Happy Pre & Post St Patricks Day!

On last weeks New Traditions we pre-empted the St Patricks Day celebrations by chatting with Davey Cashin from The Kilkenny's about their latest tour and getting into the recording studios.

This week I chat with Irish born & UK based singer/songwriter Carl Finlay about his debut album, musical roots, life, the universe and reggae!

Check Carl's music out, he definitely has the wow factor and is one to watch out for in 2015. Follow him at www.facebook.com/carlfinlaymusic .

This weeks show features new music from Rhiannon Giddens, The Unthanks, Adam Wedd, Miles Graham & Stu Larsen.

Plus Classic tracks from Fairport Convention, Al Stewart and The Imagined Village.

Come and join me from 11pm at www.thebridgeradio.net or on 102.5fm .

Always glad to see you, I'll uncork the cab sav!

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Busy, Busy, Busy!

Crazy times coming up, tomorrow I'm interviewing Katrina Leskanich , best known for fronting Katrina and the Waves, it's thirty years since Walking on Sunshine so no doubt we'll be talking about that as well as playing the song. I've no doubt we'll also play 'Love Shine a Light' the 1997 Eurovision winner, Eurovision seems to be on the agenda at the moment!

Later tomorrow I welcome The Robinson-Stone Brothers into the studio to record a session for New Traditions. Danny, Dean and sister Leyna are appearing at The Artrix on Saturday 21st March with their tribute to the songs and life of singer/songwriter Clifford T.Ward. We'll be chatting about the show, the songs and the great man himself.

New Traditions will feature loads of great music including some new stuff from Norwich based duo (?) Ginseng, Ken Stott, Karin Park (Who has previously represented Norway at Eurovision 2013 and hopes to do so again this year - Eurovision agenda geddit?), Lucy Spraggon and Maddy Rodriguez.

The Friday Afternoon Show is packed to the gunnels in addition to Katrina, on Friday morning I get to chat with broadcaster, singer and all around renaissance woman Claire Teale for a chat about her new show a tribute to the wonderful Doris Day. Claire appears at The Garrick in Lichfield on March 21st and at The Forum in Malvern on March 26th.

Plus, as it's the first Friday in March that means Dr Stephen Mann, The Business Forum and this months Dudley Arts Council update.

Featured artist simply has to be Doris Day, plus Geek of the Week from Mr Hedges and loads of terrific music.

Plus a special play out for Chas & Dave's Snooker Loopy - boy do I spoil you!

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GREAT BRITISH ALTERNATIVE FESTIVAL

If you're into a bit of classic alt rock then Skegness is the place to head to in October for THE GREAT BRITISH ALTERNATIVE FESTIVAL follow the link for words about the 2014 event from Sir Bob Geldof, Tim V, John Robb, John Otway and The Blockheads. This years lineup looks equally awesome!

Got to be a goodun!

9th -12th October 2015

Secret Guitar Club

 Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, and life to everything… Without music, life would be an error. (Plato)

Launching in April,  The Secret Guitar Club is a safe & fun environment for people of all ages and abilities to pick up a guitar and play.

 The club will provide a relaxed and friendly social environment in which members of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to make music with others and even to sing along! The ethos of the club is very simple, to give members an opportunity to handle a musical instrument with no pressure to learn to play, no deadlines, no homework and no unreasonable expectations. Just a chance for members to revel in and experience the joy of making music for themselves and with other people.

 You never know , you could be the next Hendrix, Clapton or Jansch!

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Music has a power of forming the character and should therefore be introduced into the education of the young. (Aristotle)

Friday Afternoon Show (27.02.15)

On my show this week :

Paul Kilbride is a modern history graduate from Magdelen College Oxford who completed his MA at the University of London. He is also, as of September last year, the newly appointed Headmaster of Oldswinford Hospital School. Paul will be along to talk about the history and achievements of this wonderful local educational establishment, and discuss his vision for the future of the school. No doubt I'll also ask him about his personal taste in music!

My final guest is the folk singer, singer/songwriter Deborah Rose, Deborah is playing at The Artrix on Thursday 5th March along with family band O'Farrells Frolics and Americana trio Grey Wolf.

All this plus Geek of The Week from Mark Hedges, my featured Artist John Denver and new music from Unsung Lily, The Unthanks, and Rowan Ross.

New Traditions

On New Traditions this week:

New music from The Unthanks, Rhiannon Giddens and Samba Toure . Classic tracks from Madeleine Peyroux, Al Stewart, Claire Hamill and Bob Dylan. 

Plus a review of the latest album Fireflight by Scottish Singer songwriter Rowan Ross. Rowan has been a fixture on the Glasgow Alt Folk/Rock scene over the past couple of years and his latest album showcases his talent beautifully. Think mid seventies McCartney with a Caledonia twist and added harmonium!

