Bobs bits and more...

During my Engineering Apprenticeship a friend invited me along to the Holly Bush Folk Club, in Nuneaton. I could say the rest is history, but there is more to it than that. I was impressed with folk music right from the start, and within six months after intensive practice I had my first appearance singing at a folk club. I can't begin to imagine what it sounded like, and I wish I could remember what I sang. But I haven't stopped singing since.

At that time there were many clubs usually on a weekly basis. I remember the Ampersand in Barwell.

My earliest influences were Tom Paxton, Ralph McTell, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, but also a local singer Terry Sinclair. I favoured the contemporary songs rather than the traditional, and it remains that way to date.

Over the years two things have become to mean a lot to me- Writing and Singing, and I love them both. And whilst I would love to make a fortune from the songs I am not foolish in that regard!

With my move to Weymouth in 1975, the complection of the music changed a little. Many of the national performers resided far away from the south coast and therefore the exposure to them reduced a little. A jewel in the folk world for me at that time though was the Wareham Folk Club and Mike Incledon. It became a regular haunt and I developed friendships that exist to this day.

I purchased a Yamaha guitar and was lucky with the tone of the instrument. It was my folk work-horse until I could afford a Taylor guitar. In truth, I wasn't looking to buy a Taylor and indeed I hadn't heard of that make. I hit upon them by accident and I am so glad I did. I see them everywhere now. It is a beautiful instrument and suits me very well.

Songwriting for me has been a gradual development and now I rarely sing anything other than my own compositions. I love the putting-into-song something that touches me. And when I sing each son I recall the circumstances behind the song and the memories trapped within. I don't always reveal too much behind the song and most of them are quite heavily disguised. After all each song has to attempt to generally acceptable rather than a purely personal group of lines. I do work hard to avoid very obvious lyrics.

Recording my songs has been a wonderful journey and the pleasure of sharing the songs with the few that have considered them worthy of money, is enormous.

Meeting other musicians has also been an absolute pleasure. It is interesting to see the interaction of artist-artist.

In the end though, I have to say that it is the audience that I enjoy most. Trying to connect with them; trying to encourage them to see into the song; trying to get them to join in- all challenges I love.

Latest sound bites.... R A I N B O W	All the colours of the rainbow
Ask for a copy of "Last thing on my mind" if you wish.	["rain" and "absence" from Feb2010 ]
.....and a special one
BUNKFEST MEMORIES 2009 A really great weekend Lots of excellent bands	............VIDEO PHOTOS
SWANAGE MEMORIES 2009 What a weekend! A good line up And I loved the Church concerts! And Ian Bruce!!!!	PHOTOS.... Who will hold my hand? [ A video taken from the church concerts ]