Wendy was just finishing a Georgette Jones number when I arrived, Just in time for my favourite Edwina Hayes song Run,
Really looking forward to seeing Edwina Hayes next year,but as I have been listening to Wendy singing the songs for so long, I will probably prefer Wends versions!
Next we had The Singing Degneys, (Tom and Linda) to entertain us with anew song, (I forgot the title!) and an old favourite Four Wheel drives blue Ridge mountain Girl.
Richard, who was comparing this evening then told a joke (Neil Style!!!) about a friend of his called Paddy who went to buy a pizza, ( A true story) . When the laughter eventually died down he introduced Tom Goodall, Who started of with a really good Bruce Springsteen cover.
He carried on with one of his best self written songs Brittney The Bedroom Star,
To complete an excellent set.
The maestro was next, (Kevin to his friends),
who first gave us a Gill Landry song, followed be Steve Earls Christmas in Washington, (Our First Xmas song of the year!!!)
(left click with your mouse on the pictures to see a really nice picture of kevins guitar, or Kevin if you prefer,)
Tony Grant had a hard act to follow…
but amply rose to the challenge, by borrowing one of Geoff Hollis favourites, All the Answers, and one I haven’t heard him sing before, You,l never be the Sun.
It was time to crank up the microphone to its highest height, and welcome Rhyl,s own BFG on stage.
Mr Geoff Hollis
I really must get a panoramic camera, or move further back!
Goeff started with the poignant Bryn Phillips song about the true story of an ex Bridge End miner, For those of you interested….This is by Bryn.
John Gates was a miner in South Wales, near Bridge End, before he was made redundant at the age of 50 when the pit in his local town closed down. There was virtually no chance of getting a job in the area and so he turned to a hobby which he had for years – embroidery. He is now a successful teacher and lectures on the subject all over the place.
I first heard his story on Woman’s Hour, whilst travelling back from Bridgnorth Folk festival. Immediately I arrived home I started to write the song. After I had written it I managed to trace John and sent him a recording of the song to make sure he was happy about my performing it. Thankfully he was, and what’s more he sent me some photographs of the wedding dress which features in the song and also an embroidered badge, which I treasure. If you click on the image (top right) you can see this fine example of his detailed work in, of course, silver and gold.
And for those of you wondering, he hasn’t got a halo, it’s the light bulb about 4″ from his head!!!
Next he sang for us a song he has been working on for the last 9 weeks, his first performance of the Stan Rogers song about the Mary Ellen Carter. this could well turn into a favourite.
We only had to wind the mike down a little bit for our next guest, Terry is quite long too!!
he started of with a Mel haggard song, and finished with the classic Hank Williams, Willy nelson song Old Flames.
accompanied of course by Tom on slide guitar.
We then had the raffle, then most artists did another song.
Tom Degney did South Bound Freight. Then Richard sang The Games people play, with Tom accompanying on the mandolin.
Tom Goodall came back, and gave us a very good version of Creedance Clear Water Revivals Proud Mary, (Even Hotter than Tina Turners)
Richard and Wendy were Next, I missed Richard first time round.
They sang Welcome to my world as a duet.
Near the end now…
Geoff Hollis sang windy Harbour, Linda gave us a sing-a-long, or more accurately a howl a-long, The Northern Plains. Tery Mealey gave us the John Prine favourite Put Another Log on the Fire, always a favourite educational song for the girls. To Finish Richard, Tom Terry and Wendy all sang The Speed of the Sound of loneliness, then finished with Hank Williams Wedding Bells.
See you all next week.
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