It is 30 years since I first performed at the annual Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival and I've played there every couple of years since then. It is always an honour to be asked, and this year was no exception. Where once I was one of the youngsters, I appear to have slipped seamlessly into a more ... ahem ... mature bracket!
Shetland audiences are always knowledgeable and generous with their welcome, especially to an outsider from the deep South. Accompanied on piano by the wonderful Issy Hodgson, I played three concert spots - in Lerwick, Cunningsburgh and Ollaberry - which were well received. The other musical performers were first class and represented the very best of music from Shetland, Scotland, Denmark and Faroe. After many hours of dancing, socialising and music-making, the weekend wrapped up for me with an invitation to play in the final concert at the Garrison Theatre. Unforgettable! Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend. The recovery from sleep deprivation continues!
