I think my first encounter with folk was whe I was 9 and started guitar lessons with my primary school teacher, Mrs Norman. She does a great job teaching chords and strumming, and even a bit of finger picking with any kids interested in starting guitar. She gets the kids to play John Denver songs and accompany themselves in concerts that the school puts on. The same year I was dragged along to Whitby Folk Festival by my mam and Dad, who had got a taste for folk by listening to Steeleye Span and other bands. I went along to some of the kids workshops and wasn't that impressed, because it was kind of nerve racking being thrown into a big cold hall with tens of kids that you didn't know. The next year at whitby I was bought a season ticket, and went along to a marvellous set of workshops run mainly by Jenny Shottliff, and Ben and Joe Broughton. It was FANTASTIC. There I met loads of other young folkies who I'm still good friends with today. Now I run the Young Session workshops at Whitby and its really satisfying.
Sam pirt also helped alot by starting a band with me!
Ian (Yes....I am only 17!)