Very few artists, musicians, songwriters have had an influence on me more than our next guest, Mike Harding. As I’ve told him, probably too many times, I used to stay up with my dad when I was a kid to watch Mike on his regular show. I loved his humour but what impressed me most was the songs he would sing at the end of the show. There truly were some brilliant tunes which stay with me till this day.
So 50 years later, those songs are still a very important part of my life as I have said but more to the point, a major influence in my own song writing.
Jane and I have met up with Mike a few times now and each time we have found him to be gracious, very friendly, honest and open. We have shared stories, shared music and have discovered the real Mike, not through a camera lens, not on the radio or standing on stage but as a humble man living a creative and rewarding life in the Yorkshire countryside.
A Trip To The Yorkshire Dales
We actually visited him to discuss his recent books and also to get an insight into his instruments, more for his stringed instruments, Guitars, Mandolins, etc for the Guitar magazine. I also had questions on a few of his songs on how they were played.
Mike’s Music
Mike truly is a very varied multi-instrumentalist. You only have to take a look at a few of his video’s on Youtube to see what I mean. But this particular day, we were in for a real treat. He spoke about a brand new project called ‘The Invisible Dog and Other Tunes’ in which he plays as a multi-instrumentalist playing mandolin, octave mandolin, banjolele, Martin guitar and Blues harmonica, something which I will definitely be looking out for when he’s finally finished it. The album will consist of Traditional Irish tunes plus a few of his own compositions.
A Chance For a Jam!
So while we were sat there, Mike nipped off to grab his harmonica and also brought down his Martin guitar. Amazingly enough, he told us that he had bought it from a friend of his from Leeds for the huge sum of £50 (some people get all of the luck), while he was away, I took the opportunity to grab my Dobro which I had sneakily left in my car from the night before.