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Well, after playing several open mic events and a couple of local festivals, I was asked to perform on the acoustic stage at a record companies launch night.

A few weeks later the owner of the company Robert Harrison of Long Haired Music in Spilsby, Lincolnshire saw me in Lincoln and asked if he could record my playing. This would be great, but I could only perform original material. Well I had 4 songs that I have been playing on and off for some time but I had to get down to writing another 4 songs or tunes. Actually I was surprised that this was not the difficult bit. The problem was finding enough time to rehearse and learn the songs.

Rob invited me over to the studio for a pre recording meeting and I learnt that the recordings were to be put onto i-tunes.

So, the recording day came around and I found myself 'on the road' at 7 o'clock - in the morning - to Spilsby.

What an amazing set up at the studio. A beautiful room with so much equipment in the booth that the U S S Enterprise would look under equipped. After setting up came the awkward bits. Rob said the bass drum kick pedal was squeaking and the hi hat tambourine was producing a thud as my foot hit the floor. Lots of work with oil and gaffer tape meant we were ready to record and after one tune it was time for breakfast.

At about six o'clock - in the evening - all was recorded and I was shattered. Rob will be mixing the music as although each song was recorded 'live' all the instruments went through individual microphones.

All that is left is to decide on a name for the recording. Like an album name if you like and the order of the tracks and a photo' for the 'cover'

Well, I finally got the 'cigar box' fiddle built. Everything looked good, the instrument tuned up well and seemed to remain in tune. The bridge was a bit out but as easily adjusted although a new one would have been better as the one used was a reclaimed item from a 3/4 violin.

So, new bridge and some fine tuners were ordered and ,when they arrived, were quickly fitted to the fiddle. All seemed good for a second time and the fiddle seemed to play well. I sat down this morning and the tail piece broke. Cracked across the tail strap mounting holes. Startled me I can tell you!

A standard, black tail piece was quickly fitted. The ones that have fine tuners built into the tail piece. Not my idea of style or elegance, but the only style that I have in my spares box.

Also this week I have managed to get two foot pedals from an old drum kit. The hi-hat style has been fitted with a tambourine whilst a vertical 'stomp box' has been fitted to the drum pedal.

Drumming is something that I've done a little of (a long time ago) but playing an instrument whilst keeping a rhythm is not as easy as it sounds - well not for me at the moment at the moment - although I'm improving with each song.