I was born in 1952 so I was in my teens during the musical renaissance of the 60's and early 70's. I began to play guitar at 13 years of age, and was heavily into The Beatles, as was virtually everyone else. I saw live concerts by Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack, Jethro Tull, Family, Blind Faith, Gino Washington, The Incredible String Band, Curved Air, John Hiseman's Coliseum and King Crimson. I was introduced to the folk blues guitar playing of Davy Graham, Bert Jansch, John Renbourne and  Ralph McTell. 

Early performing experience came in a Moseley band originally named The Young Casuals (The Casuals were the resident band at the Carnegie boys club, now the Carnegie Asman club in Moseley, and we found ourselves replacing them). The band name changed a few times- we were The Other Lot, Outer Light, Gabriel Oak, and we eventually settled for the name Glad Stallion. We moved our base of operations to the Midland Arts Centre and progressed from youth club venues to the odd RAF station and students union. My fellow musicians in our final line-up were Nick Pentelow, Alan Moore and Richard Jones.  

Young Casuals (l to r - me, Cecil Lammy, Alan, Richard)

Nick played tenor, alto & soprano sax, flute and clarinet, and was at the time a Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra member. He went on to join Roy Wood's Wizzard, and subsequently played with Steve Gibbons, Gary Moore and Roger Chapman amongst other prominent names. He remains a sought-after session musician. 

The Other Lot (l to r - Richard, Paul Curly, Alan & me)

Alan was the other half of my first guitar duo when we were in our early teens, but he switched to drums in the band, and later in the 1970's he joined Judas Priest (twice). He has played in local bands in Buckinghamshire until recently. 

Glad Stallion at the MAC (l to r - me, Alan, Richard, Nick, George Northall guesting on horn, Rosko Gee looks on)

Richard and I re-established contact in 2001, after more than 30 years. He was the final band member to re-emerge. After the demise of Glad Stallion, he and I briefly joined a band called Cheyenne Autumn, fronted by ex Magic Box frontman, singer Rod Wright. Richard subsequently retired as a musician.

Cheyenne Autumn in rehearsal (l to r Richard, me, Chris Owen, Dave "?" and Rod- notice my Watkins Rapier guitar with docked headstock has shed it's fur coat!)

I must thank Stuart Scott for being instrumental in our reunion through his website and response to my email. 

Glad Stallion reunion evening 24/11/01 (l to r me, Nick, Alan, Richard)

Glad Stallion were re-united on 24/11/01, spending a very pleasant evening at the Red Lion in Alvechurch, recalling people and events from so long ago. We were able to fill in each other's memory gaps quite successfully, and some of the recollections have stayed with me despite the effects of the alcohol that night. 

Richard had kept his old Gibson EBO bass all these years, but renewing his interest in playing bass, he traded this in for an ever growing collection of instruments.  He and Rod came along to my guest night at The Lighthouse in Halesowen on 28/03/02, and we got together again at Fatback Studios on 20/10/03 for the first of many rehearsals resulting in a growing number of appearances. See the Projects page for further details.

For me, 1970-1985 were off-stage years of marriage, family and work commitments, but the guitar remained my number one pastime, then a friend and neighbour, Terry Lawson, suggested a performing partnership. He had previously contributed rhythm guitar & vocals in the comedy band Chuckle, and before that, the rock band Walrus Gumboot.

We began to rehearse a set formed on the basis of Simon and Garfunkel classics which developed into a full blown 60's/70's act, and we performed at countless Midland venues over the years up to July 2001, when we agreed not to seek further work as a duo. Terry joined me once more for a song at The Runway on 05/10/02. This was captured on video for posterity, and our paths will no doubt continue to cross. He still sings on a regular basis and I hope his guitar comes back out of it's case soon.

My commercial 60's/70's set naturally originated from the Lawson & Evans material, but has gradually evolved with new arrangements of both classic and less obvious songs which are not reliant on 2 part harmonies. My excursions with the MIDI player are currently very occasional but I continue to maintain this capability with regular rehearsal. 

Between May and September 2002 I rehearsed regularly in Walsall with a band called One More Time. Mike James on guitar & cittern, Andy Keatley on bass & guitar, Paul Willetts on drums and Kevin Whitehouse on guitar and mandolin. This band unfortunately folded due to various health problems before we got a gig under our belts.

Other less formal collaborations have taken place together with the many friends I have made around the local music clubs. Several musicians have asked me to play along, and this is probably the most rewarding aspect of the musical experience. 

My current work with Sue Stevens and Tommy Dempsey is detailed on the Projects page. John Rose also regularly joins Tommy to provide fiddle accompaniment at the Lighthouse and other sessions. 

Me, John Rose and Tommy Dempsey at Rowheath Pavilion 11/10/06 (Carla Gunzi)

Ever since the 60's my first preference has been for acoustic guitar and contemporary folk/roots music from Britain and America, and I have a giant catalogue of cover songs in this genre. I have begun to supplement these with self-penned songs which seem to be well received. 

Genuine live music enriches all our lives, whether on stage or in the audience, so please do all you can to encourage it and enjoy it.