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TUESDAY, 1 MAY 2012: BUNMAHON-ROSSLARE-PEMBROKE-CARDIFF-PENZANCE
Posted by on May 1, 2012
An early start today for the morning ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke. On the way back to Cornwall, we made a stop at the BBC Radio Wales studios in Cardiff so that I could record a few tracks and an interview to go out on The Evening Show with Alan Thompson. Sadly, it’s too late now to listen back to the two shows on which I was featured, but you can see what good musical company I was in on the… (read more)
MONDAY, 30 APRIL 2012: BALLYCOTTON-BUNMAHON
Posted by on April 30, 2012
The rain was hammering down as we drove out of Ballycotton this morning; before leaving town we took a detour down to the harbour to have a look at the sea, but as the waves were lashing over the pier it seemed prudent to do so from within the van!It was still raining when we made a stop at The Local in Dungarvan for a coffee and one last chat with Donnchadh and Helena Gough, and still raining when… (read more)
SUNDAY, 29 APRIL 2012: CLONMEL-CASTLEMARTYR-BALLYCOTTON
Posted by on April 29, 2012
Final gig of the Ireland tour tonight! En route to Ballycotton, we stopped off in Castlemartyr, where my old friend Mike Hanrahan is now head chef at Pat Shortt’s Bar.Quite apart from the fact that its owner and head chef are both giants of the Irish music and entertainment industry, Pat Shortt’s is a wonderfully atmospheric spot, with gorgeous food thanks to Mike and superb service thanks to… (read more)
SATURDAY, 28 APRIL 2012: CASTLEROCK-KILKENNY-CLONMEL
Posted by on April 28, 2012
Lesson of the day: where possible, stay overnight with a professional chef. The splendid breakfast prepared for us by Roger Robinson the morning after my gig at Crusoe’s Coffee Shop was not only gorgeous to eat but gorgeous to look at -- see photo below.We drove due south to Clonmel, stopping en route in Kilkenny so that I could pre-record an interview (including a few songs played live in the studio)… (read more)
FRIDAY, 27 APRIL 2012: ARKLOW-CASTLEROCK
Posted by on April 27, 2012
Back up to the North today, to a lovely spot in Castlerock, on the coast near Coleraine, where I’ve played twice before and have always had a great time and scrumptious food. Once a month or thereabouts, Crusoe’s Coffee Shop undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes a gourmet restaurant and concert venue.Owner/chef Roger Robinson has created a real gem of a place, and he’s got a dedicated and wondrously… (read more)
THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2012: MONAGHAN-ARKLOW
Posted by on April 26, 2012
An early start today for the drive to Arklow, Co. Wicklow, where we met Brendan O’Regan for lunch in Darcy McGee’s pub.Brendan edits the FaithArts blog (where he’s kindly featuring my songs “In Gratitude I Sing” and “In Derby Cathedral”) and has recently started up a new series of concerts in Arklow under the rubric Roots Fifty Six. He also teaches at Arklow CBS, and had arranged… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 25 APRIL 2012: DUNGARVAN-MONAGHAN
Posted by on April 25, 2012
Stopping for coffee at a motorway services en route from Dungarvan to Monaghan, we were bemused to see notices advertising Family Fun Days on May 19th and June 30th. Imagine the conversation: “Hey kids, guess what -- we’re going to have a day out!” “Oh, goody -- where are we going? The zoo?” “The beach?” “The woods?” “No, darlings, the motorway services!”Arriving in… (read more)
TUESDAY, 24 APRIL 2012: KILWORTH-DUNGARVAN
Posted by on April 24, 2012
I first met Donnchadh Gough a good few years ago, when he was playing bodhrán with the band Danú and I was living in Dublin, where his sister Breffni was a good friend of mine. Donnchadh and his wife Helena now run The Local, a justifiably popular little spot in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, that attracts a calibre of artist out of all proportion to its bijou size; past performers at The Local have… (read more)
MONDAY, 23 APRIL 2012: DINGLE-KILWORTH
Posted by on April 23, 2012
A relatively short drive today to Kilworth, where I was making a return visit to the Village Arts Centre, a beautiful venue in a former church. We had a bite to eat at the Corbett Court Hotel, where organiser Liam Howard had kindly organised accommodation for us, then headed over to the venue to set up and soundcheck. It was a lovely gig despite the small crowd, thanks in no small part to the atmospheric… (read more)
SUNDAY, 22 APRIL 2012: DUBLIN-DINGLE
Posted by on April 22, 2012
McCarthy’s Bar in Dingle is one of my all-time favourite places to play in Ireland, so I’ve been looking forward to my third annual visit there ever since it was set up after last year’s gig. As we drove through the Kerry hills towards Dingle (having made our way across the country by way of Ferbane, where we stopped to have brunch with the lovely Mary Guinan and her mum and brother), I couldn’t… (read more)
SATURDAY, 21 APRIL 2012: DUBLIN
Posted by on April 21, 2012
Up with the lark this morning in order to set off at 6:30am for RTÉ headquarters in Dublin, where we had a 7:30am call for a live interview and performance on RTÉ Radio 1's “CountryWide”. Singing at that hour of the morning is just plain wrong, and I’m afraid I croaked audibly at one stage, but it was great to get the publicity -- three people who came to my gig at Whelan’s this… (read more)
FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 2012: OMAGH-BELFAST-DUBLIN
Posted by on April 20, 2012
Instead of driving directly from Omagh to Dublin, we made a detour up to Belfast so that I could do an interview with German journalist Markus Dehm -- which in turn meant that I was also able to meet my pal Colin Harper for lunch, making the journey even more worth while.Markus, who writes for the magazines Folker and Irland Journal, had invited me to meet him for coffee in the very salubrious surrounds… (read more)
THURSDAY, 19 APRIL 2012: DUBLIN-OMAGH
Posted by on April 19, 2012
An early start today for the drive to Virginia, Co. Cavan, where we’d arranged a rendezvous with Josephine Mulvenna, who presents Celtic Bridge With Josephine Mulvenna on the Q Radio Network. Josephine’s friend Martin Shortt had kindly offered the use of his office for an outside broadcast recording -- an unlikely setting for a musical performance, but it worked a treat, and Josephine couldn’t… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 18 APRIL 2012: CARDIFF-DUBLIN
Posted by on April 18, 2012
En route to Ireland, we stopped off in Cardiff so that I could deliver a load of baby gear to my lovely and talented friend Rachel Taylor-Beales and her husband Bill, who are expecting their first in August. I probably won’t see them again until next April, so along with miscellaneous toys, books and bits of equipment I’d prepared bundles of clothes in 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-9 month sizes… (read more)
TUESDAY, 17 APRIL 2012: PENZANCE-CARDIFF
Posted by on April 17, 2012
Before setting out on the road, we stopped in to see my pal Julyan Wallis, a.k.a. The Guitar Doctor, so that he could give my truss rod one last tweak. Unfortunately I neglected to take a photo and the rest of the day was sadly uneventful, so today’s installment has no pictures whatsoever -- sorry about that.On we drove to Cardiff, stopping for dinner at a pub en route. When we eventually arrived… (read more)
SUNDAY, 25 MARCH 2012: HAARLEM
Posted by on March 25, 2012
Final gig of the tour today! I had an interview scheduled with Koos Gijsman of Heaven Magazine (for a profile to be published in the magazine in June or thereabouts) and he’d kindly invited us to lunch beforehand -- see photo below of me with Esther Straathof, who prepared a gorgeous feast for us, and Koos.Then it was on to De Waag for the aforementioned final gig of the tour. It was such a pleasure… (read more)
SATURDAY, 24 MARCH 2012: HUTTWIL-HAARLEM
Posted by on March 24, 2012
The longest drive of the tour today: 840 kilometres, made all the longer by assorted roadworks and traffic delays. The first part of it, through Switzerland, was actually quite pleasant -- see the photo below of the Alte Mühle, taken just as we were leaving (with Erich Stamm waiting to wave goodbye to us and Martin programming his satnav), and one of a castle glimpsed through the van window en… (read more)
FRIDAY, 23 MARCH 2012: MUNICH-HUTTWIL
Posted by on March 23, 2012
A long, dull, frustrating drive today, made longer, duller and more frustrating by the necessity of stopping at the border of Switzerland to pay duty on the CDs we had with us for sale. After much counting of CDs and filling out of forms, I dutifully (sorry) handed over €1,220 in cash, with as much reluctance and trepidation as you might imagine; the promise that it would all be returned to… (read more)
THURSDAY, 22 MARCH 2012: MUNICH
Posted by on March 22, 2012
Lots of photos today, most of them taken this afternoon, during a brisk walk during which Alison Moffat escorted us round various sights -- both savoury and unsavoury -- near her and Frank McLynn's house in Munich. After dinner (which was exquisite, as has been every meal served up to me by Alison), I had a lovely time reading The Prize and the Blank, a wonderful book I found in Alison’s library.… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 21 MARCH 2012: FUERTH-MUNICH
Posted by on March 21, 2012
Breakfast at the Hotel Bavaria was as grand as our penthouse suite: boiled eggs with caviar on top were amongst the delights in the abundant buffet -- photo below!We headed back to Munich, where Frank McLynn and Alison Moffat had kindly offered to put us up for the two nights before my Friday gig in Switzerland. On the way there, while stuck in traffic (something that’s been happening quite frequently… (read more)
TUESDAY, 20 MARCH 2012: MUNICH-FUERTH
Posted by on March 20, 2012
Udo Martin, who runs a very happening venue in Fürth called Kofferfabrik, had agreed to provide us with hotel accommodation for the night as part of the deal, and my breath was fairly taken away when we saw what it was: a palatial penthouse suite with a sitting room downstairs and two bedrooms, bath and balcony upstairs, in the very posh Hotel Bavaria. Not at all the sort of lodgings we’re accustomed… (read more)
MONDAY, 19 MARCH 2012: MUNICH
Posted by on March 19, 2012
The nicest thing about staying with the wonderful Frank McLynn and Alison Moffat is that we can work away without guilt over unsociability, because they’re also working away in their respective offices upstairs, and at midday there’s a break for a gorgeous lunch prepared by Alison.I generally think of myself as a pretty good cook, but Alison’s skill makes me realise my limitations. She’s a… (read more)
SUNDAY, 18 MARCH 2012: FREIBURG-MUNICH
Posted by on March 18, 2012
An easy drive today from Freiburg to Munich, where we were looking forward to enjoying the always-wonderful hospitality of Frank McLynn and Alison Moffat. I first met Frank and Alison when I played at the Greenfarm Festival back in 2009. In addition to the festival, the pair also run the the Irish Folk Club Munich, and invited me to play there last year and again this year. The gig is tomorrow, but… (read more)
SATURDAY, 17 MARCH 2012: FREIBURG-BADENWEILER-FREIBURG
Posted by on March 17, 2012
Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! Today marked the third out of three gigs kindly organised for me by Michael Zumstein of the Blue Side Music Agency, and it’s also Michael’s birthday!He’s a fine musician in his own right, performing with several different bluegrass and country outfits, so I asked him if he’d be willing to join me on a couple of numbers. I couldn’t resist snapping a quick… (read more)
FRIDAY, 16 MARCH 2012: FREIBURG-EFRINGEN-KIRCHEN-FREIBURG
Posted by on March 16, 2012
Along with the usual admin work, today I had to record a station ID for a radio station in the Netherlands, which I think is the sixth station ID I’ve recorded in the past month! I’m getting to be quite an old hand at them -- the words “This is Sarah McQuaid, and you’re listening to ...” now flow trippingly off my tongue, although I still break into fits of giggles every now and again.This… (read more)
THURSDAY, 15 MARCH 2012: FREIBURG
Posted by on March 15, 2012
A day off, spent catching up with emails in the hospitable home of Michael Zumstein, head of the Blue Side Music Agency, and his lovely wife Ursula. In the evening, we went out for dinner with Michael at a very cosy little place near his house called the Schloss-Cafe -- if you’re ever passing that way, the Schweinebraten is superb! Photos of Martin and Michael below .... (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 14 MARCH 2012: BONN-FREIBURG
Posted by on March 14, 2012
En route from Bonn to Freiburg, we stopped for lunch at a roadside services stop. To go with his lunch of fried egg on a slice of Spam, fried potatoes and Bionade (whatever that may be), Martin got a Kinder Surprise egg ”¦ and the prize was a finger puppet that's also a paintbrush! See photo below ....In Freiburg, we arrived in good time at the home of Michael Zumstein, owner of the Blue Side Music… (read more)
