Keep Folk Talking by Openhouse Studio

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 w...

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,...

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...

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 a...

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...

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...

Join Brian Jones as he continues his conversation with Brian Lupton, singer, organiser and long-standing figure on the Wirral folk scene. In Part 2, Brian reflects on the folk clubs and venues that kept the music alive, the artists who passed through the region, and the community that grew around the scene. With memories of legendary performers, local venues and the dedication behind organising li...

Join Brian Jones as he sits down with Brian Lupton, a member of our Local Heros Series as a singer, organiser and long-standing figure on the Wirral folk scene. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Brian reflects on childhood singalongs in Wallasey, discovering folk music in the 1960s, forming Kin Folk, and performing from local clubs to an international festival in East Germany - the foundati...

Join Brian Jones as he chats with Wirral folk stalwart Mal Jones - a singer, guitarist and self-described “musical gypsy” whose life in music began playing bugle in 1st Moreton Boys Brigade band and grew into decades of songs, clubs and friendships. Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk . If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas, em...

In this very special episode of Keep Folk Talking , Brian Jones sits down with one of his lifelong heroes , the songwriter and storyteller, Harvey Andrews . From the moment he took a leap of faith from the classroom into the folk revival of the 1960s, Harvey reflects on a career shaped by conviction, melody and an unflinching honesty. Across memories of iconic songs, packed clubs, touring with Gra...

Brian Jones sits down with Harry Lowrey and Arthur Garnett , two towering figures of Liverpool’s folk and maritime music scene. Best known as founding members of Stormalong John , their voices helped carry traditional sea shanties from local folk clubs to major festivals across Europe. Drawing on more than six decades of singing together, Harry and Arthur share stories of harmony, history and the...

In this very special episode of Keep Folk Talking,  Brian Jones sits down with Jacqueline McDonald to trace back to her unlikely beginning and the legacy it sparked: from her time with The Spinners, to the packed and joyful nights at the Coach House, to unforgettable encounters with Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton and Peggy Seeger. Jacqui reflects on the friendships, adventures and community harmonies...

Join Phil Chisnall in the latest episode of Keep Folk Talking , where he chats with host Brian Jones about a lifelong love of music - from sketching Beatles guitars in his schoolbooks to finding his place in the Wirral folk scene decades later. 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 studi...

Exclusive Podcast Alert!!! Gordon Jones, Brian's big brother and band member of the legendary Silly Wizard was given a tape recording of a concert the band performed back in 1985 at the iconic Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Here is the full story - Silly Wizard Live in San Francisco by Gordon Jones What began as a spur-of-the-moment “scratch” gig in a shared flat at 69 Broughton Stree...

In this episode, Roger chats with host Brian Jones about the heyday of the Wirral folk scene - from running clubs at The Bell in Wallasey to booking guests like Martin Carthy and welcoming newcomers from the floor. Along the way, he reflects on the people who shaped those nights, the joy of singing with friends, and why he still believes that folk music’s heart lies in sharing songs, not showing o...

Brian Jones sits down with Helen Sheppard, described by him as the ‘unsung hero of Openhouse,’ whose harmonies and subtle touches have graced more than a dozen albums over the years. Helen’s voice has lifted countless recordings – from Ian Chesterman’s Over the Moors to the songs of Eddie Morris, Jeff Hurst, Roger Parker, and Jack Owen. Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real...

Celebrating '50 years on the road' join Brian Jones and David Littler, the original Houghton Weaver as they delve into his story and more about his band "The Legends of Lancashire 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 studio@openhousefolk.com. Remember to rate us highly if yo...

Brian Jones catches up with Alan Ainsworth, a lifelong songwriter whose journey began in 1963 at the Washouse Folk Club – where two Dylan covers went down like a lead balloon. Undeterred, Alan found a home at Liverpool’s Green Moose, where his songs and RAF uniform made him both an outsider and an unlikely hit. Sixty years on, Alan is still writing, still singing, and finally ready to share the so...

Brian Jones welcomes Barry Evans – folk club organiser, festival co-founder, and master of the mic – for a rich and entertaining conversation. From a first folk night at The Loft near Wolverhampton in 1968, to running Chester’s Bull and Stirrup club and helping bring Scottish legends like Barbara Dickson and Archie Fisher to the North West, Barry shares a sharp, funny and deeply affectionate look...

Join Brian Jones in conversation with Pete Leslie, a singer-songwriter whose folk journey began with a cast-off guitar and a handful of chords. From freezing barn nights at Wrexham Folk Club to singing on beaches across Europe, Pete shares a gentle, honest story of music-making, friendship and finding the nerve to step into the spotlight – eventually. Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great ar...

Join Brian Jones in conversation with Goff Jones as they trace his extraordinary journey through the heart of the North Wales and Chester folk scene. From his first shaky gigs as a teenager in Wrexham’s roughest pub, to performing with legends like Ralph McTell, Barbara Dixon, and even Billy Connolly, Goff shares stories full of humour, grit and soul. Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great ar...

Join Brian Jones in the studio for an unforgettable conversation with his longtime friend and legendary folk frontman, Tom Topping .  Known nationwide for his wit, warmth and powerful stage presence, Tom shares a heartfelt journey through six decades of music, storytelling, and community. Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character at Openhouse Folk . If you have a...

Join Brian Jones in the studio with part of the next generation of singer-songwriters, the incredibly talented Joe Topping. From his early days travelling with the TTB to carving out a career as a globe-trotting folk singer and multi-instrumentalist, Joe shares his unique musical journey in this episode of ‘Keep Folk Talking.’ Discover hundreds of folk tracks from great artists with real character...

Join Brian Jones and Richard Young, the son of legendary folk hero Pete Young, known locally as ‘Youngy’, as they reflect on the life and legacy of this talented wordsmith and musician. Enjoy Brian and Richard taking you through the unforgettable journey of Youngy’s rise to fame, performing at local folk clubs in the 60s and 70s, and sharing stories of his wit, charm, and musical genius. Discover...

Join Brian Jones on Keep Folk Talking as he’s joined by singer-songwriter Gerry Ffrench, where she shares her musical journey, starting from her Irish grandmother’s unaccompanied singing at home. Gerry recounts her early influences, including Lonnie Donegan, and her dabble in punk bands, to rooting herself in folk music. Discover hundreds of great back catalogues of loved folk artists and exciting...