Matt McGinn to be honoured at Linlithgow Folk Festival

Jan 29 2009 by Debbie Spalding, West Lothian Courier

THE annual Linlithgow Folk Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and plans are already underway to ensure that the milestone event is celebrated in style.

Fundraising for September’s event will get underway on Friday, March 6, when fans pay tribute to the memory of the late Matt McGinn at an evening of songs and music in the Academy Theatre at 7.30pm.

The Glasgow singer, songwriter, poet and raconteur was Scotland’s undisputed “King of Folk” in the 1960s and 1970s.

His work is currently enjoying something of a revival and the association has played an important role in bringing Matt’s work to life again – seven previous tribute nights in the town have played to packed houses.

In recognition of the work that has been done in Linlithgow, Matt's youngest daughter, Shonagh, travelled from her home in the Canary Islands and made an emotional vote of thanks in the town last year.

And this year’s show promises to be bigger and better than ever, with singers and musicians from throughout central Scotland performing their favourite Matt McGinn songs, stories and poems.

Clips from some of the previous Linlithgow nights are now available on the official Matt McGinn website at www.mattmcginn.info.

Tickets for the fundraising evening are priced £7 and can be obtained from Blast Off Books on 01506 844645, the Black Bitch Tavern, on 01506 842147, from Linlithgow Folk Festival Association on 01506 510132 or by e-mailing lffamatt@hotmail.co.uk