Simon mentioned a couple of artists performing at this year's Celtic Connections Folk Awards (currently on the red button BBC) and it got me thinking about how many musical podiatrists there are out there. I know from Mike's thread that there's an veritable encylopedia of knowledge on Pod Arena - and some pretty interesting album collections, no doubt - but just how many of you make the cross-over from listener to performer/player - and with what?
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My "other life" started around the age of nine when I took up classical guitar and learned how to read the dots. By fifteen - and by virtue of another hobby, climbing - I was introduced into the folk and Scottish scene and was heavily influenced by the Incredible String Band and the likes of Davey Graham and Bert Jansch as well as many emerging English artists/bands at the time - Richard Thompson and Fairport Convention amongst my favourites. I continued playing folk through college in Edinburgh during the late 1970s early 1980s at many of the local haunts and was incredibly lucky to play along side the likes of Dick Gaughan, Bert Jansch and John Martyn at some of the folk nights at the Howf in Edinburgh's High Street. One night when John Martyn was playing was particularly memorable. I had just played two numbers and headed outside for some fresh air and the Big Man came out and gave me my first smoke of a spliff. On top of a bucket of 80 shilling it did not have a good effect and rendered me incapable of anything further that evening - much to the amusement of Martyn and his cronies!
In 1990 during a lecture tour in the USA I took six months off and played in New Orleans after meeting a clarinetist at a covention in the city - and filling in with his band the following day. Ended up playing trad jazz every day at different venues for different bands - including a regular slot on one of the Mississippi paddle boats. Them were the days! Free digs in the French Quarter and three gigs every day - $50 cash each time. Plus free food at the venue and as much liquor as you could handle. Sometimes I wonder why I came back - but if I hadn't then I don't think I would still be around today....
Still playing twenty years on - there's a pretty vibrant local roots scene in Lancashire - the nearest venue is just 75 yards away (I can see it from my study) and there is a plethora of good talent performing regularly. I try to have one music day a week with one of many good friends and try and play for around two hours each day. For me it's one of the greatest stress-busters and pleasures. After podiatry - of course!
Lookin forward to hearing some personal contributions!
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