GEOFF Lakeman, a stalwart of the Westcountry acoustic music scene and patriarch to a ‘folk dynasty’ plays his first-ever solo gig at Tavistock’s Wharf on Sunday (March 19) and it’s about time too because every other member of his famous family have graced the stage — brothers Seth, Sean and Sam Lakeman and two of their wives, Kathryn Roberts and Cara Dillon (see above).

A journalist for 50 years, Geoff recently released his debut solo CD, After All These Years, and received widespread five-star reviews and radio plays.

Guests on the CD include his sons and daughters-in-law and folk stars like Nic Jones, Jim Causley and Sam Kelly.

Geoff is an acclaimed exponent of the rare Crane duet concertina and sings self-penned and West-country songs, English, Irish and Scottish folk, ‘Americana’ and even 20s and 30s jazz.

‘I’ve only ever got up on stage at the Wharf and played spoons on a couple of crazy occasions with mates Mad Dog Mcrea,’ said Cornish-born Geoff, who has lived in Buckland Monachorum for nearly 40 years.

‘It’ll be cool to finally perform my songs accompanying myself.’