DKOS Artists 20th Jan 2025:- The Folk Drama – Martin Stephen Jones & Friends – Debbi Campbell – Clare Quinn

The Folk Drama

One from LA and one from Edinburgh (guess which!) met and based themselves in Glasgow in 2022. Having just completed the recording of their debut EP produced by Johnny Lexus (Paul Heatons co writer and guitarist) it has received favourable feedback before its due release in January 2025! This has landed them support slots with the likes of James Walsh (starsailor) Chris Helme (seahorses) and Jerry Leger amongst others. It also led to them performing at various festivals around the U.K. ‘the FOLK DRAMA’ are eager to see what 2025 has in Store

Martin Stephen Jones & Friends

 Martin Stephen Jones, singer/guitarist, brings an eclectic mix of blues, soul, country, folk and Latin American music to his original songs in English and Spanish.Martin, a resident of Greenock, first picked up the guitar as a 12 year old and has never looked back. He has a unique style (plays guitar left handed), an extensive range of material and an incredible voice.
A former student at Glasgow University and now a support worker, Martin enjoys using his passion for music to compose and to entertain.|He has collected many accolades for his song writing and stage performances including an Honorary Danny Kyle Award at the 2024 Celtic Connections festival.
As well as being a regular on the local Inverclyde music scene, Martin has supported many popular artists including Gaberlunzie, Alistair McDonald and Kim Richey. He has performed at festivals across the country from Milnathort to Moniave, headlined Glasgow’s Lentfest festival and the Inchture Folk Club. 
Major influences on his music include Billy Joe Shaver, Eric Bibb, Elvis Presley and Status Quo.|As a keen volunteer both within the music department at Common Wheel Glasgow and as a radio presenter, Martin brings music and pleasure to many audiences. 
You can hear Martin on Celtic Music Radio and Dunoon Community Radio every Wednesday night from 9pm to midnight with his show “Wednesday Nights With Martin Stephen Jones”. |Martin’s goals include headlining major festivals and releasing his own album with an ultimate aim of writing his own musical. He is no doubt inspired by his great uncles, Pete Martin and Charlie Holbein, who were stars of the Scottish Music Hall and Variety.
Usually performing as a solo artist, Martin is joined this year on the Danny Kyle Open Stage with some fellow musicians.
Band members are:
Martin Stephen Jones on vocals and guitar
Stuart Arnott on accordion
Willie Sinclair on mandolin, harmonica and backing vocals
Paul Baird on guitar and backing vocals
Stewart Livingston on cajon
Stuart Arnott is an accordionist/keyboard player based in Troon who runs the Music Box recording studio. Stuart and Martin shared a stage together at Inchture Folk Club last September.|
Willie Sinclair plays guitar, mandolin and harmonica and is also a cigar box guitar maker. Willie is a longtime friend and collaborator of Martin , having joined him onstage in Irvine and Glasgow many times over the years. Willie was an MC at Marymass Folk Festival and Irvine Folk Club for many years.
Paul Baird is an accomplished guitarist and current member of The Urban Folkers and is a frequent accompanist and collaborator with singer songwriter Ciaran Dorris.Stewart Livingston brings the rhythm to the band on the cajon. Stewart has joined Martin onstage several times at local sessions and is a member of Inverclyde band Clydebeat.

Debbi Campbell

Debbie is an Ayrshire based, singer songwriter who released her debut album, About Time, in October 2023, which has 8 original tracks on it, along with 1 cover song. She wrote the album in collaboration with her partner, lyricist/spoken word/poet performer, Robert Neil, and Scott Nicol, another Ayrshire based singer/songwriter. The songs were all recorded and mastered at Dramatic Studios in Ayr with Brian MacDonald, who, along with his brother Craig, are the famous MacDonald Brothers. The album has a Country/Celtic/Folk vibe to it, and all the songs have enjoyed regular plays on radio stations here in Scotland, along with some South of the Border and abroad.
All the songs on the album are very personal, and heartfelt. A few people have infact, contacted Debbie directly, to say how much the songs mean to them – its as if she is singing directly about them.
Debbie and Scott were part of the live outside broadcast at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Friday 2nd February 2024 at 2pm, as part of Fiona McNeill’s show on Celtic Music Radio, as a fringe event during Celtic Connections.`
Debbie’s musical journeyAfter being turned down by the Primary School choir, due to her extreme shyness as a young girl, she never really embraced her musical side until many years later, when she took up singing lessons, which led her onto auditioning to join Ayr Amateur Opera Company. She landed a few leading roles, firstly Gladys in Copacabana, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar (Prince Edward saw this performance at Ayr Gaiety Theatre as part of the company’s centenary show) and Nancy in Oliver. Debbie stopped performing the full shows with the company when she became mum to her son Lucas, but still took part in their concert parties and social evenings.
Debbie is also lead singer with The Splinters, a small but punchy four piece band who play new wave, old wave, punk and pop. She also sings with acoustic duos, The Cactus Wrens, Burness, and with Scott Nicol (a fantastic singer/songwriter in his own right, with a host of albums under his belt. His current song, “Millionnaire” is available to download on all streaming platforms, and he runs his own business, “Possiblity Screams”, which helps upcoming musicians learn to play the guitar, stage craft and song writing).
Debbie and Scott also helped the local community during the lockdown period, performing outside the windows of various nursing homes, and Debbie is a former fundraising assistant at Ayrshire based charity, Hansel, and still does a lot of community fundraising. She can be found at many a charity event throughout Ayrshire.

Care Quinn

Clare Quinn is a Scottish singer-songwriter from the outskirts of Glasgow. Her music is modest and laid back, yet inviting. Clare creates an intimate and warm environment on stage with her soft, Scottish vocal. She recently released her debut single, ‘Kingston Bridge’, which details her love for Glasgow and the ache found in leaving the city. She is currently working on her upcoming EP which is due to be released in summer 2025. Some of her major influences include the likes of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Paul Simon. As well as Scottish artists like Frightened Rabbit and Karine Polwart. Clare enjoy’s performing as a solo act but can also be found playing with her band, still maintaining her intimate and cosy sound. Keep an eye on Clare’s Instagram (@clarequinnnmusic) for updates on upcoming gigs and releases!