We've had our mid-tour break and we're back on stage tomorrow on the Isle of Wight. We'll have to be up early on Saturday morning to catch the ferry and drive up to Newark for the Americana festival in the evening.
I expect we'll play this Richard Thompson song- I hope so, because RT is my all time favourite singer/songwriter.
Nicki Gillis is a talented singer/songwriter and performer from Australia. Winner of the Australian Music Industry MO award for best country artist 2011. I'm privileged to be part of her UK band.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Monday, 5 July 2010
Father & son
Normally Chris is in charge of the camera and he takes 100s of pictures of each show. On Sunday he was playing drums so he couldn't. Sue had the camera and was snapping away, but never got a close up shot of Chris & me.
I saw this photo on Nicki's blog and "borrowed" it. It's a bit grainy but does the job.
Here it is- Nicki Gillis, Chris and Dave Clemo.
I saw this photo on Nicki's blog and "borrowed" it. It's a bit grainy but does the job.
Here it is- Nicki Gillis, Chris and Dave Clemo.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Help for Heroes Sunday July 4th
Today we made a special guest appearance at a charity event near Wellingborough in aid of the Help for Heroes charity. We only heard about it a few days ago and Robbo kindly added us to a very varied lineup of artists.
Unfortunately Cozy had a prior engagement and was unable to make it, but fortunately my son Chris, who has been driving and roadying for us is also a drummer and was able to step in. It did mean that he had to listen to some of our performances rather than sleep in the van in order to learn the songs, and in the event he put in a fine and assured performance. He can always catch up on his sleep another time.
A prior engagement (a radio interview on BBC Radio Kent) meant that Nicki had to be on the road by 2.30 in the afternoon, so we were the second act to take the stage, following John F's set of good time country music.
The stage was a 40 foot curtainside trailer and to save time and space we used the drums and amplifiers that were on stage. It meant an unconventional looking line-up but it still sounded as good.
Once again the crowd responded to Nicki's performance with enthusiasm and all too soon it was over. As we said goodbye to Nicki and Tracy a second world war aeroplane flew overhead, filling the sky with the unmistakeable sound of a classic warbird. It was very apt, as Nicki had sung "White Cliffs of Dover", her excellent tribute to Vera Lynn a few minutes before.
Sue Chris and I then spent an hour or so wandering around the exhibits, meeting and chatting to old friends. I had very good comments regarding Nicki's performance, with some people preferring it to Friday's at Earls Barton. Both shows were organised by Robbo and we look forward to our final show at the end of the month when we will be at Little Harrowden WMC, once again as guests of Barbary Coast.
We now take a few day's break from touring. We will all meet up again on Friday when we play a concert on the Isle of Wight.
Unfortunately Cozy had a prior engagement and was unable to make it, but fortunately my son Chris, who has been driving and roadying for us is also a drummer and was able to step in. It did mean that he had to listen to some of our performances rather than sleep in the van in order to learn the songs, and in the event he put in a fine and assured performance. He can always catch up on his sleep another time.
A prior engagement (a radio interview on BBC Radio Kent) meant that Nicki had to be on the road by 2.30 in the afternoon, so we were the second act to take the stage, following John F's set of good time country music.
The stage was a 40 foot curtainside trailer and to save time and space we used the drums and amplifiers that were on stage. It meant an unconventional looking line-up but it still sounded as good.
Once again the crowd responded to Nicki's performance with enthusiasm and all too soon it was over. As we said goodbye to Nicki and Tracy a second world war aeroplane flew overhead, filling the sky with the unmistakeable sound of a classic warbird. It was very apt, as Nicki had sung "White Cliffs of Dover", her excellent tribute to Vera Lynn a few minutes before.
Sue Chris and I then spent an hour or so wandering around the exhibits, meeting and chatting to old friends. I had very good comments regarding Nicki's performance, with some people preferring it to Friday's at Earls Barton. Both shows were organised by Robbo and we look forward to our final show at the end of the month when we will be at Little Harrowden WMC, once again as guests of Barbary Coast.
