Our highly-respected PR agency, Kindred, has delivered the latest report on the media coverage of the MU’s activities once more. This time for the months of November and December 2021.
Tag: News
Standing for election
I am delighted to confirm that I am standing as a candidate in the forthcoming MU General Secretary election. I welcome the support of all MU members and anyone wishing to learn more of my plans is encouraged to contact me.
One more time
I joined an entertaining online meeting this evening, hosted by documentary film maker Alan Boyd, in which legends of the session music world gathered to watch the scenes recorded to date for One More Time.
The Musician (winter)
The winter 2021 edition of The Musician magazine is being distributed by email in digital format this week to all paid-up MU members who remain subscribed to our DotMailer system.
Industry reception
I joined MU colleagues, staff from the Ivors Academy and supporters of the Broken Record campaign in the Members’ Dining Room at the House of Commons this evening.
Theatre visit
A visit to the West End proved very productive, with time spent at the jazz club in the basement of Pizza Express, Dean Street; at the Phoenix Theatre in Charing Cross Road; the extremely helpful team at NOTOM in Denmark Street; and at St Pancras.
Fix Streaming
The latest excellent edition of Music Week contains the full page advertisement I arranged on behalf of the MU, on the inside back cover, calling for the industry to join us and ‘Fix Streaming.’
UK Americana
An absolute pleasure to attend the press launch for the UK Americana Awards event last night at Omega in London Bridge. A superb evening, marvellously hosted by Stevie Smith and her team.
Ace mastering
Another highly enjoyable day at Rimshot Studios in Kent, making those key touches to my Waterloo Sunrise album with engineer and consummate host, Mike Thorne, and ace producer Greg Fitzgerald. What a rewarding and enjoyable journey it is proving.
Instagram gallery
I have begun an online gallery of pictures taken by Jonathan Stewart for the Waterloo Sunrise album project. This picture was taken in the Leake Street tunnel and features the stunning artwork of Olivierr. These can be seen on Instagram and via the hashtag #WaterlooSunriseAlbum.
Media coverage
Today saw the arrival of the second Kindred PR report for the MU, this time for the month of October. Items in The Guardian, i newspaper and the NME are featured, alongside links to Music Week, Billboard, Business Matters, The Meteor, MixMag and Sonic State.
West End session
I travelled into town this afternoon to meet up with photographer Joanna Dudderidge and Chair of the MU Executive Committee, trumpeter Dave Lee, in Soho.
Album artwork
Visited Steve at Printstore this evening to work on the cover artwork for Waterloo Sunrise.
MU and the CMA
The Musicians’ Union, The Ivors Academy and Tom Gray, founder of the #BrokenRecord Campaign, have welcomed the decision by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to carry out a market study into music streaming.
Gabucci, Bath
Those who know me well, will be aware of my appreciation of a classic men’s outfitters. Especially those sporting the winning combination of a quality range and attention-to-detail service.
Angel, Islington
At the centre of this picture is a traditional phone box, which is a marker of an important moment in my teenage life. It was here that I made a call to a property agent in March 1978 and arranged to visit a flat that had been advertised in the Evening Standard.
MU Regional network
Tribute to the excellent teams in the MU offices.
PR Report
In partnership with Kindred PR agency, the MU consistently secures considerable media coverage for our campaigns and press statements. Kindred now kindly produce a monthly report on our PR activities and I distributed the first of these to senior Officials and colleagues this week.
Splitter vans
The MU is delighted by the Government announcement that ‘splitter vans’ can be used by British musicians touring Europe. The MU has been lobbying to ensure musicians can continue to tour Europe post-Brexit using this type of vehicle.
The Musician (autumn)
The autumn 2021 issue of the Union’s award-winning magazine, The Musician, is scheduled to be dispatched in digital format by email to members this week, featuring interviews with Rosie Frater-Taylor and Robin ‘Scanner’ Rimbaud.
Musician? Join us!
Join a community of over 30,000 musicians in the Union and become a member of the leading organisation working to protect artists’ rights and campaigning for a fairer music industry. Please visit the Musicians’ Union website (theMU.org) to find out more.
Musicians shielding
Joint research by the Musicians’ Union and The Ivors Academy has revealed that 70% of musicians, songwriters and composers who are still shielding are facing financial hardship because of their continued need to shield.
Back in town
Another visit to MU HQ was on the cards today, as I organised the existing MU merchandise stock in advance of our industry, political and retail activities this month.
Safe Space
New reports reveal sexual harassment and abuse remain rife in the music industry despite the #metoo movement.
Memorable victory
An excellent 40 over win for Beckenham 6th XI versus Old Dartfordians at Hayes CC in west Kent this afternoon.
The ‘Old Place’
Ronnie Scott’s club for its first six years was based in Gerrard Street, now the heart of Soho’s Chinatown, and where Ronnie and Pete King established its reputation as a top class jazz venue.
Abbey Road tour
A particularly memorable day at Abbey Road.
Return to Rimshot
A second visit to Mike Thorne’s wonderful Rimshot Studios in Sittingbourne, Kent, today where mastering ace Mike, producer Greg Fitzgerald and I continued work on my new album, Waterloo Sunrise.
EU announcement
The MU today gave a cautious welcome to the announcement made yesterday by the Government with regards to musicians touring in EU member states.
Proms programme
I now book a full page advertisement promoting the MU Supporter initiative in both the BBC Proms Guide and the Proms Programme. Music lifts our spirits, our communities, and the economy. If you are a music lover and care about the future of music, join the MU Supporters.
