SONGBIRD - EVA CASSIDY STORY

Thursday night I had the priviledge once again of seeing another truly great show at Theatre Severn Shrewsbury - Songbird - The Eva Cassidy Story.

A tribute band - NO! This was so much more. Close your eyes and you would have thought you were at an Eva Cassidy concert. This show featured not only first class musicians, a great singer who portrayed herself as if she was Eva, visual projected images, and well written narrative dialogue.

One minute the audience were treated to a full band sound of blues and jazz then another minute to a melodic finger picking acoustic guitar duet with vocals.

Whilst the majority of the numbers were alien to me which would sometimes loose ones attention it was kept by the way the singer told Eva's story or acted out with the guitarist.

I have always maintained that the success of a good show is how it stirs emotions of the audience. There were quite a few tears flowing as I looked around the audience on the way out. Proof that the show had told Eva's colourful but sad lifestory well.

The only downside was that it wasn't a sell out. If it comes back again or somewhere over the rainbow near you then make sure you get along to see it.

For other great nights out at Theatre Severn click HERE!

TOMMY COOPER IS ALIVE

Yes we all remember that live variety show Tommy Cooper passed away, but Tommy was not just a comic genius he was God and on Friday 30th January at Theatre Severn Shrewsbury I had the pleasure of witnessing his reincarnation in the form of Daniel Taylor.

Not only had Daniel perfected Tommy's mannerisms, madcap humour and tricks but he also bore a resemblance to the man himself. This was not just someone doing a tribute of Tommy's routines but a play about his life, how in the army he met Gwen his wife, his early auditions for BBC, and meeting up with his manager that secured him lucrative television and theatre engagements.

The production was well produced and a fitting tribute to the gangly comic genius who's family must be so proud that the giant in the fez lives on.

SENIOR CITIZENS PARTY

Yesterday's Senior Citizens New Year Party was an excellent afternoon with 140 senior citizens enjoyed the entertainment and afternoon tea.  My sincere thanks to all those who supported my endeavours for the elder citizens of the town and surrounding villages.

In particular to my showbiz friends who come along freely or for expenses only My sincere thanks.

Entertainment this year was provided by local guitar vocalist Alan Herbert, multi instrumentalist Andy Eastwood, hit recording star Tammy Jones, and comedian and former "Crackerjack" presenter Stu Francis, plus special guest appearances by celebrated Author Film Producer Reg Massey and beauty queen Beverley Mary Roberts

To all the OAPs thanks for coming along hope you enjoyed it.

ELO EXPERIENCE THEATRE SEVERN

What I did tonight (Saturday 24th January) - went to Theatre Severn Shrewsbury and bumped into "Horace Wimp" a "Wild West Hero" who was having a "Showdown" on the "Telephone Line" with an "Evil Woman" from "Xanadu" who had caught the "Last Train To London" to see a "Sweet Talkin' Woman" who welcomed me as "Mr Blue Sky" after telling her dog to "Roll Over Beethoven". We sorted out a few "Livin' Things".

Yes if you recall the above song titles I went to see ELO Experience a tribute to a great band from 1970s - Electric Light Orchestra.

Tonigh's show featured a great band of musicians including a glamorous three piece string section, fantastic lighting effects and video projection.

This was a fantastic start to the new season at Theatre Severn following pantomime and was rewarded with a sell out audience. I look forward to many more great shows in this fantastic venue.

SENSATIONAL SIXTIES SHOW

Touch of nostalgia tonight 11th October, at Theatre Severn Shrewsbury - Sensational 60s Show. The title says it all.

First on stage my good old friends The Ivy League (first met them back in 1983) followed by the Union Gap who after doing their own set backed Dave Berry. The second half saw Alan Lovell's Swinging Blue Jeans. Alan is originally from Newtown and is featured in my book "Entertaining Mid Wales & Beyond, got him to sign a copy. Last but no means least was Herman's Hermits featuring Barry Whitwam. All the acts returned to the stage for the finale. Evening was hosted by Alan Mosca who was with Freddie & The Dreamers for a number of years. An excellent show.

Tickets now on sale for 2015 show.

For details of other shows at theatre severn visit www.theatresevern.co.uk

USA BLUES SINGER COMES TO MID WALES

USA BLUES SINGER BECKI BRINDLE TO PLAY WELSHPOOL TOWN HALL.

BECKI BRINDLE plus band will perform at Welshpool Town Hall on 28th February 2015. Supported by the Heather Bebb Band.

NEWS: Beki Brindle was inducted into The New York Blues Hall of Fame on June 1, 2014 along with her mentor, Legend, James "Yank" Rachell among others. Beki Brindle is an under the radar, pioneering female lead /slide players who started in the 70s as a teen. She became a sought after studio musician and side-gal because she manages to morph to the artists' needs as she maintains her own unique sound. Beki grew up in Indianapolis playing lead guitar with the legendary James "Yank" Rachell (of Diving Duck and She Caught The Katy fame.) In 1983, she was invited to Woodstock, NY by Rick Danko and Richard Manuel who had discovered her at Indiana University. In 1988, Beki joined Tom Pacheco for a year when he moved the band to Dublin, Ireland. While she was there, she also joined the Mary Stokes Blues Band and experienced over-night Irish fame due to playing the Guinness Jazz Festival in Cork City and a week long performance on the National TV show, "NightHawks." In Ireland, Beki shared the stage with Hot House Flowers, members of U2, The Waterboys, members of Thin Lizzy, and backed up blues artists such as Carey Bell, Johnny Mars, Joe Lewis Walker, Tampa Red and Fenton Robinson. In Dublin, she was commissioned by Bono of U2 to run a blues workshop at a new Rock School/TV show on RTE. The show was success and ran in Ireland, Italy and Sweden. The Rock School in Dublin is still going strong today! Beki now lives in Upstate NY and besides being a busy session musician, she is also the leader of The Beki Brindle Band and co-founder and lead guitarist of NY band Beki Brindle & The Hotheads. Beki is a working stage and film actor trained in the Meisner method and often plays lead guitar with her husband's band, The Blues Magoos

2014 reviewed

As the year end draws near one reflects on achievements in the past 12 months and what a busy time its been.

The year began with my book on St Marys Players & Singers selling well. This was followed by the annual Senior Citizens Party which was the 5th one I had organised, then came some fund raising for Trelystan Church restoration Fund which was just short of £1,500. February saw the publication of my What's On Welshpool newsletter and which has been printed and distributed every month since.

Then there was Mayor's Sunday parade with British Legion and afterwards I was presented with a Community Award, followed by organising Be a Local Tourist Week.

August saw the launch of my latest book Entertaining Mid Wales & Beyond, while September saw my annual Celebrity Golf Day raise nearly £2,000 for Marie Curie. Volunteering at Get Going Gang and assisting with their fundraising.

December saw numerous engagements as Father Christmas, a letter from Prince Charles's secretary thanking me for a copy of the book also getting people to have their photos taken with Sainsburys Chocolate Bars in aid of Britiish Legion which attracted great media coverage.

Also in the past 12 months I have undertaken a lot more talks to WI's & other groups, my project of setting up an open churches network is gaining momentum, and entertainment bookings have continued to come in. Plus numerous visits to theatres to review shows, charity collections and much more!

Not bad for 12 months.