Setting Up at Danny House!

Well hello there everyone, it’s lovely to be back with you all! As you may know, I’ve just returned from my South coast tour and it was an absolute blast. Since returning I’ve been keeping busy with performances of the Swinging 50s, 60s & 70s, and let me tell you, every show was a unique and thrilling experience.

Kicking off my tour I opened at Danny House. Danny is one of my favorite venues as it was once home to Prime Minister Lloyd George during the Great war. I’ve had the pleasure of singing  there many times before but this was a little different

All Set For My Show in The Great Hall!

as I performed some of my favorite songs and arias in the Great Hall.  As for the audience? They loved it!

Tuesday’s show was for The Portchester Society. I had been booked to do a talk about “My Life Upon The Wicked Stage” which I illustrated with music plus I included a Pam Ayres poem “Thank-you and Goodnight all You Winkle Pickers”. I learnt this poem many years ago when I performed my first one woman show back in 1990. Sometimes even I forget all the things I’ve covered over the years from Joyce Grenfell, Red Coating, learning to sing in

Visiting Tangmere!

Japaneses and staging a one woman show of the musical My Fair Lady. Fortunately I spent some time before hand working out a good show plan so my talk would have structure and I wouldn’t go rambling off.

It was good to get away which has given me some time to think careful about my career and where I wish to go musically. So many of the markets I use to play seem to have lost their mojos and I’m going to be making some big changes to my act in the next couple of months. So often I don’t feel I’m taken seriously and I’m seen more as a Mary

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum!

Popins figure which can be extremely annoying considering my experience, versatility and vocal ability.

I’m planning on changing my look and modernizing my web-site too so keep watching this space for the latest up dates which will be taking place over the next few months. I’m also experimenting with my writing style so everything will be right when it come to the big change over.

Now I’m home I can’t wait to get back into the recording studio with Richard next week. I want to explore a new post modern juke box sound and add in some fresh Rock and Roll influences. I’d also like to give my music a vintage Latin flare which I think would make it exciting and more suitable for the current corporate market which after all is where the money is.

New Date Saturday 27th May 23

Latest news – Nene Valley Railway’s Victorian Event has been moved from 25th & 26th March to Saturday 27th May. This is due to  the Police escort not being available in March to accompany the star locomotive from it’s current location to Nene Valley Railway. I will be returning on the 27th May to perform 3 shows daily, popular songs and arias from the Music Hall and Operatic stage so I hope you can all make it along to the show which is promising to be a fantastic event.

When I’m away I always try and see something of the local sights between shows. On this occasion I called in to Tangmere military aviation museum which is well worth the visit. I shall leave you with a few of my photos.

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Inside Tangmere Museum!

Off On Tour Again!

I’d like to begin tonight by thanking every-one who came to hear me sing at Taz Coffee House last Sunday. It was a lovely event as I sang through from 11am to 4pm, 20 minutes on 20 minutes off, a variety of vintage numbers from the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s. I even included a couple of songs from the 1960s & 70s which seem to go down really well with the audience. It was my first time to Earlsdon which seems to be a very up and coming area.

I’m now getting ready to head off and perform a little mini tour along the South coast next week. I

Between Set with Taz at His Coffee House!

will be opening on Monday night in Hurstpierpoint at Danny House. I’ve been booked to perform a Gala Concert which will feature a mixture of favorite songs and arias. On Tuesday I’ve been booked by the Portchester  Society to talk about “My Life Upon The Wicked Stage” so I’ve set some time aside this weekend to go over my talk and music. It’s going to be a busy week because every show is different and it will include a “The Magic of the Musicals”, “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” and I will be concluding the week with my Pearly Queen show the “Best of British”.  So much to do and plenty to plan for.

Veteran Terence & I When I Last Sang at Carew!

