Mike

 

Mike started playing music at the age of 13. Firstly on an old acoustic guitar that cost him all his pocket money after it had been spotted in a junk shop; then a shiny new electric one his dad bought him when he saw that Mike was serious about learning.

 

From then on Mike played in various bands as well as solo in folk clubs etc. He played a lot, while at art college in the late 60s: bass in a band that was influenced by "Velvet Underground" and acoustic guitar in another band that was into stuff like " The Incredible String Band".

 

Mike learned to play Northumbrian Small Pipes about 40 years ago when Mike Oldfield (a neighbour and drinking buddy in Sapperton) gave him a set. He played all the time for years but then about 17 years ago Mike saw a French guy busking in Bath with a Hurdy Gurdy and thought to himself "I have to play one of those" and set about finding a way to get one straight away!

 

Mike's love of the Gurdy has grown, and he currently has two - both made by Chris Eaton. One in D/G and a three row in G/C.  Mike and Julian met at French Dance Stroud, in Horsley, and soon began playing together as Venn.