LIVE gigs have been happening again and I’m really enjoying them. There was a time at the height of the pandemic when I considered taking the decision to retire, I know a lot of other artists did, even some big names (Arlo Guthrie springs to mind). But I didn’t and I’m really glad. I don’t know how I’d survive without even just the occasional gig. I am still limiting myself to relatively local ones though, but that’s mainly due to Sue’s health and not wanting to leave her for long stretches, particularly not overnight but I’d still consider offers, and you never know…

So far this year I’ve done a nice mixture of different performances – some ‘seniors’ groups which are all very different in their reactions and atmosphere (it’s strange that I’m probably older than a lot of them!); a care home which I’m going back to soon; and a family day at the Peak shopping outlet at Rowsley. That was interesting as it was a while since I’d done something like that even before the pandemic. It was nice to drag out some of the old tried and tested material and to find it still worked.

I’ve also done a couple of Zooms and there will be more of those coming up.

SUMMER GIGS: (Note: the public ones are in BOLD. My ‘talks’ are not much different to my usual performances—a little bit more talk perhaps, but a mix of song and story and info… They can be made suitable for any group.)

Sat 11 June: QUEENS HEAD, Belper: Two hander with PETE MORTON postponed from 26 Feb. doors open 7.30pm. £8 This will be a good mixture of Pete’s contemporary songs, my trad songs and stories plus a few surprises. I’ve known Pete for decades and we’ve worked together before. Should be good. For more info and booking contact mjones572@hotmail.co.uk

Tues 14 June: Talk for the Local History Group at Cuckney, Notts. Local history through song and story. I’m looking forward to singing my song Edward Pepper which was written as part of a project in the village about 20 years ago!

Sat 25 June: Storytelling at the Furthest from the Sea Festival on Cathedral Green in Derby. All day free event. I’ll probably do 3 spots (times tbc)

https://www.furthestfromthesea.co.uk/festival

Mon 11 July: Folk Tales of Song & Dance Zoom concert for the Viktor Wynd Museum, London. 8pm Tickets by donation (£5-£10)

Book on the web site.

I’ll be doing some material from my book of the same name plus a bit more and some chat.

Fri 22 July Return visit to Ivonbrook Care Home, Matlock

Tues 2 Aug Talk for Chaddesden Lady’s group

MORE LATER I hope I see you at one or two of these. If you’re there, come and say ‘hello’.