We now take a few day's break from touring. We will all meet up again on Friday when we play a concert on the Isle of Wight.
Rugby Homecoming July 3rd
Saturday night was a special night for Bob. He was born and lived in Rugby before emigrating with his mother to Australia in the late 60s. His late father was a regular at Hillmorton Ex-Serviceman's Club and so it was fitting that his UK family and friends should organise a show at this club.
The trip from Northampton to Rugby was uneventful although Chris' insect bite on his leg was giving him some discomfort. Luckily Sue was with us and dispensed motherly care and concern and antiseptic cream in equal measures.
Bob's extended family almost filled the room. Most of them had never seen him sing or play and each song was greeted with warm applause. We were due to play 2x45 minute sets plus a 30 minute middle set, but the meeting and greeting and photographing ate into the interval time. At one stage Bob was photographing the crowd mid-song. It was great, a real family reunion.
But what about the show? Nicki and the band performed to their usual high standard and Nicki treated us to a welcome return of her little red dress.
Once again the audience took over Nicki's rendition of the "Australian Trilogy" and sang the first chorus of "Waltzing matilda" unaccompanied. This is proving to be a popular show closer. Loud and prolongued calls for an encore were followed by Nicki singing "Simply the best" to a crowded dance floor.
Although the music had stopped, the show went on as Nicki and Bob posed for photos and chatted to the crowd while Chris organised the packing away and loading up of the gear.
We drove back to Northampton where we unloaded Cozy's drums. He's away on tour in Europe until Thursday as we have a few day's break before meeting up again on the Isle of Wight.
The trip from Northampton to Rugby was uneventful although Chris' insect bite on his leg was giving him some discomfort. Luckily Sue was with us and dispensed motherly care and concern and antiseptic cream in equal measures.
Bob's extended family almost filled the room. Most of them had never seen him sing or play and each song was greeted with warm applause. We were due to play 2x45 minute sets plus a 30 minute middle set, but the meeting and greeting and photographing ate into the interval time. At one stage Bob was photographing the crowd mid-song. It was great, a real family reunion.
But what about the show? Nicki and the band performed to their usual high standard and Nicki treated us to a welcome return of her little red dress.
Once again the audience took over Nicki's rendition of the "Australian Trilogy" and sang the first chorus of "Waltzing matilda" unaccompanied. This is proving to be a popular show closer. Loud and prolongued calls for an encore were followed by Nicki singing "Simply the best" to a crowded dance floor.
Although the music had stopped, the show went on as Nicki and Bob posed for photos and chatted to the crowd while Chris organised the packing away and loading up of the gear.
We drove back to Northampton where we unloaded Cozy's drums. He's away on tour in Europe until Thursday as we have a few day's break before meeting up again on the Isle of Wight.
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Earls Barton July 2nd
Last night Nicki was special guest at a Barbary Coast reunion show at Earls Barton WMC. As you may know, both Cozy and Bob were members of Barbary Coast back in the 80s when they were Frank Ifield's backing group.
Robbo organised the booking and Bugsy, Basil and Queenie joined Robbo, Cozy and Bob to play a couple of sets to a full house at this small club in a Northants village. Nicki played a 40 minute showcase between their sets. It was a lovely summer's evening and a good time was had by all.
I hadn't played the club since the late 70s when my band Conspiracy used to play there a couple of times a year. It hadn't changed much, but I'm glad they got an extension to the stage, because it was just as cramped as I remember it. I even recognised some faces among the crowd.
Nicki, Bob & Tracy found a chinese takeaway and ate it sitting in the van before the show started.
The show started with a set from Robbo and the boys and they sounded very smooth and polished, despite the years and miles since their last performance. Then it was Nicki's turn. We've been using a radio mike for her shows so she was able to make her entrance through the crowd as we played her opening number "Lucy Jordan". The rest of the set were mostly her own songs, and despite the unfamiliarity of the material she won the crowd over with an electric performance.
