Now and then there come some "once in a lifetime" opportunities that one really should grab. One such is the visit to the UK of one of Alaska's foremost songwriters – it is for pleasure, but we have managed to grab him for a couple of concerts anyway.

Mike Campbell is a true master songsmith, drawing his material from events and circumstances in that faraway and hostile place which he loves. Some whistful, some romantic, some epic, some downright side-splitting – and all true. His "six foot and I lost count" stature belies the most gentle of giants with a voice so deep, it brings up oil. And his delivery has the warmth of a blazing hearth in a six-month night. He's also a mate, ever since I met him a year ago in Baltimore.

Mike will be appearing :

a) on Monday 8th August at 8:00pm at Herga Folk Club, The Grimsdyke Room, Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Middlesex HA5 4EA, and
b) on Wednesday 10th August at 8:30pm at the St Albans Windward Folk Club, The Duke of Marlborough, Holywell Hill, St Albans

OK, so I lied, it is "twice in a lifetime". Twice as good, though!

See you there?