I was raised in an area of country Victoria (Australia) which I only now recognise as being an Irish (and to a lesser extent) Scottish enclave. Most of the live music I first heard was in church, and at weddings and funerals. I first heard 'The Rose of Tralee' at a family wedding - and what a surprise - all the adults knew all the words! Sang on stage at about age 7 at a class concert singing ' Sink the Bismarck' plus another pop song with the word "devil" in the title. (Just recalled, it was "Hey Little Devil"). The nuns were definitely not amused at this modern form of blasphemy.

Hardly saw a musical instrument other than piano/organ during my childhood, but discovered many years later that there were some people around who played things like tenor banjo or (ebony) bones. My parents' generation main form of entertainment during the Depression was ballroom dancing, and to be able to play modern or old-time dance tunes on piano was considered the height of musical achievement. My 86 year old mum informs me that the dances cost 1 shilling for entry and being the only affordable entertainment were always packed full of people. The only instruments that could compete against the noise were piano sax and drums, and for that reason vocals were rare.

Step forward to about 1967 - camping at Torquay Beach with some teenage friends. We were adopted nightly by a number of students from Melbourne Uni who played folk music and sang harmony. It was the first time I had ever seen a guitarist who could play bass, rhythm and melody at the same time, who sang interesting songs and had a great time to boot. He had a couple of mates who played guitar and 5 string banjo, and together we sang songs such as 'Sam Hall', 'Whittington Fair' ...the one with Uncle Tom Cobbley and all - and got lots of complaints from other campers who loved the music but wanted some sleep. The amazing guitarist taught me the song "Cycles".

I bought a guitar, later a 5 string, taught myself to sing harmonies - and sang "Cycles" at my wedding 10 years later on. I have had the privilege of performing a few hundred times since Torquay, had lots of fun, learned a few more instruments, re-discovered Celtic music and discovered this Forum.

Thirty years on from Torquay I met the amazing guitarist again at the Woodford Folk Festival. His name is John Malcolm - and he is now a MEGA amazing guitarist and performer. The five string player is in Ireland producing records (I think) and the other muso turns out to be Dave Isom, one of the founding members of The Bushwackers, arguably Australia's most influential folk band.