TUESDAY, 13 MARCH 2012: DEN HAAG-ANDELST-BONN
Posted by on March 13, 2012
En route to Germany, we made a stop in Andelst, at the offices of Continental Record Services (CRS), so that I could drop off a couple of hundred copies of the new album for them to distribute. When I first began corresponding with Bert back in 2007, he was head of Rounder Europe, and the walls of his office still bear assorted framed gold discs by Alison Krauss and other stellar names. In 2008, Bert… (read more)
MONDAY, 12 MARCH 2012: DRIEBORG-DEN HAAG
Posted by on March 12, 2012
A much-needed night off tonight at the home of the lovely Karin Pronk in The Hague. Way back in 2007, Karin saw me performing at the Sidmouth Festival and asked if I’d be willing to come and play a concert at her home in honour of her birthday. That March 2008 concert became the first in a now well established series of house concerts entitled Folk In The Lounge, and I’ve been back for repeat… (read more)
SUNDAY, 11 MARCH 2012: OOST-SOUBURG-GARMERWOLDE-DRIEBORG
Posted by on March 11, 2012
Back north again for another double bill gig with Bert Ridderbos and Linde Nijland in yet another beautiful old church. My voice was still in pretty rough shape and I had a couple of onstage coughing fits, so it was a good thing Linde and Bert were there to take up the slack. The church itself was absolutely beautiful, as you can see from the pics -- thanks so much to Sieb-Klaas Iwema for the last… (read more)
SATURDAY, 10 MARCH 2012: OUD-HEVERLEE-OOST-SOUBURG
Posted by on March 10, 2012
My second night in a row of playing wonderful venues in a less-than-wonderful state of health. Tonight’s gig was at an absolutely fantastic venue called Razzmatazz. Ad Lijnse, who’s been running Razzmatazz for 40 years, had confidently informed me that their concerts were always sold out, and tonight was no exception -- 60 people jammed into a cosy space, and apparently there were 20 more on the… (read more)
FRIDAY, 9 MARCH 2012: OUD-HEVERLEE
Posted by on March 9, 2012
Sadly, my run of good luck ran out this morning: I woke up with a nasty sore throat and cough -- the first time I’ve come down with a cold on tour since ... well, since the last time we toured in Holland and Germany. Hmmm.In fairness to the Continent, I think the time of year might be something to do with it as well; the last time I toured here was in February 2011, and this March has been pretty… (read more)
THURSDAY, 8 MARCH 2012: NUENEN-OUD-HEVERLEE
Posted by on March 8, 2012
Off to Belgium today, for the first of two nights at a truly delightful B&B recommended by Joris Pollers of L'is 't Waar? Evenementencafé, where I’ll be playing tomorrow night. Het Beland B&B was started up by the effervescent Fran Meulemans after she retired from schoolteaching, and she could certainly give lessons in how to run a bed and breakfast establishment.Het Beland is beautifully decorated… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 7 MARCH 2012: 'S HERTOGENBOSCH-NUENEN
Posted by on March 7, 2012
En route to Nuenen, we stopped for lunch in a beautiful little town called Oirschot. We had some time to kill, so we went for a stroll around the town, admiring the gorgeous architecture. I believe the building in the photos below is called the Maria Kerk. Our lunch in the Cafe de Wildeman was lovely, too!Even after the lunch and the walk, we still arrived in Nuenen with an hour or so to spare before… (read more)
TUESDAY, 6 MARCH 2012: DRIEBORG-'S HERTOGENBOSCH
Posted by on March 6, 2012
We bade a reluctant farewell to Peter and Leni van Zeijl and headed off down the road to De Rode Pimpernel in ’s Hertogenbosch. I'd played at this noisy smoke-filled bar on my 2011 European tour, so I knew exactly what to expect.Despite the smoke and the noise, I can’t help being fond of De Rode Pimpernel -- what the crowd lacks in attentiveness they more than make up for with their enthusiasm,… (read more)
MONDAY, 5 MARCH 2012: DRIEBORG
Posted by on March 5, 2012
A day off in the lovely company of Leni and Peter van Zeijl. We had a lot of admin work to catch up on and spent most of the day furiously tapping away on laptops, but our aching shoulders were wonderfully soothed thanks to Leni, who’s a professional masseuse and with incredible generosity gave both of us massages! Further relaxation was offered by a walk along the dyke nearby, followed by a lovely… (read more)
SUNDAY, 4 MARCH 2012: DRIEBORG-BAD NIEUWESCHANS-NIEUW BEERTA-DRIEBORG
Posted by on March 4, 2012
A very busy day today: First over to Nieuwe Beerta to soundcheck for the second gig of the day, a double bill with Bert Ridderbos and Linde Nijland in a beautiful big church. The soundcheck took a bit longer than usual as Martin was using some new software that enables me to sing a round with myself, leaving me with just time enough to gobble a few mouthfuls of the salad kindly prepared for me by… (read more)
SATURDAY, 3 MARCH 2012: PARIS-NOORDWOLDE-DRIEBORG
Posted by on March 3, 2012
A painfully early start from Paris in order to get to the studios of Radio Centraal in Noordwolde, The Netherlands, in time for a 4pm interview (pre-recorded for broadcast tonight) with Fred Hoekstra, host of Radio van Verre -- the longest-running world/roots programme in the Netherlands, broadcast every Saturday night since 1995. Fred and technician Tjebbe Boersma made us very welcome indeed, plying… (read more)
FRIDAY, 2 MARCH 2012: PARIS
Posted by on March 2, 2012
A day off in Paris! This touring lark isn’t so bad after all. We spent the morning catching up with a few bits and pieces of admin work, then took the metro to Montmartre so that I could have a look at Sacré-Couer. As we walked into the church, my first thought was “Oh, how tacky, they’ve got piped-in music playing for the tourists.” And then I realised that the music wasn’t piped in.… (read more)
THURSDAY, 1 MARCH 2012: ROCHESTER-PARIS
Posted by on March 1, 2012
An easy drive this morning from Rochester to Dover, where we had a lovely view of the proverbial white cliffs (and chuckled over the cheekiness of the customs official who tried to blag a free copy of my guitar book) before getting the ferry over to Calais and continuing on to Paris for two nights off with our wonderfully talented friend Mathieu Serradell. Mathieu is a multifariously gifted pianist,… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 29 FEBRUARY 2012: PENZANCE-ROCHESTER
Posted by on February 29, 2012
We’re back on the road again! It’s been a lovely three months at home, but with a new album and loads of new material to perform live for the first time, I’ve been chomping at the bit to get back out there -- and at the same time not a little nervous about doing so, in view of the aforementioned three-month break and new songs to debut.Luckily, the first gig of the tour was a return to an old… (read more)
SATURDAY, 3 DECEMBER 2011: MANATON-PETER TAVY
Posted by on December 3, 2011
Last day of the tour! Our route took us right across Dartmoor, so we stopped for a quick look at Haytor as well as at another Dartmoor landmark: the Pixieland gift shop at Dartmeet, with its garden populated by dozens of gnomes. Smurf thought he’d made a new friend and went in for a hug, but was nonplussed by the reaction he got — “That's not what I had in mind,” says Smurf ....One of the… (read more)
FRIDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2011: COLEBROOKE-MANATON
Posted by on December 2, 2011
En route from Colebrooke to Manaton, we stopped for lunch at a very nice pub in North Bovey, where I couldn’t resist arranging my mussel shells in neat serried rows and Martin couldn’t resist taking a photo of Smurf reposing on top of them. Sad, isn’t it ....Tonight’s gig was at Manaton Village Hall, near Newton Abbot. As always with these Villages In Action shows, the atmosphere was highly… (read more)
THURSDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2011: TIVERTON-EXETER-COLEBROOKE
Posted by on December 1, 2011
En route from Tiverton to Colebrooke, we called in to Hugh Manson’s guitar shop in Exeter, so that I could get the truss rod tweaked on my guitar ... which was of course made by Hugh’s brother, Andy Manson! That’s Hugh on the right in the photo below. I’d never been to the shop before, and it was a treat to see the selection of guitars on display, including a couple made by Andy, as well as… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2011: CARDIFF-TIVERTON
Posted by on November 30, 2011
The kids were off school today due to the public services strike, so I was able to have a lovely long video Skype chat with both of them. Below is a photo of my daughter singing me a song she’s been learning for her school nativity play -- in which she’s going to be playing the role of Mary! My heart feels as though it just might burst ....Bill and Rachel gave us a lovely lunch, and then we headed… (read more)
TUESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2011: BRIDGEND-CARDIFF
Posted by on November 29, 2011
Just a hop, skip and jump today from Bridgend to Cardiff, where we were spending a very welcome day and night off with the wonderful Bill and Rachel Taylor-Beales. Long before I met Rachel, I’d written rave reviews of her first two albums, Brilliant Blue and Red Tree. When her third album Dust and Gold came out, I was no longer reviewing -- which was just as well, as by that time we’d met and… (read more)
MONDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2011: TAUNTON-BRIDGEND
Posted by on November 28, 2011
After last night’s gig in Totnes had been arranged, we’d driven on to a Travelodge in Taunton, so as to have a shorter drive today. We spent the morning catching up with work (love that 12 noon checkout at Travelodge), then headed on up to the home of musician, agent and promoter Derek Smith, founder of the band Mabon. It was lovely to see Derek again, and we had a most illuminating chat during… (read more)
SUNDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2011: BLACK DOG-TOTNES
Posted by on November 27, 2011
Before leaving Black Dog, we had a lovely morning walk through the woods and fields near the home of our hosts, Amanda and Peter de Teissier -- a few photos below -- followed by a lovely Sunday lunch in their kitchen! There’s nothing that beats roast chicken cooked in an Aga ....I was very excited about tonight’s gig, having been indirectly instrumental in the creation of the venue in which it… (read more)
SATURDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2011: HAWORTH-BLACK DOG
Posted by on November 26, 2011
Tonight’s concert was the first of four village hall gigs around Devon that I’m doing thanks to a wonderful programme operated by Villages In Action under the auspices of the National Rural Touring Forum. Through Villages In Action and other similar rural touring programmes, village halls and community centres around the country have the opportunity to host performances by musicians, comedians,… (read more)
FRIDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2011: BARNARD CASTLE-HAWORTH
Posted by on November 25, 2011
Only a short drive today from Barnard Castle to Haworth (famous as the home of the Brontë family -- every single business in the town seemed to be named after them, from Brontë Estate Agents to Brontë Auto Repairs), so we had time to make bank and post office stops and still get to the home of promoter Adam Sargant and his wife Siân in time for a lovely lunch of homemade soup!This was… (read more)
THURSDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2011: FARNCOMBE-BARNARD CASTLE
Posted by on November 24, 2011
A long, dismal slog of a drive today, from leafy Surrey all the way up to County Durham, but the treat that awaited us at the other end made it all worthwhile. The Barnard Castle Folk Club moved to The Old Well Inn some months back at the kind invitation of proprietor Peter Cockerill, with one of the benefits being luxurious accommodation for guest artists! My room had a four-poster and Martin’s… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2011: LEIGH-ON-SEA-FARNCOMBE
Posted by on November 23, 2011
Stopping for lunch at a pub in Surrey en route to Farncombe, we were struck by a sign on the wall advertising folk music, presumably to be played by the trio of nameless musicians in the photo, and indicating “audience welcome.” I think it’s really good that they went to the trouble of clarifying that ....The Farncombe Cavern only opened in May 2010, but has already established a track record… (read more)
TUESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2011: IVYBRIDGE-LEIGH-ON-SEA
Posted by on November 22, 2011
En route to Leigh-on-Sea, where I had a gig tonight at the Hoy at Anchor Folk Club, we stopped for lunch at the Mildmay Arms in Queen Camel near Yeovil, where we sat facing a nice juxtaposition of daily specials, the Magna Carta and the Bible. Just outside was surmounted by a giant weathervane. We both ordered ham, egg and chips, and it was only gorgeous, with a delicious honey-mustard coating on… (read more)
MONDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2011: IVYBRIDGE
Posted by on November 21, 2011
