Mike has been a regular at open mic nights all around the Newcastle area for years. Whether playing solo or with his wife Hazel and/or Claire Barr, Mike is a devotee of Alan Hull and Lindisfarne, and is relentless in his efforts to keep the music alive. His passion for the Jarrow March and Marshall Riley's Army is unmatched. He won't often pass up an opportunity to play MRA. Here are some comments from Mike.
"I owe a vote of thanks to Steve Foster of Indianapolis for the kick kup the rear. The final ever show of Lindisfarne led to an approach frm Steve by email, and I got on board with a jointly produced tribute CD to Lindisfarne. Well, when I got into it, six contributors had allocated several songs, including some I would play often and love to record. Run For Home I knew contained a difficult (F to D Minor) run, but it seemed the obvious other track unspoken for. It's one of the most well known songs of the lads and provided them the greatest sales figures on reforming in April 1978. I did all the guitars and backing vocal. I owe a great deal to the lovely Claire Barr for her wonderful voice covering on this one. "The track was recorded in Jarrow, between May and August 2004. I was greatly assisted at the studios of Demolition Records in Bedeburn Road by Eric Cook and a great engineer, Kris Smith, who gave so much time to get this together. The photography set up with the Jarrow statue was created for me by Tony Cutter from the office. "Finally, and most of all, my thanks for inspiration go to the late and great Mr. James Alan Hull. He wrote this marvellous tune and must take both the writer's credit, as well as being the motivation. It's been fun as well as hard work putting this together, and it encourages me on to record again...more Hull stuff, but also wider material of a similar ilk - watch out! "Hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we did in the crowd who sorted it out.....March On!"
At a time when the prospects of success were beginning to dim, Mike came through and was instrumental in the completion of this project. March On indeed!
