February 25th

Hi everyone,

After a hectic few days in Chicago I moved on to an even crazier time in Memphis at the Folk Alliance conference.

It may be hard to imagine the scene – a big, posh hotel with young bearded men and variously garbed young women ALL bearing instruments or playing them, in rooms, lobbies, corridors and anywhere else you can fit a banjo!

I had two days to re-acquaint myself with the process before my ‘official showcase’ in a small ballroom, which took place last night. There are probably 7 other concerts at the same time but in my audience I had a good few promoters and industry people, Some old friends plus Dick Waterman, who guided Bonnie Raitt through her early career and…Melanie! She turned out to be absolutely delightful and loved the songs – I remember listening to ‘Lay Down’ when I was 15! Strange but fun. It was Nicky Hopkins’ birthday yesterday too and I sang ‘You’re Listening Now’ for him and ‘My Baby’s Gone’ (with Cindy Bullens) for Charlie Louvin.

On to Nashville tomorrow, with a book event for Nicky at Phonoluxe Records on Sunday afternoon.

Love to everyone out there from Folk Heaven (or Folk Hell),

Julian