It's over and done, with wonderful performances by all the featured acts. Musical friends, family friends dating back from elementary school, college and high school days attended.

Best of all was a surprise unscheduled appearence by my daughter as a Father's Day surprise. She'd never heard me sing in a pub before.

And yes, I got to sing a few including a few requests for ones I hadn't done in a while. And a few pauses to figure WHICH WWII song or WHICH smuggler song. A mini-set by myself with help from Ship's Company Shantymen, with special guest former member Chip Hixson, who originally got me going to the shanty sings, back up on stage with them. I was only expecting two or three songs, but managed to end up diong a bunch. Some forgotten words on "Ain't Ging T Sea No More", but all in all, all went well. Also, I ended up getting to do "Copper Ore","Skipper Jan Rebeck", "Lifeboat Horses" and "Captain Courtney's Mistake" As I told the audience, if I seemed a little nervous, I'd just realized that it was my first EVER paying gig.


A regeneration song, "The Green Man" was sung for me by Steve Winnick (in Green Man mask) & Jennifer Cutting as today marks the solstice. Ship's Company sang a few of my own verses to "Donkey Riding" and Letter Of Marque did Al Grierson's "The Midshipman And The Maid",which I'd shown them. Lots of other personal touches were added, but it was all about my friends coming ouy and either experiencing or particioating in it all, some for the first time, some old hands and fans of some of the performers. A lot of people got to meet new friends or see friends not seen in a while.


I was overawed (Awwwwwwwww.......) by the support and friendship shown and the turnout. A better Father's Day or Solstice I could not have wished for. Someone had asked me about some of the folks I would like to hear, and quite a few were there. I remain amazed, possibly for life.


Ironically, I first got to know Chance from Solstice Parties held by friends years ago.....



Anyway, millions of thanks to all. I hope all enjoyed everything as much as I did.