In the first of a new feature spotlighting Merseyside’s regular acoustic music events local songwriter and musician John Jenkins has a chat with Stephen Nelson, the current MC for the iconic Cornmarket Acoustic Club, about its history, performers and what lies ahead.
Speak to musicians of original songs these days looking for venues to play and they’ll tell you how difficult it is to get a booking or even find a venue that supports original music.
Most songwriters and musicians probably go to plan B and do an open mic on occasion. Some open mics nights flourish (Ian Prowse’s Monday club at the Cavern being the pinnacle of all open mics). Some pop up and disappear as quickly as they appear. In between all these, we have our folk club venues that have become great institutions over time.
The Cornmarket at the Old Ropery just off Fenwick Street near James Street Station is one I have frequented as a performer myself and as an audience member too.
I had a chat with Stephen Nelson, the current MC for the iconic Cornmarket Folk Club about its history, performers and what lies ahead for them.
Stephen – It wasn’t originally housed here, Paul Hossack was a long-standing member of the committee who has sort of moved on now, but he was fantastic with regards to having archive photographs of how the night evolved and he would regale to me about how the night began with Anthony John Clarke who was quite a renowned figure on the folk circuit. He was the original host back on the first night at the Cellar Bar in Hackins Hey in January of 2011.
They then went on from there to the Vernon Pub but obviously, it wasn’t called The Cornmarket, it’s just that was what the night was. It obviously assumed the name The Cornmarket when it came here in 2102.
Anthony John Clark was one of the original hosts. We had Elizabeth Kearney, who’s now known as Elizabeth Ann Silvers, who performs under the moniker of Elfin Bow. I know she was a quite a significant figure with regards to sorting out the iconography of the night. I just missed her. I think she was here right at the beginning of 2014, but I first performed here in March of that year, and she wasn’t there that night. So our paths have never actually crossed. But you know, her imprint is still there. And she’s also to be considered in the number of female MCs we’ve had.
Mary McCombs was the person who introduced me to the night. Annie Kennedy was a host, and Leslie Williams too. We’ve had at least as many female MCs as male MCs.
John – I overheard you saying it’s quite unique. What’s so unique about the cornmarket?
Stephen – I think it’s got a personality of its own. It’s the character of the pub in which it’s housed, yeah, you know. How can I say it? I mean COVID has been a real strain on everyone right?
John – Yeah, I was going to mention COVID because it impinged on a lot of people and places.
Stephen – A lot of people have just simply just not returned to the habit of going out. And you know, the club literally died sadly during COVID. Pre-pandemic, sometimes we’d use the big room at the front, but as you know, generally speaking, it has been in the nook at the back.
John – The pub interior has changed. I don’t think it’s worked out.
Stephen – Yes, the booths haven’t helped. It’s reduced the amount of room in the nook at the back, but it is cosy. We’re are sort of an acoustic open floor, but more than that. We’ll accommodate poets, we’ll accommodate instrumentalists. We’ve accommodated bands on the fly because the other thing we’ve always had is a PA, which if you compare it to the sort of sing-around setups of other places, you know, we’ve always had the electric angle on things.
I’ve seen an awful lot of people basically come in and, like, almost rediscover their mojos here. And I think we serve as a nurturing function.
John – I can’t remember the girl’s name, but I remember someone who couldn’t really play the guitar and over the course of a couple of years, she moved from a complete novice to someone who was very impressive. It was unbelievable. I wish I could remember the girl’s name.
Stephen – I think you’re referring to Lucy Mayhew who we had as our guest spot one night and that was the first time I heard her. It’s just been magical seeing her progression over time.
John – Speaking of performers then, reel off a few names for me.
Stephen – I must mention people like Robert Vincent for instance. He has a name which carries a lot of weight locally. Also Alan O’Hare.
John – Joe Topping?
Stephen – Yeah, Joe has played here.
John – Gerry Ffrench?
Stephen – Yes, Gerry’s great! The proudest and my favourite artist to do a guest spot here was Rachael Jean Harris. I think she’s an incredible songwriter. I’d say that in terms of male singer-songwriters, I think Mark Vormawah is a ridiculous talent. I think as an instrumentalist, I should mention Liz Owen. Liz came along and did a guest spot here and her guitar style was incredible.
John – Do you get people coming from outside the Merseyside area?
Stephen – Yes, and I’m glad you’ve said that, John. We’re a name that’s known on the folk circuit. So again, it’s sort of an open floor for local artists, but then we’ve had people like Dave Gibb, coming down from Scotland – an extraordinary storyteller and performer.
John – So would you say that most people on the Merseyside music scene have probably played here at one point?
Stephen – Yeah
John – So in COVID times, what happened? I know there were a few Zoom sessions.
Stephen – Zoom was pretty much how we kept in touch with everyone for a while. I mean, we didn’t do Zoom all the way through, but it was a nice way of reestablishing contact with familiar faces but there’s nothing quite like actually being here.
John – So it’s the first Tuesday of the month?
Stephen – Yeah, that’s right.
John – What plans have you got for the future?
Stephen – It’s survival. I know it sounds pretty grim, but it really is just survival at the moment.
John – The room as you say is cosy, but I guess there’s a fine line between having too many people and having not enough.
Stephen – Yeah. We’ve actually had some of our best nights ever this year. Jim Pearson came over from the Wirral a couple of months back and he’s just a fantastically peculiar songwriter. I think we’re a place for people who write stuff, really do appreciate, because the audience listens.
We don’t judge people. I know Liverpool Acoustic love their competitions, but we’re kind of like almost the antithesis of that. Yeah, we don’t judge the songwriters. I think there’s a case and there’s a space for something that does that.
John – Is there anything else you want to mention?
Stephen – Just come along. Use it or lose it. It really is like that these days now. I’d love to see that front room full again for Christmas like we’ve had in the past. People need to realise what’s there for them.
NEXT CORNMARKET ACOUSTIC CLUB
Tuesday 7th November 2023
Starts at 8 pm, but be there at 7.30 pm to get a place