Well hello from sunny Acocks Green.

Am amazed to find this thread on a US site. Mind you, Brummies and Americans have a lot in common. Most of us are from somewhere else originally. Anyway if you aren't near the city is doing fine though I can't say anything about the folk clubs as I haven't played in ages. The last gig I went to was Alison Krause at the Symphony Hall which is an amazing venue acoustically and you can order your interval drinks in advance! Still not a patch on the old Town Hall which they are still debating about as regards restoration. I remember Roy Harper appearing at the Pentangle gig in 60 something and seeing him at Mother's too. Used to be a regular there in the late 60's so I got to see a lot of fine performances including one by John Fahey. Used to get the yellow and blue /black last 11 from Erdington after midnight to the garage at Kitts Green. [BTW , the old routemaster that the WMPT take out is Yellow and Black. I'm not certain of dates but I can remember the colour of the buses. Please tell me I'm not wrong.]
I grew up on the Meadway in the 60's and can remember when Musical Exchanges was Yardley's. It's now Sound Control. Got a 12 string in 65' from Yardley's. Warped neck made me sell it eventually but strengthened my fingers no end. Eventually got an Eko Ranger which my son plays now. Roy wood lived downstairs from us and the Spencer Davis Fan Club secretary lived opposite so we often shared a lift with one or more of them. Downstairs was a guy who eventually developed the LCD screen display. My brother gave him our first guitar so maybe he will see this site sometime.
The city is always changing but it's a lot cleaner air than it was, the buses are more reliable and we are now the Balti capital of the world..apparently...We have no major brewery. Ansells and M&B disappeared into the maws of the new beerage and it's all alcopops and cider down Broad Street, [which has to be seen to be believed on a Saturday night]. Gigs come and go. Fortunately I got to play Ronnie Scotts and the much missed Fiddle and Bone and some of the other rock gigs around but I still miss the immediacy of the folk scene.
I'll try a post again if the thread continues and try to answer if you have any questions. I don't get out much but my son gets around and I'll ask him

Good Luck to you all