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.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

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!

Work Never Stops Even at the Hair Dresses!

I’m sorry I’m a little bit later than normal with my blog this week. In theory I should be having a bit of a rest this January but in reality the new season has brought about a change in my work as I set about selling the year.  To begin with I was enjoying the change of scene working in the office although I confess I’m a gypsy at heart and it doesn’t take long for me to yearn being back on the road again.

However I do need this time to allow my body to recover it’s self after all the rushing about, detox and spend some time in the hair dresses and beauty parlor getting ship shape again.

January is always a time to take stock and to re think the year. Mapping out tours and being on trend with clients musical requests and vintage anniversaries. This year it’s all about the Kings Coronation although it’s not going to match last years enthusiasm for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Still I have a number of musical pieces in production and I thought it was

The Men from Move It Removals!

high time I had my British themes medley re-done.

It’s true what they say music just gets better and better and the quality of sound samples available these days are incredible providing of course you have a musical arranger like mine. I’m looking forward to seeing Richard early February to discuss some new arrangements. I have lots of ideas I’m keen to put into production and I can’t wait to get back on the road performing again. I purposely gave myself a two week break from singing this month but I’m singing again from the

Clearing out the Garage!

19th January and I still have a lot of paperwork to tie up between now and then.

The beginning of the year didn’t start well as I came home from tour only to find a leak pouring through my built in wardrobe. Fortunately the plumber came the next day to fix the problem and we now have a new sink and tap in the kitchen which is a huge relief. Discovering the leak also uncovered another problem of just how much rubbish we had accumulated in the loft and garage. So as a family we bit the bullet and employed Move It removals  to clear both spaces. There were a lot of vintage treasures we just had to let go but there comes a time when you just have to say goodbye. It’s a good massive job done with no regrets.

I’m leaving my blog here tonight because I want to have a relatively early night. It’s my plan to get out this weekend and do some of the things I never have time to do. Quite what that will be yet I don’t know but I’m sure something will suggest it’s self.

Thank-you for Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

All the Fun of the Fair!

Happy New Year every-one and thank-you one and all for your many Christmas cards and kind seasonal wishes. I’m sorry to say I’ve not been able to send as many Christmas cards this time around due to my heavy work load but I do feel very proud I was able to perform 50 shows this December. It should have been 53 but occasionally people can fall ill and sometimes it’s better to reschedule than work in a room with coughs and sneezes.

I had a count up this morning and I can’t quite believe it but through 2022 I performed a staggering 295 shows. Thank-you every-one for

Coffee at Milestones Museum!

your support and many bookings, it’s been a pleasure to sing and perform for you all and I’m looking forward to a fantastic 2023. For the moment it probably wont come as any surprise to learn I’m now looking forward to having a bit of a rest. However saying that I still have a couple of new year shows to perform and plenty to do in the office in the meantime.

If you have been following me on Facebook you will know the last four months haven’t gone smoothly. My van broke down the end of October and I had to wait over a month for the vital part

Twixmas at Milestones!

from Europe, before the garage were able to fit it. Plus our boiler gave up the ghost in November and we have been managing with-out central heating for weeks. Fortunately we were able to get the new boiler fitted on the 15th December, so my mother and brother had heating for Christmas.

December is always a busy month for me and from the 24th December I was away on tour working along the south coast. When I came back on the on the 1st January I noticed water pouring down through my wardrobe. A nut on the water tank in the loft hadn’t been secured properly so I spent the start of the new year mopping up and saving dresses from water damage.

It was lucky I came home when I did otherwise the ceiling might have collapsed and fortunately I keep all my evening shoes wrapped up in boxes. Although many of my shoe boxes were ruined my shoes weren’t. So you could say I had a lucky escape and it could have been a lot worst.

Tempting Delights!

Normally when I’m away I like to take lots of photos for social media although on this occasion I’ve hardly taken any at all. I’ve been in font of the camera a great deal this last year and with me being so busy I’ve been concentrating on performing rather than taking photographs. It can get a bit much sometimes but it was lovely to spend a quite Christmas with Paul and Poppy. It had been our intention to visit Milestones Museum together on the 27th which was my one day off. Sadly Paul ate something which didn’t agree with him and he wasn’t able to join me. It was such a shame as it’s a lovely museum and I’m looking forward very much to performing there later this year, the end of May. More news on that event to follow soon so keep watching this space.

