People have asked, (and so I feel I should tell them), what exactly happened to make me leave Nuneaton Folk Club so early (ie before the final number) last month. If they weren't there, they may have picked up from other Social Network sites, that something untoward suddenly happened. to make me leave that abruptly, and then to stay offline for a while.
Sadly, both my wife and I were called away that night to Coventry University Hospital. My daughter in law had gone into labour early, her mum was away, and our first grandchildren, twin boys, were in imminent danger of being born prematurely. I am so grateful to John Kearney, Malc Gurnham and Phil Benson who helped close events at The Crown in my absence. And grateful also to the other half of Nunc, Flossie McDougall who ran what must have been a harrowing mercy mission to the hospital.
I did not get a chance to say well done to all those who made it musically such a fabulous night. The place was packed, we were honoured to have Floor Spots!!!! from acts like Scarecrow, Dipped Sheep and Raintown Seers who'd come from Brackley, Stratford and Derbyshire and there was a debut from Pete McParland. Bill Bates did two magnificent slots and got everyone chuckling. One of our best nights so far.
What followed had a less happy outcome. I don't mind talking about it now and neither does anyone else. We find it helps. The babies were born a few days later. They were cared for in a Neo Natal unit, where staff did all they could, but they did not pull through. Mass was said for them in St. Peter's Rome, but they died within a day or so of each other, leaving the whole family numb and bereft. R.I.P. Baby Robert and Baby Ray.
After that, I thought I might not be able to get back on the horse again. But NUNC made their debut at The Sty Folk Club last Sunday, and it felt good. Singing is good therapy. It has healing powers. We did "Cold Haily Windy Night," there, "Rave On" and a first in public for us, "Bring It On Home." We were well received and though I say it myself...we sounded quite useful! I also sang "Folsom Prison Blues" with Jon Harrington and John Wright. The whole experience was uplifting.
Black Parrot Seaside songs continue to attract attention, even though the band broke up finally and irretrievably last November. "The Odeon" and " Cockney Power " have both been featured recently in themed Radio anthologies, and the website and Facebook Pages continue to have regular hits. However, I have had new ventures to soften the pain of breaking up and to temper the grief. Mac Awe On Tour are currently rehearsing for a second appearance, this time at a CAMRA beer festival in Nuneaton in June. One of the loosest collectives of musicians you will ever find, they have even had a beer named after them for the occasion.
Nunc -a subtle blend of BPS and Pennyroyal-go from strength to strength. We host Nuneaton Folk Club each month and have also appeared now, at Folk Clubs in Bedworth, Atherstone, Coventry and Long Itchington.
And I have started writing songs in partnership again. This time, with John Kearney. Having previously been the subject of one of his songs-the wonderful "Jolly Boys" we put our heads together and came up with a few things. The first one to be performed in public was "Tiny Lights"- which John did in my absence at The Black Bank last week. This was a song written by me last December. Originally intended to celebrate the day I learned that I was going to be a Grandad. Turned out that didn't happen-and so Tiny Lights now has an added poignancy for all of us.
