Getting Set for the Alan Pagram Radio Show!

I’m sorry last Friday’s blog was a bit brief. In truth I’ve been busy catching up with my paper work after having a few troubles with BT and my e-mail. It’s all fixed now only it did put me a little behind and I’ve been working very hard replying and keeping every-one up to date. I can’t tell you how boring it can be waiting on the telephone for over an hour to speak to someone at BT. However the wait was worth it and touch wood all is now well. As you can imagine I had so much catching up to do.

Apart from that my news for the last couple of weeks has been pretty much the same. I’ve been busy planning the year, telephoning, sending out contracts and e-mails, working out in the gym, running, performing Valentine shows and it was great to get started on the film edits with David last Monday. I shall be back with David this coming Thursday putting together the finishing touches to my 1950s – 60s show reel. I think when it is done this show reel will make a great addition to my web-site. My 1950s 60s page is in need of an overhaul and there is much which needs to be tidied. With the modern world come all sorts of problems and I had a meeting with Rachel my web-designer last Thursday. I’m pleased to say my magazine “Vintage Fair” is now sitting where it should be on-screen when viewed on a mobile device. Rachel and I still have a few tweaks to make with the magazine but thankyou to every-one who has read it. Checking through some of my stats the other day it would appear over 600 of you have read it so far so thank-you. I’ve also noticed with the new year we need to go over some of my plug-ins. My blogs haven’t been coming up as titles in my news feed on my home page and we also need to check the news feed on my media page too. So much to do but Rachel is on the case as we speak!

This Friday I shall be appearing on Alan Pagram’s Radio Show which goes out on L&D radio. I’m looking forward to seeing Alan again as we have so much to catch up on. Alan invites me onto his show every year and this year I have a few new 1950s & 60s tracks which I hope he will play. I recorded them for my show reels and I’m sure we will have much to talk about.

That’s all my news for now! Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Happy Valentines Day!

I’m afraid I can’t spend too long blogging tonight only because I’ve been working very hard and I’m looking forward to an early night. Today I have been out and about performing my Valentine Show and I shall be doing the same again on Sunday – Valentines day it’s self! It’s that time of year where I sing all my favourite love songs and when I left my show today I was presented with a beautiful red rose! How lovely!

In fact I’ve been thinking a great deal about music lately. I’ve some wonderful shows in the diary and I should like to commission a few new musical arrangements. I’m lucky in that I cover many different styles of music so I’m going to have to prioritize. I’ve lots of ideas buzzing around in my head so we will just have to see and I will keep you posted!

This week I’ve been busy with paper work and I’m pleased to say I’ve caught up with all my contracts. Next week I’ve been invited onto the Alan Pagram radio show which goes out live on L & D Radio. I first met Alan when I was working at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s Victorian Weekend about three or four years ago. Alan has been inviting me onto his show every year since so we have much catching up to do and lots to talk about.

Gosh I’ve just noticed the time – so much for that early night!

I shall leave it here and wish you all a very Happy Valentines day!

Keep Watching and Toodle pip!

Sian and I Putting on the Glitz!

Last week was an extremely productive week. I worked really had in the office and I was able to sell 20 shows in 7 days. 2016 is taking shape beautifully and I’m now completely sold out for Easter, St Georges Day, Halloween with not a great deal left for December which is very incurring. I remember it being very slow this time last year so I’m very pleased to say there’s been an up turn and the economic climet is definitely improving.

On Saturday night Paul and I were in Barns at The Old Sorting Office Arts Centre which sits on the green at SW15. I had been invited by the hostess Sian Walters to perform for her 40th Birthday Party and the Arts centre made for the perfect location. The theme was “Putting on the Glitz” so I put together a program of songs from the Great American Song Book which couldn’t have gone better. Paul also sang some Sinatra classics and the venue had been beautifully decorated by the events company www.MrsSw13.com who also did the catering, (which was wonderful by the way!)

I Like this Telephone!

On Screen With The Harrison Sisters!

Paul had driven up especially to work with me on Saturday so on Sunday he took my mother and I to The Bell Inn, Woburn for Sunday lunch. I do enjoy going out for lunch in Woburn as it has some lovely restaurants and a fabulous antiques centre. No trip to Woburn would be complete without visiting the antiques centre where I confess I fell in love with a rather stylish 1940s bakelite telephone! I enjoy being around stylish things and I really did like this telephone very much!

Today I was back in the gym bright and early with Elliot despite the ghastly wet and windy weather. This afternoon I had an appointment with David Pustansky to start on my film edits. For any-one who doesn’t know anything about filming let me tell you it’s always the editing which take the most time. Today I was able to lay down a rough guide with David  for how I see the finished show reel. We were also able to edit my Mr Sandman video which I think will play well as a video in its own right. For this film we used a split screen effect as I sang all the different parts to create The Harrison Sisters. I was careful not to wear too full a skirt as it would have caused a problem with the split screening but I think when it’s all done it will make for a great show real. I look forward to sharing it with you in time so do keep watching this space.

This week is the run up to Valentines day and I have all sorts to do this week including writing an article. I shall leave it here today as I must get on.

