Where does my stuff come from?
This is quite simple. From Dave and Steve. And records (and friends) that they brought home.
Dave and Steve got a lot of their inspiration from New Horizon Camps – an organization run by a Swiss eccentric by the name of Erik Gander. But they too picked things up from friends. Dave picked things up from Heritage – the Oxford Folk Music Society, where he came into contact with all sorts – Alex Campbell, Peggy Seeger, Ewan MacColl for example.
And Dave brought home friends – Al the Canadian, who gave Dave a record of Johnny Cash (with his hot and blue guitar). It made a much greater impression on me (and Dad) than it did on Dave I am sure. Dave was sort of into originals. APCarter family; last sessions with Leadbelly; Bob and Ron Copper; Jeannie Robertson; some Irish geezer on Uillean pipes.
And I have kept on doing it. Because I like it. Singing. And the sound of my own voice.