We did that in The Byrds. Bob Gibson was a folk singer who had an influence on me early on. I love Bob Dylan's work, he was special. I don't know, those are the names that come to mind.

-The music business has changed a huge amount over your career. Do you think things like the internet have helped or hindered the industry?
It's helped individual artists. It wasn't so good for the big record companies. In fact, it brought them down. It's also bad for independent songwriters.

It's sort of like radio. If you get something popular on something like YouTube, MP3s are floating around, people will recognise your craft, go to your concert venue and buy your merchandise. It's a very good thing.

-We mentioned the Folk Den, so I'd assume the internet is something you're embracing to get more music out there?
Well, I've returned to my folk roots. I started it back in 1995. I've always considered myself a folk singer even though we strapped on electric instruments.

We did a lot of folk songs with electric guitars, but we were doing a lot of folk music even in The Byrds. I've always been a folk singer, but I've gone back to that role and I'm really enjoying it.

-You came through in a grassroots way compared to more contemporary acts. How was it trying to break through with The Byrds?
Well, The Byrds were an organically formed group. It wasn't like a casting call band. We got a name and a record deal, and found the Bob Dylan song 'Mr. Tamborine Man'. It all just fell together, it was...you almost think it was pre-destined, but it was a lot of work too.

It was a big surprise when it became a Number 1 hit in the US and UK. It was very exciting, it was a big breakthrough.

I think there was a lot less competition back in those days. There are tens of thousands of artists competing for the same thing now. It's hard to be heard above the noise.

-You mentioned how organic it was with The Byrds, but now you have things like The X Factor that give people almost a fast-track to success. What do you think about platforms like that?
I'm a little leary of them. It's too much of a catapult to success. It doesn't seem fair that the artists who paid there dues at the clubs and pulled their way up have to compete with somebody who's an overnight success.

-Best of luck with the tour dates, thank you for chatting to me.
Thanks a lot.

Female First - Alistair McGeorge