Mike Turnbull

It felt great to get to open the music for KMF 2018 for Mel C on the 9th June 2018. Awesome weather and the scenery just stunning from my view on that stage! Can't get better surely...

Only 12 months ago I was in an Eriba caravan at Keswick just chillin' out. And with a few ideas for songs after a musical sabbatical for a few years, I sat in this retro caravan with a beer, listening the Mark Radcliffe's folk show on Radio 2 thinking 'I must do some recording and get back on this musical horse'. By September 2017 I had an extended EP of 7 songs ready to roll.

After a few appearances at Staveley Folk Club, The Fellside Centre, Hawkshead Brewery, Ruskins, Lily Bar Ambleside I managed to get the support slot for Mel C at the Keswick Mountain Festival. So going from doing nothing to having a recording to playing the main stage at Keswick a year later was just insane!

Not only that, I have met some amazing people who have helped me along the way - Andris Kiss, Suzanne Ambrose, Mark & Jamie from Smith Corona, Dawn Foster, Wayne & Paddy (Scrogans Run), Sue Kennedy, Steve & Sandra from Staveley Folk Club and many many more.

One of the other exciting connections I've made is with Lukas Drinkwater who is an accomplished session player, producer & multi-instrumentalist who works so hard within the acoustic & folk world. I will be joining him in his studio in Stroud to record a full album in September.

So now this journey will come full circle - (September '17 - September '18) and it has been a heck of a ride! ...from zero to, well, something at least! I might be what they call a "late bloomer" but I'm deffo making up for lost time.

But first, a few more gigs around my home territory, The lakes... So far...

5th July New Union Kendal (with Suzanne on double bass)

7th July Kittchen Hawkshead (solo)

14th July Ivy Leaf Club Kendal (with Suzanne on double bass) amongst other Heavy Rain Sound Production artists.

3, 4, 5th Aug Staveley Folk Weekend (popping up at various sessions)

1st Sept Settle Folk Gathering - unplugged performance

Here's to the next chapter... ; )