|
|
|
|
|
Click any leaf bar below to return here
| ||
I’ve had the privilege of knowing George personally since 1980, although enjoying his music long brfore that, and have seen him perform many times.
In 1996 he invited me to Aberdeen to have a meal with him and Sandy Kelly, with whom he was touring in the ‘Patsy Cline - The Musical’ Show, and he had also invited Scottish Country singer Ruby Rendall. George is such a sincere, unassuming person and it was simply just four friends spending a few happy hours together - truly a day I will never forget.
That December I was able to book George to do his Christmas Show here in the East Neuk, while we were doing one of the :pcal Radio broadcasts - so not only did I have the pleasure of introducing him to our little community, but we also interviewed him on air and recorded the Show for broadcast later. Again in April 2001 I had George here to present his ‘Easter in the Country’ on behalf of our local Churches - and in February 2004 he did a gospel show at our Baptist Church.
The following night, George and Scottish Folk singer Alastair McDonald held a Benefit Concert in Edinburgh - and donated all the proceeds towards a much-needed mini-bus for me. I was utterly “gobsmacked” and it’s a night I’ll never forget.
In October 2006 George is teaming up with Tony Goodacre to do a UK “100 Years In Country Music” Tour. I’ve been privileged to get the booking of the opening night and look forward to presenting George and Tony on this special occasion. So, look out for further details on my Country Snippets page.
This photo of George was taken in May 2003, when he received the Best Male Vocalist Award at Cowboy Church, Arkansas.
If you would like to visit George’s Web Site, Click here to view it.
It follows that my interest in George Hamilton IV led to me listening to the music of his son Hege, but he’s no ‘chip off the old block’ when it comes to his music and wild performances on stage!
Hege started out as a Rock singer and though in recent years he is leaning more towards Country and ballads, they still have a strong Rock influence. Hege is also a very talented song-writer and his material and singing style remind me at times of Dylan.
I have seen and spent time with Hege on a number of occasions and when it comes to the private person, that’s where his Dad shows through - a charming and modest young man I’m very proud to know.
If you have difficulty finding Hege’s CDs, check out Amazon.co.uk - there are some there.
Visit Hege’s Web Site here to see more pics!
Charlie is now deservedly one of the most successful Country artistes in Britain, after many years as a school teacher writing excellent songs recorded by many of Country’s top artistes, including George Hamilton IV and Dominic Kirwan.
I first met Charlie in 1995, when I’d booked him to do a couple of Charity Concerts, and chatting to him for a few minutes made it very clear why he is referred to as ‘Britain’s Gentleman of Country’ - he is truly a ‘gentle man’. This comes over so much in his songs and in his singing - yet in contrast is his ‘Scouse’ humour, which leaves everyone in the proverbial stitches.
Even in his escalating popularity since his hit with ‘What Colour is the Wind’, Charlie never forgets his loyal fans. He keeps in touch with me, even if I haven’t seen him for a while.
The above pic was taken when I was at one of his concerts in November 2000 - see also the one on my ‘About Me’ page.
If you are looking for Charlie’s CDs, check out Amazon.co.uk
Visit Charlie’s “Forever Friends” Club here.
I first met Dominic in 1990 when I won tickets for one of his Concerts - and quite a meeting it was!
I had arrived early by car so he came out to greet me and as he leaned in the back, someone taking a photo told him to get in beside me, which he promptly did - and hugged and kissed me!
There have been many more of these since then, as I’ve lost count of the times I’ve seen Dominic - but I’ll certainly never forget our first meeting!
You’ll be realising by now that I not only have fave singers because of their music, but also because they are genuine and caring people - and Dominic is no exception.
This year (2005) I was taken by friends to Ireland for the first time and was delighted to attend Dominic's fan weekend in Omagh - three nights of concerts plus a social afternoon with him and his family. And what a lovely family they are.
If you are looking for Dominic’s CDs, check out Amazon - lots of offers there.
I first met Tracy at one of Dominic’s concerts, where she was the support act. That was when she was the cute little girl in a straw hat, sitting on the edge of the stage with her guitar - and who became the elegant young lady with her own Band, a big following and some superb recordings.
Tracy also recorded a duet with Dominic on one of my all-time favourite songs, the beautiful and powerful "All You Need Is Love".
I saw her a number of times during that period and had some lovely chats with her - she made me feel we were friends. Then just when I envisaged her being a strong contender for some of the Country Music Awards - she slipped quietly out of the scene.
I missed her, as I’m sure all her fans did, but never forgot her and kept hoping she would return to again enchant us with her talent. Now that wish looked like being realised, as a husband and two young sons later, Tracy embarked on some gigs again. Unfortunately, she has not been back to this area yet, so I’ve still not seen her again.
Mary Duff was appearing with Dominic the first time I saw him in 1990, but I had not heard much of her until then. That night I was struck by the sweetness of her voice and I have been an admirer ever since.
Mary is another artiste who doesn’t forget people. I saw her again at some more Concerts after that, but then did not have an opportinity to do so for a few years. When I went to see her again, she ran over and hugged me - this response from such people never ceases to amaze me!
If you are looking for Mary’s CDs, check out Amazon.co.uk"
From Ireland, where she is very popular on TV as well as on records, Sandy is probably best known on this side of the Irish Sea for her starring role as Patsy Cline in ‘Patsy Cline - The Musical’.
