Good afternoon in the morning!

I had a splendid time this morning at the recording of a BBC Celtic Connections radio programme. It was being recorded for broadcast in the afternoon so all the guests were asked to remember that they should refer to the afternoon rather than the morning. So when the presenter, the personable Grant Stott, greeted London Wainwright III, Loudon glanced meaningfully at the audience as he replied with a bright “Good morning!” What a character he is! He was very pleasant and relaxed, and the three songs that he performed were witty and tuneful. The programme was a mix of music and interviews; it was really interesting. Two musicians, Finlay Napier and Graeme Thomson, discussed a singer called John Martin about whom I would now like to find out more, and an Irish band led by Karen Casey performed some very beautiful folk music. Country singer Gretchen Peters also sang three songs; she was a fantastic singer. The whole experience was great fun, and all the sweeter for being free of charge! (I am on the BBC tickets mailing list so I get information about upcoming concerts). However when I posted a photo of the attractive interior of Cottier’s Theatre (which is an old church, complete with stained glass windows) on the Anderson Malarkey WhatsApp group, and exulted that it was free, Alasdair replied “they’d have to pay me to go!” Which I thought was very funny.