My name is Ian Goodsman but known widely as Lil' Ian (that's Lil' as in 'little', Lilian is my mother's name and that's another story). I am an acoustic roots musician spending time between the UK, where I was born, and New Zealand where I have a home. I am known mostly for my ragtime, slide and Piedmont style of blues. I have performed at festivals and clubs both in the UK and New Zealand as well as TV and radio shows in both. I have played in the Club Tent of the Cambridge Folk Festival (2000), Smokie Blues Festival (Arbroath, 2009), Auckland Folk Festival (2002), Bay Of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival (2001 - 2008), Crossroads Blues Club (Birmingham, UK, 2009) and many other clubs and Festivals.

I have appeared on local radio stations throughout the UK and National Radio in New Zealand as well as being the featured artiste over two weeks on New Zealand's Radio Hauraki's Blues show where they dubbed me 'Kiwi slide guitarist extraordinaire'. I recorded for a satellite TV show in the UK and the Good Morning Show on New Zealand's TVOne.

During my playing career I have opened for the Delta Bluesman and side-kick to Robert Johnson in the 1930's, Dave 'Honeyboy' Edwards, the amazing CandyRat recording artist Andrew White and one of my original inspirations - Stefan Grossman. I have also played with the ragtime guitarist John James, on the same stage as the likes of Steve Tilston, Gypsy Dave Smith, Kent Duchaine and Duck Baker, and played a session for the Piedmont player - the late John Jackson.

I have also done the occasional set in the US and was asked to do a guest appearance at the Biscuits and Blues Club in San Francisco (2008). Although I didn't chase the offer, I was considered for the opening act for a Walter Trout tour in the US - my loss! I did some session work (2008) in the US for up and coming harp player - Jay Gaunt - and featured on his first CD. Singapore, Greece, Portugal and Turkey have also seen me play live.

I have three CD's of my own currently on release and these get played on various Blues Radio Shows around the world. My 2002 release made the UK Blues In Britain charts and gained a very favourable review from the CEO of Alligator Records in Chicago - Bruce Iglauer.

If you see me play, you will never see me strum a guitar. I pick, I do not strum, my National, Dobro and Mike Messer resonator guitars and my Gibson, Bozo and hand-made Hullah wooden guitars. For some of my set you will find I use a brass or glass bottleneck on my left pinkie. The music I play comes from such sources as Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller, Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy amongst others. I also play more recent numbers from the likes of Keb' Mo, David Lindley and Merle Travis. As Bruce Iglauer pointed out when he reviewed my 2002 CD, I start from the original version and then add my own, unique, mark/arrangement Ð catch me on YouTube.

I hope this has been useful and hope that we might meet in your venue at some point in the future.

Lil' Ian