Dressed for the Patriotic Season!

I’m afraid I haven’t got too long tonight as I need to get to bed and catch up on some beauty sleep. It’s been a busy and varied seven days with me performing different shows every-day of the week. I just have one more “Song for Spring/Easter Bonnet”  show to perform and then it’s straight into Coronation “Happy and Glorious” performances.

I’ve had a real mix bag this week with my WW1 show “Pack up Your Troubles”when I was asked to perform a special show for the residence at Bramley Court, three “Song for Spring” and the start of Pearly Queen shows to tie in with St Georges Day this Sunday. I’m fully booked through to the 20th May and this Sunday I hope to be back in the recording studio straight after my St Georges Day show picking up my new “British Themes” arrangement in time for the Coronation.

“Pack Up Your Troubles” for the Residence at Bramley Court!

I first commissioned my British themes backing track back in 2000 but over the years, and with the improvements in musical sounds I thought it was time for a refresh and what better time than for the Kings coronation. This medley will also be making up a mayor part of my Bletchley Park concert on the 12th August.

I’m thrilled to be performing at the Leighton Buzzard May Day Fair on the 1st May and I’ve been booked to perform 2 x 35 minute slots at 9.45am and 1.25pm with the fly past taking part at 2.07 pm. This year I’ve been asked to perform 1950s, 60s & 70s for my 2nd set but I will

Dressed and Ready for St Georges Day at Devon Lodge!

be opening with some post modern juke box songs so I’ve been extremely busy learning new numbers in preparation for my show on the 1st.

I’m also currently learning a post modern take on “Wuthering Heights” and “I will Survive”. Sometimes the simplest of songs can take the longest to learn and the one that has been driving me bonkers and has taken far longer than it should have done is Elvis Presley’s “Burning Love”. Not difficult at all but for some reason I keep getting in a muddle with the 3rd verse and the line “It’s hard to breath and my chest is a-heaving”. What’s difficult about that? For some

The Table Beautifully Set for St Georges Day!

reason I keep singing it back to front so I will keep at it and hopefully by tomorrow I will have everything masted and back on track.

This week I have been engaged to sing for a Wake and the theme is the 1970s plus I’ve been asked to include some numbers from the 1940s and the hymn “I Vow to thee my Country”. The client has also requested the Wham song “Wake me Up Before you Go Go” and some Elton John so I have a lot of learning to do between now and the wake.

That’s all my news for now and I shall leave you with a few of my show photos this week. Happy St Georges Day!

Toodle Pip and By for Now!

This week it’s been very much business as usual with me out and about performing Easter Bonnet shows. I’ve been out every day this month and it’s lovely to have a run of the same show where normally I would be chopping and changing programs depending on each clients brief.  Easter is always a busy time and it feels great to be back on the road again.

Every moment of the day is precious and I’ve been busy learning new numbers between performances. I learn a lot in the van while I’m driving from show to show. It’s down time I can use as I play my songs over and over again until I get the words and music right in my head before performing them live.

I currently have a long list of post modern numbers which I’m working my way through and I’ve been enjoying introducing them into my act. This week I masted Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” and I’ve already been including Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” which has been going down really well, especially as I perform it in a jazzy 1920s style. Some of the other numbers I’ve learnt aren’t suitable to included just yet but with a couple of 1920s shows just around the corner and a few events which will be requiring a more up tempo jazzy content it wont be long now.

My Easter Bonnet show is a very pretty show and one of my favorite numbers which I feature is “April and You”. I first discovered this song on an old 78 record. It was originally recorded by Jo Stafford in 1954 and she was accompanied on the piano by a new up and coming pianist by the name of Liberace who certainly did OK for himself. After hearing the song I looked every-where for the sheet music with-out success so I took a copy of the original recording along to my musical arranger Richard Whennell who very skillfully took down the notes Liberace played and produced a backing track for me. It’s a forgotten gem and I think I may be the only person in the world to sing this number now. It’s a privilege to be able to share this song with others and I shall leave you with a link to my video.

Enjoy Watching Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

In My Easter Bonnet!

I’m afraid I can’t be too long tonight because I’m spending the little down time I have between shows learning new numbers. I’ve back to back Easter Bonnet shows which is keeping me busy and from there I will be heading straight into the Kings Coronation season with “Happy and Glorious” Proms concerts.

With every season comes a different show and Easter has put a spring in my step. “In My Easter Bonnet” is a very pretty show as I focus on spring time tunes and it’s lovely to bring out a few of the old favorites from “Bye Bye Black Bird”, “Easter Parade”, “April Showers”, April & You” and “Apple Blossom Time” to name but a few.  Last year I introduced “Tulips from Amsterdam”late in the season so it’s good to have it in place early for this year plus a few new additional numbers including the Neapolitan  song “It’s Now or Never” better known to us all as “O Sole Mio”.

I’ve a pile of new numbers to get through and I’m working had on my Post Modern songs. I’ve just masted “It’s All About that Bass” and “Call Me Maybe” plus I’m currently working on

Happy Easter!

