Catshill Social Club, Meadow Road, Catshill, Bromsgrove, B61 0JJ
Colum Sands is a universal storyteller who draws on a long Irish tradition of poetic musicality to weave songs for the world. He has performed in over thirty countries around the world, confirming the universal appeal for the songs and stories with which he observes the minute and often humorous details of life.
A member of the internationally renowned Sands Family from County Down, Colum established his reputation as a songwriter with the release of his first solo album, Unapproved Road in 1981. Songs like Whatever you say, say nothing, and Almost every Circumstance were soon in the repertoire of artists from Billy Connolly to Maddy Prior and June Tabor.
His second album The March Ditch inspired a special BBC television documentary and songs like The Man with the Cap and Looking the loan of a Spade confirmed his unique ability to observe locally and appeal universally.
On his travels around the world he soon discovered that many of his songs had arrived before him, carried by other singers and in recordings by fellow performers like Andy Irvine, Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy, Roy Bailey, Mick Hanley, Gerard van Maasakkers, Rosemary Woods, Iain Mc Intosh and Enda Kenny.
Between touring and recording, countless other performers have been introduced to the air waves through Colum's work as a presenter of BBC Radio Ulster's Folk club programme, he has also broadcast a series of programmes for BBC Radio 2 and has compiled and presented a series RTE Radio called "Rootin About'.
In May 2012 he presented the highly acclaimed BBC Radio 4 documentary, The First LP in Ireland, tracing the work of early folk collectors in Ireland.
His work in radio and studio production earned him the Living Tradition Award for services to Folk and Traditional Music. Colum has also produced countless albums for traditional singers and songwriters, he also produced four tracks on the Sound Neighbours CD released by the Smithsonian Institute in Washingtom, an album which was short listed for a Grammy Nomination.
Admission…Members £6.00 : non-members £8.00 : under 21s £3.00 plus free membership
For more information visit www.bromsgrovefolkclub.co.uk