Earlier in the year I was lucky enough to be asked to play on DJ Johnnie Walker’s Radio Two show. I knew he was a bit of a legend and had heard him several times in the past few years when I’d been a man in a van. I always thought he had the most amazing manner on radio: incredibly cool and relaxed.

Well, I turned up at the studio to do the interview and play a couple of songs, after a couple of pints in the next door pub, and we had a right laugh. Afterwards he told me a little about his life in music – from DJing on the offshore pirate radio stations in the 60s, to his time at Radio One. He told me about his time on the road in America, working on non format radio in San Francisco and being part of the punk scene in the late 70s on the West Coast of the States.

I’d talked to him then about maybe doing an Unlit at his house sometime and he’d said him and his wife Tiggy may well be up for hosting one.

I called him last week when we were passing through near where he lived and, true to his word, he invited us over to his house and hosted an amazing gig. It wasn’t quite like any of the other Unlits and not the easiest gig I’d ever played, but it was a challenge, and a beautiful experience.

Basically, three weeks ago Nick, the son of his friends Lizzie and David, had died in a tragic accident leaving his parents, brother Tom and sister Zoe, and their whole circle of friends and family utterly shocked and distraught. Johnnie had thought maybe it would be nice for the gig we did at his house to be a tribute to Nick, who by all accounts was an incredible kid... an effervescent outgoing boy who had been adored by all who knew him and whose death had now devastated them all.

I felt a little bit like an outsider to begin with and didn’t know whether it was suitable for me to be playing a tribute for a boy I had never met, but Lizzie and David assured me it was something they wanted and thanks to the openness and warmth of them and their children Tom and Zoe, plus the other friends and family there, I forgot my doubts and we all shared a beautiful evening together.

I sang songs, we talked and laughed. Tom wore my flowery jacket for most of the gig, one of his mates wore my blue hat and Garfield, Dave and I were blown away by how incredibly bravely all of them were dealing with what must be the worst situation you can ever go through.

When we were done they even let us stay at their beautiful, incredibly run B&B. Their generosity and grace in the face of their sudden and tragic loss was an inspiration to us and we left next morning moved, uplifted and with a razor sharp understanding of what things in this life are truly important.

Thank you Lizzie and David, Tom, Zoe... and Johnnie and Tiggy for letting us celebrate Nick’s life. Soon, when Dave has had time to properly do the footage justice we will put up a short piece about the concert.