Between Shows in Ste Marie du Mont!

Out and About with Veterans in Arromanches!

Paul and I out and About in Carentan!

Hello every-one it’s been a thrilling 10 days away. I’ve just returned home from Normandy after performing at the D-Day Commemorations in Ste Marie du Mont. After the hussel and bussel of last year’s 70th this year was so much more enjoyable with-out the endless stream of VIPs. I know I shouldn’t say it but I wish the VIPs would stay at home. The security was a real pain last year and makes a straight forward singing job 100 times harder which it shouldn’t be. This year was so much more relaxed and Paul and I enjoyed the informal French way of things performing outside the church in the center of town. In fact we enjoyed ourselves so much we added in a few extra performances on the Friday and Sunday which was greatly appreciated.

Ste Marie du Mont is only a small village but it has a wonderful church right in the centre where all the re-anacters congregate and set up their war-time displays. It makes for a a fabulous show setting and I’ve kind of learnt to go with the French flow. For those of you who follow me will know I go to great lengths in planning my shows. This year I was booked to perform 1 x 60 minute 14.30 show  + 2 x 45 min sets on the Saturday night for D-Day. When we arrived I noticed one of the brooches had the time wrong and printed 15.30 so I decided to do two sets just incase which turned out to be a smart move. The more I sing the more CDs I sell and this weekend I have done rather well with sales.

The Church of Ste Marie du Mont!

When I plan a show I always like to work in a plan B  & C just in case and come the 21.00h show we were scheduled to break in the middle for the arrival of two WW2 tanks. As it happens the tanks got stuck on Utah beach and I played a straight through 2 hour set which went down really well with the audience. Paul has been working with me on  sound and is becoming a singing star in his own right. His Sinatra style couldn’t be better and to quote one review it’s time for him to hang up his bath robe as the World Famous Unknown Bathroom Singer and launch his first album which I couldn’t agree with more! So come on Paul it’s time to get recording!

For many years I have played inArromanches at Gold Beach forD-Day but this year was a little different and I changed my show to suit the American Beach and mostly French audience. Paul’s Sinatra tunes proved very popular and every year I try to learn a new French song. I’ve found from experience you can’t really go wrong with Edith Piaf.

Sight Seeing in Ste Mere Eglise

It’s wonderful to have a French audience singing along with you which also makes me breathe a sigh of relief thinking “Thank goodness I’ve learnt and sung that number right”! This year my new song was “Sous Les Ponts de Paris” Under the Bridges of Paris although my favourite French songs are “J Attendrai” and “La Vie en Rose” which always gets the crowd singing. I also included “There’s a Small Hotel” a song which I felt would suit Ste Marie du Mont rather well. One of the lines states “Looking through the window you can see a distance steeple, not a sign of people, who wants people.” Not that we were short of people for D-Day! In fact after our Saturday night show who should pop along but the wonderful 3 girl harmony group The Polka Dots who had been wooing audiences in Ste Mer

Visiting the Church of Carentan!

e Eglise. It was fantastic to see you all and I was so touched you came along to see me. Keep up the good work ladies and we must make D- Day a regular thing! xxxx

Oh that reminds me speaking of D-Day and friends Paul and I were thrilled to bump into D Day and Bev from Hastings coming over on the Ferry and yes D Day really is called D Day as he was born on 6th June 1944. Just like the invasion our crossing was rescheduled due to bad weather. We had both booked to sail from Portsmouth to Cherbourg on thefastcat only we were rescheduled to the ferry and ended up coming into Caen/Ouistreham. The crossing was really bad but I’ve learnt from experience to always book a

Between Shows with American Re-anacters!

Dinner with D Day and Bev!

Paul on stage doing his Thing!

cabin. As long as I get my head down I’m fine although Paul can cope with bad seas having served in the merchant Navy. I was ok going out as I slept in the cabin but coming back on the fastcat I ended up with my head in a sick bag. One of these days I will make that Fastcat crossing with-out the aid of a sick bag! I’m not very good at sea which is to my shame especially when you consider I’m from a Nortical family – Ahoy There!