A day off today, so Martin had booked his van into the local garage to get the windscreen replaced -- it had taken a hit from a big stone just before we set off on this tour, causing a nasty foot-long crack to appear, and this was the first opportunity we’d had to get it sorted.When he got back from the garage, we headed into town so that I could go to the bank and post office, and then Martin went… (read more)
SUNDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2011: DIDCOT-IVYBRIDGE
Posted by on November 20, 2011
We left Didcot early in order to be able to get to Martin’s parents’ house in Ivybridge, Devon, in time to relax and unwind before my gig at Folk on the Moor this evening, and that strategy couldn’t have worked better. Not only was there time for a coffee and chat, there was even time for us to get outside and go for a walk!After we’d exhausted the highlights of Ivybridge (which included Martin’s… (read more)
SATURDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2011: KILMARNOCK-DIDCOT
Posted by on November 19, 2011
An early start this morning for the long drive down to Didcot, where we’d decided to take advantage of a night off to see a play for which Martin had done the sound design. Stopping for diesel en route, I spotted a potential new touring vehicle -- see photo below ...Martin has been working with the Gonzo Moose theatre company for the past five years in various capacities ranging from stage manager… (read more)
FRIDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2011: KILMARNOCK
Posted by on November 18, 2011
My life has become immeasurably better since I discovered that with the aid of a few basic supplies it’s possible to make oneself a decent breakfast in a hotel bedroom. Porridge made in a plastic box from oats covered with boiling water and left to soak might not be quite as nice as the stove-top version, but it’s cheap and nutritious, and tastes pretty good when accompanied by proper coffee made… (read more)
THURSDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 2011: HADDINGTON-KILMARNOCK
Posted by on November 17, 2011
After a gorgeous breakfast courtesy of George and Ethel Duff, our kind hosts in Haddington, we headed off to Kilmarnock, where I’m due to play tomorrow night at the Palace Theatre Music Café. Since tonight was a night off, we had the rare luxury of two nights in a row in the same hotel, which meant that I could hand-wash some clothes and have them hung dry by the time we need to check out! Photo… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2011: EDINBURGH-HADDINGTON
Posted by on November 16, 2011
The first order of business today was a stop at a Morrison’s outside Edinburgh for essential touring supplies: Diet Coke for me, energy drinks for Martin, hand sanitiser and porridge oats! Photo below ....George Duff is a fine guitarist and singer whom I’d met previously when he opened for me at my first Leith Folk Club appearance way back in February of 2008. He and his wife Ethel had kindly… (read more)
TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2011: EDINBURGH
Posted by on November 15, 2011
So we’ve had a couple of days off in Edinburgh before my gig here this evening. Did we spend them strolling up and down the avenues, admiring the glorious architecture and doing a bit of sightseeing and shopping? We most certainly did not. We spent them sitting side by side at a cramped Travelodge desk, swigging coffee and trying desperately to catch up with admin work. The photo below conveys the… (read more)
MONDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2011: EDINBURGH
Posted by on November 14, 2011
After a long day of catching up with admin, we rewarded ourselves with a walk into the city centre and an evening out -- hence the photos below of Edinburgh by night. The structure on the left in the first photo is a monument to Sir Walter Scott, completed in 1844, and the illuminated building on the right is Jenners department store.The second pic was taken looking east down Princes Street towards… (read more)
SUNDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2011: WAKEFIELD-EDINBURGH
Posted by on November 13, 2011
Martin spent most of the morning composing an elaborate backstory for his Touring Smurf -- click here to read it! After that, we had a long, dull, rain-spattered and traffic-slowed drive from Wakefield up to Edinburgh, but the reward at the end of it was two nights off to look forward to, with no need to get in the van again for over 36 hours.We checked into our very well-located Travelodge beside… (read more)
SATURDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2011: MALTBY-WAKEFIELD
Posted by on November 12, 2011
A short and very scenic drive this morning to Wakefield, where the never-ending whirlwind of glamour and excitement that is life on the road continues with a visit to a launderette, where we find two apparently identical washing machines side by side. One costs £5, the other £6. Why? We'll never know. Nevertheless, I was reassured to learn from a plaque on the wall that the launderette in question… (read more)
FRIDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 2011: TODDINGTON-LEICESTER-MALTBY
Posted by on November 11, 2011
On our way to breakfast at Toddington services on the M1 (where we’d stayed last night in a Travelodge), I spotted a sign boasting of “Great Toilets”. After using the toilets in question, I’m afraid I couldn’t quite agree. Photo below (of the sign, not the toilets) ....En route to Rotherham, we stopped in Leicester so that I could make a pilgrimage to Sheehan’s music shop, home of the… (read more)
THURSDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2011: ROCHESTER-BRIGHTON-TODDINGTON
Posted by on November 10, 2011
Seeing as we had a day off and a relatively short drive, Martin suggested that instead of going directly to the Travelodge we’d booked at Toddington services on the M1, we take a detour down to Brighton so that he could meet up with a couple of mates of his who live there.We got to Brighton in time to have a lovely pub lunch with his friend Stevie, then left the van parked at her office and strolled… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2011: CHICHESTER-ROCHESTER
Posted by on November 9, 2011
At Marilyn Campbell and Kerry Manning’s house the morning after my Chichester Folk Song Club gig, Kerry showed us the Electric Spoon Amplifier that had been given to Marilyn as a present by her brother. It’s a most remarkable contraption -- see the photo below. Apparently it does actually work!As we had a comparatively short two-hour drive on to the next gig, we took advantage of the rare opportunity… (read more)
TUESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 2011: STROUD-BRISTOL-CHICHESTER
Posted by on November 8, 2011
On the way from Stroud to Chichester, we made a brief detour to the Cribbs Causeway shopping centre outside Bristol so that I could get some badly needed new clothes. We got as far as a coffee shop inside the mall, procured ourselves a couple of coffees, formulated a plan of action for my clothes hunting expedition, then headed back out to the van so that I could do a phone interview with Howard Rees,… (read more)
MONDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 2011: LYDNEY-CARDIFF-STROUD
Posted by on November 7, 2011
Today’s drive would have been a blissfully short hop from Lydney to Stroud, where we’d arranged to once again spend a night off with the ever-hospitable Pete Coleman and Clare Hines, only for the fact that I’d been invited to record a live session for Alan Thompson’s “The Evening Show” on BBC Radio Wales. The opportunity was too good to pass up, so off we drove on a long but worthwhile… (read more)
SUNDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2011: TORQUAY-LYDNEY
Posted by on November 6, 2011
Owing to Friday night’s tragic accident on the M5, the motorway was still closed and we had to take a detour along the A303 on the way up from Torquay to Lydney, making it a slightly longer but very scenic drive along winding country roads and up into the Forest of Dean, from which the Forest Folk Club takes its name -- see photo below.The club meets in the former skittle alley of a lovely pub called… (read more)
SATURDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2011: CHAGFORD-TORQUAY
Posted by on November 5, 2011
After a morning spent making use of the free wifi in the Ring O’Bells to catch up on admin, we headed towards Torquay. To make amends for luring me into last night’s game of Spoof without warning me about the forfeit involved, Martin had very sweetly offered to spring for lunch, so we stopped en route for a very delicious meal at a gorgeous old pub called The Barn Owl -- see the photo below of… (read more)
FRIDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2011: HOGHTON-CHAGFORD
Posted by on November 4, 2011
After a long, dull, rain-spattered drive down the M6 and M5 and a brief but alarming tour of some of Dartmoor’s narrowest, twistiest, steepest and muddiest lanes (I really didn’t think the van was going to make it up one particularly mud-covered uphill stretch), we arrived at the Ring O’Bells, a wonderfully atmospheric little pub where the human and canine populations alike meet for conversation… (read more)
THURSDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 2011: SPALDING-HOGHTON
Posted by on November 3, 2011
En route from Lincolnshire to Lancashire, we passed a sign saying “Red Route - Drive With Care,” leading Martin to speculate aloud as to whether there might somewhere be a Green Route where you could Drive With Abandon. Probably in the same place where the pubs advertise “Mediocre Food Served All Day” ....On we continued, through Sherwood Forest and along the alarmingly named A666, to… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2011: STROUD-SPALDING
Posted by on November 2, 2011
One of the benefits of playing folk clubs in the UK is the opportunity to hear some truly wonderful floor singers. Tonight’s gig at Spalding Folk Club in Lincolnshire was a prime example, featuring lovely songs by Dave Parkinson, Paul Dickinson, our very kind host and hostess Martin Browne and Elizabeth Padgett, and Penny Sykes (mum of the equally wonderful and talented Miranda Sykes). Featured… (read more)
TUESDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2011: PENZANCE-TOTNES-STROUD
Posted by on November 1, 2011
Having warmed up with a lovely home-turf gig in the Assembly Room at Hall For Cornwall in Truro last Saturday, we set off this morning on the UK tour proper. Our first stop was Totnes, Devon, where I’d been asked to pre-record a two-hour “Influences” show for broadcast tonight.Totnes FM is a relatively new station, just launched last May, and they’ve been wonderfully supportive of Southwest-based… (read more)
SUNDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2011: AUSTIN TX-SAN ANTONIO TX-AUSTIN TX
Posted by on October 23, 2011
An early start today for my appearance at Celebration Circle, an inter-faith service that takes place every Sunday morning in San Antonio, Texas. Leaving Paul Barker’s house just before 8 in the morning, we spotted an inquisitive visitor peering around the fence -- photo below!The next photo after that is of a cool Vespa scooter with sidecar that was parked outside the Jump-Start Theater, where… (read more)
SATURDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2011: SONORA TX-AUSTIN TX
Posted by on October 22, 2011
On our way from Sonora to Austin, we spotted Ronnie’s Pit BBQ just outside Johnson City, Texas, and decided to stop for lunch. Looking at the ranks of pick-up trucks lined up outside, we could see it was a popular spot, and no wonder. Gorgeous food and ridiculously huge portions at amazing prices. If you look carefully at the photo below, you can see the chef at work under the corrugated metal awning.… (read more)
FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2011: LAS CRUCES NM-SONORA TX
Posted by on October 21, 2011
Driving through El Paso, Texas, on our way from Las Cruces to Sonora (where we were booked into a Days Inn in order to shorten tomorrow’s drive to Austin), we hugged the Mexican border for a few miles.Those mountains in the background of the first photo below are in Mexico, and the photo below it shows the closest we came to the Mexican border -- that barely-visible river in the background is the… (read more)
THURSDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2011: LAS CRUCES NM
Posted by on October 20, 2011
Today ticked all the boxes for touring heaven. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Lee Herman, who hosts Las Alturas House Concerts in Las Cruces (soon to become Windy City House Concerts in Chicago), we had a full day with no driving; a chance to do all our laundry; plenty of space to spread out and catch up on admin work; high-speed wifi (which in turn enabled me to have a nice long video Skype… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2011: PHOENIX AZ-LAS CRUCES NM
Posted by on October 19, 2011
Our digs last night were in a very cute little guest cottage overlooking the swimming pool behind the house of a wonderful ceramic artist called Susan. Her garden is a work of art in itself, featuring an array of utility boxes (the reason there are so many of them has to do with the solar electricity arrangements) cleverly disguised as an "Intergalactic Feeding, Nurturing, Dreaming Station," as well… (read more)
TUESDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2011: YUCCA VALLEY CA-PHOENIX AZ
Posted by on October 18, 2011
We woke to a glorious blue-skied morning at the Super 8 in Yucca Valley, California -- check out the moon peeping out from behind the eponymous yucca in the car park. This particular variety of yucca is also known as the “Joshua Tree” -- hence the name of the national park whose borders we skirted as we headed east towards Phoenix, Arizona.We saw lots of Joshua Trees today, and not much else:… (read more)
MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2011: SAN MARCOS CA-NORTHRIDGE CA-YUCCA VALLEY CA
Posted by on October 17, 2011
Thanks to Martin for the great photo below of me rubbing the tummies of Pepper and Valentina, the two lovely dogs belonging to Cathy and Greg Phillips, the morning after my gig at Frogstop House Concerts in San Marcos, California. Thanks also to Cathy and Greg for the delicious pinhead oat porridge and the even more delicious coffee, made with a nifty AeroPress single-serving coffee maker (http://www.aeropress.com.au… (read more)
SUNDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2011: ANAHEIM CA-SAN MARCOS CA
Posted by on October 16, 2011
The first of the photos that appears below is of Callie, an adorable creature whom I met at the home of Gary and Terri Trobridge the morning after my gig at the Living Tradition in Anaheim, California. While Gary and Terri whipped up a gorgeous breakfast, Martin and I wandered outside and were captivated by the swarms of hummingbirds taking advantage of the feeders on their terrace. Thanks to Martin… (read more)
SATURDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2011: FRESNO CA-ANAHEIM CA
Posted by on October 15, 2011
We were up early this morning to clear out our ailing rental car in preparation for bringing it into the Hertz depot in Fresno-Yosemite Airport to be exchanged for a replacement car. I didn’t fancy trying to get the car’s interior to a return-ready state of cleanliness while it was still fully loaded with boxes of CDs, road food and drinks, assorted outerwear and so forth, and I was also worried… (read more)
FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2011: SAN FRANCISCO CA-FRESNO CA
Posted by on October 14, 2011
Before leaving San Francisco this morning, we had a meeting with Stephanie Fields, who used to send me albums for review back when I was living in Ireland and writing for Hot Press and the Evening Herald and she was living in Nashville and working for Compass Records. Now she’s moved to the west coast and started up her own company, Make It Bigger Mama PR. It was great to finally meet her in person,… (read more)
THURSDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2011: CHICO CA-SAN FRANCISCO CA
Posted by on October 13, 2011
Mazzy Star is the name not only of a rather brilliant band but also of an extremely sweet beagle belonging to Mike Station, our host in Chico, California. The first of the photos below is one I took of her the morning we left, before continuing on to nearby Oroville, where Mike had very kindly organised a midday concert for me at Butte Community College.The concert was very well attended, thanks chiefly… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 12 OCTOBER 2011: SAN FRANCISCO CA-NEVADA CITY CA-CHICO CA
Posted by on October 12, 2011
Up at 6am today to drive to Nevada City, California, for an 11am radio interview, but at least we were rewarded in the form of a lovely sunrise as we drove out of San Francisco. Check out the angle of the road in the third photo below -- very scary for a vertigo sufferer like myself!My interview was with John Rumsey, host of “Four Strong Winds”, and we were joined by Laurie Desjardins, who hosts… (read more)
TUESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2011: YREKA CA-SAN FRANCISCO CA
Posted by on October 11, 2011
Heading away from the Super 8 in Yreka, the first couple of hours of our drive towards San Francisco were dominated by the looming presence of Mount Shasta, its flanks covered with snow although we were driving in 85-degree heat (that’s about 30 Centigrade, for those of you in Europe and the UK). Very surreal.Tonight’s venue was Biscuits & Blues, a club in San Francisco that usually hosts blues… (read more)
MONDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2011: PORTLAND OR-YREKA CA
Posted by on October 10, 2011
The incalculably wonderful, tolerant and long-suffering (not to mention tall, debonair and scarily intelligent) Feargal William Shiels and I were married eight years ago today, and here I am gallivanting around the world while he stays home looking after two small children and a very sweet but hopelessly brainless greyhound. I know I’m getting the better end of the deal at the moment, but if I ever… (read more)
SUNDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2011: OLYMPIA WA-PORTLAND OR
Posted by on October 9, 2011
Eating breakfast beside the back window in Dick and Tamie’s kitchen this morning, we had a brilliant view of the busy bird feeder outside. A gorgeous jay appeared at one point -- Dick told us what kind of jay it was, but I can’t remember the name. It was a stunning deep blue colour; the photo below doesn’t remotely do it justice.We had a relatively easy two-hour drive down to Portland, which… (read more)
SATURDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2011: SEATTLE WA-OLYMPIA WA
Posted by on October 8, 2011
A very busy day, starting with a 10:30am “Introduction to DADGAD” workshop at Dusty Strings, a terrific music store and music school in the Fremont neighbourhood of Seattle -- just a couple of blocks from the giant troll we saw yesterday.17 participants turned out for the 90-minute workshop (photo below), and most of them also signed up for my follow-on “DADGAD Song Accompaniment” workshop… (read more)
FRIDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2011: SEATTLE WA
Posted by on October 7, 2011
This morning Will Agranoff, the college friend we’ve been staying with in Seattle, took us out for breakfast at a very nice gluten-free bakery in the artsy Fremont neighbourhood. Afterwards, at Will’s suggestion, we strolled up the road to have a look at the 18-foot-tall Seattle landmark known as the “Fremont Troll,” created in 1990 by four area artists -- Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna… (read more)
THURSDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2011: BOISE ID-SEATTLE WA
Posted by on October 6, 2011
A long, long drive today -- 510 miles from Boise to Seattle, made all the longer by the fact that it rained pretty much the whole day. We did get some tantalising views of Mt Rainier in the distance, but sadly the weather rendered photography pretty much impossible. As we drove through the Snowqualmie Pass, the only clues to the scenery we were missing out on were furnished by occasional glimpses… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2011: OGDEN UT-BOISE ID
Posted by on October 5, 2011
Only a couple of scenery photos today, taken just as we left Ogden, Utah. A few minutes after that, it started raining, and continued hammering rain for the rest of the day, which considerably dampened (sorry! couldn’t resist) our enthusiasm for life on the road. We did see some nice mountains, but I was reminded of the time I went on a wildlife-watching cruise around the Isles of Scilly with my… (read more)
TUESDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2011: LEADVILLE CO-OGDEN UT
Posted by on October 4, 2011
This was by far the most visually spectacular day of the tour thus far, and all I could do was take tons of photographs and shoot several silly videos, beginning with the morning view over the rooftops in Leadville first thing this morning and continuing with an incredible drive through awe-inspiring scenery in Colorado and Utah.The final photo, way down at the bottom of the page, was taken in Cactus… (read more)
MONDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2011: COLORADO SPRINGS CO-LEADVILLE CO
Posted by on October 3, 2011
A breathtaking (literally) drive today through the mountains, way up to Leadville, Colorado -- at 10,152 feet, the highest-altitude city in the USA. I’d spotted the St George’s Concert Series on Carrie Elkin’s tour schedule a while back and been intrigued at the notion of playing in Leadville, and my interest in playing there only increased when I exchanged some friendly emails with Ali Lufkin,… (read more)
SUNDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2011: EL DORADO KS-COLORADO SPRINGS CO
Posted by on October 2, 2011
Stepping out onto the deck at Don Koke’s house early this morning, I couldn’t help shooting a quick video to capture the moment -- that beautiful old Chevy Nova reposing magnificently in the field, a cat wandering hither and thither, the shimmering reflection of a bright red trailer in the fishpond, and most of all the stillness and peace of it all. Now I can just watch it again anytime I need… (read more)
SATURDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2011: LINCOLN NE-EL DORADO KS
Posted by on October 1, 2011
Determined not to leave our luxurious digs in the Rogers House B&B without experiencing a soak in the big old-fashioned clawfoot tub, I set my alarm for 8am the morning of our departure. And a very nice soak it was, too.We bid a reluctant farewell to Lincoln and headed south towards El Dorado, Kansas, where I was looking very much forward to my return visit to the Iron Horse Concert Hall & Music Emporium… (read more)
FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2011: LINCOLN NE-BEATRICE NE-LINCOLN NE
Posted by on September 30, 2011
An action-packed day. First stop, at the alarmingly (for musicians like myself) early hour of 9:45am, was a visit to Prescott Elementary School, where 120 highly inquisitive 4th and 5th graders (that’s ages 9 and 10, for readers outside the USA) kept me on my toes with a forest of questions -- at least, it felt like a forest when I looked out at all the upstretched hands in front of me!From there,… (read more)
THURSDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2011: LINCOLN NE
Posted by on September 29, 2011
After a morning and afternoon of catching up on admin, Lori McAlister collected us at the B&B and brought us out for a meal kindly sponsored by Noodles & Company; the photo below of myself and Martin was taken by Lori for the purpose of presenting it to the restaurant manager by way of thanks for the lovely meal (Martin is rubbing his tummy to show just how lovely it was).We headed on over to Stransky… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2011: LINCOLN NE
Posted by on September 28, 2011
Today brought an event I’d been looking forward to for months. Back in January, promoter Lori McAlister had suggested putting together a “Nine Lessons and Ballads” service, modelled after the traditional Christmastime “Nine Lessons and Carols”, but with the musical focus on some of the more spiritually-minded items in my repertoire -- both traditional folk ballads and my own original… (read more)
TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2011: CLIVE IA-LINCOLN NE
Posted by on September 27, 2011
Back on my first US tour, in March 2010, I’d visited Lincoln, Nebraska, at the invitation of promoter Lori McAlister, who put together an action-packed two days for me of interviews, concerts and even a lunchtime lecture at a local university. I was delighted when she invited me back, and even more delighted when the invitation was for a full four days of events -- such a luxury to be able to stay… (read more)
MONDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2011: ONALASKA WI-ROCHESTER MN-CLIVE IA
Posted by on September 26, 2011
Today’s gig was a new experience for me: a midday concert in the vast atrium of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, broadcast live on their in-house television channel, followed by a series of brief performances in patient areas under the aegis of their “Music at the Bedside” programme.The atrium was a lovely setting in which to perform, and the concert was very well attended indeed,… (read more)
SUNDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2011: THREE RIVERS MI-MILWAUKEE WI-ONALASKA WI
Posted by on September 25, 2011
Some gigs take longer to set up than others. I’d started corresponding with Cindi and Rich Morgan about their Endangered Folk Singer house concert series nearly three years ago, but it took us a long time to find a date that worked -- and as it turned out, today’s show would be the last one to be hosted by Cindi and Rich in this house, as they’re moving out of the city later this year.Another… (read more)
SATURDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2011: BOLINGBROOK IL-THREE RIVERS MI
Posted by on September 24, 2011
This morning we bid a reluctant goodbye to friends old and new at the FARM conference and headed back east to Three Rivers, Michigan, where I had a gig at the beautifully restored Riviera Theatre, which dates from 1925 and reopened in 2008 after a long and meticulous renovation process.It was highly gratifying to see my name in huge letters on the marquee outside, and even more gratifying to be given… (read more)
FRIDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2011: BOLINGBROOK IL
Posted by on September 23, 2011
A full-on conference day at FARM -- breakfast with fellow attendees at long tables set out beside the indoor swimming pool, then a very illuminating “peer group meeting” with other touring artists -- lots of valuable information exchanged, and some new friends made -- followed by my first official engagement of the day: an 11:30am panel entitled “What Makes A Song Traditional?”, featuring… (read more)
THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2011: CHICAGO IL-BOLINGBROOK IL
Posted by on September 22, 2011
After a nice leisurely morning of catching up on admin and laundry chez Vreni (during which I also did a radio interview by phone with a very nice DJ in Lincoln, Nebraska), we headed off on the short drive to the Holiday Inn Bolingbrook, on the outskirts of Chicago, where the annual FARM (Folk Alliance Region Midwest) conference was taking place.I was lucky enough to be one of 14 artists who were… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2011: PAINESVILLE OH-CHICAGO IL
Posted by on September 21, 2011
Yet another long drive, but this one had a lovely reward at the end of it. We were staying the night with an old friend of my mother’s in Chicago, Vreni Naess, and she took us for the most beautiful evening walk along the lakeshore around Promontory Point, after which we had a very enjoyable dinner at a local Thai restaurant. Below are some photos -- that’s Vreni with Martin in the first two pics,… (read more)
TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2011: PORT CHESTER NY-PAINESVILLE OH
Posted by on September 20, 2011
A very long drive today -- 483 miles no less, mostly through the unfeasibly large state of Pennsylvania. Crossing the border, I was bemused to be confronted by a sign instructing me to smile ... because I was in the State of Independence. Surely, if it’s the state of independence, I ought to be allowed to decide for myself whether or not I want to smile?We stocked up on road fuel (energy drinks… (read more)
MONDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2011: ROLLINSFORD NH-PORT CHESTER NY
Posted by on September 19, 2011
Joe Simes, host of the Elysium Arts Folk Club, had very kindly put us up in a very posh bed and breakfast establishment called the Academy Street Inn -- loads of beautiful wood panelling, antique furniture, elegant upholstery -- and after a most stylish breakfast of strawberries and soufflé, Martin repaired to the screened front porch to have a cigarette while tapping away on his iPad. Photo below… (read more)
SUNDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2011: JAMAICA PLAIN MA-ROLLINSFORD NH
Posted by on September 18, 2011
An early start this morning for the drive up to Rollinsford, NH, where I was giving back-to-back workshops at 11am (Introduction to DADGAD) and 12:30pm (DADGAD Song Accompaniment), followed immediately by a 3pm concert.We bid a reluctant farewell to my aunt (she’s really my second cousin, or third cousin once removed, or something like that, but I think of her as my aunt) and headed on up the road,… (read more)
SATURDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2011: JAMAICA PLAIN MA-HARWICH MA-HYANNIS MA-JAMAICA PLAIN MA
Posted by on September 17, 2011
During my US tour last May, I’d had an interview (and played a few songs live on air) with DJ Bob Weiser at WOMR in Provincetown, way out on the tip of Cape Cod, and he’d kindly invited me back to perform on the WOMR-sponsored stage at the Harwich Cranberry Festival.Arriving at the festival an hour before I was due to go on, we discovered that this was very much NOT a folk festival -- see the… (read more)
FRIDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2011: PENNSVILLE NJ-FRANKLIN MA-JAMAICA PLAIN MA
Posted by on September 16, 2011
I made a new discovery during today’s 326-mile drive from Pennsville, New Jersey (where we’d stayed overnight in a surprisingly plush Super 8) to Franklin, Massachusetts: here in the US of A, one can actually buy hard-cooked eggs sealed in plastic in a service station shop -- just the thing for breakfast!Lunch, as ever, was in McDonald’s, owing to the availability there of grilled chicken salad… (read more)
THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2011: KNOXVILLE TN-TAKOMA PARK MD-PENNSVILLE NJ
Posted by on September 15, 2011
Today was a tough day. We had 496 miles to drive from Knoxville to Takoma Park, Maryland, where I was scheduled to give a DADGAD Song Accompaniment guitar workshop at the Institute of Musical Traditions, and then another 105 miles on from there to Pennsville, New Jersey, where I’d booked us into a Super 8 so as to shorten the next day’s drive.When planning our travel schedule, we always factor… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2011: NASHVILLE TN-KNOXVILLE TN
Posted by on September 14, 2011
Today was always going to involve an early start, in view of the three-hour drive from Nashville to Knoxville and my 10:30am soundcheck for the WDVX Blue Plate Special.Unfortunately, what I didn’t realise the previous night, when setting the alarm on my phone for 5:30am, was that my phone was under the impression we were still in the Eastern time zone -- so at 4:30am I hopped out of bed, got myself… (read more)
TUESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2011: BEREA KY-NASHVILLE TN
Posted by on September 13, 2011
A very educational morning altogether! Mary and Neil Colmer, proprietors of the Weaver’s Bottom Craft Studio in Berea, had very kindly given us overnight accommodation above the studio, and when we came downstairs we were treated first to an impromptu weaving demonstration by Neil, and then to a lovely tune played by Neil and Mary on a double dulcimer made by another local craftsman, Warren May.… (read more)
MONDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2011: PAINESVILLE OH-BEREA KY
Posted by on September 12, 2011
Heading south out of Cleveland this morning, we spotted a sofa sitting on the median of the interstate and couldn’t help wondering if it was the same one we’d seen roped precariously to the top of a car the previous day. No time to take a photo, alas!We had an uneventful drive, arriving in Berea, Kentucky, at around 4 in the afternoon for a house concert hosted by Howard and Shirley Carlberg.… (read more)
SUNDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2011: VOORHEESVILLE NY-PAINESVILLE OH
Posted by on September 11, 2011
Another long day of driving -- this time to Painesville, Ohio, where we were breaking the journey from Voorheesville to Berea, Kentucky (where I’ll be playing tomorrow) at the home of Steve and Mary Jo Madewell, two lovely people we’d met during my first American tour last year. Steve opened for me at a venue in Pittsburgh, where I became an instant fan of his singing, playing and songwriting,… (read more)
SATURDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2011: NELSON NH-VOORHEESVILLE NY
Posted by on September 10, 2011
The most amazing sight greeted my eyes when I opened them this morning. Larry Ames, organiser of last night’s Monadnock Folklore Society gig in Nelson, NH, had very kindly given myself and Martin the use of Loon Point, his rambling lakeside cabin in nearby Dublin, NH. What I hadn’t realised when I went to bed was that the upper part of the wall facing me consisted almost entirely of window, so… (read more)
FRIDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2011: PHILADELPHIA PA-NELSON NH
Posted by on September 9, 2011
A long drive today from Philadelphia up to Nelson, New Hampshire, most of which I spent sorting out various teething problems with my new laptop caused by conflicts between the new Lion operating system and my old software.After much online research I discovered a brilliant photo editing package called Pixelmator that does everything I was using Photoshop for and costs a mere £20.99. Highly recommended!I… (read more)
THURSDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2011: TAKOMA PARK MD-PHILADELPHIA PA
Posted by on September 8, 2011
Regular followers of this tour diary will know that a few days ago the backlight on my laptop gave up the ghost, rendering the screen barely visible. An Apple technician we’d shown it to back in Mississippi had said that they could repair it but would need to have it for a few days in order to do so, which was obviously impossible in view of our schedule. I was managing to get some work done by… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2011: CHARLOTTE NC-TAKOMA PARK MD
Posted by on September 7, 2011
Another long, long drive today, during which I discovered that while Livesavers mints may look just like my beloved Polo mints -- even down to the deceptively imitative packaging (see photo below) -- the taste and texture are decidedly inferior, bringing to mind TCP antiseptic and baking soda, respectively. Not at all nice.In future I’ll make sure to remember to bring back-up supplies of Polos when… (read more)
TUESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2011: COMMERCE GA-CHARLOTTE NC
Posted by on September 6, 2011
Tonight’s gig was unusual in that rather than being part of an ongoing concert series, it was a one-off event organised by a fan. Phil Fryberger had contacted me through my Facebook page some months back, asking whether I had any gigs coming up in Charlotte, and when I replied that I didn’t but would love to, he took it upon himself to set one up.And what a great job he did! It was a lovely night… (read more)
MONDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2011: JACKSON MS-COMMERCE GA
Posted by on September 5, 2011
The day started off on a good note as we discovered that the free breakfast bar at the Super 8 in Jackson, Mississippi included porridge and that if we bought a Super 8 travel mug we could get free coffee refills at any Super 8 along our route. I don’t know about Martin, but I for one was thrilled and delighted.Alas, my elation faded as we set off into driving rain and continued driving through… (read more)
SUNDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2011: WAXAHACHIE TX-JACKSON MS
Posted by on September 4, 2011
Once again the alarm clock went off far too early, as we had a 422-mile drive to Jackson, Mississippi, our destination for the night. Fortunately, Mumbles the parrot was on hand to give us a much-needed lift with her wonderful rendition of the horn part on “All You Need Is Love” -- see video and photo below (also note the badge sported by Martin in the photo -- a present from Randy and the In… (read more)
SATURDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 2011: ARANSAS PASS TX-WAXAHACHIE TX
Posted by on September 3, 2011
I’ve had a lot of emotional moments at gigs, but tonight’s one fairly beat them all. Before I get into that, though, I’ll just mention that we set off from Aransas Pass at 8am for the long drive to Waxahachie. We stopped for lunch en route at the Rockdale Roadhouse, where I had the most delicious, light and fluffy fried catfish I’d ever had in my life -- and having toured in the South a few… (read more)
FRIDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 2011: GANADO TX-ARANSAS PASS TX
Posted by on September 2, 2011
We had a nice leisurely morning at Jack and Lura Faye Motley’s farm, admiring the beautiful view from the back porch (photo below) and the level of relaxation exhibited by their cat (photo below). There were lots of hummingbirds around, but as their level of relaxation wasn’t quite equal to the cat’s, I didn’t manage to get any photos of them -- sorry!At around midday we set off on the two-hour… (read more)
THURSDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2011: AUSTIN TX-GANADO TX
Posted by on September 1, 2011
The tour diary is back! Apologies for its long absence -- basically, I fell behind halfway through the Ireland tour last April and never caught up again, so the April-May US tour is completely absent from the record. I promise to do my best to stay on top of it from here on out!So, on Tuesday I left Penzance on the 2pm train and was joined by Martin in Plymouth at 4pm. We changed trains in Reading,… (read more)
THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2011: BALLYSHANNON-OMAGH
Posted by on April 14, 2011
A relatively short drive today -- just as well, given that we had to head first to the hospital in Omagh, so that Martin could get the stitches removed from a minor operation he’d had the day before we’d left for Ireland. Anticipating a long wait in the A&E department, I brought my laptop in with me ... and was astonished when we managed to get in and out within 20 minutes. It was the most quiet… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 13 APRIL 2011: SLIGO-BALLYSHANNON
Posted by on April 13, 2011
With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Sligo and headed up to Ballyshannon -- with detours first of all to Boyle, where I was being interviewed by Geoff Wallis for fRoots magazine, and then to Drumkeeran, where we stopped for lunch. It was lovely to meet Geoff and have a chat with him, and I’m bitterly ashamed that I didn’t think to get a photograph taken of the two of us.I also neglected to get… (read more)