Friday Afternoon Show

This week on The Friday Afternoon Show I welcome back Lorraine Newman from Viva Musica who is coming along to tell us all about their packed Spring Diary of Events. For full details follow the link to the Viva Musica website.

Lance Cartwright from Amblecote History Society is coming along to tell us all about the Society, it's own history, aims and ambitions, ongoing projects and give us a diary of talks and events. Once again, follow the link to their website for full details.

My final guests are from across the pond, The Platters have existed in a variety of forms for over 50 years, they are a Grammy award winning Rock n Roll Hall of Fame legend. The current crop Wayne Miller, Frank Pizaro, Cheo Bourne and Valerie Victoria are on tour in the UK from March. I caught up with them for a chat about life in the group, touring and the release of their latest album Back to Basics

My Featured Artist this week is Mr Swivel Hips, the one and only Shakin' Stevens, Mark Hedges will bring his latest Geek of The Week and I have new music from JAGMAC, Uncle Frank & Alexander Wolfe. 

Come and join me, you know it makes sense!

Friday Afternoon Show

Join me on The Friday Afternoon Show

Jenny from The Nonentities  the production company based at The Rose Theatre in Kidderminster will be along to tell us about their latest production The Merchant of Venice which runs from 23rd to 28th February.

Local author Paul Webb will be popping along to chat about his book Buddha Late Than Never.

Finally I will be talking with one half of award winning Devonian folk duo Show of Hands, Phil Beer, Phil is on tour with his eponymous band and is appearing at The Artrix on Saturday 14th March.

Mr Hedges will be along with his latest Geek of The Week, our featured artist is the wonderful Stevie Nicks and we'll be playing a shed load of great music. What's not to like?

New Traditions

On this weeks New Traditions Thursday 12th February 11pm-1am 

I have a raft of new music for you including tracks from The Once, Rachael Sage, Molly Marriott, Ryan Adderey, Aaron English, Miles Graham, Alexander Wolfe, Antony Venneri and something a little bit different from Uncle Frank, Katzenjammer, These Reigning Days, Public Service Broadcasting and Sam & The Womp.

Plus my featured albums are Seth Lakeman's Word of Mouth , part recorded in a local church and featuring Mr Lakeman's usual exuberant celebration of the tales and history of  his native South West

And the latest album from Sarah McQuaid Walking into White, my favourite album of 2015 thus far.

Plus loads of classic folk, blues and world music. It'd be great to have your company.

Friday Afternoon Show

Join me on this weeks Friday Afternoon Show (February 6th) between 1pm & 4pm

As it's the first Friday of the month all the usual suspects will be here including Dr Steven Mann who will be discussing the latest cancer research developments and the British Heart Foundation Wear Red Day. The Business Forum will be in to discuss all the big economic stories, national, international and local. As ever we'll have an update of what's on from Dudley Arts Council.
I will also be chatting with Alan Cosgrove, founder member of Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, a tribute band so good even Mick Fleetwood has played with them!

You can also hear again my 2000th guest interview with six times world snooker champion Steve Davis at his recent exhibition match at Stourbridge Institute.

Finally, to celebrate the Giants of Rock Weekend taking place in Minehead over the next three days our Featured artist of the Day is Manfred Mann's Earthband.

All this plus Geek of the Week, terrific music and Hobnobs! Come and join me, you know it makes sense.

New Traditions

On New Traditions this week:

I will be chatting with Eamonn Cambell from the Dublin Legends ahead of the UK leg of their latest tour

Blues singer Jo Harmon who has recently  been voted best female vocalist at the British Blues Awards.

  And the fabulous Toyah Wilcox who will be telling us about her latest tour (one of three simultaneous tours! I wish I had her energy).

Plus loads of great music from Art Block, Rachael Sage, The Once and Miles Graham.
I look forward to your Company.

A Quick Catch Up!

Amazing isn't it , when you start trawling through your photo albums? Just a few memories from the last couple of years!

 Local singer songwriter, The REAL Alan Davies

 Bridgnorth Festival

 Philip Serrell auctioning me off!

 Bridgnorth Festival once again

 Chas & Mark

 With Clutching at Straws

 With Simon Faux at the Glee Club Birmingham to see David Serero in concert

 Actress Hazel D'Jan

 Mark & Mark (Williams & Moran)

 The Musgraves at the studio

 Elizabeth McGovern aka Sadie

 Award winning Side by Side Theatre Company with many prizes

 THE MANAGEMENT Steve Heathcock & Mickey Tongue 

 How life should always be

Me with Totem Pole!

Hobnobbing with the stars!

Apres Gig at the Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri concert at the Mercure Hotel in Bewdley. Part of the Bewdley Festival 2014.

Check out the link for the full 2014 programme:

http://www.bewdleyfestival.org.uk/festival-programme/2013-programme