It’s been a while since I have had much to report, as like all other working musicians I haven’t been able to play live since before the original lockdown. So it’s great to let you know that we are emerging from these strange times and can announce some exciting new developments.

Firstly, I can now get back on the road and play in front of a live audience again. I have already performed at Anstruther Harbour Festival and Balerno Folk Festival, and on 27th October I’ll be playing Cottingham Live. These are the first opportunities I’ve had to introduce many of my new songs, some of which feature on my latest solo album “New Dawn Breaking”.

The other news concerns my band Real Time and a new three piece line-up going forward. I will continue to play guitar and take the main vocal responsibilities, while John Rafferty will play acoustic lead guitar as he has done since 2012. We are pleased to welcome old friend and fellow Borderer Andy Anderson to the band. Andy hails from Jedburgh, and is a well known multi-instrumentalist who for many years played with local band Fiddler’s Leap. Also a seasoned performer on the Scottish Ceilidh Band circuit, Andy will be playing fiddle and singing harmonies in our new format.

We are looking forward to getting back on the road, and are particularly excited about getting back into Europe, starting with a busy German tour next March. The diary is filling up, and as clubs and other venues begin to reopen we will add more dates to our gig list.

Hope to see you somewhere along the road!