Love is in the Air, the Hammered Dulcimer and off to Knowl Hill!

Folk Band Random Jig

It's been another busy weekend one way and another with Wedding Bells at The Bell Hotel and a Golden Wedding Anniversary in the village of Knowl Hill not far from Maidenhead - so it's been a romantic couple of days! The great thing about my job is I get to sing so many different types of music and meet lots of interesting people. For the Bell  wedding I was booked to sing music from the 1940s to the 70s and asked to include lots of Abba which went down really well with the guests. I also found out that the groom was a bit of a train buff so Chattanooga Cho Cho was a must. No wedding show would be complete with-out me doing some Chuck Berry so a real mix bag and a great time was had by all especially me as I got to play the invisible guitar and I never once put a note wrong!

The Hammered Dulcimer

On Saturday night I was booked to do a Swinging 60s show at Knowl Hill Village Hall and the couple had also booked a Barn Dance with folk band "Random Jig" check out their web-site www.randomjig.com
The band brought along an instrument called the Hammered Dulcimer which I found fascinating. It looks a bit like the inside of a piano and is played with little hammers which to the untrained eye look a bit like forks. The band are a four piece and it was a pleasure to meet Andy on piano, Chris on fiddle Kate on the hammered dulcimer and Doug on Squeeze Box who also did the calling for the Barn Dance. Rather than me try and describe their music it's probably best if you click onto their web-site and listen to their sound bites but to me their music wouldn't have seemed

Chris on Fiddle & Doug on Squese Box

out of place at a country dance from "Lark Rise to Candleford" and I loved it. So did every-one and after my 60s set I got changed and stayed for the dance. Barn Dances are great fun because all ages can enjoy them and the music is so enjoyable. So if you are looking to stage a Barn Dance I recommend Random Jig.
This week I'm fully booked with shows with the run up to Battle of Britain Day with an extra busy weekend planed . Saturday I will be playing in my home town of Leighton Buzzard at the Conservative Club with my "Cobbles to Rock" show a 100 years of Music and Costume and then on Sunday I will be singing in Houghton Regis for a Vintage Car Show on the Green. I shall be performing  3 x 45 minute shows daily ATS - American Glamour and a 1950s and 60s set, but more of that later this week. Don't forget you can also catch me in Chatham at the Historic Dock Yard on the 21st 22nd September with "Salute to the 40s". For any-one who loves the 1940s this is the place to be as they have pushed out all the stops and have three stages with non stop entertainment. I shall be hosting and Compering the Spitfire stage with my friend Madeline Brown so can't wait.
Well must dash lots to do Thanks for following and Toodle Pip!