Films featuring live performances from 2015



In 2015 I played live 115 times


75 songs - I'd set myself a mission to do a live performance during 2015 of every song I'd ever written & recorded. With my performance of 'Falling from glory' on 4/10/15 I completed the challenge.


The White Horse - 28/12/15 - Photo: Lisa Jackson

May Garland with Ben, John & Bob - 23/12/15 - Photo: Meya Rein
May Garland with Ben, John & Bob - 23/12/15 - Photo: Meya Rein
May Garland with Ben, John & Bob - 23/12/15 - Photo: Meya Rein
29/12/15 - 249
The Six Bells
, Chiddingly

2 songs at Open mic night

    • Insomniac's dream
    • On paper wings
My final open mic night of 2015. The evening though belonged to my music friends, The Glimmer Project - who entertained us with some top blues, rock and roll & reggae tunes, all featuring plenty of groove and musical virtuosity.
28/12/15 - 248
The White Horse
, Bodle Street Green

2 songs at Open mic night

    • Standing room only
    • Shining Knight
Tim helped me out on Cajon and I got a bit of a singalong going on my first song (chorus) and then did my newest song (75 of 2015) complete with Tim & audience doing some great Gregorian chant stuff!
23/12/15 - 247
The May Garland
, Horam

3 songs at Open mic night

    • It's only my time
    • The Question
    • Toast for one
    • Bad moon rising
Good fun and help on my last two tracks from: Ben (Cajon), Bob (bass) & John (slide).
21/12/15 - 246
The White Horse

Bodle Street Green

2 songs at Open mic night

      • Ghosts
      • Zero Fahrenheit
Christmas hat night and I won a box of chocolates!
20/12/15 - 245
The Green Man
, Ringmer

3 songs at Open floor night

      • Mr Songwriter
      • Zero Fahrenheit
      • Toast for one
Good fun with Jayne, Lisa & Dave doing the BVs and Chris Mansell on lead guitar. See Facebook for crazy film of Toast for one.
All you need at the Green Man - 20/12/15 - Photo: Lisa Jackson
Fun at the Green Man with Chris, Chris, Monica, CJM, Lisa, Jayne & Dave - 20/12/15 - Photo: Monica Ross
Fun at the Green Man with Chris, Chris, CJM, Monica, Jayne, Dave & Lisa - 20/12/15 - Photo: Monica Ross
Fun at the Green Man with Banjo Dave - 20/12/15 - Photo: Lisa Jackson
10/12/15 - 244
Uckfield Folk & Blues

Ringles Cross

2 songs at Open floor night

    • Toast for one
    • The young ones
09/12/15 - 243
The Sussex Songwriters Night

The May Garland, Horam

5 songs at Songwriters night

    • The Question
    • Toast for one
    • The Man
    • Mr Songwriter
    • You're gone
See Diary for more info on Sussex Songwriters
08/12/15 - 242
The Blackboys Inn

8 songs at Open mic night

    • Black Magic Woman
    • Insomniac's dream
    • Norwegian Wood
    • Johnny B. Goode
    • Knockin' on Heaven's Door
    • Toast for one
    • The Question
    • Going down the road feeling bad
Rock and Roll at the White Horse - 7/12/15 - Photo: Chris Liddiard
07/12/15 - 241
The White Horse

Bodle Street Green

2 songs at Open mic night

    • Johnny B. Goode
    • Toast for one
It was Rock and Roll night so I took my Telecaster along and using a bucket of distortion had a blast with Jayne on BVs, Cowboy Jeff on bass and Tim on Cajon.
06/12/15 - 240
Elephant and Castle

Lewes

3 songs at Open floor night

    • The Question
    • Dream
    • Toast for one
I'd finished writing 'The Question' during the day. See Diary for more info.
02/12/15 - 239
Buskers
, All Saints Church Hall, Crowborough

5 songs at Open mic night

        • Zero Fahrenheit
        • The Man
        • Ghosts
        • All of the time
        • Johnny B. Goode
Jayne did BVs on my last three songs and I was joined by Chrissy on bass and Pauline on Cajon for a rousing singalong version of Johnny B. Goode.
01/12/15 - 238
Six Bells
, Chiddingly

2 songs at Open mic night

    • You're gone
    • The Man
Busy night, running the sound and driving the desk and then playing a couple of songs.
Ringles Cross - 26/11/15 - Photo: Adin Aludos
26/11/15 - 237
Uckfield Folk & Blues
, Ringles Cross

