Being in the music business for 40 years, is a lifetime in today's society, what do you think has kept your success going?

"We have a very unique situation, because we never had a heyday. When we get on stage, we are not going back to a golden period.

"We just enjoy playing and making new records. When most bands have a new single out, they go out there and promote it, whereas we do not do that we just prefer gigging."

With this tour marking your 40th anniversary, what can your fans expect from it?

"They can expect to hear our new material, and we are going to go across the whole board so that people can see where we are now. We are also going to do some of our old material and go through the different eras and be respective of our past."

Do you have any musical ambitions, which you are to still to fulfil?

"I'm not sure really, I think it would have spoiled things really if we had a hit record or a record of the month. We are not static, we just look forward and concentrate on continuity."

In all your years in the music industry, what is the best advice you have ever been given?

"Don't sign anything that you have not looked at, or someone that understands about it has not looked at. It's always good to get a second opinion on things, there are a lot of sharks in the water. Very often the best talents are young and naïve."

Being the originators of British folk-rock, what advice would you give to other folk-rock bands that are trying to make it?

"Don't be afraid of what people say, and be immune from damage, a folk song can never be broken."

What, in your eyes has been your biggest musical achievement so far?

"It has to be winning the BBC2 Lifetime Achievement award, and also winning another BBC Folk Award last year which was voted for by Radio 2 listeners, which makes me proud because it was voted for by the public."

In the last 40 years, what do you think the biggest changes in folk-rock music have been?

"I think like most areas in music, it has to be the independence from big businesses. When we first started out it was just the big businesses that enabled you to go further in the music industry, however today with downloads and myspace that has all changed.

"You just have to look at acts that top the download charts, elevate themselves, and become huge successes. However when you do it by yourself, careers in the music industry tend to be even more short-lived than what they usually are."

The band, first formed in 1967, what has kept you guys together all these years?

"We are not the same people anymore. We have all grown up and matured, but we still all love playing the same music and performing."

You have done lots of tours with the band, where is your favourite place?

"It has to be the Fairport Cropredy Convention that we hold every year, it's a three-day festival of music. It's like we bring everyone to our back yard.

"With this year being the 40th anniversary, it seems that everyone is making a special effort and are coming from all over. This is the best part for me - the touring."

  • Fairport Convention play the following dates on their 40th anniversary tour:
  • The Brook, Southampton - Friday February 2. Tel: 023 8055 5366.
  • The Anvil, Basingstoke - Saturday February 3. Tel: 01256 844244
  • Salisbury City Hall - Wednesday February 28. Tel: 01722 434434.
  • For more information on the band, and on upcoming events go to their website www.fairportconvention.com.