This year Paul and I were able to do a bit of sight-seeing between shows and it was lovely to visit some new places. I’m now starting to know my way around Normandy quite well although I still haven’t been able to make it along to Pegasus Bridge. Paul and I were staying in Ste Marie du Mont and I enjoyed visiting Carentan for the 1st time even though I wouldn’t recommend the L’Escapade restaurant at 28 Avenue de la Gare. Paul and I had a dreadful meal in there. Bad service, over priced and terrible food so be warned don’t dine there. Ste Marie du Mont on the other hand has two wonderful restaurants opposite the church and both are excellent!

Oh gosh I’ve just noticed the time and now I’m back at HQ I have so much paper work to go through. I’m going to be working flat-out all weekend to clear my desk of contracts and e-mails. My next show isn’t until Monday 15th but then I have shows every day next week right through to the end of June with a busy July ahead. Don’t forget you can catch me in Bicester at the Flywheel Event on the 20th and 21st but I shall be telling you a little more about that in my next blog.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip! 😉

Between Shows with Poppy in Southsea!

Hello every-one – I’m sorry I wasn’t able to do more than one blog last week but as I’m sure you already know I’ve been away performing down on the South coast which this time took me to Hayling Island and Southsea. These jobs all came in as part of my “We’ll Meet Again” Chichester tour and last night I drove up from Chichester to Morton-in-the-Marsh in the Cotswolds to perform for the WI. It was a very special occasion for Morton as this year is the WIs centenary and the group had engaged me especially. I’ve already performed at quite a few WI centenary events this year although I’ve been trying to get in touch with West Horndon & Balphan WI for the 16th September. For some reason the lady who e-mailed me Marjorie Ramsey, all her e-mails keep bouncing back and I have no phone number. Is there any-one out there from the WI who might be able to get in touch with her as I would be delighted to perform for West Horndon on the 16th Sept if only we could connect and speak to each other.

Off to Morton-in-the-Marsh!

Most WIs have engaged me to perform my WW1 show “Pack Up Your Troubles” although last night Morton in the Marsh asked me to perform A 100 Years of Music which I enjoyed doing very much. The 20th century is packed full of fabulous tunes although I think I might have run over a little in time which is hardly surprising as I was having something of a ball singing all my favourites! Thank-you to Jo Brooks and all the WI ladies who made me feel so welcome and like the songs says I really do hope “We’ll Meet Again”.

Today has been a quick turn around day as I’ve been booked to entertain at a private party in Berkhamsted tomorrow and then I have another private birthday party on Sunday so it’s a very busy time. I still have my show plans to do for France and I’m looking forward to singing “Sous les Ponts de Paris”, “Under the Bridges of Paris”which I picked up from the recording studio on Sunday. I’ve been working very hard on my French between shows and I’ve lots of decisions to make about my out-fits. I have to plan all the dress combinations just in case of bad weather which requires a great deal of thought even though it means me taking far more than I really need. I know from experience the weather in Normandy can be very changeable so I’d rather be safe than sorry!

I’m pleased to announce Rachel has just up loaded my new French 1940s D-Day Show page to my web-site. So if you are reading this blog on Facebook please do click across and take a look  www.fionaharrison.biz/french-1940s-dday-shows/ At the moment the page is writain up in English although the idea is for it to be in French so as to make things easier for French customers to book. For now we are having to use a French Google translation which I know isn’t perfect but I can assure you a good French translation is on its way – fingers crossed! We still have a few tweaks to do but I’m very pleased with the page especially the sounds samples which means clients can hear me sing in French.

I’m off down to Portsmouth on 1st of June and sail across to Cherbourg at 9am on the 2nd. Don’t forget you can catch me on stage on the 6th June performing in the centre of town out-side the church in  Ste Marie du Mont at 14.30h and at 21.00h. Both shows are free and open to the public – so if you are around it will be lovely to see you. I wont be back home until Wednesday 10th June by which time I hope to have lots of lovely photos to share with you.

Gosh I’ve just seen the time and I really must get to bed. Thank-you for following and I look forward to catching up with you all when I return!

