Songwriting weekend

13/07/2026

Meet the new Kirtley 'Boat to Bolivia/Songwriter Guitar
Hand made by Alex Kirtley
The headstock sports beautiful inlays of a small boat and the island Bolivia'
How beautiful is that
Alex Kirtley is a very talented young luthier, also artist/musician from North Shields
I have known him since he was a late teenager and could never have imagined he'd make this beautiful guitar for me, I will put a feature about him up on this site and if anyone is interest in commissioning a guitar like tis for themselves I will put you in touch with Alex
Wow just Wow, that's all I can say

I will get Alex to write a spec for this instrument and send some earlier pics to show it's development

Cheers

Martin xx

03/04/2025

https://daintees.co.uk/campaigns/1025478

Although we didn’t ship loadsa copies at least they paid for themselves and we have a few unique and extra artefacts up on BC, always an honour and a joy to do

29/10/2024

This one’s for John
“Why must you wear, a Hi**er moustache” xx

26/10/2024

Pictured here in the centre is a very special man and longtime pal, Mr Frank Gibbon, pictured with his brother and dear departed sister (the only person Frank was scared of) ha ha!
This pic was taken in the 90's on Ned Lambton's estate, Durham just before a recording session, they are standing in front on the old cafe that was built in the 1970's when it was a lion park, which became a 24 track recording studio in the 90's, we did some amazing work there
Frank is one of the most beloved musicians to come out of the North East of England, from Bryan Ferry to John Miles, Randy Crawford to Paul Spong and Rick Taylor, Alan Hull, they all adore him and was very much theeee Bass player's Bass Player ###

26/10/2024

John Cavener Jr pictured here aged 12 years, he is now a 30 yo lawyer, this was one of his first sessions and luckily with me, attending that day would be his dad John Cavener Sr, his lovely sister Nada only 10, Joe Guillan, Piano Paul & Keith Shepherd, what a rich life music brings us ###

26/10/2024

Photographs of old friends
Ones I will never see again
Every moment rolls along
Forever knowing as in song
Grains of sand upon a beach
Bonded through a loving reach
Shared medicine born to teach
Drift apart as fallen leaf ;-)

Robert Wright Smith RIP
Soldier, Poet, Boxer, Comedian, Father and ex tour manager of Gloria Gaynor in the 1970's
What a boy was Wee Bobby Denver ###

26/10/2024

Missing you old friend, Jimmy Gailey you became a subtle and unsuspected father figure to me from the worst year of my life, 2003 with the loss of two very close loved ones, thank you for getting me through Glasgow boy, I stood with pride in Tain as your coffin passed me, a salute was in order to one fine friend, and you left this earth 40 odd years sober, and you were a bad ass as a young man, but in your 29th year on earth you got sober, became a better husband, father and friend, I am honoured to count you as my friend, sending you much love in the never forgetting you
In truth
Martin ###