Performing in Ashburnham Crescent!

May I begin my blog today by saying thanking you for all  your lovely Easter cards and good wishes over the Easter weekend. It’s been lovely to receive them and I’m looking forward to coming out of lock-down and moving forward with this years shows. This weekend I’ve been out and about performing my Driveway Concerts in all sorts of weather but like the saying says the show must go on and I’ve been adapting my costumes and wrapping up warmly to suit the changes in the weather.

Events are still sluggish to get going but there is movement and for now my Driveway concerts are

Down Came the Snow!

still proving to be the most popular way forward as I continue to sell my weekends. On Good Friday I was booked to perform in Weston Turville for a Birthday party and on Easter Sunday I sang for the residence  in Ashburnham Crescent which is just across the road from me. Thank-you so much to Isabelle and John for allowing me to use their driveways and we couldn’t have wished for better weather. For those of you who follow me on Facebook I expect you have been watching my live streams as I try and share my shows as much as possible. Sometimes the wi fi can be a little in and out but it’s good for me to look over

A Warmer Out-fit for Biggleswade!

my performances as I have a number of new songs for this season which I’m still perfecting. It’s important to keep moving forward and to never stand still especially when it comes to my show planning.

With the current restrictions all my live shows must be performed out-side. Yesterday I was win Biggleswade and this time I came properly prepared and wore my thick green coat where the day before I got rather caught out in Dunstable as the temperature rapidly dropped and the snow began to fall. They tell me better weather is on it’s way and next week I have a mixed bag of shows to perform as I continue with the Spring theme. I also have a French show to perform on the 16th so I need to brush up on my French this weekend and I’m zooming across on Tuesday to Holland to perform for the Pickwick Club which began in the 1960s as a club for British War brides.

In my Warm Coat & Easter Bonnet!

I’m constantly expanding my repertoire and the time I’ve had at home these last few weeks has been extremely valuable as I continue to learn new material. This summer I’ve been booked to sing for the Leighton Buzzard carnival and the theme this year is the 1960s. Naturally I’m working on expanding my repertoire and I need about 3 hours of  non stop 60s numbers which I will be performing from the top of a float.

This afternoon I’m taking my mother over to Stevenage for her second Covid vaccination jab and I’m hoping to get my second jab late May. That’s all my news for now as I quickly head out for a morning run.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

On Stage Today at Newton Court!

Getting PATS Tested for 2021

Hello every-one I’m just between shows as I get set for Easter with a little run of concerts which will be keeping me busy over the Easter weekend. Today I was singing at Newton Court in Olney for a special 90th Birthday. I had been engaged to sing a mixture of music from the musicals and Operas which went down extremely well and I’m looking forward to returning in September when I’ve been engaged to sing for a 70th Wedding anniversary.

Now the weather is starting to get warmer it’s great to be working out-side again with a live audience. It’s encouraging to see bookings starting to come in and tomorrow I shall be performing the first of my Easter Bonnet shows. With so many venues not able to open up it’s still my driveway concerts which are proving to be the most popular. I didn’t think that by this time of year venues would still be in lock-down but it is good to see movement and I’m looking forward to getting back to some sort of normality.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the weather stays fine. Tomorrow I’m off to Aylesbury, then onto Weston Turville, Stoke Hammond, Dunstable and finishing in Biggleswade. I have a variety of different shows to perform over Easter

Happy Easter!

while in between times learning new material. Last Friday I had all my equipment PATS tested ready for the new season and now I’m raring to go!

One of the new songs I’ve been working on has been “That Man” which was originally performed by Caro Emerald. It’s very popular with dancers on the Lindy Hop and dance scene. It’s one of my projects for when we come out of lock down but I’m keen to record it and produce some photographic imagery to go with it. I have a lot of ideas buzzing around in my head at the moment as I research possible venues and explore different costumes ideas.

That’s all my news for now as I send you all my best wishes and hope you have a wonderful Easter.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

On the Sunny Side of the Street!

