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.
Tag: News
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.
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.
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.
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.
Events Forum
I was invited by the Events Industry Forum and James Heappey MP to attend the launch this afternoon, in the Churchill Room at the House of Commons, of the Forum’s report into the value of UK outdoor events to the economy.
MU in the media
In partnership with the team at Kindred PR, the MU yesterday launched its campaign to combat harassment in the music industry.
UK Music Comms
I arranged with UK Music for the MU to host this month’s Comms Committee meeting at our Oval HQ today and so, at half past three this afternoon, I welcomed representatives from all the organisation’s members to 60-62 Clapham Road.
Beckenham CC
I attended the first meeting of the Beckenham Cricket Club Junior Section Committee this evening, in which we reviewed how the matches in the summer of 2019 were administered and how we could collectively improve the experience for players and parents, plus put plans in place for encouraging membership in 2020.
The Musician (Sept)
I am pleased to report that the autumn issue of the MU’s award-winning magazine, The Musician, is being posted to UK based members in sustainably sourced and fully recyclable paper envelopes for the first time.
Kingston kicks
I spent an enjoyable afternoon visiting Kingston. Firstly dropping into Printstore where designer Steve Ames was ready to assist in creating “Musicians’ Passport” images for our promo materials ahead of the impending party political conferences.
Meeting AFCB
My son Ben and I are spending a few days in my hometown of Bournemouth, enjoying the summer sun and visiting old haunts around the town and in the neighbouring Christchurch and Poole.
Two days in Bath
I completed my regular mid-summer visit to magazine publishers Future Fusion in Bath today. I caught the 8am train from Paddington yesterday and arrived in good time to have a full day working on the autumn issue of The Musician magazine.
Tileyard Studios
I drove Naomi Pohl and John Shortell to Tileyard Studios in London N7 this afternoon as we delivered a comprehensive supply of MU promo materials to Girls I Rate.
Songwriting camp
I have spent a superb few days at Tilton House, near Lewes in Sussex, in the company of eleven musicians, at a songwriting camp hosted by lyricist Chris Difford of Squeeze fame. Chris has arranged over twenty-five of such retreats and it proved a fascinating exercise in co-writing with new contacts.
Delegate Conference
The contents of the MU’s 2019 Conference Report have been edited and laid out in the eye-catching new format, which significantly benefits from supporting graphics, illustrations and photos.
The Musician (June)
The summer 2019 issue of The Musician is being dispatched to members this week and in this edition we lead with a profile of vocalist/writer Zara McFarlane.
Most improved
It was presentation time at The Warren FC this afternoon as the club and its staff marked the end of the 2018-2019 football season.
Media training
An MU team could be found at Kindred PR’s offices in Horseferry Road, SW1 today, as General Secretary Horace Trubridge, Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl, National Organiser for Orchestras Jo Laverty and National Organiser for Recording & Broadcasting Phil Kear and myself spent several hours in a media training session.
Comms survey
The MU’s Communications and Government Relations Dept met this afternoon to review the results of the latest survey into our communications and campaigns and how these are perceived by the members.
Music Declares
I attended a meeting on behalf of the MU this evening at offices in Euston, following an invitation from a group set up the banner of Music Declares Emergency.
