Steve to tour with folk legends

He will play support for all 24 concerts across England, including appearances in Leeds and Burnley.

The band has recorded Steve's songs in the past and some, such as Slipjigs and Reels and Rocky Road, are among their most popular numbers.

Steve has a successful career in his own right, appearing solo on both sides of the Atlantic as well as playing with folk groups such as Waz.

Fairport Convention is credited with inventing British folk-rock after basing its own sound on American artists like Bob Dylan and The Byrds.

The line-up has changed several times over the years and has included leading folk artists like Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbrick.

During the same three decades Steve Tilston has become one of the most renowned writers and performers on the UK folk circuit.

Inspired by the work of performers like Bert Jansch as a teenager in the Midlands, he moved to London in the late Sixties to join the vibrant acoustic music scene.

Over 13 years he recorded four acoustic albums and flirted with writing pop songs, then during the Eighties he worked mostly as a professional songwriter.

During that decade, Steve also began a partnership with Maggie Boyle -- also a well-known folk singer now living locally -- recording albums and performing extensively.

Settled in Oakworth for the past few years, Steve has continued to record albums and perform regularly at folk clubs and festivals across the UK.

Steve last year spent a week performing in Italy and continued to play in Ballet Rambert's acclaimed production Sergeant Early's Dream. Steve follows his Fairport Convention tour with appearances at Skipton Folk Club, on March 6, and Bradford's Topic Folk Club, on March 8.

He will support Fairport Convention at Burnley Mechanics, on February 6, and Leeds City Varieties, on February 13.

Tickets for Burnley can be booked at Keighley Information Centre in the town hall or by phoning 01282 664400.Book for Leeds by phoning 0113 243 0808.