I’m afraid I don’t have a great deal to write about this week other than it’s been very much the same as usual with me working hard on learning lots of new songs. Wednesdays show in Chichester went well and I drove down especially to perform it. I had been booked to perform my “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” show and I enjoyed the drive very much which gave me the opportunity to learn a couple of new numbers there and back.

A week Saturday I was back in the recording studio picking up a number of new songs. It’s been good for me to learn some new material taking me out of my comfort zone while trying out different singing styles. For those of you who follow me on Facebook you will have seen me streaming a couple of these new numbers between rehearsals. I’m currently working on a new Driveway Concert for this year and at the moment I have a collective mix of numbers from the 1940s to the 70s which

We’ll Meet Again!

I’m trying to put into some sort of show order.

It’s important to never stop learning new songs and I currently have in production “Be Like the Kettle and Sing” and “By Myself” which I can’t wait to pick up once Richard has finished the arrangements. Two numbers I’ve been wanting to do for a number of years. In between times I’ve been adding lots of songs from the 1960s including “Summer Holiday” and “Love Potion Number 9” which are must haves for my Summer and Halloween shows. I can’t think why it’s taken me so long to add them to my repertoire.

Last Thursday I was performing a mixed music show in Burnham just out-side of Slough which gave me the opportunity to try out a few of my new numbers. Next week I start on Easter Bonnet shows as we move into April and then I’m fully booked for St Georges Day. It’s still very slow compared to how life was before the pandemic but work is coming in and April and May are starting

The Show Must Go On!

to fill up steadily.

Yesterday I did my first over seas zoom show for a club in Holland and I’ve been booked to perform for them in April. Monday’s show was something of a try out and I was pleased we had a good connection and no breaks in the wifi.  It use to be so much simpler in the old days when you just turned up and sang. With the world in lock down everything has gone high-teck and you have to be a wiz  with technology in order to survive. Like the tortoise and the hare it takes me a bit longer than most but I always get there in the end!

That’s all my news for now and I shall leave you with a selection of some of my photos from past Driveway Concerts.

keep Following and Toodle Pip! 😉

Spring is in the Air!

Spring is in the air and 2021 is quickly moving forward. This Sunday I’m booked in to have my Covid-19 vaccination  and then I’m travelling south to perform one of my shows. Fortunately I’ve been able to reschedule the rest of my Chichester tour to September but it’s important to keep working and to fulfill my commitments even though all my shows are now being performed out-side.

This week I’ve been busy in the office and it’s encouraging to see clients starting to book shows again. This Saturday I was due to do a Driveway Concert but with the change in the weather we have rescheduled to Good Friday. Dates are now starting to sell although many of the bigger events don’t feel confident to go ahead this year and are rolling their events over to 2022. I still see my Driveway Concerts as the way forward and it’s good to see dates selling as a result.

Putting on the Knitz!

During the lock-down I’ve been able to get into a good routine and every day I make sure I go for a sixty minute run in the morning and then I spend four to six hours a day in the office. I also practice and rehearse my songs for another  couple of hours a day and it’s been good for me to tackle o few of those tricky numbers where in the past I’ve been singing all the right words but not necessarily in the right order!

I’m not sure if I should admit to that – but the songs I find the hardest to learn are repetitive

1940s Knitwear for Spring!

songs, where many of the lyrics remain the same and they only have a few minor alterations. Oddly enough I find wordy songs easier to learn as they tell a story. This week I’ve been rehearsing three of “The Supremes” numbers You Can’t Hurry Love, Stop in the Name of Love and Where did Our Love Go. All very similar but with practice I’m getting there.

This Saturday I’m popping down to the recording studio to pick up a few new numbers which I will be including and adding into my new Driveway Concerts for 2021. I have a couple of other songs

Lady in Red!

in production which as yet wont be ready until later in the year. I’m concentrating on feel good happy numbers from the 1960s 70s and 80s as I continue to move forward with my vintage time lines.