3 songs at Open floor night

    • The last song
    • Dream
    • Spiders and snakes
'The last song' on You Tube - filmed by Raymond Whiteway-Roberts.
25/11/15 - 236
May Garland
, Horam

3 songs at Open mic night

    • Do you see the future
    • Sanity
    • Mendacious Cowboy
Ben Armstrong joined me on my final two songs playing his Slap Top Cajon.
18/11/15 - 235
The Sussex Songwriters Night

The May Garland, Horam

3 songs at Songwriters night

    • Dream
    • Zero Fahrenheit
    • I want to learn
I'd finished writing 'Dream' during the day. See Diary for more info.
Scrapheap Blues at the Green Man with Dave, Jayne & Lisa - 15/11/15 - Photo: Tony Barrington-Peek
Scrapheap Blues at the Green Man with Dave, Jayne & Lisa - 15/11/15 - Photo: Tony Barrington-Peek
Scrapheap Blues at the Green Man with Dave, Jayne & Lisa - 15/11/15 - Photo: Tony Barrington-Peek
15/11/15 - 234
The Green Man
, Ringmer

3 songs at Open floor night

    • Life's a race
    • Zero Fahrenheit
    • Scrapheap Blues
12/11/15 - 233
Uckfield Folk & Blues
, Ringles Cross

2 songs at Open floor night

    • Paul
    • Zero Fahrenheit
Ringles Cross - 12/11/15 - Photo: Adin Aludos
10/11/15 - 232
The Blackboys Inn

6 songs at Open mic night

    • Falling from glory
    • Zero Fahrenheit
    • Haunted by the night
    • Something to believe
    • Inside of you
    • Me and my uncle
03/11/15 - 231
Six Bells
, Chiddingly

2 songs at Open mic night

  • My mum, Alzheimer's and the Care Home
  • Zero Fahrenheit
  • 01/11/15 - 230
    Elephant and Castle
    , Lewes

    3 songs at Open floor night

  • My mum, Alzheimer's and the Care Home
  • Zero Fahrenheit
  • Life Sentence Part 1
  • 28/10/15 - 229
    The May Garland
    , Horam

    6 songs at Open mic night

      • I want to learn
      • Zero Fahrenheit
      • Me and my uncle
      • Haunted by the night
      • Something to believe
      • Life Sentence Part 1
    22/10/15 - 228
    Uckfield Folk & Blues
    , Ringles Cross

    4 songs at Open floor night

      • Inside of you
      • Something to believe
      • Life Sentence Part 1
      • Haunted by the night
    20/10/15 - 227
    The Six Bells
    , Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • What happened to our love
      • Life's a race
    It was Songwriters Night and I was MC. See Facebook & Six Bells Blog (Scroll to 20/10/15).
    18/10/15 - 226
    The Green Man
    , Ringmer

    3 songs at Open floor night

      • Life Sentence Part 1
      • Falling from glory
      • All of the time
    I do enjoy the Green Man, very relaxed and a lot of laughter and some great music.
    14/10/15 - 225
    The Sussex Songwriters Night

    The May Garland, Horam

    3 songs at Songwriters night

      • Life Sentence Part 1
      • Falling from glory
      • All of the time
    A chance to try my new song, 'Life Sentence Part 1' for the first time. See Diary for more info.
    13/10/15 - 224
    The Blackboys Inn

    7 songs at Open mic night

        • Guardian Angel
        • Little red car
        • Insomniac's dream
        • All of the time
        • Spiders and snakes
        • Going down the road feeling bad
        • House of the rising sun
    08/10/15 - 223
    Uckfield Folk & Blues
    , Ringles Cross

    2 songs at Open floor night

  • My mum, Alzheimer's and the Care Home
  • It's only my time
  • Ringles Cross - 8/10/15 - Photo: Adin Aludos
    07/10/15 - 222: Buskers
    All Saints Church Hall, Crowborough

    5 songs at Open mic night

      • You're gone
      • Tick Tock
      • All of the time
      • I like to be sad
      • Spiders and snakes
    06/10/15 - 221
    The Six Bells
    , Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • All of the time
      • Ghosts
    We had a new PA, which is a big improvement on the previous bit of kit.
    04/10/15 - 220
    Elephant and Castle
    , Lewes

    3 songs at Open floor night

      • All of the time
      • Falling from glory
      • It's only my time
    Falling from glory was number 71 and the final song in my mission. See Diary for info.
    29/09/15 - 219
    The Six Bells
    , Chiddingly

