A Folk Song A Day

We learnt this morning of the death of the legendary Mike Waterson and everyone conected with AFSAD is saddened by the news. We felt it fitting to post a small tribute to Mike, who has appeared as an inspiration throughout this project. We know that Mike was very aware of his role in maintaining the tradition and thrilled that a younger generation are prepared to carry it on.  Here’s Mike performing Bright Phoebus with Lal and as further evidence of his role as an inspiration, a video from YouTube of the recent Young Folk Award finalist Lucy Ward singing A Stitch In Time, which you’ll find on her brand new album Adephi Has To Fly.

Mike & Lal Waterson – Bright Phoebus

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I can confirm that the competition for tickets for Jon’s Midsummer AFSAD concert at Cecil Sharp House is closed and that the winners are all delighted. They are…

Mark Palframan

Kevin Sexton

Anne Hathaway

David Littler

Lizzy Harrall

Thanks to everyone who entered but I’m sorry to inform everyone else that it wasn’t you this time round. We were scrupulously fair in selecting the winners and I got someone else to pick them completely at random. There are still a few tickets available, but it looks set to be a busy night, so don’t delay if you want to go. It will be a prompt 8.00PM start and will be a very special event – I can’t wait.

I had been hoping to announce Jon’s Midsummer concert at Cecil Sharp House and details of AFSAD 2 all in one go, but the details of the latter are still under discussion. I hope, therefore, as many of you as possible will join Jon and The Remnant Kings for a most fitting finale to the year’s A Folk Song A Day next Thursday 23^rd of June. I know a lot of you have already bought tickets, but there are still some available and as such I’m offering five of our regulars (or even irregulars) the chance to win a pair of tickets and that’s for free, gratis and for nothing. All you’ll have to do is get yourselves there and back again, so please don’t enter if that’s a problem as you may deprive someone else of the opportunity of a great night out. To enter yourself for the draw simply send an email with your name address, a daytime and if necessary an evening telephone number to ensure we can contact you to competition@properonline.co.uk with AFSAD in the subject line. Nice and easy, no trick question and the winners will be selected at random on Monday 20^th June – so don’t delay. Competition common sense must prevail (no alternatives, our decision and just the tickets, no transport, beer money, etc) and the winners will be announced here on Tuesday once they’ve been informed and confirmed their attendance. Tickets will be held at the door in the names of the winners to avoid postal dramas.

On the subject of AFSAD 2, I can’t say more as yet and there will be a break, but the very least we will do is make the tracks that started the project available to stream here again. Each day’s track will appear here as before and you’ll be welcome to listen in again, comment and so forth, but with the benefit of a year’s experience. I’m sure any latecomers will particularly welcome this, although I’m equally sure everyone will benefit from a refresher.

On Jon’s behalf, thank you all for listening this year. Hopefully we’ll all get the chance to raise the roof on Thursday as a small payback for this remarkable acheivement.