Photos of Brian

We moved to another premises for a short time somewhere near Grange Road Shopping Centre in Birkenhead. We weren’t there long but I vividly remember the first night as I was given some of the most valuable advice of my singing life which I have never forgotten.

I was in my early teens then and doing the resident spot. We’d booked John Kaneen, a lovely, gentle man. Originally from the Isle of Man, he came over to perform in folk clubs in the Liverpool area for seven years in the 60’s before returning home to become a central figure in the island’s folk scene for over fifty years, he has recently been awarded the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan for his contribution to the island’s culture.

Back to the night and not many people had arrived. Not yet being experienced in these matters, I delayed the 8 o’clock start a bit so when I went on I felt I had to say something like, ‘It’s a shame there aren’t more people here’. What I didn’t realise was I had brought the mood of the room down and couldn’t work out why my set felt like really hard work.

However, a few more people came and John entertained them royally as if the room was full.

He pulled me to one side in the interval and said even though its annoying when people don’t turn up you shouldn’t spoil it for the one’s who have made the effort.

Whilst it wasn’t easy for a young teenager to accept that criticism, I have never made that mistake again. Thanks John.

Around 1970, the upstairs room at The Moreton British Legion became our new home every Friday evening for the next few years.

I guess this was the beginning of my apprenticeship in being a folk club organiser and resident. Although I didn’t know it at the time, Mike, the steward there was to be instrumental in that process.

I’m sure he was ex military. Nevertheless an imposing figure who was impossible to ignore. He made it quite clear that we must finish on time and I certainly wasn’t going to test that theory.

So I always started promptly and made sure the evening went as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Mike’s face always appearing in the little window of the door to the bar at the back of the room as our 10 minute warning. There would often be a rye smile from him when I managed to finish with seconds to spare!

Although we weren’t aware at the time, we were producing a varied programme. There was a wonderful depth of brilliant local artists to choose from with their fees ranging from £5 to as much as £10 or a bit more for a group, (We didn’t call them bands yet).

We couldn’t afford to pay these fees every week so we had “unplanned” nights in between, (We would call them singers nights now). I would prepare a whole list of songs ‘just in case’ but never needed more than a few as we had a great loyal bunch of singers, some of which would later become household names on the local and even national folk scene.

It was a sad day when The Legion committee advised us they would like the option to hire the upstairs room out for functions on Fridays.

Not long after our club at The Legion had to finish I was approached by Alec Crow, who was to become a great friend. He had been given the task of reviving the folk night at the Liverpool Polytechnic. His conditions when taking on the role were to book national artistes, give opportunities to students and local singers, and hire a resident artiste from the established folk scene to run the nights.

This was a great opportunity and I loved it. The student bar was a big vibrant venue which was full every week. I was able to meet and present all the big names so my curve of learning was about to take a sharp upward turn.

One of the best bits though was helping the young students get over their nerves and go on stage in front of an audience. Some of them for the first time.

Many years later whilst appearing with TTB at Folk on the Coast, Anthony John Clarke told me he was one of those youngsters who, as part of a duo, felt they hadn’t done too well first time out but that I suggested they give it another go the following week.

Although there was still much to learn and experience to gain, I think I’d just about served my time by 1979 when we opened a new club at The Wayfarers Cricket Club at the end of “The Bunny Run” on Bidston Hill.

I invited local singers to come along to the opening night, which was such a success that it remained the club format, with the odd special night and national artiste thrown in along the way.

It became quite a community. As well as doing our own thing we would put impromptu resident bands together. It was great fun making lasting memories and lifelong friendships.

You can listen to some old recordings from The Wayfarers as well as, “The Wayfarers Song” written by Ian Chesterman CLICK HERE

I have made some big decisions in my life based on what my parents would have called, “a whim”.  I always felt I had good ideas but looking back some of them were outrageous! For instance, in 1979, I left a perfectly good job to start my own business, not long after we’d bought our first house and Helen was about to have our first child. My Dad asked why I was risking everything on a “whim”?! I explained I had been reading a true story about someone who was called an “entrepreneur” who had done the very same thing with just the belief that with determination he could make a success for his family.

The outcome of that decision has a story all of it’s own which is for another time, other than to say I am now retired and so proud to see the next generation taking our family business to another level.

Another such decision came in the early 70’s when, as a resident singer, I occasionally got the opportunity to use a visiting artiste’s sound system. This was an exciting new experience. I quickly realised everyone could now hear every word and note more clearly, (Not necessarily a good thing I know!) I was hooked and needed to come up with a plan in order to get my own system.

During my research I went to Strother’s in Wallasey. Their showroom was like an Aladdin’s cave full of PA systems. One of them had twin disco record decks displayed with it. I spoke to the salesman about finance to find I was too young and needed a guarantor.

I had convinced myself it was a brilliant idea but the only way I could make it happen was to also convince my Dad. This was when it became real as I knew he couldn’t afford the debt if I defaulted.

So when the inevitable question came, as it would from any potential guarantor, “How will you afford the repayments?” I said I would include the record decks into the deal and do discos as well! Yes it does sound ridiculous now doesn’t it but thankfully, Dad must have seen some merit because by the weekend I was the very proud owner of a twin record deck unit and a Carlsbro amplifier with two speakers, capable of pumping out a whole 100 watts!!

With Dad’s words, “You have to make this gear pay for itself”, ringing in my ears, “Brian’s Disco” was born. (I know what you are thinking but I had to have business cards printed quickly and there was no time to get creative!)

I was very lucky and picked up a few early bookings which covered the HP payments plus an ongoing investment in records which I hadn’t even considered until I was asked if I would be playing all the songs from the “Hit Parade” which of course changes every week.

I was asked to do a wedding anniversary for a Scottish couple who wanted some Scottish country dancing and some songs to sing along to, as well as the usual stuff. I didn’t have the music they required on record and couldn’t justify the outlay for just one booking. I really needed the money and was agonising about having to turn the job down when I had one of my ideas!

Why don’t I learn the songs they want and do a live sing-a-long. And I know enough tunes on the pipes to play for the dancing.

I was very nervous as I hadn’t told anyone what I was going to do. Thankfully, it was a success, the couple were very happy.

I had, by chance, come up with a unique formula that would keep the phone ringing regularly and allow me to settle the loan early.

Whilst the PA system was used for discos at weekends, it was also improving the experience for the audience and singers alike at the folk club. However, I would never have imagined the door it was about to open for me.

The Black Horse in West Kirby had just been refurbished and the trend was to convert to one big room with a central bar.