Keep Following and Toodle Pip!

Putting on the Gliz!

After the razamataz of filming last weekend I’ve been at my desk much of this week catching up with my diary selling shows. I’m pleased to say 2016 is taking shape beautifully and just to keep you all in the picture I have some lovely events coming up. Most of my performances are for private and corporate events however I do have some public performances which I hope you will all put in your diaries as it would be splendid to see you. Not to go too far ahead into 2016 here are a few forth coming events.

“You Must Remember This”  8th March I shall be singing for Oxjam at All Saint Church, Leighton Buzzard from 10.30am – 3pm every 20 minutes for donations. All proceeds go to Oxfam and it’s fee to entre. I shall be singing in the coffee shop songs from the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s in period costume. This year I will be joined on stage by my special guest and Sinatra Style singer Paul Marsden.

Something to Look Forward To!

“The 1940s Family Experance” 9th 10th April The Lincolnsfields children’s Centre, Bushey Hall Drive, Bushey, Herts. I shall be performing 3 x 45 minute non repetitive shows daily at 11.30am. 1.30pm & 3.30pm and also a gust spot at the Saturday night 1940s dance.

“The Good Old Days” Music Hall Show 16th April 8pm at Ollie Vees upstairs in the new Tiki Lounge, 33 Market Square, Leighton Buzzard. £10 Tel 01525 851726. This event has limited space so make sure you buy your tickets quickly

“Best of British Pearly Queen Show” St Georges Day 23rd April 8pm The Greyhound Inn, Sutton Stop, Coventry. A lovely country pub where you can book dinner. Also the Morris Men will be performing too.

“The Queens 90th Birthday celebrations” 18th June 8pm The Greyhound Inn, Sutton Stop, Coventry. A last Night of the Proms concert

“Flywheel” 2nd 3rd July Bicester Heritage, Buckingham Road, Bicester. 3 x 45 minute shows daily WW1, 1920s-30s, 1940s. Vintage Air and Motor show

“Bexhill Roaring 20s Event” 23rd July De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill 3 x 45 minute shows daily. It’s free to entre and takes place on the grass outside the De La Warr. Last year this event attracted over 20,000 visiters.

“Victorian Event” 6th 7th August The Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight. 3 x 45 minute shows daily. For this show you can catch me in my bustle and Burlington Bertie costume.

This weekend I shall be performing in Barns for a private party. I may well have said in a past blog I would be in Putney but I’m afraid I made a mistake and what I ment to say was Barns. Barns isn’t far from Hammersmith which I know quite well from attending the vintage fashion fairs there. Paul will be joining me on stage this weekend as I’ve been booked to perform “Putting on the Gliz” glamorous songs from the 1930s, 40s, 50s & 60s so can’t wait. That reminds me I must sort out something glamorous to wear.

Next week I have an appointment to see the rushes from the last two weeks filming which is all very exciting as we get set for Valentines Weekend and a run od romantic shows.

I shall leave it here tonight. Keep Watching and I shall keep you posted

Toodle Pip and bye for now!

Shall We Dance!

This week has been a little unusual in that I’ve had a run of shows all with the same theme. It seems the 1950s and 60s is now one of my best-selling shows and it couldn’t have worked in better with my filming last Sunday. This week I will be returning to the Limelight theatre to capture a few of my 1950s songs on film and when the show reel is edited together I’m sure it will make a great addition to my 1950s and 60s page on my web-site.

This week I will be filming “Jail House Rock”, “Johnny B Goode”, “Mr Sandman” and “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend”. I know all these songs really well as I regularly perform them but it has been good to go back over the dots. I’ve been trying to remember all the different parts I sang in “Mr Sandman” and which one of me sung what when! When I was in the recording studio last Wednesday with Richard I had hoped he might have still had the parts I sung when I recorded the number in 2012 for radio. The frightening thing about technology Richard has up dated his equipment twice since then and that was only four years ago. Although we have the finished track stored and the backing track the working tracks often get lost when it comes to up grading soft wear. Although saying that I never thought for the life of me I would ever want to go back over the three individual parts again. This week I’ve been listening very carefully to my recordings as David will be filming me in triplicate as the three Harrison Sisters.

Working Out Those Thighs!

The Plank – Great for Tummy!

I still have a few out-fits to sort out for Sundays film shoot. Judi has been busy finishing off my Capri pants and my Diamonds dress needed to be taken in on the waist and let out in the bust. Strapless dresses are a nightmare as they have to fit perfectly and my shape is constantly evolving. All this training has really paid off though. My waist is smaller as are my thighs thank-goodness. I still need to work on my tummy a little more and every morning I do my 8 minute abbs work-out. My friend Kim told me about it and you can find the work-out on You Tube. I thoughrally recommend it.