    3 songs at Open mic night

      • It's only my time
      • Road song
      • Spiders and snakes
    Part of the Chiddingly Festival, featuring a few of the regular open mic brigade and Rupert Cobb's PA and band, Hazardous Funk.
    24/09/15 - 218
    Uckfield Folk & Blues
    , Ringles Cross

    3 songs at Open floor night

      • All of the time
      • Insomniac's dream
      • A face from the past
    Thanks to Jayne Ingles for helping out with BVs on 'All of the time'. I finished with song 70 in my mission - A face from the past.
    With Jayne Ingles at Ringles Cross - 24/09/15 - Photo: Adin Aludos
    23/09/15 - 217
    The May Garland
    , Horam

    5 songs at Open mic night

      • All of the time
      • Insomniac's dream
      • Ghosts
      • Spiders and snakes
      • On paper wings
    22/09/15 - 216
    The Six Bells
    , Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • Standing room only
      • Haunted by the night
    Song 69 - Haunted by the night which features lyrics by Mark Healy.
    20/09/15 - 215
    The Green Man
    , Ringmer

    4 songs at Open floor night

      • Guardian Angel
      • On paper wings
      • It's only my time
      • Insomniac's dream
    14/09/15 - 214
    The White Horse

    Bodle Street Green

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • It's all over now babe blue
      • Norwegian Wood
    The brief was to play songs composed in 1965, so I did a Dylan and then a Beatles song.
    10/09/15 - 213
    Uckfield Folk & Blues

    Ringles Cross

    2 songs at Open floor night

      • On paper wings
      • Diary
    I had a special reason for playing these two songs featured on my 'The Last Song' album.
    09/09/15 - 212
    The Sussex Songwriters Night

    The May Garland, Horam

    3 songs at Songwriters night

      • Mr Songwriter
      • Road song
      • Standing room only
    The September meeting of the Sussex Songwriters group - See Diary for more info.
    Bowler hat & shades ready for the Six Bells - 8/09/15
    08/09/15 - 211
    The Six Bells
    , Chiddingly

    3 songs at Open mic night

      • Mendacious Cowboy
      • I like to be sad
      • The young ones
    I was MC for the evening - See Facebook for some words and photos. Six Bells Blog.
    MC at the Six Bells - 8/09/15 - Photo: Simon Watt
    06/09/15 - 210
    The Green Man
    , Ringmer

    3 songs at Open floor night

    • Standing room only
    • Road song
    • It's only my time
    An enjoyable, mellow and fun evening, with lots of banter and respect for each performer.
    01/09/15 - 209
    The Blackboys Inn

    9 songs at Open mic night

  • It's only my time
  • Standing room only
  • Road song
  • King of the flies
  • Farewell my love
  • Ghosts
  • Little red car
  • Insomniac's dream
  • The last song
  • A mellow and enjoyable evening. A chance to play my four newest songs back-to-back, before dipping into various eras from my back catalogue. Nice x
    31/08/15 - 208
    The White Horse
    , Bodle Street Green

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • Social Media
      • Farewell my love
    Two more songs ticked off - 67 down. See my video for Social Media.
    26/08/15 - 207
    The May Garland
    , Horam

    5 songs at Open mic night

      • Road Song
      • Little red car
      • It's only my time
      • Right for me
      • The young ones
    Borrowed Meya's piano to play 'Right for me', song 65 in my challenge.
    25/08/15 - 206
    The Six Bells
    , Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • Paul
      • I went to America
    It was 'Story Songs Night' at the Bells - Jayne Ingles helped me out with BVs on my second song. See videos: Paul - I went to America.
    17/08/15 - 205
    The White Horse
    , Bodle Street Green

    3 songs at Open mic night

      • Fade and disappear
      • I went to America
      • It's only my time
    Two more songs ticked off - 64 down. See my video for I went to America.
    16/08/15 - 204
    The Green Man
    , Ringmer

    6 songs at Open floor night

          • It's only my time
          • Another lonely man
          • King of the flies
          • Blue suede shoes
          • The last song
          • The wrong trousers
    Chris Mansell (lead guitar), Dave (banjo) & Helga (flute) joined me on Blue suede shoes. At the begining of the evening, I suggested we wrote a song and performed it at the end of the night. The one and only performance of The wrong trousers closed the evening and featured, Dave on banjo and verse 1, myself on verse 2 and dancing, Keith Warner on guitar and verse 3 and Chris Liddiard on guitar and verse 4!
    15/08/15 - 203
    The Blackboys Inn Beer Festival

