Dave

There are some people who naturally good singers. There are others who if they work at it could become good singers and others who despite how hard they try will never manage it. The vocal chords need to be trained to do the job; so do muscles/brain to play an instrument. When Sandy Denny left Fairport Convention, Swarbrick and Thompson took over her role. Listen to Full House and you will hear some guys who get the intonation correct, but the voices do not have any depth or character. Listen to the later stuff by the 'ports and you will hear Swarbrick sing like a linnet; likewise Thompson, he is now a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist of the highest order. This didn't come by putting something under the pillow and hoping a fairy would do the rest, it was persistence at the job.

Dave my advice: either import a decent singer that you all know so that the dynamics aren't disturbed by a newcomer or bite the bullet and learn to sing. The obvious candidates in the band are yourself and Jamie. It is rare to find a bass player who can play and sing well; the melodeon player will be busy supplying both rhythm and melody. That leaves you, the strummy one, and Jamie who when singing probably won't be playing the fiddle – that in itself provides some extra dynamics that makes a band who does tunes and songs more interesting. Not only that, because you two guys are probably still in the parental roost, it gives you lots of time to get some harmonies sorted outside of the band. Sing wherever you go. In the streets, in the lift, in the car, the bog, in the corridors at college, ignore the wild stares and do some sessions or floor spots as a singer; get the voice working and you might yet delight us all. Finally, resist the urge to do just funny stuff. Make sure you work hard on some powerful ballads too and then organise your set so that the audience is taken on a journey and not just exposed to a musical barrage.

Can I have your autograph now please?