This thread is to let Mudcatters know that my proposed trip to the States next year is gradually taking shape, thanks to some helpful readers of this forum. I now plan to start the tour in probably Virginia from about 20th March 2006 and to end up in the Pennsylvania/New York State area by about 10 April, and hopefully to fill in a number of dates on the way. So if anyone can suggest a club, festival or other venue that I could contact, I'd be very grateful. I have a website with several soundclips and there are some further soundclips on the "Step it Away" link. Anyone who booked me would get:

•       Someone who has spent many years collecting and researching songs, both in the UK and the US (Appalachians and Adirondacks)
•       Someone with an understanding and love for the material
•       Mainly Southern English folksongs – mainly unaccompanied but some with melodeon
•       American ballads, some with with banjo accompaniment
•       Folk tales and tall stories
•       Ballads, music hall songs, comedy songs, choruses, etc
•       Someone willing to run interactive workshops – e.g. music of English gypsies, English versions of songs found in the USA, my collecting work in the UK and USA.

I would be willing to sleep on floors and am completely house-trained!

So suggestions, please.

Love you all

Gwilym