THANKS to everyone who entered last week's competition, which asked which pair of popular West Country folk stars have helped me out on my new CD.

The answer was Show of Hands, who recently sold out London's Royal Albert Hall for the third time, such is their popularity.

They rarely venture this far north, though they included a show at The Sage on their last UK tour, but needless to say, if they are heading our way, you will be the first to know.

Anyway, copies of my album, Jack Common's Anthem, will be in the post to Jem Cutter of High Shincliffe, Pete Sixsmith of Shildon and Andrea Stirk's mum, once she has let me know her postal address!

This week's live folk music includes a Saturday night choice between John Wright and Chris Milner at Croxdale Community Centre, Celtic band Raillon at Washington's Davy Lamp, and the region's answer to The Proclaimers, the fabulous Nebula at Coshill in Weardale Village Hall.

Sunday sees Pat Wilson and Paul Dalton at Westoe Club, and on Monday there's a choice of Pilgrim at Newcastle's Bridge Hotel, and the resurrected Waterboys at Gateshead's Sage.

Keep an eye out for a new CD from John and Caroline Bushby, entitled Borderlands, a fine selection of northern songs and tunes delivered with harp, pipes and strings, and with an Antipodean twist.

The Bushby's hail from Tasmania, but are now settled in Northumberland, and along with The Wilsons from Teesside, were among the highlights of last weekend's damp but spirited Alwinton Festival.