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Hello every-one this week I’ve been busy in the office doing my best to tie up all those loose ends before I sail out to France. Rachel and I have been working on a new French D-Day page for my web-site and it can take hours going through photos to try to find the right ones which best tell the story. I’ve been busy performing too and on Sunday I’ve been booked to sing for Norfest in Berkhamsted although I still have so much to sort out before France. After I finnish Sunday’s show I’m over to the recording studio in Bracknell to pick up my new track of “Under the Bridges of Paris” and then I’m off down to Chichester to finish off the rest of my tour which I had to break for The Tattershall Castle. You could say it’s a very busy time!

On that note I can’t blog for too long tonight as I want to get an early night. To-day Connie went in for a service and so too did my Amp for a spring clean and hover out. I want to make sure everything is tip-top for France and I only have a very short window this week before I’m back on the road again! Oh I almost forgot if you are out in Normandy for D-Day this year please do pop along to see my shows. I’m on stage on the 6th June in the town of Ste Marie du Mont at 14.30h and at 21.00h. Both shows are free and open to the public and I shall be performing out-side the church in the centre of town.

Today I was able to meet up with my friend Lynda for lunch which worked in well with dropping off Connie for her service, working out at the gym and dropping off my amp. Now I must really dash!

Thank-you for following and I will try to post as soon as I can when I get back from Chichester and Morton in the Marsh which I’m playing next Thursday.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Paul and I at Longhope Church!

On Stage Singing the 60s!

On Stage with Paul at Longhope!

Flower Power in the Church!

Paul and I dressed for the 1950s!

What an amazing month it’s been this May with so much to still do before D-Day and the 6th June. Tonight I had a fitting with my dressmaker to make sure all is well for France and it wont be long now before I set sail. This weekend I was out and about performing in the charming village of Longhope in Gloucester. I was booked to sing the “Swinging 50s and 60s”at Longhope Church which is a wonderful venue. It’s my second time there as I was booked to perform the 1940s last year so it was wonderful to be invited back. This time I was joined on stage by Paul Marsden who delighted every-one with his Frank Sinatra numbers. My favourite was Paul’s take on “The Summer Wind” which went down really well with the audience and his version of “I’ve got the World on a String”. Paul will be joining me on stage in Normandy in a few weeks time as we have been booked to sing in Ste Marie du Mont for the 6th June.

I’d like to thank Tina and all her team at Longhope Church who made Saturday’s show such a success. Together the Friends of Longhope have been able to pay for the re-roofing of the church and new chairs for the chancel. They also organise events and sell their own merchandise to help maintain Longhopes church which is a wonderful grade II listed building. On this occasion the church went “Flower Power” and was beautifully decorated with 1950s 60s flower arrangements, each one displaying a selection of record covers from the decades which I just loved!

Today I was out performing in Markyate for a private birthday party and tomorrow I’m singing for Winslow Royal British Legion. This Sunday I’m singing in Berkhamstead for “Norfest” and I will be returning to Northcot Court the following weekend for a private party. I’m also returning to Chichester on the 25th to finnish off the rest of my tour which I had to break in half so I could fit in the Tattershall Castle before heading onto the Cotswolds for the 28th. So you could say the next few weeks are going to be non stop! I’m also back in the recording studio on Sunday after Norfest as I’m due to pick up my new backing track of “Under the Bridges of Paris” which I can’t wait to hear.

We’ll that’s all my news for now other than I must get on with my paper-work and contracts. I have a few days where I must get everything ship-shape so I can move into June with confidence knowing I have tied up all my loose ends.

Toodle Pip and Thank-you for Following! 😉

Up on Deck On the Tattershall Castle!

Driving in London!

What a busy week it’s been and even now I’m typing like mad to get everything done before I head off bright and early tomorrow morning to Longhope in

Gloucester with my Swing 50s and 60s show. For those of you who have been following my blog will know this week I have been performing my “We’ll Meet Again” Show down in Chichester and I’m due to return and finnish the tour on the 26th 27th May before heading up to the Cotswolds for a show on the 28th. Despite being down on the South coast I found myself comuteting into London for two days this week as I was booked to perform on the Tattershall Castle river boat which is moored on the Victoria Embankment.

Arriving at The Tattershall Castle!

Paul with Sound Engineer Adam!

Between Sets!

Back in the Hair Dressers!

