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Ian says:

  "I was drawn to Traditional English folk music during the folk revival of the early 1970's, and while living in the North of England ran a folk club that featured local talents such as the High Level Ranters and national touring artists such as Bert Jansch and Gordon Giltrap. My style was heavily influenced by these English guitar virtuosos, but on moving to America in 1974 I was drawn to the country styles of Doc Watson and Ry Cooder, so for some time became a mix of English and American traditions.

    In recent years I have become a huge fan of  traditional Irish tunes, recording an instrumental CD with the young accordion phenomenon Dan Gurney, and another CD of songs with Sarah Underhill.  My favourite mix for an evening's concert are some Irish tunes, Sarah's songs and traditional and contemporary English songs! To accomplish that, I'll switch from guitar to mandolin and bouzouki for a variety of sounds.

    I've been the music critic for Irish American magazine for the past several years, writing a 2-page bi-monthly column, reviewing CD's and interviewing such luminaries as Paddy Maloney of the Chieftains, Cathie Ryan and Kevin Burke, who I was honored to have perform a concert  at my house a few years ago.

   I love exploring the links between British, Irish and American music; and folk music in all its forms is a treasure chest that one can dip into forever!"