British songsmith Richard Grainger returns to Cowichan for Friday’s Cowichan Folk Guild Culinary Concert Series at Providence Farm.

His trunk of originals and traditionals is most reflected on his first recording Herbs On The Heart in 1984.

Grainger won accolades as an English folk star and chose to mirror homespun values of moor-meets-industry in North Yorkshire’s Teesside town.

The mild-mannered tunesmith stirs traditionals such as Polly on the Shore, and Gatherin’ Rushes into his broth of originals spanning Scarborough Fishermen, Mary of the Dale, and Last Light On The Row.

Grainger shares his experiences with dry wit before each song that begs singing along to.

His initial exposure to harmony came at family parties or singing old Methodist hymns and gospel tunes.

Grainger dug into folk blues and British skiffle music early.

Headway came during TV appearances on England’s Sydney Carters, and the folk-blues show Hullabaloo.

Players Martin Carthy and Davey Graham also influenced Grainger.

His mentor was Ron Angel, former member of the Teesside Fettlers.

Grainger went solo on the folk scene in ‘85, later teaming up with The Wilson Family, Dick Miles, and Chris Parkinson.

Grainger’s 1999 album Town in Time traces his hometown’s history while his 1997 folk opera Eye of the Wind tells of Yorkshire legend Capt. James Cook.

Your ticket:

What: Richard Grainger

When: Oct. 2. Dinner at 6:30 p.m., chapel concert 7:30 p.m.

Where: Providence Farm, Tzouhalem Road, Duncan

Tickets: Dinner, $12 CFG members, $15 non-members. Concert, $10 and $15. All seats must be reserved. Phone 250-748-3975 or email info@folkfest.bc.ca.