Our last drive between stopovers saw us head for Los Angeles and our final hotel, The Garland in Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood.
Tag: News
Palm Springs
Tuesday morning’s burning sunshine signalled our leaving Las Vegas and an entertaining drive south west from Las Vegas via Yermo. An obligatory pit stop for lunch at the famous Peggy Sue’s Diner followed, where we were greeted in the lobby by the Elvis Presley fortune-telling machine!
Mammoth Lakes
On Thursday (7th) we left Yosemite and headed for our next stop, the Mountain Inn, Minaret Road in Mammoth Lakes. This journey involved circumnavigating the National Reserve to the north via the R49 and the 108 Highway, which initially proved an intriguing drive along narrow country roads.
San Francisco
Julie, Ben and I arrived in San Francisco on Friday (1st July) and having collected our Nissan SUV for the duration of our visit, settled in at the Riu Plaza on Mason Street, close to the famous Fishermans Wharf.
National Plan for Music Education
The MU has expressed its welcome today for the Government’s plans for music education, at the same time highlighting that this publication represents only a first step in the provision of this key subject over the coming decade.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Naomi Pohl elected
The Musicians’ Union today confirmed that Naomi Pohl has been elected as General Secretary, the most senior role in the organisation, and the first woman to hold the post in the Union’s history since it was founded in 1893.
Supporting Ukraine
I was asked this week by the Secretariat at the MU to create materials that musicians could share to show their support for the people of Ukraine.
End of restrictions
The Musicians’ Union, whilst welcoming in principle the scrapping of restrictions taking effect from today in England, has expressed serious concerns about how the end of free testing may affect its members.
The Forest
Julie and I drove to Hampstead Theatre in Swiss Cottage this evening to mark my birthday weekend by attending the premiere of The Forest, a play by Florian Zeller, and featuring a stellar cast of Gina McKee, Toby Stephens, Paul McGann, Finbar Lynch, Millie Brady, Silas Carson, Angel Coulby, Sakuntala Ramanee and Eddie Toll.
Soho to St James’s
A very enjoyable day in the centre of town today. A relaxed train ride into London Bridge and a brisk walk into Soho from Tottenham Court Road tube, led to the excellent Adam of London in Berwick Street.
The Rooftop
A very pleasant late afternoon and evening in town with Mark, which began at The Rooftop, St James’s, just off Trafalgar Square.
Campaign videos
I recorded seven ‘vlog’ style videos during December, specifically to focus on the range of issues currently facing UK based professional musicians. Especially those working in the live arena, in education, the orchestral sector, recording and broadcasting, theatre and touring.
Adam of London
I drove into town this evening to collect my suit order from Adam of London in Berwick Street, Soho. Upon arrival at the superbly stocked outfitters, I met Steve Tannett, Music Director and Head of Marshall Records.
