It’s nice to hear
the old songs,
sung the good old
way…


It’s nice to hear the old songs,
sung the good old way…

Welcome to
Openhouse Studio
Folk Music Legacy

Created by Brian Jones, with daughter; Samantha, this website is a legacy project designed to bring ‘folk up to date.’

Explore the website, listen to the music, Explore folk music heritage UK and read the stories starting from the 60’s revival through to present day.

Welcome to
Openhouse Studio
Folk Music Legacy

Created by Brian Jones, with daughter; Samantha, this website is a legacy project designed to bring ‘folk up to date.’

Explore the website, listen to the music and read the stories starting from the 60’s revival through to present day.

KEEP FOLK TALKING

PODCAST

KEEP FOLK TALKING

PODCAST

We want to ‘keep folk talking’ in our NEW Openhouse Studio Podcast with a new special guest for every episode including stories and songs from past to present.

OUR latestPODCAST

KEEP FOLK TALKING

Brian Jones with Willy Russell

In this extended edition of Keep Folk Talking, Brian Jones is joined by legendary playwright and songwriter Willy Russell for a vivid journey back to the roots of a remarkable creative life.

From a childhood steeped in music before the days of television, through the electrifying discovery of The Beatles at the Cavern, Willy recalls the moments that shaped his artistic path. With warmth and wit, he reflects on early influences from Buddy Holly to Bob Dylan, the pull of the 1960s folk revival, and the vibrant Liverpool scene that saw him find his voice as a writer.

 

KEEP FOLK TALKING

WITH Willy Russell

In this extended edition of Keep Folk Talking, Brian Jones is joined by legendary playwright and songwriter Willy Russell for a vivid journey back to the roots of a remarkable creative life.

From a childhood steeped in music before the days of television, through the electrifying discovery of The Beatles at the Cavern, Willy recalls the moments that shaped his artistic path. With warmth and wit, he reflects on early influences from Buddy Holly to Bob Dylan, the pull of the 1960s folk revival, and the vibrant Liverpool scene that saw him find his voice as a writer.

 

Long before Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine or Blood Brothers, Willy Russell’s creative life was shaped by the vibrant folk scene that flourished across Liverpool and the North West in the 1960s.

What began as a young musician’s curiosity soon became something far more significant – a musical and cultural education that helped form the writer he would later become.

READY TO TELL YOUR story

We would love to hear and share your stories from the folk scene,
get in touch to feature on our next podcast.

OUR song OF THE MONTH

Mal Jones was one of my oldest and dearest friends, and a lifelong force in the folk scene – always singing, organising, and inspiring others.

Take a listen to “In The Palm Of His Hand,” a song that beautifully reflects Mal’s spirit and the joy he brought to so many.

The songs continue, and so do the memories. Thank you, Mal.

Brian Jones

The Resident

He’s always there week after week he puts up with a lot
He does what’s known within the trade as ‘The Kamikaze Spot’
He’s there to warm you buggers up and try to make you sing
But the highlight of the evening is when he breaks a string!
Folk don’t always listen they’re busy at the bar
Or chatting to each other and drowning his guitar
Sometimes he thinks he’s cracked it
When some open mouths he’ll see
But it’s only some old friends he’s brought
And they came in for free!
Why do we do it? I don’t know, we masochistic band
Maybe one day we’ll find that never, Neverland
Where an audience has ears and sings just like a choir
When you ask them to join in they raise their voices higher
Like some Eisteddfod winners far removed from any pub
Why then I’ll know I’ve really died and hosting Heaven’s Folk Club.

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OUR ARTISTS