This week I’ve been working out with my trainer Elliot and I’m certainly getting stronger and leaner. The other week I was able to lift my larger 300 speakers off the stands on my own without assistance. Lifting them on has never been a problem but that extra strength needed to lift them off always has been until now. There are times I wish I had the strength of a man, but I don’t do too badly considering and I’m strong enough to lift my own rig which is very important. Last Wednesday I was performing at a Club in Elstree which has over 400 members. Usaly for a club of this size I would bring an engineer with me as it requires

Working the Legs!

my bigger rig and takes longer to set. Rather foolishly I compromised my standards to accommodate the clubs budget by working on my own with-out an engineer. When ever I perform I always do so to the very best of my ability often doing the job of several people. Sadly I wasn’t quick enough striking down at the end of the show and I ended up having my equipment thrown off the stage by a very unpleasant odd job man. In his haste to pack up the stage he then went and dropped the stage on my speakers. I asked him to be careful and he replied “I don’t care about your speakers”! I was not a happy bunny!

I certainly don’t ever want to put myself in this position again and I’m very pleased I’ve fulfilled my 3 show contract with this club. Sometimes it’s not only right – but good to walk away!

On a brighter note my friend Robert Etsell has taken some photos of me at the club as my show was very well recived by the members. 2016 is also filling up nicely and I’m looking forward to filming this Sunday so I shall leave it here tonight. Keep Watching as I’m off to Putney on the 6th. More on that next week.

Toodle Pip and Bye for now!

Getting Ready with Angela for the Shoot!

Filming with David!

Behind the Scenes at The Limelight Theatre!

Meeting up with the Mods of Leighton Buzzard!

Hello every-one I’m back at my desk after a very busy weekend of singing the 60s at the Limelight Theatre in Aylesbury. If you caught my last blog you will know I’ve been working hard on some new show reels. I’ve been planning this for ages as I’ve been very concouse of the fact my video library is full of 40s footage with none of me singing the 50s and 60s. Tastes are changing and I’m finding my “Swinging 50s and 60s” show is now one of my best sellers. Oddly enough all my shows this week are 50s and 60s which is just as well as I’m still sporting a 1960s hair doo from Sunday’s shoot!

I was in the hairdressers with Angela on Saturday morning getting ready for the shoot and after looking through at a lot of different styles I went for a style which was based on Barbara Winsor. At first I thought of having a 60s beehive but I’m very pleased we went for curls on top rather than an Amy Winehouse. I think the Babs style suites me better and was wisely chosen as it went splendidly with all my 60s outfits.

This weekend was all about capturing my 1960s songs on film and next weekend I will be returning to the Limelight theatre to sing the 1950s. On Sunday I sung my way through “You Don’t have to Say You Love Me”, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, “Bobby’s Girl”, “My Boy Lollipop”, “Let’s Twist Again” and “Sway” each one sporting a different costume.  I engaged Aylesbury bassed film maker David Pustansky to make the showreel and next week I’m singing “Johnny B Goode”, “Jail House Rock”, “Mr Sandman” in triplicate and “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend”. When edited together I hope the above will make for an entertaining and well-played showreel.

I’ve spent a great deal of time thinking out the costumes and colours and I’m hoping very much I will be able to get a 1950s motor bike for next Sunday’s shoot. I’m not sure if I will be able to or not but I thought it would be fun to sing “Johnny B Goode” while riding a BSA. So fingers crossed!

That’s about all my news for now and I shall leave you with a photo of me with the Mods of Leighton Buzzard as I dash from the hair dressers. Keep watching and I shall keep you posted about my showreels. I hope to making quite a few films this year.

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

As you can see by the hour it’s rather late so I’m sorry to say I can’t stay too long tonight blogging. I think I have everything on track for Sunday’s film shoot and I’m sitting here at my desk in my old track suit waiting for my tan to set. I had a spray tan today which always helps when I go before the camera as I’m so naturally white. It also gives me a consistent colour which looks very natural especially when the lights are on me. Tomorrow I’m in the hair dresses at 11am having a beehive hair do and I have a last-minute dress fitting at 6pm with Judi tomorrow too so it’s all go. I’ve put a lot of thought into my clothes and the colour pallets for this shoot which I know will look wonderfully bright and exciting on camera. On Sunday I’m starting with the 60s and Cliff Richard’s Summer Holiday was part of my inspiration hence the need for the tan.

This week I’ve been in the recording studio laying down my 1950s, 60s songs ready for the film shoot.

Me Between Songs at Raw Music!

It’s interesting breaking the songs down and going back over the dots. I know these numbers so well as I’ve been performing them for years although sometimes when I go back over the sheet music I discover a few discrepancies. When you go out performing day after day as I do a few of the corners do get knocked off over time. So it’s been good to get everything up to scratch again.

Last Tuesday I went to the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury to see Tommy Steele in The Glenn Miller Story. The theatre was packed with Tommy’s fans and it’s great to see at 79 Tommy can still pull it off. Perhaps a wig might have made Tommy look a little more like Glenn Miller as he was only 40 when he died and I don’t ever remember seeing a photo of Glenn Miller spotting white hair. Not that that put off Tommy’s fans as they all stood up at the end of the show and gave him a standing ovation.

Well I must dash as I’ve just remembered I’ve two jobs I must do before bed.

Keep Watching and Toodle pip!