    6 songs on festival stage

      • Little red car
      • Spiders and snakes
      • Ghosts
      • Me and my uncle
      • It's only my time
      • The young ones
    Three day marquee based music & beer festival. I had a 25-minute slot on Saturday lunchtime.
    13/08/15 - 202
    Underground Theatre

    Eastbourne

    4 songs at Open stage night

    • It's only my time
    • King of the flies
    • Me and my uncle
    • The young ones
    12/08/15 - 201
    The Sussex Songwriters Night

    The May Garland, Horam

    4 songs at Songwriters night

        • Road Song
        • Another lonely man
        • My mum, Alzheimer's and the Care Home
        • Insomniac's Dream
    The latest meeting of the Sussex Songwriters group - See Diary for more info on the evenings.
    11/08/15 - 200
    The Six Bells
    , Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • Life's a race
      • It's only my time
    My 200th open mic night - I played the opening song from my first ever open mic performance and finished with a brand new song.
    Open mic night number 200 at the Six Bells - 11/08/15 - Photo: Simon Watt
    02/08/15 - 199
    Elephant and Castle
    , Lewes

    3 songs at Open floor night

      • Another lonely man
      • I can't make it shine
      • Rules
    3 more songs in my mission takes me to 60.
    28/07/15 - 198
    The Six Bells
    , Chiddingly

    3 songs at Open mic night

      • Johnny B. Goode
      • Always there
      • I like to be sad
    It was rock 'n' roll night at the Bells
    23/07/15 - 197
    Uckfield Folk & Blues
    , Ringles Cross

    4 songs at Open floor night

      • News
      • Life's a race
      • Always there
      • Spiders and snakes
    I've now played 57 of my own songs in 2015
    19/07/15 - 196
    The Green Man

    Ringmer

    3 songs
    at Open floor night

  • Me and my uncle
  • Life's a race
  • Mask
  • The entertainers group shot at the Green Man - 19/07/15
    09/07/15 - 195
    Uckfield Folk & Blues

    Ringles Cross

    4 songs
    at Open floor night

    • Me and my uncle
    • Little red car
    • Ghosts
    • Sanity
    Playing Me and my uncle at Ringles Cross - 9/07/15 - Photo: Adin Aludos
    08/07/15 - 194
    The Sussex Songwriters Night

    The May Garland, Horam

    3 songs at Songwriters night

      • Many ways to pay
      • Ghosts
      • Little red car
    See Diary for more info on the Sussex Songwriters evenings.
    Sussex Songwriters - 8/07/15 - Photo by Lisa Jackson
    Sussex Songwriters - 8/07/15 - Photo by Lisa Jackson
    Sussex Songwriters - 8/07/15 - Photo by Lisa Jackson
    05/07/15 - 193
    The Elephant and Castle

    Lewes

    3 songs at Open floor night

    • Many ways to pay
    • Little red car
    • Me and my uncle
    30/06/15 - 192
    The Six Bells
    Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

        • Many ways to pay
        • Me and my uncle
    We played outside on a hot June night and 'Many ways to pay' was song number 54 in my mission to perform all my songs live in 2015. I finished with a Grateful Dead standard, as they are celebrating 50 years together and playing their final ever gigs in Chicago.
    23/06/15 - 191
    The Blackboys Inn

    4 songs at Open mic night

      • Insomniac's Dream
      • Ghosts
      • Sanity
      • King of the flies
    After taking a couple of weeks off from the open mic scene I felt refreshed and really enjoyed the evening.
    10/06/15 - 190
    The Sussex Songwriters Night

    The May Garland, Horam

    3 songs at Songwriters night

      • King of the flies
      • Remember
      • All of the time
    The third meeting of the Sussex Songwriters group - See Diary for more info on the evenings.
    07/06/15 - 189
    The Elephant and Castle

    Lewes

    3 songs at Open floor night

        • Standing room only
        • Remember
        • King of the flies
    Another enjoyable evening in Lewes run by Jason Loughran, featuring a mix of music and poetry. It gave me a chance to continue development of two new songs and to play 'Remember' again, which is a bit of a current fav of mine.
    06/06/15 - 188: Summer Festival
    Broad Oak & Heathfield

    5 songs at Buskers Concert

        • Sanity
        • Ghosts
        • Insomniac's Dream
        • Spiders and snakes
        • The young ones
    I had been invited to play at the event and after doing the opening songs from my last three albums I finished with a couple of my stock covers, which got a great response from the audience - know your demographic!
    Broad Oak & Heathfield Summer Festival - 6/06/15
    05/06/15 - 187: Meet of the tongue
    The Ostrich, Robertsbridge

