John Conolly is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, who plays guitar and melodeon and who has been a presence on the British folk scene since the folk revival of the early ’60s. He also among the founders of the Grimsby Folk Song club, which opened its doors in 1964.
Many of his early songs, written in conjunction with his old friend and songwriting partner Bill Meek, tell heartwarming stories of the lives and labours of the East Coast fishing community, and these songs in particular have earned John a warm welcome at Folk and Maritime Festivals worldwide.
More recently he has broadened the subject-matter of his writing with tender love songs, hard-hitting political protests, and outrageously funny ditties which he describes as his “Saucy Postcard Collection”.
A typical performance will include a finely-judged mixture of these genres. John likes to entertain and to send an audience home happy!
Many of John’s songs have been covered by well known national and international acts such as Roy Bailey, The Dubliners, Liam Clancy, Malinky, The McCalmans, Stormalong John and George Hamilton IV, and he remains to be a well-loved and respected figure on the UK folk circuit.
Support will come in the form of Kardomah 94’s very popular ‘performer’s circle’ with three excellent local acts, each taking it in turns to perform one number at a time.