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A slight departure from the norm for me. Whilst not being available to play on this new show from the Raymond Gubbay team, I did however get involved with programming all the specialised sounds for the three keyboard players on the show. Nearly 150 patches prepared especially for the excellent arranging of my friend, Clive Dunstall. The show as you can imagine features nearly 30 pop hits from the 80s and includes singers, full rhythm section and orchestra. 

The tour kicked off in De Montfort Hall on the 15th November with another 6 regional shows running up until the end of November. Im sure more will appear next year. 

For more details follow the link

http://www.raymondgubbay.co.uk/whats-on/now-thats-what-i-call-the-80s-live

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It has been a very busy time with the Dire Straits Experience having just returned from a 3 show tour in Finland. With less than a day to rest in the UK we then left for South Africa having 2 shows planned in Mozambique, one in Pretoria outside of Johannesburg and then on to the French owned Réunion Island. The reaction and sheer numbers in the audiences continues to reaffirm just how far-reaching Dire Straits music was and continues to be. With age ranges from teens to 70 plus it’s clear the music strikes a universal chord with many.  

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A few days ago I received the very sad news that this year’s 80s Invasion tour would be cancelled. This promised to be one of the best lineups of 80s artists that I’ve worked with.  Eight UK shows had been planned with artists including Jason Donovan,  5-Star and Sister Sledge. 

It has however been a very difficult year for many tours with the undeniable uncertainty of Brexit and what it might entail. This impact is very clearly affecting the live music industry and no doubt played a big part in the promoter’s eventual decision to cancel. This is indeed the first time I’ve directly felt such an impact.

There are plans to possibly try again next year but for now it’s time to look forward to a more settled music industry and hope that whatever the outcome of our politicians efforts, the consequences aren’t too far reaching on ours and other businesses .

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Despite the Summer lull in DSE gigs thanks to two weather-related last-minute cancellations, we were happy to appear at the Henley Rewind Festival on August 17th. Sadly only a 40 minute appearance for us due to so many artists on the bill, but enough to keep us in trim for the forthcoming September gigs where we will be appearing in Germany, Switzerland and Israel. Come October we have gigs in Finland and Mozambique and November includes a 12 date tour in Belgium, France and the Netherlands. 

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A very unexpected but fun gig indeed. On the 8th August myself and a pretty sizeable orchestra were flown out to Sardinia to accompany Dame Shirley Bassey performing at a big UNICEF charity gig. Whilst only a brief appearance I was lucky enough to hear her 2 greatest hits performed live - Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever. I have to say that even at the age of 80 plus, she can still really sing. A totally class act and an honour to work for her indeed.

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The Dire Straits Experience continues with their very busy schedule this Summer. Since the end of June we’ve been to Avoine and Istres in France. Last weekend we had gig in Croatia returning the next day to Heathrow and getting straight onto a sleeper touring bus that took us overnight to the Rewind Festival in Perth in Scotland. Two more Rewind festivals remain this Summer - Macclesfield on the 3rd August and Henley on the 17th. I’m pleased to say the last couple of weeks in August will be a chance to get away with the family for a little break before the Autumn / Winter schedule starts 

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On the 13th July I had a very enjoyable diversion from the usual kind of gigs I do. I was working alongside the Liverpool Philharmonic in a ‘Nashville Classics’ concert with full orchestra and rhythm section. The show was the brainchild of pianist/arranger/conductor Kennedy Aitchison and Annie Skates, singer and vocal arranger. Also featuring on vocals, Zoe Nicholas, Stephen Weller and Lance Ellington (BBC Strictly band singer). One particular highlight  was working with Sarah Jory, one of the finest pedal steel guitarists in the world.  

Nice to be reminded of some fo the most amazing country music and artists - everything from Glen Campbell to Dolly Parton. Phenomenal music and whilst working alongside seriously great musicians including Andy Pask on Bass, James Pusey and Pete Callard on guitar and Andy McGlasson on Drums - not forgetting Mr Dave Hartley on piano.

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And we’re off again. Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool coming up over the next month. After the first gig at the Festival Hall in January, this Classical celebration of some of the best selling dance music of all time continues with a national tour. It’s performed by the 50 strong London Concert Orchestra including Drums, Bass, Guitar and three Synth players. The perfect chance for fans to re-live and re-experience the hits such as The Chemical Brothers – ‘Hey Boy Hey Girl’, Dario G – ‘Sunchyme’, Faithless – ‘Insomnia’, Fatboy Slim – ‘Right Here, Right Now’ and many more. 

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Other than a one-off gig in Lunen in Germany, the Dire Straits Experience will be touring the Netherlands with 7 gigs from the 15th through to the 24th May. Peter Boone, Dutch promoter and personal fan of the band has supported their tours now for a good few years and continues to fill out concert halls across the country. 

http://www.peterboonemusicproductions.nl

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What a day and what an honour to be awarded an ARAM by my old college. It has been 32 years since I graduated with a Bmus degree and an LRAM (teaching diploma). An ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) is really a kind of pat on the back awarded to the college’s past students for excelling (or somehow surviving) in a very tough industry. It is recognition that's deserved by many I'm sure, but sadly experienced by few. So it’s a great honour to have some acknowledgement of one’s career endeavours. I also caught up with some old friends and had a quick tour of the ever expanding premises.  Check out the link for more information about the college

https://www.ram.ac.uk