    1 song at Open floor night

    • My mum, Alzheimer's and the Care Home
    This event is run upstairs at my dad's local pub and is rather different to my stock open mic night. It's primarily a story telling evening with a bit of music thrown in. I got a fabulous response to my song, which had extra resonance, as mum used to come here with dad. Meet of the tongue on Facebook.
    03/06/15 - 186: Buskers
    All Saints Church Hall
    Crowborough

    5 songs at Open mic night

      • Remember
      • King of the flies
      • Little red car
      • Inside of you
      • The young ones
    02/06/15 - 185: The Six Bells
    Chiddingly

    3 songs at Open mic night

      • Remember
      • King of the flies
      • I like to be sad
    I was MC for the evening and did a report on Facebook. My new song, 'Side of the road' is now finished and renamed, 'King of the flies'.
    Bowler hat, guitar, badge, pick and list of performers at the Six Bells - 2/06/15
    Ringmaster at the Six Bells on 2/06/15
    Playing Ghosts at Ringles Cross - 28/05/15 - Photo: Adin Aludos
    28/05/15 - 184: Uckfield Folk & Blues
    Ringles Cross

    3 songs at Open floor night

      • Ghosts
      • Side of the road
      • Remember
    My 50th open mic night of the year! Is it an addiction, or a more complex mental health issue? Jayne joined me on 'Ghosts' and I gave 'Side of the road' another run through.
    26/05/15 - 183: The Blackboys Inn

    6 songs at Open mic night

      • Me and my Uncle
      • Side of the road
      • Blue Suede Shoes
      • Tick Tock
      • Ghosts
      • Remember
    A quiet night and a chance to try an unfinished song, with the working title of 'Side of the road'.
    17/05/15 - 182: The Green Man
    Ringmer

    6 songs at Open floor night

      • Standing room only
      • Remember
      • Desire
      • Little red car
      • Inside of you
      • The young ones
    14/05/15 - 181: The Underground Theatre
    Eastbourne

    3 songs at Open stage night

      • Desire
      • Remember
      • Little red car
    The first live outing for 'Desire' since 1991 and a second chance to play Remember in two nights. An eclectic night at the Underground, which including a tap dancer and an impressionist.
    13/05/15 - 180: The Freemasons
    Hove

    3 songs at Open mic night

      • Life ain't been easy
      • Spiders and snakes
      • Remember
    I was out for a beer in Hove and someone sets up an open mic night! Well, I couldn't resist could I - borrowed a guitar and did a few songs.
    12/05/15 - 179: The Blackboys Inn

    5 songs at Open mic night

      • The future's so vague
      • All alone
      • White man rock and roll (JO)
      • There comes a time (JO)
      • Stories to be told (JO)
    I played the All Alone recordings and then returned later to do the title song from Stories to be told. Two more songs ticked off and John Oddie (JO) joined me with some great guitar.
    2 songs at Songwriters night
      • The Question
      • There comes a time
    We had a really good evening at the May Garland for the second get-together of the Sussex Songwriters. I tried out part of a new song that I'd been working on that day, called 'The Question'. I'm not sure it was a good idea and think in future I'll only play finished songs. I also played an old song as part of my mission to perform all my recorded songs live. This one would also have benefited from a bit more preparation. See Diary for more on the project.
    06/05/15 - 178

    The Sussex Songwriters Night
    May Garland, Horam

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    05/05/15 - 177: The Six Bells
    Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • Get yourself a good time
      • Mother nature
    Another two ticked off - 46 played and 19 to go. Both songs were originally written and recorded in 1989 under The Rock Hoppers name.
    04/05/15 - 176: The Blackboys Inn

    4 songs at Open mic afternoon

      • Me and my uncle
      • Knockin' on Heaven's Door
      • The young ones
      • Spiders and snakes
    Outside on a Bank Holiday Monday and I decided to just play covers, as a change and as a break from doing my own material.
    03/05/15 - 175: The Elephant and Castle
    Lewes

    3 songs at Open floor night

      • All alone
      • My son, from baby, child to man
      • Tomorrow's Children
    Three more songs from my back catalogue. That's 44 played, leaving me with another 21 to complete my mission. See my video on You Tube for My son, from baby, child to man.
    28/04/15 - 174: The Blackboys Inn

    4 songs at Open mic night

      • Little red car
      • Mr Preacher Man
      • Skeleton
      • I like to be sad
    Two more songs ticked off (Mr Preacher Man & Skeleton) - that's 41 down, leaving 24 to go. Chris Mansell joined me with some great lead guitar on I like to be sad.
    27/04/15 - 173: The White Horse
    Bodle Street Green

    1 song at Open mic night

      • Strangers in the night
    A special night, when you had to play a song you wish you'd written. 'Strangers in the night' was one of my mum's favourite songs and we'd played it at her funeral. Working out an arrangement for one guitar and my vocal style was an interesting challenge. A very busy and really good evening.
    Strangers in the night at the White Horse - 27/04/15
    I've decided to (try and) do a live performance of every song I've ever written & recorded. At this point I've ruled out my six instrumentals and five co-writes (using someone else's lyric) - that leaves 63 songs to play.