TUESDAY, 12 APRIL 2011: SLIGO
Posted by on April 12, 2011
A day off! Alas, we spent most of it in Gay and Brian’s house, tapping away on our laptops in a desperate attempt to catch up with our respective admin backlogs. We did manage to get a walk in, though, and I took lots of photos .... Here are a few of them: (read more)
MONDAY, 11 APRIL 2011: CAVAN-DUBLIN-SLIGO
Posted by on April 11, 2011
A big detour today, but well worth it.Instead of driving directly from Cavan to Sligo as we’d originally planned, we headed first in the opposite direction, back to Dublin, so that I could pre-record an interview and a few songs for that evening’s John Creedon Show (rte.ie/radio1/johncreedon) on RTÉ Radio 1. Fiachna Ó Braonáin (www.fiachnaobraonain.com) of the Hothouse Flowers was hosting… (read more)
SUNDAY, 10 APRIL 2011: CASTLEROCK-CAVAN
Posted by on April 10, 2011
A few years back, I crossed paths with a young singer/songwriter called Felix Sonnyboy Wilson, who told me about a new concert promoter in Cavan town, Michael O’Brien, who was doing great things under the name Origins Promotions. He took a CD of mine and said he’d be glad to pass it on to Michael ... as an eventual result of which I found myself today heading down to Cavan to give a DADGAD guitar… (read more)
SATURDAY, 9 APRIL 2011: MILTOWN MALBAY-LONGFORD-CASTLEROCK
Posted by on April 9, 2011
Lots and lots of driving today: firstly from Miltown Malbay to Longford, where I had an interview with my old friend Charlie McGettigan on Shannonside/Northern Sound Radio. This was the fourth time I’d been on Charlie’s widely-loved show, which airs from 10am to 12 noon every Saturday. It was lovely to see him again and also to meet John Nolan, a great supporter of music who’d popped into the… (read more)
FRIDAY, 8 APRIL 2011: SANDYFORD-MILTOWN MALBAY
Posted by on April 8, 2011
First gig proper of the tour today, and what a lovely spot in which to start off. Sean Malone’s Market House Theatre in Miltown Malbay attracts performers whose status is well out of proportion to the venue’s bijou dimensions -- the week before my gig had featured a trio consisting of Mick Hanly, Arty McGlynn and Nollaig Casey, while other recent bills have included Andy Irvine, Sonny Condell… (read more)
THURSDAY, 7 APRIL 2011: SANDYFORD-DUBLIN-SANDYFORD
Posted by on April 7, 2011
An early start for a very busy day. First stop was the RTE Radio Centre, where I had a 9:15am soundcheck for my slot on the Pat Kenny show -- which today was being hosted by Myles Dungan, as Pat was away on holidays. We were met by the very affable Aidan Butler, who’s the producer in charge of all music programming on RTE Radio 1. He brought me into Studio 7, where I did my soundcheck (see photo… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 6 APRIL 2011: CARDIFF-SANDYFORD
Posted by on April 6, 2011
I’ve taken the ferry from the UK to Ireland (and vice versa) many times, and it’s usually a very long four hours, but this time I did something new. Attracted by the promise of free wifi and power points for laptops, I paid an extra £28 to get the two of us into “Club Class,” a soothing eyrie up on Deck 11, at a salubrious remove from the riff-raff down below. Not only was there free… (read more)
TUESDAY, 5 APRIL 2011: PENZANCE-CARDIFF
Posted by on April 5, 2011
Back on the road after a blissful eight nights in my own bed. After a frenetic morning trying to get various bits and pieces done before I left (one thing I didn’t need to do was pack, because I hadn’t got round to unpacking after the previous jaunt), Martin collected me at midday and off we drove to Cardiff, where we were staying the night with the lovely Blanche Rowen of Metheglin and Brocc… (read more)
SUNDAY, 27 MARCH 2011: BRIGG-KIRTON IN LINDSEY-BRIGG
Posted by on March 27, 2011
Another day of working away on admin, followed by the last of my four LiveLincs gigs -- also the last gig of my UK tour. This one was in Kirton-in-Lindsey Town Hall, a beautiful space that’s just been refurbished at a cost of over a million pounds.Alas, the million-pound refurbishment didn’t include the most sensible of stage lighting setups. Instead of being positioned in front of the stage and… (read more)
SATURDAY, 26 MARCH 2011: BRIGG-SCAWBY-BRIGG
Posted by on March 26, 2011
Thanks first of all to Martin for adding to my collection of “Polite Notice” photos (if you’ve no idea what I’m on about, see the tour diaries from yesterday and the day before) with this little gem, taken in a part of Thurlow Pavilion to which I didn’t have access -- much appreciated!Arriving in Scawby for my afternoon guitar workshop, I was pleased to see that I’d made the cover of… (read more)
FRIDAY, 25 MARCH 2011: BRIGG-EPWPORTH-BRIGG
Posted by on March 25, 2011
A day spent mostly catching up on admin, with a brief foray into Brigg to buy shampoo, get my glasses fixed and find a decent coffee (this last errand was unsuccessful, sadly -- we settled for a decidedly indifferent coffee in a place called the Loft).We set off late in the afternoon for Epworth, the second of my four LiveLincs gigs -- noticing in the hotel car park before we left that Martin’s… (read more)
THURSDAY, 24 MARCH 2011: STROUD-BRIGG-WORLABY-BRIGG
Posted by on March 24, 2011
By far the most exciting thing that happened today, as far as I was concerned, was checking into my hotel room in Brigg and realising that, thanks to the wonderful LiveLincs rural touring programme, I wouldn’t have to unpack again for four whole days -- the longest I’ll have been in one place (home or otherwise) since leaving for Holland on the 28th of January. I actually took the toothbrush out… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH 2011: PENZANCE-STROUD
Posted by on March 23, 2011
Refreshed and relaxed after two nights at home, we had a nice easygoing drive up to Stroud, where we’d arranged to break the long journey to Lincolnshire at the home of our great friends Pete Coleman and Clare Hines. Clare was away, alas, but it was delightful to spend an evening in the company of Pete -- a lovely, lovely gent, wonderfully hospitable and a most entertaining individual to chat with… (read more)
SUNDAY, 20 MARCH 2011: SOUTHAMPTON-WELLINGTON
Posted by on March 20, 2011
Stopping for a coffee on the way from Southampton to Wellington, we were pleased to discover that the pub had a decent free wifi connection, whereupon it occurred to me that I should really begin compiling a “coffee & wifi” Google map. Have set it up now, and look forward to expanding it in the months to come. God, I’m such a geek.We arrived at the home of our hosts in Wellington, Somerset… (read more)
SATURDAY, 19 MARCH 2011: ORPINGTON-SALISBURY-SOUTHAMPTON
Posted by on March 19, 2011
An early start for the drive to Salisbury Arts Centre, where I had an 11am soundcheck for a midday concert, part of the centre’s “Live Lunch” series.The first act on was the excellent singer/songwriter Nicky Swann (http://www.nickyswann.com), accompanied on percussion and bass by the equally excellent Katie Marie (http://www.funkeegirl.de). I enjoyed their set immensely, and was particularly… (read more)
FRIDAY, 18 MARCH 2011: HYTHE-ORPINGTON
Posted by on March 18, 2011
The day started with an excellent breakfast cooked for us by Folk at the Drum organiser David Pleasants (I was most impressed by his 1970s-era hostess trolley-cum-food-warmer, in lovely wood-grained formica no less), but went swiftly downhill from there. It was pelting rain, and when we stopped into a motorway services en route in search of a coffee and a place to get some work done, we found ourselves… (read more)
THURSDAY, 17 MARCH 2011: ROCHESTER-FAVERSHAM-HYTHE
Posted by on March 17, 2011
On our way to Faversham, where I had an appointment with Andy Perkins at The Banjo Works, we stopped for lunch in a very nice pub called The Ship Inn, where we found ourselves seated adjacent to a most talkative dining companion. His name was Percy, a sign on his cage helpfully informed us, and he chatted away as we ate, pausing occasionally to ring his bell (which must be very helpful when closing… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH 2011: NORTHAMPTON-ROCHESTER
Posted by on March 16, 2011
The day started badly, with Martin once again being violently ill, and I was seriously worried about his ability to manage a two-hour drive followed by a PA set-up for a late pub gig. Fortunately, we got to our digs at the Travelodge in Medway, near Rochester (the 5th Travelodge we’ve stayed in during this tour -- gotta love those £19 rooms) in time for him to have a nap before heading over to… (read more)
TUESDAY, 15 MARCH 2011: BIRMINGHAM-WORCESTER-NORTHAMPTON
Posted by on March 15, 2011
Spent the morning in the Travelodge catching up with admin (and had a lovely plastic bowl of takeaway porridge from the cafe next door -- really nice porridge, amazingly), then drove down the road to Worcester, where my cousin-in-law Kate Branchett and her family live. I’d asked the printers to send my flyers for my April-May tour dates to Kate’s house, as I needed to mail out posters and flyers… (read more)
MONDAY, 14 MARCH 2011: SANQUHAR-BIRMINGHAM
Posted by on March 14, 2011
On the way from Sanquhar down to the Travelodge that was our destination for the night, we made a stop at a big outlet village in Gretna Green, with a view to replacing our knackered suitcases. Great was our joy when we found an Antler luggage outlet (we’d figured there’d be some kind of luggage retailer there, but we weren’t sure) selling well made lightweight suitcases for 50% of the regular… (read more)
SUNDAY, 13 MARCH 2011: KIRKBY STEPHEN-SANQUHAR
Posted by on March 13, 2011
We saw some lovely scenery (photo below) en route from Kirkby Stephen to Sanquhar, in the Borders district of Dumfries & Galloway, where I was doing a workshop and concert at A’ the Airts -- a brand-new arts centre just opened in December 2010.It’s a lovely place, with a cafe and shop (selling local crafts) on the ground floor, art/craft workshops on the first floor (where I gave my DADGAD guitar… (read more)
SATURDAY, 12 MARCH 2011: KELSO-KIRKBY STEPHEN
Posted by on March 12, 2011
After an absolutely gorgeous breakfast at the Bellevue Guest House in Kelso (perfectly cooked black pudding and haggis, amongst other delights -- yum!), we headed over to a nearby pub called The Cobbles, where I was giving a morning DADGAD guitar workshop.As we walked from the guesthouse to the pub, my mind was full of travel logistics for my upcoming USA tour (to fly into Nashville via Charlotte?… (read more)
FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2011: GLASGOW-KELSO
Posted by on March 11, 2011
It was very kind of Live at the Star organiser Tom Holmes to have ordered Travelodge Breakfast Bags for myself and Martin, but I’m afraid mine wasn’t much use to me. For someone trying to avoid wheat and dairy products, it was pretty disastrous: a muffin, a croissant and a plastic cereal bowl with UHT milk in the lid. The orange juice was ok, though!In Travelodge’s favour is their 12 noon checkout… (read more)
THURSDAY, 10 MARCH 2011: EDINBURGH-GLASGOW
Posted by on March 10, 2011
We were up bright and early for our breakfast -- served from 8 to 9am only -- at our guesthouse in Edinburgh, leaving me with just enough time for a phone interview with a reporter from the Lincolnshire Echo before we had to check out at 10am. The early checkout time meant that we were on the road with far more time than we needed for the relatively short (52-mile) drive to Glasgow.Happily, we discovered… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 9 MARCH 2011: LOCHINVER-EDINBURGH
Posted by on March 9, 2011
The view from our breakfast table at the B&B in Lochinver was breathtaking, but as you’ll see from the photo below, Martin was too busy catching up with his emails to notice. A lovely breakfast it was, too, complete with haggis AND black pudding.The snow was already falling as we headed off down the road through the Highlands, and very quickly the drive became as alarming as it was beautiful (see… (read more)
TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2011: STIRLING-LOCHINVER
Posted by on March 8, 2011
A longish drive today up past Inverness and into the Highlands, where I had a gig at a village hall in the fishing port of Lochinver. We stopped along the way for a lovely lunch of cock-a-leekie soup (stop smirking, now, it’s just chicken and leek, for heaven’s sake) -- see the photo below of Martin enjoying both the soup and the free wi-fi.On into the mountains we drove, past increasingly stunning… (read more)
MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2011: HORSHAM-STIRLING
Posted by on March 7, 2011
A welcome break from performing today, after six concerts and two workshops in six days. Sadly, one couldn’t really describe it was a day off, given that we had a whopping 448-mile drive from Horsham to our destination -- a Travelodge in Stirling, Scotland, where we were staying on the way up to my Tuesday gig in Lochinver.Mercifully, the weather was beautiful, making the endless stream of motorways… (read more)
SUNDAY, 6 MARCH 2011: COAL ASTON-HORSHAM
Posted by on March 6, 2011
