden gem.

As I am doing a featured act for each month of 2024, this month's act was doing a gig so I was inveted to go along and film. It was lovely to meet Roddy & Jane who plays the bass like I have never seen before, and acts as the band's 'drum machine' 

The venue feels a bit like the White Room in Stanley, a nice cafe bar, relaxed environment. Leigh Sayers is the lovely host for the night.

The night started off with 'Mean Street', "We play a mix of original, classic and rock blues guaranteed to get your foot tapping "

Based in Teeside, if you want to book them, please email them.  

The main act of the night was the Roddy Gordon Band, who are Folk- Rock - Blues-Celtic, with a great mixture of self penned and popular Folk songs. 

Their 'Featured Act April 2024' page will be published soon. 

CANDLELIGHT CLUB (7.15pm) Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club, Moore Lane, Newton Aycliffe DL5 5AG  (Every Wednesday) ♿ 🎸

Having tee'd it up with both JW's a couple of weeks before, due to size of the band, we were treated with a variety of musical delights! 

The feedback was wonderful from people who were surprised by this wonderful band.

The beauty of this club is that everyone is welcomed, regulars or not.

I didn't manage to film everybody, but what a lovely club, ran smoothly by John Weighill (worth his weight in gold) & the amazing sound done by John Wrightson (Folk Club Royalty)

2024-01-27

CUTTY WREN FOLK CLUB  (7.30pm) Redcar Bowling Club, 1 Thwaites Lane, Redcar TS10 2FD *SINGERS & MUSICIANS/GUESTS* Please check HERE to see what's on. (Every Tuesday)🎻

Here is The Cutty Wren Newsletter Spring 2024 

2024-01-26

RIPON WILFRID’S FOLK CLUB (7.30pm) St Wilfrid’s Community Centre, Trinity Lane, Ripon, HG4 2AB *ACOUSTIC SINGAROUND* Come and meet other acoustic musicians and songwriters and make or listen to music! Come and join us.  We’d love to see you! Contact sailortish@hotmail.com (Every 2nd Friday - No club in August)

Such a great night of LIVE music last Friday night with our Guest Janglebuddies! Firstly our talented and diversely musical local floor performers entertained us. The night was completed with the performance of Phil Cockerham and Dickie Dickson, Janglebuddies, which was polished, energetic and showed both of their musical prowess. Thank you all our performers, audience and last but not least, our brilliant sound man, Brian Bewsey.

2024-01-03

CANDLELIGHT CLUB (7.15pm) Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club, Moore Lane, Newton Aycliffe DL5 5AG  (Every Wednesday) ♿ 🎸

I was so looking forward to going back to this club and was not disappointed! 

As I had decided to feature Featured Acts 2024!, tonight’s ‘pinup’ was the amazing Kim Ralls, who had travelled over an hour to support this club.

February’s ‘pinup’ Eric Sharp turned up too, so you will have to wait until February to see his lovely songs.

John Weighill makes a superb MC, his gentle humour and kindness shines through, that and his belting performance as a brilliant singer/songwriter. Legend.

The videos below will show you what a great club this is. And why the Candlelight is my club of choice to be featured in Featured Acts 2024!

2023-12- 21

 From the 8th January 2014,  SALTBURN FOLK CLUB  will be now held at the new times of 7pm-10pm at a NEW venue: 

The Marine, Marine Parade, Saltburn, TS12 1DZ  

2023-12-02

THE GROVE CLUB (8pm) The Grove Folk Club, Grove Inn, Back Row, Leeds LS11 5PL *SINGER, MUSICIANS & SPOKEN WORD*  

Due to the arson attack at the Grove Inn meaning it is closed for repairs, the Grove Folk Club will be temporarily moving to the New Headingley Club on Monday nights for a while. (There is a car park and it is very close to bus routes up Otley Road) We will be singing there from 8pm – 10:30pm on Monday 27th November, and then on every Monday until Christmas. We take a break of 2 weeks for Christmas and New Year and will keep you updated about the weeks after. We hope to have a fundraiser to help the Grove get back up and running at some point. Please carry on supporting us and the Grove and hope to see you soon.

https://newheadingleyclub.co.uk/site/

2023-11-21

SHERBURN VILLAGE CLUB LOUNGE (7pm) 60 Front St, Sherburn Village DH6 1HB *SINGAROUND* POC 0191 3720274. Leave your egos at the door, come in, grab a drink and enjoy some laughs and music! All welcome, no cover charge, no pints for singers, no Bingo, no raffles no bagpipes...  Please bring music sheets for the band if you can.(1st & 3rd Tuesday)

Love, love , love this club! 

Some clubs I go to once, some I leave halfway through (that's another story!) 

This one, however, was recommended  to me by the amazing musician John Dickens, so I have just had my 2nd visit as this club and will be making it a regular haunt. The band are awesome and Jim Tait is a super host. Much laughter, music and a very welcoming group of lovely people.