    I've now played 39 of my songs live in 2015 - this includes two new compositions (Standing Room Only & The Toast Blues) that have not (yet) been recorded - I therefore have another 26 to play. Some of my early stuff will be pretty tricky, as they were composed on electric guitar for a rock band and some were written on piano and to be honest, I haven't got a clue how to play several of them - but, it's a challenge and each song has a place in my heart and takes me back to when it was written and gets me thinking about what it was about.

    23/04/15 - 172: Uckfield Folk & Blues
    Ringles Cross

    4 songs at Open floor night

      • Angry young man
      • What happened to our love
      • I want to learn
      • Life ain't been easy
    I opened with the first three songs I'd ever writen & recorded. It was my inaugural (and probably last) live performance of Angry young man, which was my first composition. Life ain't been easy was filmed and placed on his own You Tube account by Raymond Whiteway-Roberts.
    Angry young man at Uckfield Folk & Blues - Photo: Lisa Jackson - 23/04/15
    19/04/15 - 171: The Green Man
    Ringmer

    3 songs at Open floor night

    • Something to believe
    • Little red car
    • Wrong place wrong time
    Helga (on flute), John (on slide) & Lisa (on BVs) joined me for Wrong place wrong time.
    Wrong place wrong time - with Helga, John & Lisa at the Green Man - 19/04/15
    14/04/15 - 170
    The Blackboys Inn

    7 songs at Open mic night

    • Sanity
    • Insomniac's Dream
    • The Last Song
    • Funked up Country

    • Diary
    • On Paper Wings
    • Sorry
    Two sets and John Oddie joined me with some great slide work on Sorry.
    Sorry - with John Oddie on slide at the Blackboys - 14/04/15
    13/04/15 - 169: The White Horse
    Bodle Street Green

    2 songs at Open mic night

        • Paul
        • Inside of you
    Another busy night at the White Horse, which I enjoyed and you can see my set on Facebook.
    Playing Paul at the White Horse - 13/04/15
    09/04/15 - 168: The UndergroundTheatre
    Eastbourne

    2 songs at Open stage night

        • The future's so vague
        • Run
    I'd written both songs 20 years ago back in 1995. The future's so vague is the first song I recorded with myself on lead vocals - prior to that, I'd worked with a collection of great singers. I also did all the instrumentation, except drums and BVs. It was an important moment in my musical development and I think the lyric is the same for me today as it was back then!
    08/04/15 - 167

    Lisa Jackson and I have been talking about running a songwriters evening for a while. We held our first get-together at my place - everyone was very positive and it seemed a successful evening all-round. I played them my new song, Standing Room Only.

    See Diary for more on the project and our future plans.

    The Sussex Songwriters Night
    Heathfield

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    07/04/15 - 166: The Six Bells
    Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • The Toast Blues
      • Wishing Well
    It was Blues Night at the Bells, so I dug out the Telecaster and wrote The Toast Blues - you can see it on Facebook. A bit of a challenge and rather different from my usual stuff, but a lot of fun.
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    05/04/15 - 165: The Elephant and Castle
    Lewes

    3 songs at Open floor night

      • Paul
      • Inside of you
      • Sorry
    A good audience, who really listen - I gave Paul another outing and followed up with a rare performance of, Inside of you, which I'd written back in 1996. As John Oddie was with me, I asked him join me on Sorry with a bit of slide. A really enjoyable & unplugged evening with an entertaining and eclectic mixture of performers.
    01/04/15 - 164: Buskers
    All Saints Church Hall
    Crowborough

    6 songs at Open mic night

      • Ghosts
      • Standing Room Only
      • I like to be sad
      • Me and my uncle
      • Life's a race
      • All of the time
    Another chilled night and a chance to play six songs.
    31/03/15 - 163: The Blackboys Inn

