Former carpenter shows off the tools of his new trade (From Epsom Guardian)

Former carpenter shows off the tools of his new trade in Thames Ditton

1:27pm Monday 20th August 2012 in Freetime By Laura Proto

Having changed from carpenter to songwriter, David Francey will be in Thames Ditton as part of his September 2012 tour.

Since leaving the construction business in 1999 to record the album Torn Screen Door, Scottish-born Canadian Francey is now one of today’s finest singer-songwriters.

Francey’s straightforward songs tell honest stories of real people and real places and poetic perception is a trademark of his music. His songs and stories are a direct connection for audiences seeking depth and meaning in the day-to-day.

Born in Ayrshire in 1954, Francey’s first taste of the working life was as a paper boy, delivering around the village of Kilmaurs, establishing a life-long interest in politics and world events while developing the social conscience that forms the backdrop to his songs.

When he was 12, the Francey family moved to Toronto and music played a large part in family outings in Southern Ontario, singing traditional Scottish tunes as they drove through the Canadian countryside.

Francey has released nine CDs to date with his most recent, Late Edition, winning two Canadian Folk Music award nominations. He has also won three Juno awards and had the honour of receiving the Socan Folk Music award.

In the past few years, Francey has taken home the grand prize in both the International Acoustic Music awards and in the folk category for the John Lennon Songwriting awards.

Accompanied by Mark Westberg, David Francey will play at the Ram Folk Club, Old Cranleighan Club, Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton, on Friday, September 7.

Tickets cost £10 and are available by calling 020 8686 9421. For more information about David, visit davidfrancey.com.