Smiley Culture R.I.P

It is with sadness that I post these thoughts about Smiley Culture, known internationally for his hits "Police Officer" and "Cockney Translator". He "allegedly" stabbed himself while he was in police custody in his own home on the 15th March. A 1000 strong crowd has marched to highlight not only the tragedy of his death but to draw attention to the amount of people who have died in Suspicious circumstances whilst in Police custody. There is a facebook group set up here....www.facebook.com/Campaign4Justice4SmileyCulture , In my youth I regularly blasted "Police Officer" from my bedroom window and was amazed the first time I saw him on Top Of The Pops! Bless Up "Smiley Culture"

Time on my hands.....

Time I updated this blog more like it! Just noticed that I haven't posted anything in nearly a year.... I have no excuse other than only being able to concentrate on only one thing at a time...a man thing I guess. I will thank my friend Richard Humby at work for inspiring me to pull me finger out and update more regularly...
I'm in the process of booking gigs for the Summer and am looking forward to playing on The Isle of Wight Ferry again this year..I'm playing two return journeys so if you see a tired sweaty bloke called Jim with a guitar on the ferry this year chances are it will be me....As soon as I have new live dates I will post them.......

Toodle pip...Jim

Beggars Fair Blog

Yesterday we caught the Train to Romsey for The Beggars Fair...Its a free all day music festival which takes place all over the town in Pubs..Parks..on Stages, Churches and the Abbey...I was at a Pub called The William IV...There wasnt a P.A, so I had to "Busk" it! I Had to shout above the usual pub noise and had to sing even louder...I positioned myself real close to the people who were listening and played for all my worth...I really enjoyed it as it was a no frills, rough and ready Acoustic performance which the name Beggars Fair would have be proud of.. I did plan to play some quieter more sensitive songs but hey "you pays your money"! ( or begs it ) If your in the area next year go along and have a fine free day of music in a typically English small old Town Setting...

Beggars Fair in Romsey

Beggars fair in Romsey tommorow, Saturday 10th July...you can catch me at The William Iv from 2.45...Heres the web address... www.beggars-fair.org.uk Theres free music on all day all over the town and I'm really looking forward to it! Hope to see you there....Come and say hello...Pictures and post tommorow evening.

Two Gigs on one Summers day in Eastleigh

Heres a couple of snaps of the gigs today in Eastleigh...I played in Stones first and then The Litten Tree....Had a whale of a time...We went along to the Bandstand a little later on and listened to some Folk.....A lovely time was had by all! Thanks to The Point Arts Centre and to Marie Negus for booking me to play... Heres a video of Underneath The Horse chestnut Tree in The Litten Tree

Warming up for The Eastleigh Festival

I'm playing Two sets today... 2-2.30 at Stones...and 3-3.30 at The Litten Tree in the centre of Eastleigh..Its a warm up show for The Eastleigh Festival thats happening on the Leigh Rd Recreation ground next weekend..I'll post some photies tommorow....Hope to see you there....

The old walled garden gate in Wales

Heres a few photos of the inspiration behind a new song I've written this week called.. "Through the old walled garden gate"....The lyrics are all about finding solace and peace in a magical, spiritual or physical place.... A place where you can be refreshed and renewed... These photos and video were taken on my partners Fathers farm in Wales... A magical place itself!