All too soon it was over and I went outside, put on my tour jacket and slowly cooled down as we chatted to friends. It was a great evening. Both bands sounded great and the hundred or so people who packed into this tiny club had an evening to remember.
Chris enjoyed his first pint of Guinness so much he had a second, so I drove the van home. It was only a few miles and it was the least I could do. We've got a lot of miles to cover in the next few weeks.
Tonight we're playing a show in Bob's home town of Rugby. I'm looking forward to that.
Robbo organised the booking and Bugsy, Basil and Queenie joined Robbo, Cozy and Bob to play a couple of sets to a full house at this small club in a Northants village. Nicki played a 40 minute showcase between their sets. It was a lovely summer's evening and a good time was had by all.
I hadn't played the club since the late 70s when my band Conspiracy used to play there a couple of times a year. It hadn't changed much, but I'm glad they got an extension to the stage, because it was just as cramped as I remember it. I even recognised some faces among the crowd.
Nicki, Bob & Tracy found a chinese takeaway and ate it sitting in the van before the show started.
All too soon it was over and I went outside, put on my tour jacket and slowly cooled down as we chatted to friends. It was a great evening. Both bands sounded great and the hundred or so people who packed into this tiny club had an evening to remember.
Chris enjoyed his first pint of Guinness so much he had a second, so I drove the van home. It was only a few miles and it was the least I could do. We've got a lot of miles to cover in the next few weeks.
Tonight we're playing a show in Bob's home town of Rugby. I'm looking forward to that.
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Weds 30th June North Biddick WMC
It was a long old haul up the M1 and A1 to Washington, Tyne & Wear for last night's show. Nicky, Tracy & Bob had made their way via Scarborough and Whitby, while Chris, Cozy and myself drove up via Northampton.
Once again the weather was very warm and luckily the roads were clear. It still took four hours to drive the 220 or so miles to the venue. We arrived in very good time and had plenty of time to set up. After a cuppa and a sound check we were ready to go.
Nicki's first song was extremely well received and Chris told me that he and Tracy knew right away that this was to be a special night.
The band played well, Nicki was on song despite a toothache, and every song was applauded long and loudly.
All too soon the show was over and Nicki spent some time chatting to everyone and having her photo taken while we packed everything away. We got loaded and away by 12.30. I was sweating buckets under the lights and it was cool outside, so strange as it may seem I wore my tour jacket buttoned up so as to keep the heat in and cool down slowly.
My health is a bit fragile and I don't want to take risks of getting ill before the end of the tour. Chris drove all the way home. We stopped for a short break after about 100 miles and again to get some diesel at Leicester Forest Services. We dropped Cozy off and got home at about 4.30. I made a cuppa and took it to bed, staying awake just long enough to drink it before falling asleep
Three local shows this weekend. Bring em on!
Once again the weather was very warm and luckily the roads were clear. It still took four hours to drive the 220 or so miles to the venue. We arrived in very good time and had plenty of time to set up. After a cuppa and a sound check we were ready to go.
Nicki's first song was extremely well received and Chris told me that he and Tracy knew right away that this was to be a special night.
The band played well, Nicki was on song despite a toothache, and every song was applauded long and loudly.
All too soon the show was over and Nicki spent some time chatting to everyone and having her photo taken while we packed everything away. We got loaded and away by 12.30. I was sweating buckets under the lights and it was cool outside, so strange as it may seem I wore my tour jacket buttoned up so as to keep the heat in and cool down slowly.
My health is a bit fragile and I don't want to take risks of getting ill before the end of the tour. Chris drove all the way home. We stopped for a short break after about 100 miles and again to get some diesel at Leicester Forest Services. We dropped Cozy off and got home at about 4.30. I made a cuppa and took it to bed, staying awake just long enough to drink it before falling asleep
Three local shows this weekend. Bring em on!
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