    8 songs at Open mic night

      • Do you see the future
      • Standing Room Only
      • Run
      • Wishing Well
      • Me and my uncle
      • Life's a race
      • Leaf
      • It's all over now baby blue
    Two sets of four songs and I tried a version of the Free song Wishing Well in memory of the late Andy Fraser.
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    26/03/15 - 162: Uckfield Folk & Blues
    Ringles Cross

    3 songs at Open floor night

          • Paul
          • Standing Room Only
          • All of the time
    A chilled & unplugged night - I gave Paul a rare outing and then tried a new song (Standing Room Only) that I'm currently working on. I finished off with some help from Jayne and Lisa on All of the time. A nice evening, with some good thoughtful stuff and a great set from Terry Lees. Pictures and report from Jayne Ingles on Facebook.
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    24/03/15 - 161: The Six Bells
    Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • Guardian Angel
      • All of the time
    Rupert Cobb joined me with some great improvised trumpet on my two songs.
    18/03/15 - 160: The Ark
    Newhaven

    3 songs at Open mic night

    • It's all over now baby blue
    • Leaf
    • Spiders and snakes
    My first visit to the Ark - it's a popular, friendly and loud chatty night - not ideal for my stuff, so did a couple of covers and one original.
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    16/03/15 - 159: The White Horse
    Bodle Street Green

    3 songs at Open mic night

        • My mum, Alzheimer's and the Care Home
        • Life's a race
        • All of the time

    I've put a film featuring the first two songs on my Facebook page. Jayne then joined me for 'All of time', but I didn't turn the camera back on!
    12/03/15 - 158: The Underground Theatre
    Eastbourne

    2 songs at Open stage night

      • You're gone
      • All of the time
    Thanks to Lisa for joining me on a couple of numbers from my, Stories to be told album
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    10/03/15 - 157: The Six Bells
    Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • It's all over now baby blue
      • Leaf
    Lisa was MC and I was on the desk. Thanks to Helga, Jayne & Lisa, who all joined me on Leaf.
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    09/03/15 - 156: The Half Moon
    Cade Street

    With just Ruth & Claire (Phoenix Harmony) and Keith & Chris (Hemlock) in the room, it was a chance to play a bit more than normal. I did 2 x 4 song slots, playing material from my View from a window album, along with some covers. At the end I got everyone to join in on three old songs from my Live Evil days.
    11 songs at Open mic night

  • Ghosts
  • Me and my Uncle
  • Leaf
  • It's all over now baby blue
  • The Man
  • I like to be sad
  • Bad Moon Rising
  • House of the Rising Sun
  • Knockin' on Heaven's Door
  • Black Magic Woman
  • Johnny B. Goode
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    03/03/15 - 155: The Blackboys Inn

    5 songs at Open mic night

      • Ghosts
      • Tick Tock
      • Scrapheap Blues
      • I like to be sad
      • View from a window
    A chance to play five songs off my View from a window album. Thanks to John Oddie for some great lead guitar on the first four.
    01/03/15 - 154: The Elephant and Castle
    Lewes

    5 songs at Open floor night

  • My mum, Alzheimer's and the Care Home
  • Sanity
  • Ghosts
  • Life's a race
  • View from a window

    See my report on Facebook.
  • 26/02/15 - 153: The Underground Theatre
    Eastbourne

    2 songs at Open stage night

      • Ghosts
      • View from a window
    I decided to play songs from my previous album, View from a window. Jayne Ingles joined me with some sweet BVs on Ghosts.
    24/02/15 - 152: The Six Bells
    Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • Me and my Uncle
      • Bad Moon Rising
    I was MC and did a couple of reports on Facebbook: Report 1 - Report 2
    Just four nights this week. I was visiting a friend in Hove and noticed that Mandy Woods was running an evening just down the road - Always nice to try new places and see different people play their stuff. Tuesday and back at the Six Bell for the standard two song slot. Thursday's outing at Ringles Cross was another first time venue for me and it was good. It was my 150th open night, so I played my Mum song. The week ended with another night at the Green Man.
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    15/02/15 - 151: The Green Man, Ringmer

    3 songs at Open floor night

      • Diary
      • The Last Song
      • On Paper Wings
    12/02/15 - 150: Uckfield Folk & Blues
    Ringles Cross

    3 songs at Open floor night

  • The Last Song
  • My mum, Alzheimer's and the Care Home
  • Mendacious Cowboy
  • 10/02/15 - 149: The Six Bells
    Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • Insomniac's Dream
      • The Last Song
    09/02/15 - 148: The Neptune
    Hove

    3 songs at Open mic night

      • Funked up Country
      • On Paper Wings
      • Mendacious Cowboy
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    Six Open Nights

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    In Six Nights

    I played six nights on the bounce for the first time - on tour hey! I did my first open mic night on 30/01/13 at the Wheatsheaf in Willingdon and last night's Little Red extravaganza was number 147. My first love is writing and then recording my own songs, I get a real buzz when they exist on CD. I've produced four albums in just over two years and the local open mic scene has been key to the process. I've met loads of lovely people and great musicians, some of whom have become friends and have helped me out on the albums.

