Played guitar and sang in groups and bands throughout the 60's - 80's. Took to songwriting in the 90's when my career as an Ops Manager and then Theatre Manager meant playing gigs was no longer possible. Now retired, I write and record at home, mainly Americana/Country Rock but I try to go wherever inspiration takes me. I enjoy collaborating online. Partners include Emma Jane from Scotland who provided an amazing vocal to Love Is In The Things I Do. Julia Schmidt from New Jersey, we made the BJ Country charts for about 2 years with We Can Be Lovers Again. Fellow BJammer, Junior Murrell, invited me to provide a vocal for his song and CC Lamondt and I pooled resources for a few years. Susan Odella invited me to join her in producing her wonderful song Falling Away.
Writing for
Latest News
New Song Upload
Have just uploaded Only Getting High, an anti drugs song. It was originally about Legal Highs but, as they no longer exist, it required a rewrite to make it current.
The dangers associated with street drugs are immense and the song tries to portray that.
Writing for HM The Queen and Sir
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee
In 2021 I was asked to submit lyrics for a Commonwealth Song to celebrate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee. Although not selected, the song received significant praise from an esteemed selection panel and was in the final shortlist. Consequently, I was to be credited in the special Souvenir Booklet presented to Her Majesty - a real honour for me.
As one of only three songwriters, I was invited by the Guild Of International Songwriters and Composers (GISC) to write a song to be presented to Sir Cliff at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018 to celebrate his 50th year in Showbiz, his Diamond Jubilee. My song, Like A Diamond, is on Broadjam. Regrettably it was not selected but was runner-up to a very worthy song, Diamond by Paul Whitfield.
Family & Interests
Family & Interests
I have a lovely wife and a close family. We all ive in the South Of England
When I'm not playing or writing music, I'm a keen golfer and enjoy video, computers and gadgets in general.
Musical Background
Musical Background
I have no formal guitar or keyboard training and play by ear. I have been a guitar player and lead or second vocalist since the age of 13, performing in various bands and groups in a variety of styles from Pop, to Heavy Rock, to Folk & Modern Country. I have also been a solo folk performer and, most recently, performed my own songs to theatre audiences of up to 850 in the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth.
My guitar playing has been influenced by a variety of artistes and styles including Mark Knopfler, The Eagles, Don Williams, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Deep Purple and Santana. This has helped me to perform and write in different genres but I particularly enjoy modern country music. I play keyboard well enough to provide piano accompaniment and additional instrumentation to my recordings and I sing all the lead parts and most harmonies.
I record at home on PC using Cakewalk software and good quality equipment including a Yamaha Genos keyboard, Fender Strat, Ibanez Talman, Behringer amp, Peavey mic etc.
I was in a band which was "discovered" by Decca Records in the mid 60's whilst recording at the famous Regent Sound Studios in Denmark Street, London - and had the thrill of playing a guitar which belonged to the Stones during the recording session. Unfortunately, a disastrous live audition put an end to that particular venture! A link to a blog with photos and music is on my website.
Songwriting
Songwriting
Started writing songs in a group but my interest really got going when I was no longer able to play in a group because of evening work commitments. My first serious breakthrough came when Joe Brown took two of my songs on his Nashville session.
UK Songwriting Contest - October 2012 to 2023
The contest is open to signed and unsigned artistes worldwide with a typical field of 9000+. In the region of 30 entries over the years resulting in Final Places for We Can Be Lovers Again, Under Her Wing and Achill Lament (in two categories), many semi-final certificates and a smaller number of commendations.
BBC Radio Appearances
Several songs have featured on Internet Radio Stations including The Flash fm and UK Country Radio. Was featured on BBC Radio Solent in January 2013 when the results of the UK Songwriting Contest were discussed and Acceptance was played on air. Featured on the Richard Cartridge Show on BBC Radio Solent on Christmas Day 2011 when Christmas Thoughts was played and I was interviewed live on air.
Pavilion Theatre Bournemouth
Performed solo and in a duet to audiences ranging from 450 to 850 at Bournemouth Pavilion every Christmas for 10 years. Christmas Thoughts was a particular hit in 2011, selling out my CD stock. Was asked to perform again in 2014 so wrote Dance Hall Of dreams for the concert. It really appealed to people of a certain age and brought the house down! A CD sell out again.
Online Presence
My music is on several music networking sites including amazingtunes.com, Reverbnation but most especially Broadjam. Have had tracks in many different charts on Broadjam.com including several chart #1s. Emma Jane (Scotland) and Julia Schmidt (New Jersey, USA) have both sung the vocals on my songs. Emma sang Love Is In The Things I Do (formerly Acceptance) and Julia and I performed a transatlantic duet of We Can Be Lovers Again, never meeting or speaking to each other during the process. I have since helped with arrangements of new songs and covers for several BJ artists, especially Julia Schmidt.
A very enjoyable collaboration with Susan Odella, producing Falling Away which was almost all Susan's content with help from me for the bridge.
Recent collaborations with both John Walradt and Cyn and a work in progress with another Broadjam member.
Careers
Military and Theatre Management Careers
A successful military career from joining as a boy soldier to retiring in 1987. My second career started at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) in April 1991, before becoming manager of the Pavilion Theatre in 1992. Retired in the Summer of 2011.