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the band, something that had never happened before, or since! So, for a few heady minutes, I was on stage with these
wonderful musicians ripping through ‘Pick a Bale of Cotton’ with the Lonnigans! Magic! For me anyway!

LL: What prompted your move to France? What is it like living in the Limousin region?

AS: I was fortunate enough to retire at age 60 after 40 years working in the City of London. My wife and I had spent
a number of holidays in the Limousin and really loved the tranquility, the unspoiled way of life and the countryside.
We had friends who had a holiday home here and decided to look for somewhere to which we could retire.

The French way of life is very different, and we are so much more aware of nature here. Instead of police sirens,
traffic noise, drunks rolling home from the pub etc. here we rejoice in birdsong, cattle, the village cockerel, cows,
nightingales, the natural sounds of the countryside.

I serve on several local committees and have staged a couple of blues gigs in our local church featuring British
bands. Sadly, French bureaucracy has put a stop to that! Ironically, SACEM, the French equivalent of the UK’s
copyright/royalties’ authorities demanded such large fees that it made such events economically unviable!

We really would not want to be anywhere else and this is where we plan to stay! Especially now!

LL: How is the blues scene in France?

AS: Blues in Europe is a very vibrant scene with some hugely talented artists and that is also reflected here in
France. One of the things one has to get used to is that France is a much bigger country than the UK so the distances
to gigs and festivals are often much greater. It always amazes me when I see French blues festival bills how many
US artists play in Europe but never get to the UK!

I am involved with a lovely festival at Le Buis, about
half an hour away, which takes place in four
different small villages over four evenings in August
and is sheer heaven. Le Buis, where the Saturday
event takes place, has a population of just under 200
people, a good 50% of whom volunteer for the
festival and create the most wonderful family
atmosphere. My good friend Laurent Bourdier who
organizes the event, always selects a fascinating and
hugely varied bill for each year with acts coming
from all over. For example, 2019 saw acts from the
UK, France, USA, Australia, Sweden, Spain and
Belgium playing.

Like me, the French, along with many other
Europeans, are far removed from the blues purists
who are threatening to strangle the blues to death. So
many French ‘blues’ festivals and gigs feature acts
which, whilst based in the blues, are certainly not
constrained by them. This makes for some wonderful
and very special events.

There are some really creative and individual French
bands which I love. Two that immediately spring to mind are Muddy Gurdy – blues played by a line-up that includes
a hurdy gurdy – and Cotton Belly’s who just have a wonderful feel and sound.

Unlike the UK, musicians are generally treated well in France, indeed in mainland Europe as a whole. There is far
more financial support for festivals from both commercial and state sponsors at all levels with organizers of even
relatively small events, having a very healthy budget with which to play. Not that they don’t have to work for it, but
it is there! And the difference shows. Just ask any UK blues musicians who have had the pleasure of playing gigs in
France and Europe. It is so sad to think that this may become hugely difficult if not impossible very soon!