KEIGHLEY musician Johnny Bedford is following his dream by recording his second album.

Bradford College student Johnny, who performs as blues and folk act Dead Freedom, appeared in October at HMV’s National Album Day slot in Leeds.

Blues and folk singer/guitarist Johnny first tuned into music after making at the age of four when he watched his older brother play drums and realised he wanted to be a musician too.

He began writing his own songs at 16 and first performed publicly the following year under the name of Johnny B, before later changing his moniker to Dead Freedom.

Johnny began music studies at Bradford College before leaving to take care of his young daughter. Now 30, he has returned to the college and is in the second year of a Music for the Creative Industries degree course.

The blues and folk singer/guitarist is performing to audiences across the country after following his National Album Day slot, and is hoping to reach new audiences as he follows on the success of his first album.

The opportunity at HMV came through his friend Jali (Jaina Rushforth) who sent a social media post from the music store asking for local artists to perform live.

Dead Freedom had various recommendations for the slot and was one of three acts to perform that day.

A stack of copies of Dead Freedom’s album Standing Tall were put out for sale that day, which quickly sold out.

Johnny said: “I always dreamed of selling albums. I would see CDs on sale in HMV and think ‘that’s what I want to do one day,’ and now I’ve crossed it off my bucket list.

“If it wasn’t for my tutors at Bradford College when I first began studying, I probably wouldn’t have come back to studying after my daughter was born.”

John Dey, lecturer in music and audio technology, said Johnny had established a very good support network.

He said: “It’s good to know the local venues and musicians, and Johnny has become a well-known name on the regional music scene and built up a fanbase. He’s been very dynamic in making this happen.”

Johnny credits Bradford College with encouraging him to continue following his dreams but has this advice for budding musicians: “Always follow your gut instinct and do what you enjoy. Never pass up opportunities.”

John Dey added: “If you produce original music, make sure you enjoy what you’re playing as there’s a good chance other people will enjoy it too.”

Bradford College runs several Music and Performance courses.