Keep Folk Talking by Openhouse Studio

A chance meeting at a park run, a shared love of music and an album club involving a few pints… sounds like the beginning of a good story, doesn’t it?

This time on Keep Folk Talking, Brian meets John and Ultan — better known as The Folk Doctors — to find out how an unlikely friendship turned into a successful songwriting partnership, two albums, an EP and plenty of stories along the way.

From songs inspired by pebbles and shipwrecks to the art of writing together, this is a brilliant conversation about music, friendship and finding inspiration in unexpected places.

Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate us highly if you have enjoyed the podcast. Your support means the world to us!

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In this episode of Keep Folk Talking, Brian Jones explores the story of Mersey Morris — a tradition shaped by generations of dancers and musicians, and sustained by friendship, family and a shared love of folk culture.

Brian is joined by Richard Stapledon, his son Matthew, and musician Sarah Roberts, who share their different journeys into Morris dancing and music, from Richard’s childhood surrounded by folk to Matthew growing up within the side and Sarah rediscovering her fiddle.

Along the way, they talk about the music behind the dancing, the growth of Mersey Morris into a thriving mixed side, and the story behind ceilidh band Shave the Donkey.

Warm, funny and full of memories, it’s a celebration of a living tradition — kept alive by the people who continue to play it, dance it and pass it on.

Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate us highly if you have enjoyed the podcast. Your support means the world to us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Keep Folk Talking, Brian Jones is reunited with old friend Gill Burns for the first time in more than forty years. Their conversation looks back on the vibrant folk scene of the 1970s before following Gill's remarkable musical journey from the Wirral to Ireland, Europe and the United States. Along the way, they explore the people she met, the songs she wrote, the music that shaped her life, and why traditional folk music has remained at the heart of everything she does. The episode opens with Gill's lively Wallasey Hornpipe, celebrating the place she now calls home once again, and closes with her beautiful original song, "Crazy" - a fitting end to a heartfelt reunion.

Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate us highly if you have enjoyed the podcast. Your support means the world to us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Keep Folk Talking, Brian Jones is joined by songwriter Sue Farley and poet Eric Craven to explore the powerful connection between music and poetry. Together they reflect on their individual creative journeys, their shared love of storytelling and nostalgia, and the collaboration that led to two albums blending folk songs with spoken word. It’s a warm and engaging conversation about creativity, community, and the stories that shape us.

Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate us highly if you have enjoyed the podcast. Your support means the world to us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Brian Jones as he chats with LocTup Together, Chris Lock and Ian Tupling, whose close harmonies and songs of the sea have entertained audiences for more than three decades. From chance encounters at folk clubs to unforgettable adventures across Europe, it's a conversation filled with laughter, friendship and a lifelong love of folk music.

Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate us highly if you have enjoyed the podcast. Your support means the world to us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Brian Jones as he sits down with Kathy Runswick, organiser of Wallasey Folk & Acoustic Club and the first guest in our new Keep Folk Going – The Organisers series. Kathy reflects on her lifelong connection to folk music, from childhood singarounds and family influences to helping run one of the area's most welcoming folk clubs. Together they discuss the challenges facing folk clubs today, the importance of community, and how organisers across the region are working to ensure folk music continues to thrive for future generations.

Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate us highly if you have enjoyed the podcast. Your support means the world to us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Openhouse Studio is proud to announce the release of a remarkable live recording from one of Scotland's most beloved traditional musicians, Johnny Cunningham.

Captured live at San Francisco's legendary Great American Music Hall in 1983, this newly unearthed concert recording offers listeners a rare opportunity to experience Johnny in a solo performance setting – something that few audiences were fortunate enough to witness.

Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate us highly if you have enjoyed the podcast. Your support means the world to us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our first ever online podcast. From Irby to Sydney!

Join Brian Jones as he sits down with his great friend, Tim Glover. Whilst the two keep in touch via email, Keep Folk Talking has finally given them the chance to see each other again and have a proper yarn about the old days in the 1970s, when they were together as Alias Glover and Jones.

Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate us highly if you have enjoyed the podcast. Your support means the world to us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Brian Jones as he sits down with Steve and Julie Wigley - a Derbyshire folk duo whose story begins in a youth club in the late 60s and runs through decades of clubs, gigs and songwriting.

From discovering live folk music at the Pennine Hotel to becoming part of a busy folk club scene, they look back on the artists, venues and moments that shaped their musical lives. With influences including Gordon Lightfoot and The Lonesome Travellers, it’s a story rooted in live music, local scenes and a long-standing love of folk.

Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate us highly if you have enjoyed the podcast. Your support means the world to us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this extended edition of Keep Folk Talking, Brian Jones is joined by legendary playwright and songwriter Willy Russell for a vivid journey back to the roots of a remarkable creative life.

https://openhousefolk.com/willy-russell/

From a childhood steeped in music before the days of television, through the electrifying discovery of The Beatles at the Cavern, Willy recalls the moments that shaped his artistic path. With warmth and wit, he reflects on early influences from Buddy Holly to Bob Dylan, the pull of the 1960s folk revival, and the vibrant Liverpool scene that saw him find his voice as a writer.

Through stories of the Spinners Club, the iconic Green Moose, and the friendships and chance encounters that defined an era, this is a rich, entertaining conversation about creativity, community, and the unpredictable moments that spark a lifetime in the arts.

Music credits:

“Any Father” and “Crazy Days” are taken from Willy Russell’s 2005 album Hoovering the Moon.

“Easy Terms” is performed by Barbara Dickson and Willy Russell, recorded live in studio.

Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate us highly if you have enjoyed the podcast. Your support means the world to us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.