I was interviewed by BBR Radio Essex this morning to comment on the news that a significant new venue is being planned for the county.
Category:News & events
Michael Dugher
I attended a drinks reception this evening hosted by David Warburton MP, in the Jubilee Room at the House of Commons, to mark Michael Dugher’s leaving his role at the CEO of UK Music.
Recording begins
I caught a train from Bromley South to Canterbury East yesterday morning to visit Greg Fitzgerald’s rural retreat studio. Always a pleasure to work alongside Greg, who skilfully produced my Birdcage album in his Ealing-based studio several years ago.
Brit Awards
Thanks once again to the marvellous Maggie Crowe OBE, Julie and I had tickets last night – on my birthday – to the Brit Awards being held at the 02 Arena. We arrived at 5pm and made our way to the Continental Hotel, where the pre-Show dinner awaited.
PR progress
A busy week on the PR front this week, with press releases being created and distributed to our media contacts on a range of subjects and news.
Americana Awards
I attended the UK Americana Awards this evening at the Troxy in Commercial Road in London’s East End. The venue is a wonder in itself, having been England’s largest cinema when opened in 1933 with a showing of King Kong.
Hackney gigs
This year’s UK Americana Conference was as engaging as ever with its in-depth series of seminars, workshops and interviews over three days. The showcase festival, meanwhile, offered its usual array of excellent acts in Hackney venues.
Joan Armatrading
Opening day of the UK Americana Conference in Hackney proved entertaining and informative once again, with the keynote speech on a theme of collaboration being presented by the legendary, ground-breaking Joan Armatrading.
Bromley FC
The Warren Reds under-14s squad were invited today to take penalties on the pitch during half-time of the Bromley v Barnet Conference League match. I am pleased to report that my son Ben scored with both of his efforts!
West End meetings
This morning I made my way to PPL’s offices in Golden Square, Soho, for a meeting of the Communications Committee invited to promote the new Campaign for Healthy Arts.
Members’ Handbook
The MU Members’ Handbook is now in its 16th year having been introduced in 2005 and is recognised within the industry as a key publication for working musicians.
Joe Allen’s
I enjoyed a superb lunch at one of my favourite London restaurants, Joe Allen’s in Burleigh Street, Covent Garden, with photographer Jonathan Stewart today.
Blondie at the Village
Forty years ago today, I could be found at Chelsea Village in Bournemouth (soon to be become known as the Stateside Centre) rammed up against the stage as Blondie delivered an excellent set of their massively popular New York rock.
New York Christmas
My wife Julie, my son Ben and I have just returned from an exhilarating short trip to New York, during which we stayed in the heart of Manhattan and sampled many of the festive delights the city offers in the run-up to Christmas.
The Musician (Dec)
The winter 2019 issue of The Musician is being dispatched in print format to members today and in this edition we lead with a pre-election feature focusing on why voting against Brexit is vital for musicians.
Friday bonanza
A particular busy but fun day courtesy of the MU Comms Dept Christmas lunch, the annual PPL & PRS for Music December drinks, plus in the evening to round off events, a Schroder reunion with former work colleagues in Belgravia.
Parliamentary jazz
Vocalist, pianist and MU Executive Committee member Andi Hopgood, Mark Batchelor and I attended the 2019 Parliamentary Jazz Awards tonight. The event, which was established in 2005, was once again organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group and staged downstairs at the PizzaExpress in Holborn.
Canterbury studio
I drove down to Canterbury this morning to spend a few enjoyable hours with producer and old friend Greg Fitzgerald at his superb rural retreat and studio.
Graham Parker
I met up with Nigel Kemp this evening in The Library pub in Islington, ahead of our crossing the road to see a solo performance by Graham Parker in the Union Chapel, an artist we saw play live many times in the early 1980s.
Jools Holland
My thanks to Chris Holland, keyboard player and songwriter, for guest tickets to his brother Jools’ big band concert at the Royal Albert Hall this evening.
Holloway photo shoot
I met up with photographer Jesse Wild in Holloway this morning, as we had arranged to met highly-respected guitarist Bernard Butler at Strummers Studios, Georges Road, Holloway, London N7 for a photo shoot.
AMA-UK launch
I visited the Old Queen’s Head in Essex Road, Islington, this evening for the launch of the 5th annual UK AmericanaFest, which will return to Hackney for three days at the end of January 2020.
