A nationally-acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, Tom Bliss writes catchy story songs in a folk style which typically tell true stories, some funny, some sad – but always powerful. For ten years, he toured the UK with banjo maestro Tom Napper, now residing in Scotland. These days he plays just a handful of gigs a year, all MS benefits, using mandozouki, dulcimer, guitar, whistle, concertina, accordion and harp. The first set features award-winning songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Den Miller, and the second a specially-reformed Slide: Derek Magee (fiddle, low whistles) Neil Whitaker (guitar banjo, vocals) John Layton (bass) and Tom (everything else). Active from 2000-4, Slide played all over Yorkshire to major acclaim, and made 2 highly-regarded CDs featuring their unique blend of English, Celtic and American trad, many of Tom’s most popular songs, and further songs and tunes from Neil and Derek With Den adding guitar, percussion, harmonica and autoharp, they sound even better than ever today

Over 150,000 people in the UK have Multiple Sclerosis. It’s unpredictable, debilitating, life-limiting and currently incurable. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. The MS Society supports people living with MS and helps fund research into drugs that can manage symptoms better and, we hope, maybe even stop the progression of this horrible disease altogether. Tom’s daughter Ellie lives with MS. He’s raised over £18,000 at previous gigs, and aims to reach £20,000 or more this year