My thanks to Greg Fitzgerald for his superb production of “Love on a summer’s day”, a track I wrote with my profoundly deaf stepdaughter Lisa in mind.
Category:News & events
She reminds me of you
The first track for my new album has been signed off today, with mix 6 proving a winner. My heartfelt thanks to Greg Fitzgerald, Abdelkader Saadoun in Maidstone for the various north African instruments and violinist Chris Haigh in Forest Gate, E7.
Riverside Radio
I was interviewed by Alice Amel today for a broadcast on Riverside Radio scheduled for airing at 9pm next Tuesday (21st). Alice was looking to record a short phone interview with an MU representative for the specialist music show she produces and presents for the station based in SW London.
Hardship Fund media
The MU commissioned a poll following lockdown in mid-March of its members, with the aim of quantifying the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the industry in the UK. This returned that musicians have lost an estimated £13.9 million in earnings in the first few days due to cancellations.
The Musician (spring)
The spring 2020 issue of The Musician is being dispatched in print format to members today. In this edition the contents include profile interviews with cover star singer-songwriter Eleanor VS, Manchester-based string ensemble the Levaré Quartet, and rising Scottish jazz musician Fergus McCreadie.
BBC London News
Gem O’Reilly of BBC London News visited MU HQ in the Oval this afternoon to film an interview with my London Regional colleague Natalie Witts about busking in Westminster and the Council’s proposals for licensing performers in the Borough.
Education Expo
I visited Olympia this afternoon to oversee the installation and set up of the MU stand at this year’s Music & Drama Education Expo.
BBC Radio Essex
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.
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.