In the meantime I have an event coming up on the 22nd January 23 called “Tempting Delights”. I’m booked to perform at Taz Coffee House, 58 Earlsdon Street, Earlsdon, Coventry, CV5 6EJ from 11am – 4pm. I shall be singing 20 minutes on 20 minutes

Happy New Year Every-one!

off all through the day songs from the 1920s, 30s, 40s & 50s, so I hope you can all make it along. The Coffee House  sever a wonderful array of wraps, cakes teas and coffees and on this occasion for the set price of £14.99. To book telephone 024 7674 4963 Whats App 07444 809006.

I’m also please to announce my latest Best of British article about the 1930s musical “Me and My Girl” is now available to read on my web-site by clicking the link below. You can also find all my other articles there too which cove a variety of music and fashion related topics connected to the 1940s scene.

https://www.fionaharrison.biz/articles/

I shall leave you with a few of my photos from Milestones Museum. Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

Getting into The Christmas Spirit at BCLM!

I’d like to start my blog tonight by thanking every-one for your lovely Christmas cards and gifts. It’s so kind of you all to think of me and very much appreciated. I’m afraid I’ve fallen down rather this year and I’ve not sent as many Christmas cards as I would have liked to. I’ve been working so hard, I’ve just simply run out of time. So please allow me to send my best Christmas wishes to you all via my blog. I wish you all a very happy new year and I look forward to catching up with you all again in 2023.

Out and About at The Museum!

So far I’ve currently completed 42 shows this month and I just have another 8 to do which will be taking me through to the New Year. It’s been a very eventful month one way and another but the best news of all is that the men came last week to replace our boiler and some of the pipes, we now have central heating again – Hurrah!

It’s easy to take central heating for granted and I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful it is coming home to a warm house and getting out of bed in the morning with-out feeling cold. The other big

On Stage at the Workers Institute!

job to do, is getting the kitchen sink and tap replaced which can’t be done until the new year. For the moment we’ve had the water turned off in the kitchen to stop the endless dripping. Hopefully not long now and I look forward to the day when everything is up and working again.

Thank-you to every-one who came to see me last weekend performing at The Black Country Living Museum’s “Glad Tidings” event. It was an amazing weekend as I performed four shows nightly. On Saturday I was granted special permission to take

Working with Photographer Harry Purdom!

pictures during the day. I never have enough time when I’m working to take photos which is why I often find it easier to employ a photographer. On this occasion I had the pleasure of working with Harry and Suzanne Purdom of H100 – Photography. It’s my intention to use the photos later on as part of a Christmas video so do keep watching this space.

The last time I was in Dudley I was performing for the museum’s 1940s event back in the summer. It was scorching hot

All Dressed Up for Christmas!

then and this time around we were all in our winter woollies. Last year I sang in the Chapel a mixture of music from the Music Hall and Operatic stage for their Christmas Nights. This year my brief was different and I sang in the Workers Institute a mixture of vintage Christmas songs and fairy tale related numbers from Disney musicals and popular films. I even included a little bit of Dickens with “Oliver” and “The Wizard of Oz” which went down extremely well with the audience.

Compered to the Chapel the Workers Institute is extremely warm as it has underground heating. I always plan my out-fits very carefully and I was expecting it to be much colder having packed thermal underwear and warm woolly stockings. As it transpired I didn’t need any of these items and I was able to shed my Christmas coats and show off my pretty Christmas dresses instead.

On Stage With Dawn as Ma Ragan!

This weekend I had the pleasure of working alongside Dawn who played 1960s showbiz promoter Ma Ragan as we worked an ran the Workers Institute stage together for the three day event.

I’m afraid this will be my last blog of the year and I shall be heading down after my last show on Christmas Eve to Portsmouth to spend the Christmas holidays  with Paul and Poppy. I also have a few shows to perform along the South Coast which will be taking me through to the New

Christmas at the BCLM!

Year. Thank-you to every-one who has employed me to sing this  year I look forward to working for you again next year.

Merry Christmas every-one and A Happy New Year!