FEW performers can be in show business for more than four decades and still find something new to surprise their audiences with, but Welsh entertainer Max Boyce is about to do just that.

Friday, August 30 will find Max performing live at Chepstow Castle, and as his legions of fans buy tickets for the event I ask the man himself if he’s looking forward to it.

“Immensely, yes!” he laughs, “I’ve sung in most places, but I’ve not yet sung in a castle.

“I’ve sung in containers, on top of mountains, in the Falkland Islands but this is a first. There’s a danger of getting stale if you don’t try new things and I was given the offer of doing this outdoors and if the weather’s nice it should be quite spectacular.”

It’s incredible to think that Max first descended on the charts nearly 40 years ago with such successful albums as Live In Treorchy and the chart topping We All Had Doctors Papers.

Many of his songs such as Hymns and Arias have found their way into the Welsh psyche and are regarded as anthems “I was writing topical songs at the time,” Max says of Hymns and Arias. “I didn’t know it was going to be an anthem, I just wrote it because Wales had beaten England at Twickenham and I was moved to write this little song about the trip.

“Little did I think that 40 years later it would be sung at football matches. When Swansea played Manchester United, it was ringing out at Old Trafford.”

“It was innocence really, that’s the secret, you catch a moment in time. People come up to me and say your songs were the soundtrack to my childhood.”

As well as performing at Chepstow Castle, Max will also be celebrating his 40 years with a BBC Wales TV special in September.

Does it seem like 40 years, I ask him? “No it seems like 15,” he laughs.

So what is the secret of Max’s longevity?

“No idea, and I don’t want to know!” he laughs, as if knowing the formula might be his undoing.

“I’m just glad people are coming. I’ve always worked hard in concerts and I hope I’ve always given value for money.”

Max also believes that having strong support acts helps a shows success and he’ll be bringing along special guests.

“Shan Cothi is an old friend, she’s wonderful for this sort of concert and of course the world famous Treorchy male voice choir who are terrific so the singing should be good!” he says.

Max will also be treating fans to some of his new material as well as some classics.

“The secret is not doing all the same stuff mixing old and new and hopefully everyone is satisfied.”

Limited tickets are available for Max Boyce at Chepstow Castle on August 30 by calling Ticketline on 0844 888 991 (ticket line.co.uk) or tourist information on 01291 623772.