This week I’m thrilled to announce I’ve been booked to perform in South Wales  for the “Wings Over Carew” event which is due to take place on Saturday 5th August. I’ve also been booked to sing for the Saturday night dance at the Snooty Fox, Martletwy, Narberth with more details to follow soon

Milestones Museum in Basingstoke also confirmed they would like me to sing for their Twixmas event this December. Twixmas will be taking place over five days from 27th -31st and for both events I will be performing 3 x 45

Nene Valley Railway 25th 26th March 23

minute shows daily. I shall also be performing for their 1940s week, covering Monday 29th & Tues 30th May which also happens to be half term in Hampshire which is why this event is able to run for a whole week.

Later this month I will be performing at the Nene Valley Railway for their Victorian event which is due to take place on 25th & 26th March. Once again I will be performing 3 x 45 minute shows daily only this time popular songs from the Music Hall and Operatic stage. This event will be featuring the visiting  LNWR Coal Tank Locomotive No 1054. It was built in 1888 and is a must see for all railway enthusiasts. Check out the link to the railway for more details.

https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/371/london-north-western

For Armed Forces Day 24th June I will be on stage at The Crown Hazlemere, High Wycombe working to raise money for Ssafa. I

Armed Forces Day 24th June 23

will be concluding the event with a Rock and Roll Proms so if you are able to make it down it will be delightful to see you and another great event to have in your diary.

I shall leave my blog here tonight as I still have a number of emails to send before heading off to bed.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

Tempting Delights!

I’m all set for this weekend as I head off to Earlsdon, Coventry, to perform on Sunday 26th February for Taz Coffee House, a restaurant which specializes in middle eastern cuisine. I shall be performing all day from 11am through to 4pm a wonderful array of vintage songs from the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s & more.  Something to really look forward to as I take my fashion inspiration from the 1940s film Casablanca and bring a touch of Vintage Hollywood Glamour to Earlsdon.

The coffee house will be serving a delicious choice of wraps and cakes with a drink for the set price of £14.99. If you would like to make a reservation Tel 024 7674 4963 or Whats App 07444 809006 and it will be delightful to see you.

This week has been rather intense with me trying to tie up a lot of loose ends in the office before the end of February. To be honest it’s been driving me bonkers and next week I’ve decided

Out and About at Nene Valley railway!

to take some time out and leave the office work for a while. I have a couple of clients I need to contract but I’m still waiting to hear what style of shows they will like. I always like to clear my desk before the weekend but on this occasion I’ve decided not to worry and forget about paperwork and concentrate on creating some new shows instead.

I’m booked to do a talk on the 7th March on my “Life Upon the Wicked Stage” which will be documenting my career in show business. I want to make a start on the show plan and sort out

Nene Valley Railway!

a varied musical score which bests illustrates that. I also have a number of new songs I want to learn before I head off on the 6th March to do a little mini  tour along the South coast. I’m opening with a Gala Concert at Danny House and I need to go over a couple of arias before I do so.

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of visiting Nene Valley Railway nere Peterborough and I’m thrilled to announce they have booked me to perform for their Victorian event 25th & 26th March. I shall be perform three shows daily with more information to follow soon so keep watching this space.

Wansford Station!

This week I was working with Peter on a new Christmas flicker book show reel. It features all the shots Harry took of me at The Black Country Living Museum when I performed for their Glad Tidings event in December. It might seem a little out of season to have a festive video now but as a lot of Christmas events get cast in March it’s important to have this video to hand. I wont be launching this video officially until December but for all my regular blog follows you can have a sneak peak first.

Enjoy Watching – Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

On Stage at the Poplars Garden Center!

Thank-you to every-one who came to see me perform at The Poplars Garden Center yesterday as I sang for their vintage cream tea “A Valentine Serenade”. I enjoyed singing a few of my new romantic numbers including the Caro Emerald song “A Night Like This”. This song always makes me think of Daniel Craig as James Bond in the film Casino Royale. It’s a little bit dark and dangerous and I rather like that as it contrasts beautifully with Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s “Some Enchanted Evening” and “People Will say We’re in Love”.