I confess I’m something of a country girl and driving in London does scare me a little only because I don’t know what I’m doing and I seem to bring out the worst in other drivers. To be honest I’m not sure I know what all those gestures mean which is probably just as well! However Paul very kindly offered to drive me in which helped no end. You really have to keep your wits about you and although the performing is the easy part it’s the getting to, parking and unloading which is difficult. The Tattershall Castle is moored opposite the London Eye right in the heart of London and to get to her you have to drive past Westminster which was very slow going as you have to turn back on yourself to unload. You can’t park for free until 6.30pm although finding a parking space isn’t always easy as the nearest street is Savoy Place. Westminster Council have a habit of closing down parking spaces from time to time so it’s important to read the signs. London is a two-man job and as it was my first time on The Tattershall Castle I wasn’t quite sure what I needed. Up to know I haven’t really done much work in London largely due to the parking and unloading restrictions but I certainly hope this wont be my last. Rather thrilling Babs a friend of Tattershall Castle found me on Facebook and thought I would be perfect for the opening press nights due to the fact I perform music from the 1930s 40s and 50s.

Tattershall began her life as a pleasure cruiser back in the 1930s so it was felt my repertoire and theatrical style would be ideal. I was booked to perform for two nights on the trot 2 x 45 minute sets and I included lots of bright movie musical numbers from Judy Garland to Rodgers and Hammerstine. These songs went down really well with the audience along with “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend” and my “Me and my Girl” Medley. By the end of the show I got every-one up dancing to my Rock and Roll Medley before finishing with “Nessum Dorma”. You can’t beat a good aria! A big thank-you to Bouchra, Craig, all the staff on the Tattershall Castle who worked so hard to make these two events so special and of course I mustn’t  forget sound engineers Manny and Adam! Thank-you so much for all your help and hard work! 😉

Paul and I are back on the road tomorrow as we have both been booked to sing for the theatre club in Longhope music from th 1950s and 60s. I drove home from Chichester today and headed straight to the hair dresses  to have my roots done. Tomorrow I’m back in the hairdresser’s at 8.30 am for styling only I shall sleep on whether I’m having a Dusty Springfield or a Princess Grace style. Speaking of which I must go now as I still have e-mails to answer and costumes to sort.

Keep Watching and I shall be back in the office on Monday where I will be catching up on my paper work!

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

We’ll Meet Again in Pitstone!

Me with Joe and his Jeep in Pitstone!

Entering into the spirit of the 40s at Walton Village Hall

Selling CDs at Woburn Golf Club!

It wont come as any surprise to learn that I’m in a dash again so sadly I can’t spend too long on my blog tonight. I’m only here for tonight and then I’m back on the road again tomorrow bright and early. I’m booked to perform a couple of “We’ll Meet Again” shows down in Chictester and then I’m in London on the 13th – 14th so I must sort out my costumes before going to bed tonight.

I’m sorry I wasn’t able to blog on Friday but this weekend has been non stop with VE celebrations, my feet haven’t touched the floor! In fact I could have sold this weekend 5 or 6 times over and the number of calls and e-mails I had from venues and clients who have been let down by artists who took the bookings and then got better paid jobs else where has been frightening! I’m amazed by the number of people who claim to be professional entertainers who think it’s acceptable to let venues and events down at the last-minute. It’s true I could have shopped around and made a lot more money this weekend but I think it is important to honour the clients who book you first. Entertaining is a little like farming and if a career is to grow you have to farm for the future by being reliable, putting on a good show every time which in turn builds respect!

I was performing up in Nuneaton on Friday as I was booked to do two shows back to back. I had some very well paid job offers to go to Brighton Essex and one up in Yorkshire but I felt it was important to honour the client who booked me first. The same with Saturday. I was booked to perform for a community event in Pitstone in the afternoon and I had all sorts of offers which could have taken me to the other end of the country. As it happens I was thrilled to be booked by Walton Village Hall which is only junction 20 off the M1. So by a twist of fate I was able to fit both jobs in. Paul very kindly came up for the day and sung at both events. He also helped me out with the driving as it can be a real killer late at night. It’s lovely to see just how well Paul is progressing as a singer. Paul Marsden is a name to look out for in the future and quite the star! You heard it here first!

