I was delighted to attend the Music Producers Guild 2022 Awards event at the Tower Hotel tonight and to host the MU table and welcome our guests Gary Crosby, Janine Irons, Tom Gray, Anna Neale, Dave Webster and producer Greg Fitzgerald.
Category:News & events
Black Lives in Music partnership
The Musicians’ Union (MU) and Black Lives in Music (BLiM) have announced a 3-year partnership that will see the organisations work together to challenge racism, promote inclusive practices and accelerate change regarding diversity in the music industry.
The Musician (summer)
The summer 2022 issue of The Musician magazine is scheduled to be dispatched in print format to MU members this week. This is the 70th edition for which I have been editor, a role I have fulfilled since spring 2005 when the relationship with Future Publishing was established.
Jimmy Webb
A wonderful night at Chelsea’s Cadogan Hall in the company of Jimmy Webb as he performed a selection of his legendary songs on the first night of a UK tour. The awesome setlist included all my favourites, plus fascinating stories from his inspiring career composing for Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, Linda Ronstadt, the 5th Dimension, The Supremes, Art Garfunkel, and Richard Harris.
Spectrum of styles
Mark Batchelor and I drove an Enterprise van up to Springfield Farm in St Albans this morning, to set up the MU presence at Flesh Festival, the UK’s first queer LGBTQ+ electronic music & camping festival.
Streaming research
As part of the ongoing Government and Intellectual Property Office (IPO) music streaming work, a small group of researchers have been commissioned by the IPO to interview artists and industry stakeholders about industry contracts.
Cumberwell Park
Another rewarding day at Cumberwell Park, the challenging golf centre at Bradford-on-Avon just outside Bath, in aid of the Bath Cancer Support Group & Dorothy House. I had played in the competition, organised by Sarah and Neil Davies, in 2017 and 2018 and it was very pleasant to compete in its first return after the pandemic.
New season
The second match of the cricket season for Beckenham CC’s Under 17 team, saw a straightforward victory by 71 runs over a youthful but committed side from Bickley Park in delightful early summer sunshine.
Guitar Show
An excellent weekend in the company of photographer Jonathan Stewart, catching up with the UK guitar community at the ‘Guitar Show’ in the spacious New Bingley Hall in Birmingham.
Caring soul video
A superb day at Rimshot Studios, Sittingbourne, in the company of producers Mike Thorne and Greg Fitzgerald, make-up artist Emily Bellussi-Fitzgerald, plus videographers Josh and Reuben, as we collectively shot a performance video for ‘Caring Soul.’
Revival – Abbey Road
A wonderful day at Abbey Road in the company of producer James Reynolds as he oversaw a string session in Studio 2, led and arranged by master arranger Pete Whitfield. This was the last of three days’ work, all scheduled for vocal and instrumental contributions to the debut release on the Revival label.
Bramall boxers
I could be found in Sheffield today, at the home of the Blades, Bramall Lane. I had been kindly invited by former striker Tony Agana to their home match with AFC Bournemouth. We arrived at the ground just before 11am and immediately ran into local legend and former England star, Tony Currie, once voted the club’s greatest ever player.
Greg Fitzgerald
My long-term friend producer, songwriter and vocalist Greg Fitzgerald has just created videos to accompany his current productions, What is Love and Show Me Love. Enjoy!
New era
A busy day, which began with an early visit to Printstore in Kingston to drop off MU promo materials and merchandise. These were added to the newly printed posters and postcards and ready for delivery to the International Centre in Bournemouth this weekend in time for the start of next week’s NEU Conference.
Blue sky coast
A very pleasant weekend in Bournemouth. On Friday evening I met up with long-time friend Mark Batchelor and a new contact Liz Stacey, violinist in the ELO Experience, at the Hilton in the centre of the town. A short walk to the Pavilion and we took our seats for a performance by the band, who delivered a superb run-through of the Jeff Lynne songbook.
The Musician (spring)
The spring 2022 issue of The Musician is being dispatched by email in digital format to MU members this week. The contents include profiles of rapper Shao Dow and Scots traditional singer Iona Fyfe, plus a report from the ABO Conference in Glasgow; the pros and cons of releasing music on vinyl; how music teachers can boost their businesses; and musicians make the most of TikTok.
Midlands trip
I travelled up to Birmingham on Sunday evening, in advance of my visit to the potential site for the MU Members’ Conference in July.
Songwriters’ circle
Another enjoyable evening in town, this time at the Crypt underneath St Martin-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. The venue has been home to a varied mix of genres and style down the years, presenting acoustic, folk, jazz, blues, classical and ethnic music.
Video recordings
I met up with newly elected MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl and photographer/videographer Jonathan Stewart this morning in London Bridge. This had been arranged so that we could create and deliver a supportive film to the Labour Party Women’s Conference for 2022.
Vinyl label
Spent a productive morning with Steve at Printstore in Kingston, working on the design of the labels for the vinyl edition of my Waterloo Sunrise album. These now reflect the inner and outer sleeves, in which elements of the skyline and Thames waterline – captured superbly by photographer Jonathan Stewart – are featured so effectively.
Into the West End
A day of meetings, some online and some in person. Firstly, an MU Comms team meeting this morning on Teams, during which we collectively caught up with each other’s projects. This was swiftly followed by a Zoom meeting with the MU’s senior officials to discuss progress on the move to our new premises.