I have a pile of new numbers to learn and I’m slowly getting through them as I learn while driving from show to show. I’m still in full swing with Valentines shows. I’ve a lot of plans I want to put into production this year but for the moment I’m juggling ideas and dates. It’s proving a little problematic because I’m waiting on a lot of people to get back to me but as soon as they do I will be able to move forward.

Taking a Break After the Show!

For the moment I have “Tempting Delights” coming up on 26th February at Taz Coffee House 58 Ealesdon Street, Coventry CV5 6EJ.

https://www.tazcoffeehouse.co.uk/

I’m really looking forward to this event especially as I will be singing 20 minutes on 20 minutes off, vintage music from the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s and more all through the day from 11am to 4pm.

If you haven’t been there Taz Coffee House is a fantastic Eastern restaurant serving a wonderful

On Stage In Full Voice!

selection of coffee, cakes and Eastern cuisine.  For “Tempting Delights” the coffee house will be charging a set menu price of 14.99. This will include a delicious choice of wraps and cakes plus the choice of a drink. To book Tel 024 7674 4963 or  Whats App 07744 809006 and it will be delightful to see you.

Later on in the year I will be returning to The Poplars to perform my “Happy and Glorious” show on Monday 15th May to tie in with Kings Coronation. “The Magic of the Musicals” on

Sunday 26th February 2023!

Monday 21st August and “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” on Tuesday 28th November. So I have plenty to look forward too and a whole new set of Christmas songs to learn between now and then. I will have more news on these events closer to the date so keep watching this space.

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A Valentine Serenade – 16th February 23

Working in the Recording Studio!

Love is in the air and it’s full steam ahead with the Valentine season with shows booked in for every day this week. I don’t know why it has taken me so long to include it  but this week I added the song “Some Enchanted Evening” to my repertoire. It might have something to do with the fact I already have a superb “South Pacific” medley but this season I thought it would make a wonderful addition to my Valentines show “A Valentine Serenade” and as I suspected the song has been going down extremely well with audiences this week.

Last Sunday I was in in the recording studio with Richard working on some new numbers while planing ahead for Christmas 2023. In the entertainment business you always have to be thinking ahead and I’ve nearly sold all my show slots for December 23. For those of you who follow me will know good musical arrangements are extremely important and it’s all about finding those forgotten gems and presenting the songs in a new, fresh and exciting way. I’m so lucky to have Richard as my musical arranger and I came away on Sunday with some amazing arrangements which I can’t wait to perform.

In the normal world it might seem a little strange to be thinking about Christmas in February but

Recording It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

experience has taught me that as the year starts to progress the later months get extremely busy as the September Battle of Britain Season flies into Halloween, forwarding onwards into Remembrance and then it’s Christmas so it’s important to be learning these numbers now which makes it easier on my brain come the start of the Christmas season.

It’s surprising how it can take a while to grow into a number and for years people have been requesting for me to sing “Oh Holy Night”. For a long time it never fitted in my show plan as I felt it to be a little too slow & classical and would cause a show inbalance between,”Ave Maria” and “Silent

Getting Ready for Armed Forces Day!

Night”. Instead Richard has produce a wonderful Gospel arrangement for me which will solve this problem and I can’t wait to sing it. I also have the “Candlelight Carol” by John Rutter a medley of “It’s the Most wonderful Time of the Year” with “Carol of the Bells” and “We Need a Little Christmas” from the musical “Mame”. Lots to learn and plenty to get exited about especially as most of my customers have booked my “Fairy Tale Christmas Spectacular” show for this December and it will freshen my show no end.

On the 20th February I hope to be working with Peter on a new Christmas flicker book show reel and I have over 1000 photos to go through, which is exhausting but it has to be done. It had been my intention to record a medley of my Christmas numbers for the sound track but in the end I went with just the one track  “It’s the Most wonderful Time of the Year” with “Carol of the Bells”. I thought these songs said it all and it would make the show-reel cleaner.

We’ll Meet Again  –  Armed Forces Day 24th June 2023!

