Folkbluesnbeyond

 

 Bill Johnston and Sheila Darling have enjoyed a low profile presence in the East Anglian Acoustic Music world for more decades than they may admit to. We are active members of local folk clubs and dance sides, and have performed in public solo, as a duo and in bands. Our musical lives are mainly recreational at this time, (2025).

We are happy to be called upon to play music, for listening or for dance. We do not self promote. This web-page succeeds a page which was active for more than twenty years before the host discontinued operations, which prompted a review of our online presence, and what we want it to represent moving forwards in time.

A feature of the previous web page which received mainly positive feedback were Bill's Diary Notes which he maintained between 2003/4 and 2024, ceasing contemporaneous publication with the demise of the website. They can be found here: Diary Notes

Bill is maintaining the Diary Notes, updating  a week or so at a time, see below.

Bill also maintains a separate musical web presence on Facebook, the only space at present where his Tuesday Tunesday sketched tunes initially appear, along with other musical bits and bobs. https://www.facebook.com/folkbluesnbeyond/  If you are not FB phobic have a look...Linked FB sites relate to the U3A Folk Music Group, Facebook , and Bill's most recent band, '3 Men in a Shed Suffolk' Facebook  and earlier barn dance band 'Instep, Facebook.

Bill was also a member of John Goodluck's 'Bards of the Heath' :  Facebook

There is a  'Folkbluesnbeyond' Youtube channel with more than a thousand videos, music or folk related. folkbluesnbeyond - YouTube

Also on Bandcamp. One upload at present, a blues tape from a time when Bill was hungry to perform. Bandcamp. Bill's 1990's Blues Archive 

Always willing, even now.

These are windows into our world.....

Weekly Diary Notes

8^th May 2026: Sheila Yoga & art Class, Bill working on TT tune. Watched David Attenborough 100^th Birthday celebration. Despairing of the voting public, almost as depressing as the Brexit vote!

7^th May 2026: Sheila swam , tai chi, Bill, tried out TT tune, Iron infusion.

6^th May 2026: Sheila massage, then both to Bill's solicitor to tidy up mortality arrangements. (Thank you Katrina D). Sheila to play fiddles with Liz and Sue, Bill watched 'Folk Chart Show', still more TotP than Trad arr! Hey ho, still a boring f**t! Practised some songs. Did some video work.

5^th May 2026: Happy Birthday John G: Sheila, music with Max, the camper van has passed its MoT. Bill. To town, final adjustment to new spectacles, Minster Concert, Oscar Pearson piano recital. Very good. Mixed programme. Future concerts through to October look excellent also, (including Vicki Swan and Johnny Dyer). Posted TT sketches.

4^th May 2026: Sheila picked up her new varifocals, we went to Spring wood Day, saw lots of music friends and Holly and Sarah. I suspect that Ipswich Sober Mic will be oversubscribed next month. Bill prepping videos, posted Melnet TotM. Laurel posted Fig for a Kiss to TT. Very well played.

3^rd May 2026: Bill sorting TT and Melnet Tunes. Sheila pretty tired. Bill to Sober Mic, sang 'Shower the People', 'Tears in Heaven' and 'If Not For You'. Caught up with Laurel by phone, and bumped into Rowan.

2^nd May 2026: Sheila enjoying her garden and renewing acquantance with her concertina. Bill:to town to have spectacles adjusted. Dropped in on Nat and grandchildren. Looking at TT and Melnet tunes: Posted Melnet Theme of the Month and a U3A Concert video.

8.5.26