“Bad Romance”, “Wuthering Heights” and “I will Survive” performing them in the post modern style.

This week I was thrilled to get the call that Bletchley Park would like me to perform for their Concert Series. This year I will be returning on Saturday 12th August with my WAAF show “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and I’m really looking forward to it. Every year I like to do something different  and I have a number of musical ideas I can’t wait to perform. So keep watching this space for the latest up dates and I will keep you posted.

This week I was also able to finalise my Normandy travel plans. I will be sailing out to France a little

Stepping Out Today in My Easter Fashions!

later than usual on 8th June and returning on the 12th. I’ve been booked to perform at the Liberation Ball, Salle le Studio, Place des Canadiens, Bretteville l’ Orgueilleuse (Juno) on Saturday 10th June which is another show I’m really looking forward to.

I’ve never played the Juno end, so this will be a first for me. I’m staying with my friends Karen and Adrian in Arromanches and I’ve promised them a court yard concert on the Friday before the 9th June. If I am able and depending on their Wifi I will see if I can steam the concert. I’ve not done much streaming since the lock down, but I’m going to give it a go and I shall keep my fingers crossed for a good connection.

May I wish you all a Very Happy Easter Keep, Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

All Set for Easter!

This week I’ve been getting ready for the Easter season with a run of shows all set to begin from the 3rd April. I’ve also been working with Richard in the recording studio on some new songs incorporating the Post Modern Jukebox sound. It’s been great to work on something fresh and new and I’m looking forward very much to showcasing a couple of these numbers during the May Bank Holiday.

If your not familiar with the term post modern jukebox then let me explain. It’s a case of taking a modern song and giving it a vintage twist. There is a band which takes that name who have been trailblazing this idea for a number of years. Originally known as Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, it is a rotating musical collective

A Darker Look!

founded by New York based pianist Scott Bradlee in 2011. Postmodern Jukebox is known for reworking popular modern music into different vintage genres, especially early 20th century forms such as swing and jazz.

I’ve been working on the numbers “All About that Bass”, “Bad Romance” and “Call me Maybe”  plus I’ve been including some songs covered by the Puppini Sisters. I know the Puppini Sisters were formed back in 2005 and as far as I’m aware they were the first to experiment with this post modern idea. I always admired their take on  Wuthering Heights  and I will Survive which are two other numbers I’m currently working on along with some Elvis.

It’s good to have a change and this week I went for a different hair style and colour. It’s still very much a work in progress and I haven’t entirely decided about what it is I want exactly,

Rolled Up into a French Pleat!

other than a change. Keep watching this space and I shall keep you posted.

Last Wednesday I was in the Cotswolds working with photographer Chris Love. Chris invited me to do a 1940s photo shoot in the picturesque village of Lower Slaughter. Despite it being a windy day I hope Chris got plenty of lovely shots he can add to his portfolio.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

Fighting the Wind at Lower Slaughter!

On Location with Photographer Chris Love!

My Post in The Best Of British!

Well, well, well, what a week it’s been! Although I don’t have any earth-shattering news to share, it’s been a busy one, filled with plenty of excitement and anticipation. As usual, I’ve been out and about performing a variety of shows to tie in with Mother’s Day events and a special 80th birthday party that took place last Saturday. The energy was electric, and the crowds were buzzing with excitement as I wowed them with swinging Rock and roll tunes from the 1940s, 50s, 60s & 70s.

New date 27th May 23!

Unfortunately, my plans to perform at Nene Valley Railway’s Victorian event this weekend had to be postponed until May due to some issues with the guest locomotive’s transportation. But you know what they say: when life gives you lemons, make lemonade! So, I’ve taken advantage of the extra time to focus on learning some new songs and catching up on all the admin I’ve been putting off.

With spring in full bloom, I’m gearing up for a busy April, with Easter just around the corner. I’ll be kicking things off with some egg-citing Easter Bonnet shows (Sorry couldn’t resist!) on the 1st of April, with just three remaining dates before April flows seamlessly into May and the Coronation season.

The plus this week came when I scored an appointment with Richard in the recording studio! We’re both incredibly busy, and it’s not always easy to coordinate our schedules, but I’m thrilled to have this opportunity. I had to reschedule our last appointment due to unforeseen circumstances, and now I have a massive amount of work to go through with him. But it’s all worth it, as I’m eager to explore a fresh musical direction before the start of the season.

Inside The Best of British!

And to top it all off, I was delighted to find my photo gracing the pages of The Best of British magazine’s April edition. They’ve used my picture to head up The Forties Post, listing all the 1940s events throughout the year, and I even have an advert on page 51! If you’re a fan of all things 1940s, don’t forget to grab yourself a copy.

Well, folks, that’s all from me for now. I’ve got to get back to learning some new tunes, but rest assured, there’s plenty of excitement on the horizon. Keep following me for all the latest updates, and until next time, toodle pip and bye for now!

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.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

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!