That’s all my news for now as I need to get back to my song learning. Sadly I’ve not taken any photos this week so I shall leave you with a few of my favorite 1940s knit wear shots.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for now! 😉

Remembering Len Cox!

It’s with great sadness that my blog this week is to say how sorry I was to learn of my dear friend Len Cox’s passing. He was a characterful D-Day veteran who over the years had become the face of Arromanches. Every year he would return to Normandy for the D-Day Commemorations to honor his fallen comrades. Len was best known for joining me on stage during my performances and singing along with the songs of the 1940s. He served with the 56th Brigade, 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment and Len will be greatly missed by the town and visitors alike.

D-Day Veteran Len Cox!

I first had the privilege of meeting Len back in 2009 when he sang along side me on stage  in Arromanches much to the delight of the audience. Since then he became a regular star and visitors just adored to see him on stage along with his fellow veterans.

Every year is precious and Lens legacy will live on through film and photos so I enclose a video which was shot back in 2012 of Len and I on stage in Arromanches.

On Stage with Len Cox!

My second flicker book video was created last year to commemorate D-Day as we weren’t able to travel and perform due to the pandemic. Once again it features a number of photos of Len which were taken back in 2016 by photographer Yves- Noel Jacquelin. I think this is a wonderful tribute to Len and his fellow veterans and I’m very grateful to Yves- Noel for recording this special moment in time. This is a very precious memory which I hope will never be forgotten

Perhaps if it hadn’t been for the pandemic I would never have had these photos made into a you-tube flicker book video but I’m very glad I did. Now every-one can enjoy them and Lens legacy will never be forgotten. Enjoy Watching!

I shall also leave you with a few of my favorite photos of Len which were all taken by Yves Noel Jacquelin and “Requiem for a Soldier” as we remember him!

Len with Fellow Veteran Harry Billinge Sitting on the Wall at Arromanches!

Sunday’s Driveway Show!

It’s been very much business as usual this week as I sang the first of my Spring time Driveway Concerts on Sunday and I’m looking forward to 2021 picking up steam as we ease out of lock-down. I confess it’s been hard work kick starting this year but bookings are starting to come in or be it slowly and once we come out of lock down I know there is going to be a great demand for live entertainment.

This week Karen was able to add a few more of my press cuttings to my new page “What the Papers Say” and “Stupid Cupid” is continuing to generate lots of hits on You Tube. I think when I last looked we were up to 1,390 views which is incredible considering the video only went up on the  5th February this year.

To see my latest press page click the link below where you can read a selection of my newspaper cuttings charting my career from the 1990s to the present day performing in lock-down.

https://www.fionaharrison.biz/what-the-papers-say/

Driveway Concert in Full Swing!

At the moment I feel I’m biding my time somewhat and I can’t wait for the world to start moving again. There’s

a natural progression and when I’m normally out and about I like to look in shop windows to see the change in fashion. For the moment that’s all gone now and when we do come out of this pandemic so many stores will have fallen by the wayside. I’m not a fan of buying on line. Tesco is about as good as it gets, which is a really depressing thought. Their clothes are awful and they are so poorly made. I enjoy the shopping

Vintage Brooch from Etsy!

experience especially when to comes to pottering around antique fairs, looking at vintage clothes and buying fabrics. However I have found solace with Etsy which is a sight that specializes in selling vintage goods and hand made items. It’s important to be able to share in beautiful things and lifts morale which is why I invested in this beautiful pink 1940s brooch, chosen to match my earrings.

Here’s to the future as I continue to move forward with my shows. Keep Following Toodle Pip and bye for now! 😉

Stupid Cupid!

I’d like to begin my blog tonight by thanking every-one who has watched my new 1960s “Stupid Cupid” flicker book video. For those of you who follow me will know I launched the video to tie in with Valentines Day and we have already had over 1000 views. Thank-you every-one for your lovely comments and I’m thrilled it’s brought so much pleasure to so many.

