My Biography
I started Folk Singing in the very early 70s on the Advice and encouragement of my Friend and Mentor The Late Dougie Porter. He was the first Folkie to take an interest in a Wannabe Folk Singer like me, I could just about strum a guitar at this stage,(mind you I have only got a little bit better now)(Remember 15 hours practice for 15 mins on Stage).Here I was stationed in Germany with no one to teach me anything, then there was Derek Brimstone,Graham Cooper and Doug all showing me bits on the guitar. Well I first met Doug at the Attic Folk Club RAF Gutersloh,and Never looked back. Whilst learning the craft Doug would send me Tapes of his next tour to Germany, and I like any good friend would pinch all his material so the next time he got to Germany I had done all the songs many times over and at most of the clubs he was to perform at. At that time in Germany you could go to a Folk Club every night of the week and see some great Folk Artists all the Great Folkies were booked to come and perform, most by the Ann Dex Agency, wonder what happened to Ann?. Whilst there I was fortunate enough to support some Fine Artists a few being, Derek Brinstone, Doug Porter, Graham Cooper, Harvey Andrews. The McCalmans, Gary and Vera Aspey and the late great Jake Thakery. I teamed up with a friend of mine Mike Mooney and for a number of years we toured all the Clubs and Messes as Mike and Brian, We won the Coverted Forces Folk Competition back in 1981. We were then Joined by Ratchel Tiller a young lady who's father was in the RAF,what a marvelous singer, Perfect Pitch as well. Hamish Bain late of the McCalmans and married to Isla Sinclair told me " she has a very marketable voice,Alas she was only 16 and well at 16 who cares! we then changed our name to Hattrick. However this was soon to go as we all got Posted "Bloody Army".I have since met up with Mike again and we have done the odd spot, however he has gone and disappeared again, you never know we might meet again. I gave up performing for a lot of years and with the support of my Partner Elaine I started performing again firstly at the Tudor Barn Folk Club in Eltham a good club to visit if you are in the area. I have been gigging for the last 5 years and have performed at Staines, Orpington Eltham and Mycenae house. I now perform regularly at Orpington Folk Club were I am a Resident and the Booker of act's. I also do the odd gig from time to time so try and catch the act. I also sing with my Jazz Trio/Quartet so if Folk is not the genre you like then listen to the tracks on my easy listening page.