Hi, I’m Ken Stott, an acoustic singer songwriter, based in Wolverhampton. I perform mainly my own songs, but also some covers, in a variety of acoustic clubs across the West Midlands.
My first CD SongWriter which contained four of my own songs.
The guitar is a Gibson J100 Special Edition, fitted with a LR Baggs active pickup. It sounds sensational and many people ask about it. Recently, I have acquired a second Gibson, an SJ200 which has a brighter sound and uses an Amulet pickup.
When I was at Goldsmiths’ College, training to be a teacher, back in 1965, Terry Holt, a friend on the same course, bought a new guitar and he passed his Hofner Cello on to me. He taught me some basic chords and picking patterns and so began a lifetime of guitar playing.
In 2009, newly retired from teaching, I became part of the Song Writing Circle based at the Midland Arts Centre in Birmingham, with the inspirational Dan Whitehouse. I began writing my own songs and started airing them at local venues. Many people seemed to like them and I’ve had so many favourable comments about them to know that I must be doing something right !
I met Joy & Nick Thompson at the Song Writers’ Night at Neon Studios in Burntwood and Nick recorded my first four-track CD Songwriter at The Shed Studio, on the edge of Cannock Chase. This has made a good sampler of my work and in 2014, a second album was released, What about Tomorrow ? with ten tracks. The third album Keep the Music Live with twelve tracks followed in 2016. All the songs have been my own, all the initial recording and equalisation have been thanks to the legendary Nick Thompson, and the additional vocals and instrumentation have been thanks to Michael Clarke of 1581 Productions, Kings Heath, Birmingham.
I owe both Nick and Michael a great deal of thanks for their patience and their guidance. I wouldn't have been able to achieve such a quality product without them. Making an album of my own was something I never ever thought I would do, but maybe you never know until you try !
My music has been influenced by many artists : John Lennon & Paul McCartney, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Donovan, Ralph McTell, Nic Jones, Bert Jansch & John Renbourn, Paul Simon, Marianne Faithfull, Gordon Giltrap, Al Stewart, Tom Paxton, Mike Nesmith, Jackson C Frank, Christie Moore, Richard Shindell, The Byrds, Pierre Bensusan, Norma Waterson, Boo Hewerdine, Dar Williams, Martin Joseph, Steve Knightley, Francoise Hardy, Francis Cabrel, Maxime le Forestier, Martin Simpson, RunRig, Kate Rusby, Lara Fabian, Wizz Jones, Eliza Gilkyson, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Celine Dion, John Tams, Bob Fox, Reg Meuross, Maddy Prior & Steeleye Span, Kris Drever, Pete Morton, Eric Bibb. As you might imagine, I have a large number of CDs, tapes & LP records !
Life’s an adventure so don’t paint it grey – just keep it real.
Never lose your sense of wonder and may the wind be always at your back.
Love and Peace,
Ken.