We spent the morning in our luxury digs, taking advantage of the hotel wifi to catch up on admin (I was designing my April-May tour flyer and sending it to print, Martin was checking on the accommodation arrangements for the rest of the tour), then headed south to Horsham, Sussex.Jean and Keith Haynes of the Horsham Folk Club had very kindly offered not only to put us up but to give us dinner, so… (read more)
SATURDAY, 5 MARCH 2011: CARLISLE-COAL ASTON
Posted by on March 5, 2011
Sitting down to breakfast at our B&B in Carlisle this morning, Martin was nonplussed to discover that his teacup appeared to be permanently glued (upside-down) to his saucer. After trying unsuccessfully to prise it free, he had to swap it for a cup and saucer on an empty table beside us. One wonders how long that cup and saucer had been making the rounds of the breakfast room ....We drove south to… (read more)
FRIDAY, 4 MARCH 2011: CORSHAM-CARLISLE
Posted by on March 4, 2011
A gorgeous breakfast courtesy of the wonderful Kate and Richard, and then we had a long drive from Corsham up to Carlisle, in Cumbria, with a pause en route so that I could do a phone interview with Jonathan Geddes of the Evening Times in Glasgow -- look out for the article ahead of my gig at the Star in Glasgow next Thursday.Arriving in Carlisle around 4 in the afternoon, we checked into our B&B,… (read more)
THURSDAY, 3 MARCH 2011: HAVERFORDWEST-CORSHAM
Posted by on March 3, 2011
The first item on today’s agenda was a pilgrimage of sorts for Martin, to the terraced house in Haverfordwest where his maternal grandfather was born -- see the photo below.That accomplished, we set off back down the road we’d driven up the previous day, leaving Wales and dipping down into Wiltshire. Arriving in Bradford-upon-Avon ahead of schedule, we had a lovely walk along the riverbank past… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 2 MARCH 2011: ST NEOTS-HAVERFORDWEST
Posted by on March 2, 2011
A delicious breakfast of porridge prepared by Roger Pitt, and then a long drive from St Neot’s to Cuffern Manor, a country house B&B in Roch, near Haverfordwest, Wales -- arriving just in time to give a DADGAD guitar workshop (there’s a photo below that I took of the participants just as the workshop finished; on the far left is Paul Sharp, who very kindly organised both the workshop and the gig).Jules… (read more)
TUESDAY, 1 MARCH 2011: PENZANCE-ST NEOTS
Posted by on March 1, 2011
Well, I got home late last Friday night after a marathon 30-hour journey from Nashville via Charlotte and London, including a phone interview with BBC Radio Cambridgeshire at the tail end -- I spoke to host Sue Marchant seconds after stepping off the train in Penzance, shouting over the din of the train engines while my husband and children waited in the car outside the station.Three days at home… (read more)
THURSDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2011: NASHVILLE-CHARLOTTE-LONDON
Posted by on February 24, 2011
Up bright and early to meet Peter Cooper (see yesterday’s tour diary for an explanation of who Peter Cooper is) at the Bongo Java coffee house so that I could sell him a copy of my DADGAD book; we also had a nice chat and exchanged CDs. Kari suggested that when I’m back in Nashville in September, she might set up a round at the Bluebird featuring myself, Louise Mosrie, Peter Cooper and his musical… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2011: NASHVILLE
Posted by on February 23, 2011
A great relief to discover that Kari was feeling well enough this morning to leave the house -- especially as I’d been invited to lunch with Ralph Murphy, Vice President of ASCAP Nashville, and also to attend Music City Roots, a weekly concert and live radio show broadcast from the Loveless Cafe Barn outside Nashville.Kari had some errands to run in town, so she dropped me off at the Sunset Grill,… (read more)
TUESDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2011: NASHVILLE
Posted by on February 22, 2011
Today was a Very Important Day for me: my first Nashville co-write. And with two heavyweights of the industry: Thomm Jutz was Nanci Griffith’s guitarist for five years and has produced numerous albums including Nanci’s “The Loving Kind”; Peter Cronin is a former Associate Editor of Billboard magazine and Creative Director at Bug Music, where he worked with artists/writers including Johnny… (read more)
MONDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2011: NASHVILLE
Posted by on February 21, 2011
The day got off to a bad start as Kari woke up early in the morning with stomach flu, and it swiftly became apparent that she would be in no fit state to host a house concert on Tuesday, or to do much of anything else but lie in bed feeling terrible. Luckily for both of us, I’d arranged to meet my oldest friend, Christine Mather, for lunch -- our mothers were best friends from their college years… (read more)
SUNDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2011: MEMPHIS-NASHVILLE
Posted by on February 20, 2011
One final breakfast at the Blue Plate Cafe (scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns and grits), and then it was goodbye to the Folk Alliance and off to Nashville with PR ace and music management guru Kari Estrin, my host for four nights in Music City.When we arrived at Kari’s house, it was a lovely balmy late afternoon, so we went for a long walk through the neighbourhood, during which Kari pointed… (read more)
SATURDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2011: MEMPHIS
Posted by on February 19, 2011
Lots of photos in this installment -- I’ve included them all, with captions, at the end of the text. Today’s tour diary begins at 1:15 in the morning or thereabouts, just after I filed yesterday’s dispatch. Carrying my laptop upstairs from the hotel lobby, I bumped into Louise Mosrie and Kim Richardson, both of whom assented eagerly to my suggestion that we go in search of beer.Kim led us to… (read more)
FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2011: MEMPHIS
Posted by on February 19, 2011
A long and tiring but very productive day. The Folk Alliance Regional Meetings were taking place at 9:30 in the morning, with the added benefit of a free breakfast -- a major enticement for poverty-stricken folkies like myself. I attended the Non-North America Meeting, led by Frank Marstokk of Folk Alliance International Europe, and managed to glean loads of very helpful bits of information, mostly… (read more)
THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2011: MEMPHIS
Posted by on February 18, 2011
Had a fitful night’s sleep -- kept waking myself up coughing and sneezing. Fortunately one of my roommates, Louise Mosrie, had also spent the week leading up to the conference on the other side of the pond, so she was as jetlagged as I was, and we both got up at 7:30am and headed off to the nearby Blue Plate Cafe for a breakfast of eggs, sausage, hash browns and grits.Thus fortified, we delved into… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2011: CRAWLEY-MEMPHIS
Posted by on February 16, 2011
Yet another very, very, very long journey. In the morning Martin dropped me off at Gatwick Airport outside London, from whence I flew first to Charlotte and then on to Memphis, arriving at 6:30 in the evening local time (12:30am UK time). Full marks to US Airways for being lovely about my guitar -- on the flight to Charlotte it sat cosily in the overhead compartment right above my seat, and on the… (read more)
TUESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2011: MUNICH-CRAWLEY
Posted by on February 15, 2011
A very, very, very long journey -- all the longer for Martin as he was the one doing all the driving -- from Munich to Calais, on via the Eurotunnel (one drives onto a train and remains in the vehicle while the train chugs through the tunnel -- perfect recipe for motion sickness) to Folkestone and thence to Crawley. 717 miles and over 70 euro in tolls. Grrr. I am now overnighting in a Premier Inn… (read more)
MONDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2011: MUNICH
Posted by on February 14, 2011
Thanks to the very wonderful Alison Moffat, in Munich I had my first bowl of porridge since leaving the UK, and a delicious bowl of porridge it was, too. I then spent the rest of the morning catching up with the mountain of admin work that had accumulated while we’d been Internet-less for the previous few days.In the afternoon, Alison took us on a lovely walk round the centre of Munich. I took lots… (read more)
SUNDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2011: PLAUEN-MUNICH
Posted by on February 13, 2011
We left the hotel in Plauen to find a lovely winter wonderland scene awaiting us outside. Snow had been falling all night and was still falling. Unfortunately, the glorious views were lost on us as Martin’s transit van, being rear-wheel-drive and not equipped with snow tyres, was sadly unable to cope with the ice-covered roads. After proceeding gracefully sideways up one particularly slippery hill,… (read more)
SATURDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2011: VEITSHOCHHEIM-WURZBURG-PLAUEN
Posted by on February 12, 2011
A very hectic day today. After gobbling down a wonderful breakfast omelette prepared by Jose Sanchez (who’d also made a gorgeous arroz con pollo for dinner the previous evening, we set off for the studio of photographer Mark Brooks, who’d taken some lovely pictures at the gig the night before and had invited me to call round for a studio session.Many clicks and flashes later, it was time to head… (read more)
FRIDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2011: MAASTRICHT-VEITSHOCHHEIM
Posted by on February 11, 2011
Leaving the Netherlands and driving into Germany, it was astonishing to see hills again after two weeks of completely flat landscape: “This is strange, the van appears to be on some kind of a slope,” Martin remarked as we drove up our first hill since leaving England.Arriving in Veitshochheim, near Wurzburg, we were warmly welcomed by José Sánchez, a very talented artist whom I’d met when… (read more)
THURSDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2011: MAASTRICHT-HEERLEN-MAASTRICHT
Posted by on February 10, 2011
Today’s gig was a bit different to anything I’ve done in the past. Instead of a concert, I was giving two DADGAD guitar workshops -- not to people with any previous knowledge of DADGAD as such, but rather to creative therapy students and practitioners who were interested in its applicability to their work.On the way from our digs in Maastricht to the university campus in Heerlen, we stopped for… (read more)
TUESDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 2011: NIEUWE STATENZIJL-OENTSJERK
Posted by on February 8, 2011
A morning of catching up with admin at Bert and Linde’s house, then a reasonable drive to Oentsjerk, where I had a gig in a beautiful club (see photos below -- one of the loveliest rooms I’ve ever played in) called Folk in de Walden, which just happens to be run by Linde’s dad, Freek Nijland. It was at my first gig at Folk in de Walden, three years ago, that I first met Linde and Bert, so I’m… (read more)
MONDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 2011: NIEUWE STATENZIJL
Posted by on February 7, 2011
A day off at long last -- the first since we arrived in Holland on the morning of Friday the 29th. Still nursing my cold, I spent most of the day holed up in front of the wood stove in Linde and Bert’s house. We did venture out for a walk in the afternoon, crossing the river from Holland into Germany and walking across a reedy marsh to a bird hide, then strolling up a cobbled path for a bit before… (read more)
SUNDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2011: ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN-NIEUWE STATENZIJL
Posted by on February 6, 2011
As usual, Liesbeth and Peter had kept us up far too late with their excellent conversation and endless drink supply (I was drinking Jameson’s for medicinal purposes, as I’d felt the beginnings of a cold coming on) ... so it was rather difficult to drag myself out of bed on Sunday morning at an unfeasibly early hour, due to a longish drive for an afternoon concert.We arrived just in time to get… (read more)
SATURDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2011: ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN-KATWIJK AAN DEN RIJN-ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN
Posted by on February 5, 2011
Another long day of trying to catch up with admin work, followed by a pleasant walk along a canal, a gorgeous Indonesian dinner prepared by the wonderful Liesbeth Peters, and the last of my three double bills with the Lazy Tater gang. Ronnie and I finally managed to get our ”˜Something Stupid’ duet right -- too bad it’s the last time! Here’s a photo of me with Ronnie after the gig, and also… (read more)
FRIDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 2011: ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN-KOUDEKERK AAN DEN RIJN-ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN
Posted by on February 4, 2011
A slow start today, as we stayed up far too late last night chatting with our wonderful hosts, Liesbeth Peters and Peter Wesseling. Eventually we managed to get ourselves settled at the table, taking advantage of the wifi to get some work done. Martin added to his already long list of talents by making us a lovely sandwich board for lunch -- full marks for presentation, Martin! See the photo of it… (read more)
THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2011: DEN HAAG-VOORHOUT-ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN
Posted by on February 3, 2011
I spent the morning at Karin’s changing my strings and getting a last bit of practice in for the biggest challenge of the tour.Two years ago, on my last tour in Holland, I’d played two double-bill gigs with a Dutch bluegrass band called the Lazy Taters (http://www.lazytater.nl).This time round, I’m doing three double-bill shows with them, in Voorhout, Koudekerk and Katwijk ... so their very… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2011: 'S HERTOGENBOSCH-DEN HAAG
Posted by on February 2, 2011
Another short drive, and loads of time to kill before our host Karin Pronk would be home from work. We stopped at the first motorway services we came to, then made the mistake of deciding to drive on a bit before lunch -- chiefly so that I could get to a Western Union office to wire some money to my long-suffering husband.By the time I’d managed to do that, it was long past lunchtime and we were… (read more)
TUESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2011: BERGEN OP ZOOM-S HERTOGENBOSCH
Posted by on February 1, 2011
We spent most of the day taking advantage of the wifi at Bert van Kessel’s, catching up with emails and other admin work, then left in the afternoon for the short drive to ’s Hertogenbosch, where I had a gig in a bar called the Rode Pimpernel.As it was a late gig, we had plenty of time for an enjoyable meal beforehand in a very atmospheric little bar/restaurant called De Nar.The gig was an unusual… (read more)
MONDAY, 31 JANUARY 2011: SEVENUM-BERGEN OP ZOOM
Posted by on January 31, 2011
Not too bad of a drive today, so we found a roadside restaurant with wifi (one of the twin Holy Grails of touring musicians -- the other one being laundry facilities) and spent a few hours catching up with emails.Then onward to a lovely little theatre in Bergen op Zoom, where I had a gig that was recorded for future broadcast on "Crossroads" (http://www.crossroadsradio.nl), the radio show hosted by… (read more)
SUNDAY, 30 JANUARY 2011: OLDENZIJL-SEVENUM
Posted by on January 30, 2011
Another longish drive today -- a little over three hours -- but so very nice to have a reunion with lots of old friends at the end of it. I've played at De Fookhook in Sevenum twice before, so I was looking forward to seeing Piet Snellen and his sterling father-and-son tech team of Peter and Niels Koster. This time round, it was a double bill with two other longtime friends, Bert Ridderbos (who'd… (read more)
SATURDAY, 29 JANUARY 2011: HOOK OF HOLLAND-OLDENZIJL
Posted by on January 29, 2011
Very bleary-eyed after the overnight ferry crossing, we had a four-hour drive to Zeerijp, near Oldenzijl, where Bert Ridderbos had thoughtfully arranged lodgings for us in a lovely bed & breakfast called Borderij De Diek'n, with rooms above a big barn also occupied by assorted saddles, carriages and two cats. We spent the afternoon making up for the lack of sleep during the crossing, then made our… (read more)
FRIDAY, 28 JANUARY 2011: PENZANCE-HOOK OF HOLLAND
Posted by on January 28, 2011
A very long journey in the van from Penzance to Harwich, with a stop for dinner at Burger King (oh, the glamour of life on the road) and at long last the overnight ferry to Hook of Holland. Quite a posh ferry, as ferries go, albeit in a rather 1970s vein. (read more)
SUNDAY, 18 APRIL 2010: WEXFORD-DUBLIN
Posted by on April 18, 2010
The morning after my Wexford gig, I’d arranged to meet my old friend Jackie Hayden for coffee at the Talbot Hotel. Jackie is the publisher of Hot Press and a highly respected music critic; back when he was marketing manager for CBS Records (now Sony), he signed U2 to their first record contract. We had a great chat, and as Jackie always does, he gave me lots of very useful advice. Among other things,… (read more)
SATURDAY, 17 APRIL 2010: BELFAST-WEXFORD
Posted by on April 17, 2010
We broke the long journey from Belfast to Wexford in Ashford, County Wicklow, where my good friend Ciara spends most of her time. She very kindly made us some delicious sandwiches for lunch, and then even more kindly gave us the keys to her big immaculate house in Castlebridge, just outside Wexford town. Ciara bought the house a few years ago but rarely uses it except for entertaining, which is perhaps… (read more)
FRIDAY, 16 APRIL 2010: KILLYLEAGH-BELFAST
Posted by on April 16, 2010
I spent the morning at Adele’s catching up on some admin work and preparing for my 2pm Skype conference call with a Nashville-based record label. Seeing as I was going to be talking to them on video, I got myself all dolled up and spent quite some time studying my video image in PhotoBooth, trying to find the right angle and distance from the laptop for the most flattering effect.All of which was… (read more)
THURSDAY, 15 APRIL 2010: CLONMEL-KILLYLEAGH
Posted by on April 15, 2010
We had an early start this morning, as it’s a long drive from Clonmel to Killyleagh, where my friend Adele Ingram-Magee (http://www.myspace.com/adeleingrammagee) had kindly offered to host a house concert. Adele sings and plays guitar and banjo with the excellent bands Wookalily (http://www.myspace.com/wookalily) and The Preacher & Mrs Magee (http://www.myspace.com/thepreacherandmrsmagee); she also… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 14 APRIL 2010: BENNETTSBRIDGE-CLONMEL
Posted by on April 14, 2010
Suzanna cooked us up a breakfast so beautiful that I had to take a photograph of it – observe how the egg nestles neatly within the confines of the enormous field mushroom:Martin found a good wifi signal in the dining room and tappety-tapped away for a few hours, finishing off the work he’d been planning to get done in Kilworth, which did wonders for his stress levels and made me feel less guilty… (read more)
TUESDAY, 13 APRIL 2010: KILWORTH-BENNETTSBRIDGE
Posted by on April 13, 2010
A day off at long last! And a short drive up the road to Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, where my friend Suzanna lives in her grand old family pile. Here we are in the field with Suzanna’s herd:And here’s my old friend Tassie, whom I first met at Annaghmakerrig back in 2001:Suzanna made a lovely ratatouille ...... then brought us down to the cellar to select a few bottles of homemade cider ......… (read more)
MONDAY, 12 APRIL 2010: CORK-KILWORTH
Posted by on April 12, 2010
A gorgeous sunny day with blue skies. I rang the Corbett Court Hotel in Kilworth, where Liam Howard (the organiser of that evening’s gig in the Kilworth Arts Centre) had thoughtfully arranged accommodation for us, to find out how early we could check in, and could have kissed the receptionist when she told me that the rooms would be ready within the hour. Up the road to Kilworth we sped, and what… (read more)
SUNDAY, 11 APRIL 2010: TRAMORE-BUNMAHON-CORK
Posted by on April 11, 2010
My wonderful in-laws, with whom my children were staying during the Ireland tour, live just a few miles up the road from Tramore, so we bid the Grand Hotel a relieved farewell and headed west along the coast, stopping in Annestown for coffee and muffins from a van in the beachside car park.Noel and Mary gave us a lovely Sunday lunch (which was especially kind of them in view of the fact that it was… (read more)
SATURDAY, 10 APRIL 2010: SLIGO-LONGFORD-TRAMORE
Posted by on April 10, 2010
If the drive from Dingle to Sligo had been long and tedious, the drive from Sligo to Tramore was doubly so, and the hangovers from which we were both suffering (thanks to Brian and Gay’s excess of hospitality the previous night) didn’t help matters. We had a particularly early start due to my 11am interview on Shannonside/Northern Sound Radio in Longford town. I’d been looking forward to seeing… (read more)
FRIDAY, 9 APRIL 2010: DINGLE-SLIGO
Posted by on April 9, 2010
The drive from Dingle to Sligo was a long and tedious one, enlivened only by the meagre adventure of a trip on the Tarbert-Killimer car ferry. “Go straight on,” the satnav advised as the ferry headed across the Shannon. Uh, yeah. We went up onto the upper deck and admired the view. I puzzled over a sign that asked passengers not to throw “garbage” overboard. The word “garbage” isn’t… (read more)
MONDAY, 15 MAR 2010: NASHVILLE-ATLANTA
Posted by on March 15, 2010
Before leaving Nashville I had two meetings. The first was with Ralph Murphy at ASCAP. Ralph was a bit late (he’d had a phone call from a different Sarah cancelling their meeting, and thought it was me), so we had ample time to gaze open-mouthed at the very grand lobby. Comparing notes the next day, Martin and I discovered that we’d both been so impressed by splendour of the toilets that we’d… (read more)
SUNDAY, 14 MAR 2010: CHATTANOOGA-NASHVILLE
Posted by on March 14, 2010
Our host in Nashville, Kari Estrin (PR genius, manager extraordinaire, career consulting guru -- and a terrific cook), had invited us to brunch, so we set off from Chattanooga in a bit of a hurry, in consequence of which I managed to leave behind two tops I’d washed at Jil and Dan’s and hung up to dry in the hotel room. Grrr.Kari restored my good humour by making a wonderful brunch -- an artichoke… (read more)
SATURDAY, 13 MAR 2010: TUSCALOOSA-CHATTANOOGA
Posted by on March 13, 2010
On Saturday morning we finally got to meet Jil Chambless, who’d had a gig of her own the previous evening and hadn’t got home until after we were in bed. She made Martin a wonderfully healthy breakfast -- see how happy he looks to be eating it:I managed to do a bit of computer catch-up work in the morning, trying to bring my tour diary back up to date, and also did some much-needed laundry. It’s… (read more)
FRIDAY, 12 MAR 2010: FLORENCE-TUSCALOOSA
Posted by on March 12, 2010
Waking up on Friday morning, I heard rain hammering down outside, but by the time we were ready to head out for breakfast the sun was already starting to come out. We found a cafe with free wifi, ordered coffee and blueberry bagels with cream cheese, and caught up on a few emails. Back at the carriage house, we loaded our bags into the car and loaded up some Bobbie Gentry on Martin’s iPod, then… (read more)
THURSDAY, 11 MAR 2010: HAYTI-FLORENCE
Posted by on March 11, 2010
By this morning, T-shirt weather had well and truly arrived, in astonishing contrast to the blizzards that had marred the first week of the tour. We spent a beautiful sunny day driving across the Mississippi River and south through Tennessee, listening to the equally sunny sounds of Lily Allen, Hayseed Dixie and the Beatles emanating from Martin’s iPod. Along the way, we stopped in Walgreen’s… (read more)
WEDNESDAY, 10 MAR 2010: LUPUS-HAYTI
Posted by on March 10, 2010
Wednesday morning in Lupus was bright and sunny, and Doug and Meredith cooked us a very tasty breakfast of eggs, sausages and grits, after which we went for a stroll around downtown Lupus to see the sights. The Missouri River runs right past the town, and after a bad bout of flooding some years back, all the houses in town -- including Doug’s -- were raised up onto steel platforms. That’s Doug… (read more)
TUESDAY, 9 MAR 2010: GREAT BEND-LUPUS
Posted by on March 9, 2010
On Tuesday morning I woke up feeling considerably more human than the previous day. Laurie Hesed showed us around the farm, where we met some very friendly alpacas. Their wool is carded, dyed and spun in workshops that radiate like spokes from the centre of a round straw-bale barn; other workshops are used for pottery making, jewellery making (I bought a lovely pair of earrings made by Laurie) and… (read more)
MONDAY, 8 MAR 2010: LENEXA-GREAT BEND
Posted by on March 8, 2010
After spending most of the night trying to sleep between bouts of being sick, I wasn’t in the best of form on Monday morning, and not surprisingly I don’t remember a great deal about the journey from Lenexa to Great Bend. I believe we stopped for lunch somewhere (no idea where) and I managed to eat something (no idea what) and keep it down, which felt like a great accomplishment.We arrived at… (read more)
SUNDAY, 7 MAR 2010: El DORADO-LAWRENCE-LENEXA
Posted by on March 7, 2010
We woke up feeling a bit the worse for wear, thanks to Don Koke’s abundant hospitality the previous night, and went for a stroll in the woods behind his house, where we saw some delightfully rustic sights.Don cooked up a magnificent spread of a breakfast, to which we weren’t remotely able to do justice, and then we set off for Lenexa by way of Lawrence, where I had an appointment with luthier… (read more)
SATURDAY, 6 MAR 2010: LINCOLN-El DORADO
Posted by on March 6, 2010
Yet another early start, this one for a 10am guitar workshop at First Plymouth Church in Lincoln. Only one participant showed up -- Sara Freeouf, who teaches Suzuki violin and had been at the concert the previous night. She was utterly delighted with the simplicity of the DADGAD tuning and urged me to write a DADGAD book aimed at children, with DADGAD arrangements of ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’,… (read more)