For a man described as Canada's finest singer-songwriter, James Keelaghan is disarmingly modest about his many musical achievements. He has won the Juno - his nation's most prestigious music award - and been nominated a further three times. And no less a figure than Dave Marsh, the American biographer of The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, bestowed on him the finest singer-songwriter tag. But 45-year-old James refuses to get carried away by all the praise heaped on his shoulders since he turned full-time professional 17 years ago. Speaking to me from his family's home town of Calgary, James said it was "very gratifying" to be spoken of in such glowing terms, but he simply set out to give his best, both in the studio and out on the road. James , who studied history at the University of Calgary and now lives in Winnipeg, flew into Britain at the end of last week on the eve of a 19-date British tour. He has toured Britain half a dozen times but this is the greatest number of gigs he has done over here and James says he is very much looking forward to it. "There's no greater buzz than performing live and I have always found folk club knowledgeable and very open to new musical experiences. "I don't get carried away by awards and nominations but I must admit it is extremely gratifying when your peers recognise your work in that way - it's the greatest praise any artist can have," says James, who is also a twotimes winner of the folk category of the USA Songwriting Competition. James, who plays the Red Lion Folk Club in Kings Heath tomorrow and also visits Bromsgrove Folk Club on February 10 and Chasetown Folk Club, Burntwood, the following night, is renowned for mining the past for his musical inspiration. His most celebrated songs, including Red River Rising and Cold Missouri Waters, tell the tales of extraordinary events from history through the eyes of ordinary people in often deeply moving fashion. A commanding stage performer with a fine baritone voice and faultless guitar style, James will be accompanied on this tour by Jane Clark on violin and Hugh McMillan on bass and mandolin. James will be playing songs off his latest CD Then Again, a celebration of his outstanding career. The excellent album sees him re-working 11 of his best-loved songs to bring them up to date with the versions he now shares with his audiences across the globe. f Calais is a song about the evacuation of British soldiers from Dunkirk during the Second World War and Cold Missouri Waters is based on the 1949 Mann Gulch fire in Montana. This song was later covered by US folk supergroup Cry Cry Cry. After his British dates James is off on a six-week tour of Australia, and when he gets time plans a new album of traditional material. Next year a CD of original songs is on the anvil - James says he likes to keep the wheels turning. "My biggest problem is getting time off to write songs and get into the studio. "But I am not complaining - I love playing and it's always a terrific feeling when an audience responds well to your songs," adds James. * Doors at the Red Lion open at 7.30 for an 8.15pm start. Tickets on the door or on 0121 202 5000. Bromsgrove Folk Club is on 01527 874069, Chasetown is on 01543 271269. WHAT'S ON TONIGHT Open Session - musicians, singers welcome: The Royal Oak, School Rd, Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton 01902 754396; Derek Gifford: Black Diamond Folk Club, Turk's Head, Lawson St 0121 358 2665. TOMORROW Runrig, 7.30pm: Symphony Hall 0121 780 3333; James Keelaghan, 8.15pm: Red Lion Folk Club, Vicarage Rd, Kings Heath 0121 472 4253. SUNDAY Pat Brennan and The Hurling Boys, 7pm: Waxy O'Connor's, Broad Street; Little Jimmy, 9pm: Spotted Dog, Alcester St, Digbeth 0121 772 3822; Dreamcapture and Sweet Baby James, 3pm: Prince of Wales, Cambridge St 0121 643 9460; Dusty Rhodes Band: Brian's Country Music Club, Kings Heath Cricket Club, r/o 247 Alcester Rd South, Kings Heath 01564 824524. WEDNESDAY Crystal Folk (weekly singaround), 8.30pm: The Bird in Hand, Bridge St, Audnam, Stourbridge 0121 559 8607. THURSDAY Claret + Valentine's theme night: Cheque-Mates Folk Club @ Coton & Hopwas Social Club, School Lane, Hopwas, nr Tamworth 0121 354 4234. | 
