Loading...About The Speaker...
I am a Devonian musician and singer who has been working as a professional musician and speaker for over twenty years. I studied for a degree in Folk & Traditional Music at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and have worked with many well regarded musicians on the UK folk music scene over the years including Waterson:Carthy, John McCusker, Michael Morpurgo, Kate Rusby, Show of Hands and David Rotheray of The Beautiful South.
I specialise in the traditional music of Devon and the West Country. I also compose my own songs and receive regular commissions to write for specific projects. I am a relative of the late Cornish poet Charles Causley and have made several albums of my musical settings of poems by Charles Causley and Jack Clemo.
I have been nominated six times for a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award and was described by Mojo Magazine as “the finest folk singer of his generation” and by Geoff Lakeman as possessing “a voice in a million”!
I also give presentations on aspects of national and Devonshire folklore such a ‘Devon Folklore & Customs’, ‘The Folklore of Dartmoor’ and ‘Allhallowtide: an Exploration of Hallowe’en Folklore’ with Dr Mark Norman who runs the ‘Folklore Libabray & Archive’ which is based in Devon.
About Their Talks...
My talks are full of educational information and fascinating facts about intriguing characters and local folklore but all presented in a light-hearted and fun manner and not heavy-going in the least! I often encourage people to sing along with well known songs but this is not mandatory!
I can offer talks on the Traditional Music of Devon with a strong emphasis on the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould who collected a vast amount of the folk songs of Devon and Cornwall. I also give an illustrated talk with music on The Life of Sabine Baring-Gould, composer of Onward Christian Soldiers and many other well-loved hymns and an all-round fascinating Victorian superstar author!
I can give a talk on the life of Charles Causley with musical and spoken-word examples of his poetry.
I give a talk on The Traditional Folk Music of England drawing heavily from my time being taught by some of the leading exponents of traditional English music at Newcastle University.
I also offer a Christmas themed presentation, showcasing the lesser known repertoire of secular and religious folk carols from around the British Isles.
Lastly I can give a performance and talk on the art of song-writing and give examples of my own compositions and how I approach the writing and composing of new songs.
I also give presentations on aspects of national and Devonshire folklore such a ‘Devon Folklore & Customs’, ‘The Folklore of Dartmoor’ and ‘Allhallowtide: an Exploration of Hallowe’en Folklore’ with Dr Mark Norman who runs the ‘Folklore Libabray & Archive’ which is based in Devon.
Fee:
Depending on the venue, the distance required to travel and the length of time required to perform and if amplification and a sound-system is required to be provided. I charge anything from £50 upwards.
