MY week starts with a big bang tonight, when I'll be playing at a special birthday concert for Vin Garbutt at Gateshead's Sage.

It's a real honour for me, as I've held Vin in the highest regard since I first saw him in the early 1970s, since which time his popularity has never waned, and his performances never faltered, despite a slight health scare.

He's certainly on top form these days, and tonight should be one to remember.

Also tonight, local supergroup, The Brakes, will be appearing at Byker's Cumberland Arms, and classy American duo Bob Conroy and Norm Pederson will be starting a brief local tour at Blaydon's Tynefolk, that will take them on to Mickleby's White Hart on Saturday, Stockton's Sun Inn on Monday and Darlington's Britannia on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Friday's choice is between songwriter Boo Hewardine at Newcastle's Cluny, a night of poetry and folk at Durham Clayport Library with, among others, Marie Little, Keith Armstrong and Gary Miller of The Whiskey Priests and at Sedgefield Village Hall, the legendary Robin Williamson.

Saturday brings Irish songster Anthony John Clark to the Chilton Country Pub at Houghton le Spring, Scots songwriter Robin Laing to Washington's Davy Lamp, and local balladeer John Wilson to the Swaledale Outdoor Centre in Richmond.

Sunday sees the instrumental group Last Orders at Durham Gala Theatre, and the Wilson Family at Westoe Sports Club, while Monday has Anth Kaley at Heighington's Locomotion.

BBC 4 has the first of four programmes from last summer's Cambridge Folk Festival on Friday evening, possibly the last foray into TV folk music for the Beeb, who withdrew their sponsorship from Cambridge, an absurd move when this music is at its peak of popularity right now, and my TV licence is due as well!