I first met her a few years ago when she was touring with George Hamilton IV and Slim Whitman. At the Interval, George introduced me to Sandy - then disappeared! But we sat talking to the end, as if we were old friends - that’s how Sandy makes you feel. Then we had the meeting related above in the piece about George Hamilton IV.
Sandy has a very special voice and among my favourite tracks by her is a duet, ‘The Moon Is Out To Get Me’, which she does with George on his Canadian Country Gold album.
Sarah was another artiste I first met when she was the support act with Dominic, but she soon became a top act in her own right.
She is absolutely dynamic and versatile on stage and has now made a big name for herself on the Continent, but Sarah is still very much the homely lass I first knew.
I used to think living in the East Neuk was a disadvantage when it comes to Concerts at main venues, as the distance means allowing plenty time to get there - then maybe arriving early. It can have advantages too though - one time I went to see Sarah, my friends and I slipped in backstage to watch her rehearse, but she spotted us and promptly went off and made us a cup of tea with her own fair hands!
The above photo was taken a number of years later - at the 2002 Creetown Country Festival.
If you are looking for Sarah’s CDs, check out Amazon - lots of offers there.
Sheila hails from the Shetland Islands and may not be very well known to Country Music fans south of the Scottish Border, but I am sure that it will not be long until she is.
Sheila is a young lady with enormous talent for both writing and singing Country Music, as has been proved on her first two CD albums.
I first met up with Sheila and her Band when I booked them for three Concerts, purely on the strength of hearing her first album - and I was not disappointed.
Her second album, ‘WAITING FOR VENUS’, was highly acclaimed in the Country Music scene and did bring Sheila some the recognition she certainly deserves.
When he was 13, Neil Cordery (from Surrey) sent me his first cassette album to give as a prize in the fund-raising Country quiz I was doing for Telethon. It really impressed me and I’ve been following him ever since and I had him do gigs in Scotland several times.
Now in his mid-20s, Neil is set for a career in Country Music, though maybe not so much as a performer, but a very gifted song-writer.
In 1996 Neil teamed up with Jamie James (from Oxford) to make the impressive Duo, YOUNG GUNS. They went to No 1 in the CMR Indie Charts in 1999, with Neil’s own song "Say You Love Me" and this was soon followed by a No 1 in America with "Heartbreaking Machine". In the following months two more of Neil’s compositions reached the European Country Radio Charts.
Sadly, in June 2001, Young Guns was disbanded when Jamie decided to move on - but I’m sure we will be hearing a lot more of Neil and his songs.
In August 1999 I booked Sue James & Lorna Flowers to appear with Young Guns. I had enjoyed Sue’s music since first hearing about her from Hege Hamilton and I was eager to hear her in person.
Equally, Lorna Flowers (left above) who backed Sue on stage and also writes and co-writes many of her songs.
The girls gave a superb performance and more than fulfilled my expectations. Along with Sue’s husband, they stayed overnight with me and it was a joy to get to know them.
In recent years Sue has given more time to her Church and writing and singing Christian songs.
Lorna is working mainly in America, writing for Country Music artists.
In April 1999, I had much pleasure in seeing and meeting for the first time, this very talented young singer. Being from Ireland and with Ritz Records at that time, it’s hard not to compare Michael with Dominic and Daniel - but watching him perform, it’s easy to see he is already developing his own style and becoming his own man.
Offstage, Michael is an absolutely delightful young man - happy to take time to meet and talk with his enthusiastic fans, of which I am certainly one. As with other new Ritz artistes before him, I feel I have been privileged to meet a star in the making - and I look forward to enjoying his music many times in the future, both live and on record.
See my Review of his concert.
Gemma is from Norfolk and I met her when I went to see Michael English - she was the ‘warm-up’ act and a very good job she made of it too! See my Review.
I did not have time to find out much about Gemma, but it seems she hadn’t made a recording then - but perhaps she has by now.
OK - Uno isn’t really Country, he’s more Folky. But he has a captivating sound that certainly won me over!
Uno, from the south of England and now living in Hungary where he teaches music and appears on Radio and TV, writes most of his own material and has been around the music scene for over 20 years.
He recorded with his Band, Higher Ground, in the 80s and 90s - but since 2000 has been performing solo and released an album titled “One More For The Heart”. Uno penned all the songs and it was one of these, "Give Me A Reason", which first caught my attention and certainly gave me a reason to buy the CD.
Another lovely song from the album, “Butterflies Hide From The Wind”, entered the European Country Radio Chart in September 2000 and remained there for four weeks. His latest album is titled “There Was A Time”.
Ernie, from Edinburgh, has been around the Scottish Country scene for many years.
He’s one of those solid, reliable Country Music performers who may not have made a big name for himself - but is always popular in the Clubs and has produced some very enjoyable recordings.
Jerry has been involved in the Nashville Country Music scene for many years, as a perforne, songwriter, promoter and publisher. He presently writes for Country Music Planet, so click there for a lot of Country Music news - or you can visit Jerry Mac’s own website.
Above is my friend Bob Cape, who hosts the American TV Show "Country Images". Sadly, we cannot view it here in the UK - but the great news is that we can now view extracts from the Shows, on the "Country Images" Web Site - just click here. You can also e-mail direct to Bob Cape and tell him how much you enjoy the Site and any other comments you have.
OthersI’m afraid my other favourite Country artistes are too numerous to mention, but no doubt they will creep into this page from time to time.
You can look in on Miss Elly to see what news she has, and the following Links to Country Music magazines and other Web Sites, will give you about all the information you could wish for - just click on their logo.
