DESPITE hurricanes, power cuts and gasoline shortages, I’m finally home from my recent trip to America, and even though it ended in wind-blown confusion, what a great trip it was. Thanks to all of you across the Atlantic who I know follow this column in its on-line format.

That’s not to say I’m not glad to back home, where there’s a chance to hear some great traditional American music tonight from that fine singer Jeff Warner, who is at Blaydon’s Tynefolk. Also tonight, The John Wrightson Band is at Darlington’s Copper Beech, while tomorrow you can experience Electrofolkmaggeddon, an evening of “alternative” folk music, hosted by The Monster Ceilidh Band, at The Cumberland Arms, in Byker.

On Saturday, we can choose between award-winning Scottish folk from The Paul McKenna Band at Washington’s Davy Lamp, and the mighty Vin Garbutt at Kirkleatham Museum in Redcar. I have a solo concert at Durham’s Gala Theatre on Sunday, which I’m very much looking forward to.

On Monday, popular duo Winter Wilson are at The North Briton, in Aycliffe Village.

Tuesday’s offering is local lads George Welch and Stewart Hardy at The Hind, in Cramlington.

Thanks to everyone who entered last week’s competition, and copies of my new album will be winging their way to Alex McAndrew, Jane Hendry and Sue Lowther, once they have emailed me their postal addresses. Finally, congratulations to that long-time icon of folk songwriting Graeme Miles, who will be awarded a gold medal by the English Folk Dance and Song Society later this month, for his contribution to British Folk.

My best wishes to him are no doubt echoed by all the people around the world who have sung and listened to his fine songs over the past 50 years.