Sean Cooney, singer and dog lover

Available for over a year

Sean Cooney is a powerful voice in British folk music and theatre. Winner of 3 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards with his band The Young'uns, the singer, songwriter, composer, and author has made 9 albums, recorded a number of radio programmes and is behind the acclaimed theatre show, The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff. His work brings untold working-class stories to life by blending folk song, historical testimony, archival recordings, and spoken word. Tom Raine follows his creative process as he works on a brand new album, this time not inspired by amazing people, but amazing dogs. Having just retired his wife’s guide dog Nessie after 8 and a half years of service, Sean has been inspired to craft a new set of songs about history’s heroic hounds - the dogs that have been more than just companions, but life savers. Across a day in northern England, Sean invites Tom into his creative world, beginning on a cold morning in the Peak District to visit the memorial of Tip the Sheepdog, whose extraordinary story inspired one of the album's newest songs. From there, they head to Sean's home in Sheffield, where dog books, newspaper cuttings and research reveal how Sean transforms remarkable stories into song. The day ends at a local folk pub singing session in the heart of Sheffield, the type of communal setting where Sean feels most at home. Presenter / producer - Tom Raine