Les Barker

Les Barker appears to have two, and possibly more, sides to his character. He's from Manchester, England, and claims to have been an accountant before becoming a professional idiot, as well as the author of 53 books.

He began his performing career with a small dog named Mrs. Ackroyd, who has since departed, and left Les working on his own. That is, until the formation of the Mrs. Ackroyd Band -- a quartet including Lesley Davies, Chris Harvey and Alison Younger. They have released two albums with some help from June Tabor and Martin Allcock: 'Oranges and Lemmings' and 'Gnus & Roses'.

He's also produced two albums of serious work: the folk opera 'The Stones of Callanish'; and 'Some Love'. His serious songs have been covered by June Tabor, and by Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick.

Describing Les Barker is 'difficult' (his term); hopefully he's brought some books, too.