2023-11-20

BARNSLEY FOLK CLUB (8pm) The Spiral City Pub 26-30 The Arcade, Barnsley S70 2QN *FOLK SONG, DANCE & MUSIC* POC Venue 01226 283013 spiralcitybar@gmail.com (1st & 3rd Wednesday) 🎻

Barnsley folk club was held for years at The Trades and the move to Spiral City, 26-30 The Arcade

Barnsley S70 2QN was recent. December dates will be 6th and 20th (tbc) as close to Christmas 

The forst dates of 2024 will be Jan 3rd and 17th, Feb will be 7th and 21st that is 2 meetings each month throughout the year on 1st and 3rd Wednesday. Dates are per the calendar and no extras in the month unless notified, probably at short notice.

Ray Padgett

2023-11-09

DARLINGTON FOLK WORKSHOP  (8pm) The Travellers Rest, West Auckland Road, Darlington DL3 9ER *SINGAROUND/GUESTS*  Please see HERE to see what's on or email davidwalker55@googlemail.com  (Every Tuesday) 

 "In October 2024 the Workshop will be 60 years old. We are planning a special Grand Singaround on Saturday October 12th 2024"

2023-11-08

DUN COW FOLK CLUB  (7.30pm) The Dun Cow, Bournmoor, Houghton le Spring DH4 1DY *SINGAROUND* 🐶 

The decision has been made to reinstate the original (pre-covid) constitution of the club.  The zoom night is being moved to every other Thursday to accommodate the fact that from 21st December 2023,  Wendy Parker will be the MC, every Monday.  

The zoom nights are now alternate weeks from 21st December, irrespective of where that lies in the month.  The club created has created a whole musical international family via Zoom, who are also very important to Dun Cow, so these changes reflect that also.

These dates are reflected on the 'Diary of Events'page. This enables people, especially Wendy,  to attend the 'Live' nights'. If Wendy is unavailable, when either Brian Evans or Brian race will step in. 

2023-11-07

BIRTLEY ACOUSTIC CLUB (7pm) The Red Lion  Durham Rd, Birtley, Chester-le-Street DH3 1LS *ACOUSTIC NIGHT*  

The decision has been made to close this club due to lack of support. A real shame.

2023-10-11

CANDLELIGHT CLUB (Newton Aycliffe   IS CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY 8th NOVEMBER DUE TO VENUE BEING CLOSED  - SOMETHING TO DO WITH NEW PIPES BEING FITTED... DON'T GO AS YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. 

2023-10-04

BARRASFORD FOLK CLUB (7.30pm) Barrasford Village Hall, 37 East Acres, Barrasford, Hexham NE48 4AJ *MIXED SESSION*  Bar available. Contact Mike Tickell on : 01434 230049 or via email on m.tickell@btinternet.com  

*Barrasford Hotel has closed so this a new venue*

2023-10-03

BIRTLEY ACOUSTIC CLUB (7pm) The Red Lion  Durham Rd, Birtley, Chester-le-Street DH3 1LS *ACOUSTIC NIGHT*  Tel 0191 660 1781 1st & 3rd Tues nights.  Acoustic only - superb room acoustics. All styles welcome. 🐶

2023-09-19

FOLK OPEN MIC  (7.30pm) The Avenue, Avenue Street, High Shincliffe, DH1 2PT *PLUG & PLAY* 

Sadly this is the last night for while as the pub is changing hands. We will update as soon as we know of the new Innkeeps are happy for this lovey, friendly club to continue. It was a super lovely night, very freindly and relaxed. Fingers crossed it carries on.

2023-09-17

SOUTH SHIELDS FOLK CLUB  (7.15pm) Indoor Bowls & Social Club, Horsley Hill Rd, South Shields NE33 3HE. 

The carpet underfoot in the ladies loos may have been mildly moist - but what a great turnout and a fab night! Ken was on form as always. Such a relief to have the club open after the rain stopped play last week. The act with the biggest round of applause and cheering was the Legend that is John Dolan - because he didn't bring his uke! This is the belly laugh of clubs - great banter and wonderful people. You really should goto this club, for me, it's certainly worth the 56 mile round trip!

2023-09-16

SOUTH SHIELDS FOLK CLUB  (7.15pm) Indoor Bowls & Social Club, Horsley Hill Rd, South Shields NE33 3HE. 

The Bowls Club have advised us that most of last week's problems have been resolved so the folk club will be on tomorrow night as usual. The good news is that it's a singers night so a great chance to dust off your favourite songs and tunes and come along and play, the bad news is the card reader in the bar is still not working so it's cash only I'm afraid.

2023-09-15

THE WHITE ROOM MUSIC CAFÉ (12pm) 15 Station Road, Stanley DH9 0JL 

This lovely venue has changed hands, and is in the midst of being refurbished. It will re open on October 14th 2023 with with the *Northern Roots Band* 

2023-09-14

NEW FOLK ROUNDABOUT TEAM MEMBER  

I had received an email from Keith Duncombe. We had a meeting to bounce some ideas, and he is now the Assistant Editor - great to have you on board!

2023-09-10

SOUTH SHIELDS FOLK CLUB  (7.15pm) Indoor Bowls & Social Club, Horsley Hill Rd, South Shields NE33 3HE. 

Due to the  flooding on Sunday, Ken & Brian didn't know about the chaos the flood had caused until after they started setting up. They had recieved loads of apologies for absence and with the rain and total chaos from GNR traffic. I await futher news and will update.