A new name tops the bill on Wednesday 4th July when Graham Carter visits Irvine Folk Club. He called in to do a floor spot a little while back, but this is his first booking at the Irvine Club.
Graham hails from Poole in Dorset and moved up to live in Scotland some 12 years ago when his Scottish wife wanted to go back to her native heath. He started visiting local Folk Clubs and for the last few years has been running Strathaven Folk Club and also doing some work as a promoter.
A self-taught Acoustic Guitar player, Graham also plays Harmonica and Banjo and by all accounts has a fine voice. His repertoire includes traditional songs from the UK and Ireland, plus a smattering of Blues and Americana as well as some of his own self-penned material. Graham cites Johnny Silvo and Peggy Seeger as key inspirations for steering his musical career. It was listening to Peggy that prompted Graham to learn the Banjo.
Graham really enjoys getting audiences to sing along and so on Wednesday 4th July, the Irvine audience will have opportunity aplenty to display their vocal talents. Irvine Folk Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road and it starts at 8pm.
Elsewhere, Folk Festivals in Scotland are coming up thick and fast. From 5th – 8th July Stonehaven takes centre stage and, as if there needs to be a reason to visit Newton Stewart & Minigaff, their Trad Music & Dance Festival is on from 6th – 8th July. And finally for now, Aberdeen hosts the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention from 11th – 15th July. Lots of very good musical reasons for getting out and about in Scotland.