    See Facebook for a bit more on the six different evenings.

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    06/02/15 - 147: The Eight Bells
    Jevington

    4 songs at Open mic night

      • The Young Ones
      • Mendacious Cowboy
      • On Paper Wings
      • Bad Moon Rising
    05/02/15 - 146: Smugglers
    Pevensey

    5 songs at Open mic night

      • Music of the Road
      • Mendacious Cowboy
      • Insomniac's Dream
      • On Paper Wings
      • Spiders and Snakes
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    04/02/15 - 145: Buskers
    All Saints Church Hall
    Crowborough

    5 songs at Open mic night

      • Insomniac's Dream
      • Mendacious Cowboy
      • On Paper Wings
      • Diary
      • Spiders and Snakes
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    03/02/15 - 144: The Blackboys Inn

    4 songs at Open mic night

      • The Man
      • Fun of the Fayre
      • Mendacious Cowboy
      • Quiet Man
    02/02/15 - 143: The White Horse
    Bodle Street Green

    2 songs at Open mic night

      • Diary
      • The Last Song
    01/02/15 - 142: Elephant & Castle, Lewes

    5 songs at Open floor night

        • Insomniac's Dream
        • Tree
        • Funked up Country
        • Fun of the Fayre
        • On Paper Wings
    My first visit to this Lewes based music & poetry night, run by Jason Loughran. A relaxed evening and a chance to play to a quiet and respective audiance.
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    27/01/15 - 141: The Six Bells, Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

    • Insomniac's Dream
    • Fun of the Fayre
    22/01/15 - 140: The Underground Theatre, Eastbourne

    2 songs at Open stage night

          • Bicksie Bear
          • On Paper Wings
    A relaxed evening of music and poetry - I performed Bicksie Bear, live for the first time and completed my mission to play the entire new album.
    Bicksie Bear at the Underground Theatre - Photo: Katie Hall - 22/01/15
    On Paper Wings - Underground Theatre - Photo: Katie Hall - 22/01/15
    19/01/15 - 139: The White Horse, Bodle Street Green

    2 songs at Open mic night

        • The Man
        • Blue Suede Shoes
    It was Elvis night - I played the closing track off the new album, which means I've now performed the complete album (with the exception of Bicksie Bear) in running order, spread over five open nights. It was a fun & funny evening and I finished off wih my best Elvis impression!
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    18/01/15 - 138: The Green Man, Ringmer

    3 songs at Open floor night

      • Fun of the Fayre
      • Mendacious Cowboy
      • Quiet Man
    Songs 8, 10 & 11 off the new album, which, just leaves Bicksie Bear and the remixed version of The Man.
    13/01/15 - 137: The Six Bells
    Chiddingly

    2 songs at Open mic night

        • Music of the Road
        • On Paper Wings
    Night three of 2015 and I'm back at the Six Bells for songs 6 & 7 off the new album, which is officialy released today.
    This song's for you - The Six Bells - Photo: Lisa Jackson - 13/01/15
    Doing a Picasso at The Six Bells - Photo: Lisa Jackson - 13/01/15
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    09/01/15 - 136: The Eight Bells
    Jevington

    3 songs at Open mic night

      • Funked up Country
      • Diary
      • The Last Song
    A new open mic night - it was a busy and loud pub on a Friday night. The sound (PA) was far from ideal, but I just about managed to get songs 3, 4 & 5 out.
    The Eight Bells - Photo: Jayne Ingles - 9/01/15
    In a blur at The Eight Bells - Photo: Jayne Ingles - 9/01/15
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    08/01/15 - 135: The Underground Theatre
    Eastbourne

    2 songs at Open stage night

      • Insomniac's Dream
      • Tree
    With the new album (The Last Song) just about to be released, I thought I'd start the year by playing all the songs at a collection of Open mic nights. My first outing of the year and I did the opening pair of songs.
    Backstage at The Underground Theatre - Photo: Lisa Jackson - 8/01/15
    The Underground Theatre - Photo: Simon Joslin - 8/01/15
    The Underground Theatre - Photo: Simon Joslin - 8/01/15

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