This week my video story was featured in the Leighton Buzzard Observer and also on line. You can read the article in full by clicking the link below https://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/news/people/leighton-buzzard-singer-releases-stupid-cupid-new-flicker-book-video-ahead-valentines-day-3131447

Making Press!

This weekend I’m looking forward to being back on the road again. I have a Driveway Concert to perform this Sunday which will be featuring songs from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. I’m really looking forward to it as the weather reports are looking good and I have a terrific show planed. These last couple of months I’ve been performing via zoom so I can’t wait be singing out-doors again.

Although I’ve been broadcasting from home having my equipment set up has proved to be very advantageous. I don’t like to waist time and not travelling to venues has  enabled me to rehearse more. I try and sing for a couple of hours a day and I’ve spent much of my time going over words and old repertoire. It’s been good for me to tackle a few of those tricky numbers I’ve put to one side.

Learning gets easier with practice as the brain is taught to retain and to remember. I usually learn parrot fashion by playing my songs over and over again in my van when I’m driving to venues. This time I can see the words on my music stand and I’ve been using a different technique where I remember key words which enables me to sing the line through with-out forgetting.

Speaking of which I need to get back and learn some more before bed.

Thanks for Following and Toodle Pip! 😉

Walking by the Canal in Leighton Buzzard!

It was lovely to see a little flurry of snow a day or two ago although here in Leighton Buzzard we are quite sheltered. I go out running every day but sometimes I change my routine and go for a walk along the canal tow path instead. It’s a popular walk for locals especially as you can combine your walk with a trip to Tesco. Tesco’s store is located right alongside the canal path in Leighton Buzzard so you can do your shopping at the same time.

Today the snow has almost thawed away and it’s back to the old routine of running, office work and song learning. It’s a shame because I’ve been

Me with the MGA 1600 & Jaguar XK150

wanting to do a Christmas Snowy photo shoot for a number of years. Like any shoot there’s a lot to it, and it’s quite a business combining the Christmas look with snow. These shoots nearly always have to be done in February and usually at short notice. We’ve not really had any snow around here for a couple of years and due to the lock down no-one is allowed to travel anyway, so I guess it’s one of those shoots I will have to put on hold for another year.

Me in my 60s fashions with the MGA 1600!

I always believe in taking opportunities when they come and I’m so pleased I was able to squeeze in my 60s photo shoot with Angela Adams back in September between lock downs. I remember it was all very touch and go at the time and at one point I didn’t think we were going to be able to go a head; but then just at the last minute I was able to coordinate the shoot with two wonderful vintage cars from the 1960s the MGA 1600 and Jaguar XK150 which really made the shoot.

If a thing is worth doing it’s worth doing right

The Jaguar XK150

and it’s good to do shoots out in the open at interesting  locations. If possible I like to include props of interest and vintage vehicles tick all the right boxes. When it comes to sending out publicity clients love to see vintage vehicles and  I’m always keeping my eyes open for places of interest.

This week I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new flicker book video for Valentines Day, Stupid Cupid. As you’ve probably guest I’ve used the photos from my 1960s shot staring along side the MGA 1600 and Jaguar XK150. I owe a big thank-you to Peter Macwaters and John Greenwood for allowing me to be photographed with their beautiful vehicles and to David Cantor for letting the shot take place in his paddock. Peter and Karen Hardicker of Everything Sorted produced the video for me and you can see it by clicking the link below.

That’s all my news for the moment as I get back to work and continue learning new songs for 2021.

It’s been good for me to go over some of my old repertoire and I plan to continue with my driveway concerts for the Spring and well into Summer. I hope it wont be too long before the world can get back to some sort of normality and we can say goodbye to Covid-19.

In the meantime thank-you for following, enjoy the video, Toodle Pip and bye for now! 😉