Off we go again with a flying start to the year - saying goodbye to 2023 was easy because it really hadn’t been the best year with some wider family crises; but things have eased now.

Over Christmas I had the surprise pleasure of working with Emily Jane Brooks once again on a very personal song that she had discovered in her family heirlooms. A song titled Christmas Blessing had been written many years ago with a family friend, but got lost over the years so she made it her duty to rekindle the song and bring it back to life - cutting a long story short the song was released just before Christmas and attracted a fair bit of attention locally including a piece in the Coventry Telegraph, so I think we all would consider this a lovely success. Emily made a very slick video to go with the song and help remind us of all the best parts of Christmas which are timeless:
Christmas Blessing by Emily Jane Brooks

Further to the we had a New Year release as well, this time with John King and his son Phil King who is blind. They recorded a cover of Empty Saddles (originally by Billy Hill an American songwriter & violinist) and we made a video as well which is currently on YouTube where the song can be accessed. John & Phil have been working with me at the studio for almost 2 years now and brought heaps of different styled projects to the studio. Phil is currently working on an album of original music for a commission with a Yoga instructor/practitioner. Phil’s mastery of the keyboard is profound and I personally enjoy watching and working with him in mild amazement everytime.
Empty Saddles by John & Phil King

Kicking the New Year off I’ve already had new dedicated singer in, to showcase her voice on the request of her husband who bought her a gift recording present for Christmas - Claudine was a natural and made a superb debut recording of Jolene by Dolly Parton amongst other songs.

Also the band Whiplash (working title) have completed their 1st track title Dream, to a forthcoming debut album, which really has started the year well. The band are all 17-18 and if the first song is anything to go by I think we will have a masterpiece on our hands. Led by Archie the singer/songwriter/guitarist/vocalist the band are a great act to watch with Alex on drums, Rowan on lead guitar and Charlie on bass holding it all together. A multi talented bunch.

And it’s only day 4 so “Welcome 2024” let’s do this!