I’m thrilled to announce I’ve been booked to perform for the South Bucks Armed Forces Day Saturday 24th June 2023 which is due to take place at The Crown, Hazlemere, High Wycombe HP15 7QA. I shall be performing three shows daily opening with my ATS 1940s “We’ll Meet Again” show. My second set will be Big Band and Swing and I will be closing the event with a Rock and Roll Proms so can’t wait! The event is to raise money for Ssafa, which is the UK’s oldest national tri-service military charity. We are looking for any-one who might like to donate a raffle prize and if you think you can help please e-mail afd2023.hazlemere@hotmail.com it will be delightful to hear from you.

Tempting Delights 26th February!

In the mean time don’t forget I have some wonderful events coming up including a “Valentine Serenade” on Thursday 16th February 23 at The Poplars Garden Center, Harlington Road, Toddington, Beds LU5 6HE. I shall be singing romantic songs of yesteryear for a vintage cream tea which is priced at £14.99 per head. To book email therestaurant@the poplars.co.uk or telephone 01525 872017 and ask to be put through to the restaurant. Doors open at 2.30pm for tea and my show commences at 3.15pm.

I’m also performing  for “Tempting Delights” on Sunday 26th February at Taz Coffee House, 58 Ealesdon Street, Coventry CV5 6EJ. https://www.tazcoffeehouse.co.uk/

Taz Coffee House is a fantastic Eastern restaurant serving a wonderful selection of coffee, cakes and Eastern cuisine. I will be singing 20 minutes on 20 minutes off vintage music from the 1920s, 30s, 40s & 50s from 11am through to 4pm. Set price 14.99 which includes a delicious choice of wraps and cakes served with a drink . To book Tel 024 7674 4963 or  Whats App 07744 809006.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and I hope you can make it along to a couple of my events!

White Hall Farm!

It was lovely to spend a few days away with Paul and Poppy last week in the village of Long Itchington. White Hall Farm is becoming one of our favorite retreats and it is a beautiful B&B farm house located not far from the town of Southam. I spend a great deal of my time on the road dashing from show to show to it’s wonderful for us to find somewhere not too far away where Paul and I can enjoy a holiday and where Poppy is welcome. This was our second time to White Hall Farm and our hostess Sarah always makes us feel extremely welcome with tea and cake on arrival.

The Peripatetic Cycling Pianist!

Just down the road is the Duck on the Pond pub which always serves wonderful meals and at Long Itchington we are not far from some of our favorite places including Stratford-Upon-Avon. On this occasion we didn’t really have any particular plan other than to potter about and make the most of our holiday. On Saturday we had lunch in Stratford-Upon-Avon and enjoyed watching the Peripatetic Cycling Pianist who entertained the crowds out-side the theater.

On Sunday I made my way over to the Stoneleigh Militaria show and caught up with lots of friends,

Meeting Up with Rob Bailey at Militaria!

while Paul enjoyed some down time with Poppy back at the B&B. I’m always on the look out for vintage treasures although to be honest there wasn’t much for me to buy. There was very little when it came to ladies vintage fashion and much of what was on display I already had better sitting in my wardrobe at home. These days I’m having to be very selective about the clothes I buy. Space is of a premium and I already have  three bedrooms crammed full of beautiful vintage fashions I’ve collected over the years.

Enjoying The Motor Museum!

On Monday it had been our intention to make it over to the Black Country Living Museum but unfortunately Poppy wasn’t well in the morning having eaten a little bit too much of Paul’s Turkey the night before. After a slow start Poppy felt much better and we visited the British Motor Museum instead which is a wonderful day out. I particularly enjoyed the cars through time exhibition and looking at the motor vehicles which were featured in various TV and Film productions.

Only Fools and Horses!

Now I’m back home it’s full steam ahead with the rest of the year. Next week I start on Valentine shows and I’m looking forward to performing at The Poplars Garden Center with a “Valentine Serenade” on the 16th February. I’ve been engaged to perform romantic songs of yesteryear for a vintage cream tea which is priced at £14.99 per head. To book email therestaurant@the poplars.co.uk or telephone 01525 872017 and ask to be put through to the restaurant. Doors open at 2.30pm for tea and my show commences at 3.15pm. Don’t Forget to book your table and it will be delightful to see you.

