October 2009

Recorded an interview and some of my music at Drystone Radio with presenter Colin Dobson to be transmitted in November.

Sang a floor spot at Parkgate Folk Club, The Wirral where the Mc Calmans were guests.  To sing a floor spot at this club was most unusual and a great privilege and my thanks go to Eddie Morris.

April 2009

Sent songs to Steve Quigg who is the youngest member of the McCalmans. The McCalmans are a group I've been listening to since the late 60's early 70's.  Steve's reply is "thanks for the cd of your songs. It's great. you have a great way with the songs."

March 2009

I was asked by an old friend Trevor Sharpe to write a song for a CD he was putting out for funds for the RNLI.  If you know Trevor he has always been a fan of Padstow and the lifeboats and has lots of friends down there.  With this in mind Trevor has been very busy writing a history about Padstow Lifeboat and the people connected with it.  The song I wrote was based on bits and pieces from his book.  It's called the Calms Before the Storms.  I'm also including a song written in 2000 called The Music of the Sea.

Also been busy home recording which has gone really well although several more songs to record yet.  When these are complete and engineered to a reasonable level then I will put them on a CD or two for you all to listen to.

After seeing Tom Paxton in concert for the umpteenth time (2008) I sent Tom a song to listen to which had a similar line to one of his songs.  Reply below:

Martin:
I listened with great pleasure to your song. I've plenty of time for 
listening as I'm snowbound in a hotel near the airport in Chicago, 
trying to get home from my tour! For what it's worth, Martin, in my 
book you're a songwriter. I hope you'll continue to write songs. 
There's not much money in this kind of song, as I've learned so well, 
but now and then something strikes a chord with people and your 
efforts are rewarded. But writing this kind of music has always been 
its own reward. Keep it up.
Tom Paxton