Today I have been performing in Woburn at the Golf Club for the Rotary Club. I was engaged as an after lunch speaker and I put together a program of Opera to Musical theatre and included a few of my favourite poems. I enjoyed the event very much and I hope I have the pleasure of entertaining them again

I’m more or less ready to head down to Chichester tomorrow and when I get back from London I’m off to Gloucester on Saturday to perform at Longhope Church for the theatre club. Last year I was booked to do the 1940s and this year Paul and I have been engaged to perform the Swinging 50s and 60s so I’m looking forward to that very much.

Gosh just seen the time so must dash. I’m away now until Friday and then straight off to Longhope. I will try to get a blog out next Friday.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Behind the Scenes with the Morris Men at Abingdon Air Show

Come Fly With Me – Paul at Abingdon Air Show!

Once again I’m in a bit of a dash to get everything done tonight as I have a very long drive over to Suffolk tomorrow. I’m booked to perform a “We’ll Meet Again” show in Woodbridge and this week is quite crazy with 9 shows to squeeze in over the next six days and then I’m off on tour down to Chichester before heading into London. I’m booked to perform on the Tatershall Castle River boat on the 13th 14th May which is moored at the Victoria Embankment so it’s all go as I steam ahead with VE Day and 1940s shows!

For those of you who have been following me will know I was at the Abingdon Air and Country Show on Sunday performing 3 shows daily. Paul was able to join me on stage and he wowed the crowds with his Sinatra style vocals. Paul is becoming quite the star and it’s wonderful to see how quickly he has improved. I was a little worried about the weather when we arrived but as I was booked to perform in the entertainments marque all was well. We did have showers but it brough everyone into our marque as we sung all through the day and kept the crowds entertained. At one point we had a terrible down pour of rain. I had just come off stage from my American “GI Jive” WAC set and it wasn’t quite time for the Morris Men. So in true British style I gave an impromptu performance and got the crowds to sing-along with my Cockney Medley. You can’t go wrong with “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” and “My Old Man Said Follow the Van and Don’t Dilly Dally on the Way”. It’s part of being British having a good sing-along when the weather turns nasty! When it comes to music I have so much in my repertoire I can pull out in an emergency and what fun we had too even though I was still in my WAC costume singing British!

All Set for VE Day!

These next two weeks are going to be ever so busy so I think it unlikely I will be able to blog and tell you my news until Sunday so do please bear with me. By the time we reach the week of the 18th May I hope to have a little more time – however not much. I head over to Normandy on the 2nd June and I have all sorts of shows to prep for in the meantime. Speaking of which I must leave it here tonight. I will try to keep you all up to date with my photos on facebook. I’m having a bit of trouble that my blogs, for some reason they don’t seem to be clicking through to Facebook so that’s another job for Rachel my web-designer to sort out.

Thank-you for Following, Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

I’m sorry to say it’s just a very quick blog tonight because I’ve been working very late this week, burning the candle at both ends and I’m in need of an early night. Since returning from Devon I’ve had no end of e-mails to go through and I confess I could really do with a secretary. I’ve been falling short of my alter ego Prudie Jones and there never seems to be enough hours in the day. However saying that I’m more or less ready for Sunday’s shows and I’m looking forward very much to performing at the Abingdon Air and Country show. I’m down to perform 3 x 45 minute 1940s shows daily and you will be able to catch me on stage at 10.30am WAFF, 1pm US WAC and 4.15pm performing my 1940s 50s glamour show. So lots of lovely music! The event will be taking place at Abingdon Airfield, Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, Oxon OX13 6JQ so I hope you can all make it along!

Today I should have been up in London on the Tattershall Castle doing a sound check and a bit of a recky for my shows on the 13th 14th May. In some ways I was rather pleased it wasn’t possible as I’ve needed today to sort my paper work out and the less said about the state of my office the better! Next week things go crazy with the run up to VE Day and I’m in Suffolk on Tuesday so so much to do and prep for. Despite having a crazy week ahead I’m looking forward to spending some time with my friend Kim tomorrow and perhaps some time off from work will do me good!

I shall leave it here tonight as I must get an early night. Keep Watching and I hope you can all make it along to the air show.

Toodle Pip! 😉