Poppy and I at The Motor Museum!

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Paul and Poppy at White Hall Farm!

Working hard in the Office!

Tonight I’m dashing against the clock to clear my desk before I take a well deserved break and head off on my hols tomorrow. I’m only away for a few days, because at this time of the year I can’t afford to neglect my paperwork and the office time needed to tie up dates and contracts. I’ve sold another twelve shows today and I’m now fully booked for Valentines week, Easter, the two weeks leading up to and after the Coronation plus I only have four days left for December. It’s hard graft when I’d much rather be out on the road singing, but in order to achieve that goal, this is where it all begins.

All Packed and Ready to Go!

I confess the endless paperwork does drive me a bit potty which is why I’m looking forward to getting away and having some rest and recuperation. These last few weeks I’ve been spending a lot of time working at my computer so it will be good to have a change of scene. When I return I’m back in the recording studio. I have a couple of musical commissions in production plus I need to record my vocals for a new Christmas video.

All Ready to Enjoy My Holiday!

It may seem a bit passe’ to be doing Christmas now but if anything it’s important to be on time for this coming December season when events are casting, sometimes that can be as early as March so it’s important to be ready.

I’m constantly looking for creative inspiration and after the loft cleared out I was able to recuse some wonderful 1960s curtains which I’m planing to have made into dresses. It’s my intention to do a lot more 1960s music this year as I continue to learn new songs and expend my repertoire.

That’s all my news for now. I look forward to catching up with you all when I get back with photos.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

Back in the Office!

I’m afraid it’s just a quick blog tonight as I continue to work hard in the office selling dates for the year. I confess I find it all a little tedious sitting down for long periods of the day typing up contracts when I’d much rather be out performing. It’s important I keep on top of every-thing and following up bookings with the right paper-work is essential. I like to go out running for an hour everyday but sometimes when I’m working in the office my bottom feels like it’s melting into my office chair like one of Salvador Dali’s clocks. I hate that feeling and I’m so looking forward to getting back out on the road again.

This week I’ve had a couple of shows and it’s been a good opportunity for me to try out some of my new songs. I’m always learning new material and I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get around to singing the Dusty Springfield number “I Only Want to be With You” but at long last I’ve added it to my 60s

A Valentine Serenade –  Thurs 16th February 23

repertoire. This song always reminds me of my Blackpool red coating days. Back in the early 90s when I first started out nearly all the comics would open their acts with this song and close with the Sinatra number “My Way”. Now when I sing “I Only Want to Be With You” it takes me back to that memory and all the things I did when i was a red coat – happy days!

I have a couple of events coming up. If you follow me on Facebook you will know “Tempting Delights” has been rescheduled to Sunday 26th February and for Valentines week  I’m performing a “Valentine Serenade” on Thursday 16th February 23 at The Poplars Garden Center, Harlington Road, Toddington, Beds LU5 6HE. I shall be performing romantic songs of yesteryear

Tempting Delights – Sun 26th February 23!

for a vintage cream tea which is priced at £14.99 per head. To book email therestaurant@the poplars.co.uk or telephone 01525 872017 and ask to be put through to the restaurant. Doors open at 2.30pm for tea and my show commences at 3.15pm.

I’m performing  for “Tempting Delights” on Sunday 26th February at Taz Coffee House, 58 Eatlsdon Street, Coventry CV5 6EJ. https://www.tazcoffeehouse.co.uk/

Taz Coffee House is a fantastic Eastern restaurant serving a wonderful selection of coffee, cakes and Eastern cuisine. I will be singing 20 minutes on 20 minutes off vintage music from the 1920s, 30s, 40s & 50s from 11am through to 4pm. Set price 14.99 which includes a delicious choice of wraps and cakes served with a drink . To book Tel 024 7674 4963 or  Whats App 07744 809006.

I shall leave my blog here tonight and hope some of you will be able to make it along to a couple of my events.

Toodle Pip and Bye For Now!