Fiona's D-Day Normandy Tour, Liberty and Going Mobile!

Hello every-one this is my last post before I head out to Normandy so I just wanted to fill you in with the latest news. If you would like to see me on stage both my shows have become public events. The first being the 6th June in Arromanches at 1600 hours or 4pm for us Brits. I will be on stage out side the D-Day Museum performing my "We'll Meet Again" ATS show for 45 mins just before the BBMF flies over. My other public performance will be taking place in Ste Marie du Mont also at 1600 hours on the 7th June out side the church. For this show I will be performing my American swing show "GI Jive" and including some wonderful songs from the Hollywood Musicals.
Getting around on the 6th June might be difficult if you don't have a special pass. The French police close the roads as a security measure due to the fact Arromanches is expecting royalty. So if you are not staying in Arromanches it will be difficult getting into town. By the 7th the roads will be open again so seeing me in Ste Marie du Mont might be easier. My third show is on the 4th June at Manoir de la Fosse aux Loups nere Cartigny L' Epinay. This show is private although I have a feeling the whole village has been invited by the Chateau.
For those of you who follow me will know I'm launching my new D-Day Commemorative Album "Liberty!" as part of my Normandy tour. I'm very proud of this CD as I'm presenting it in a DVD box with 2 souvenir post cards. Each copy has my signature on it and if you would like a copy they will be on sale after my shows. The good news is even if you're not able to see me in Normandy you will be able to buy a copy from the 3rd June by clicking onto the CD page of my web-site at www.fionaharrison.biz
I spoke with Rachel my web-designer today and she has been working really hard to make my web-site mobile. This means what ever devise you look at my site on be it a mobile phone, tablet or PC it will contract and expand accordingly making things easier to see and read! My CD page will be up dated and it will be possible for me to send out CDs to you anywhere in the world. We have added a Pay Pal button which will convert money and make international transactions possible. At the moment it is only possible to buy one item at a time this way but in time Rachel and I will up grade to a mini ecommerce system - but in the mean time we were keen for you to be able to buy now and keep things current.
I head off down to Portsmouth tomorrow and sail on the 3rd so this will be my last post until I return on the 11th when I will be keen to share all my news and photos with you. I have a meeting with Rachel as soon as I return, with the the web-site going mobile I have to be taught how to blog again as we have up graded to word press. In the mean time I will post up a few photos onto facebook and my Arromanches video which was taken when I sang there in 2012. If any of you have video cameras or able to take photos I'm always thrilled to have any footage or records of the events I perform at so please do get in touch.
Thank-you for following - I really must go now as I still have a bit of packing I must finish off.
Toodle Pip and See you in Normandy!

How to buy Fiona's New "Liberty" Album!

Fiona Harrison's New Album - "Liberty!"

Just to keep you up to date I had a meeting today with Rachel my web-designer and she has just set up a Pay Pal account for me which will make it possible for you to purchase my album anywhere in the world. We will still be keeping the order form and cheque faculty which many of you know from having ordered from my web-site before - but as so many of you are now following me from abroad we thought it was about time that we went a little more international friendly. My website will be going  mobile and the date Rachel is aiming for is next Tuesday 3rd June. So this is the date when the Pay Pal button will be installed and you will be able to see the new album on my web-site by clicking the CD button.
I shall be on a ferry heading over to Normandy that day so I've left everything with Rachel so I know all will be well. Of course if you come to my shows in Normandy you will be able to purchase a copy from me directly after my performances. I couldn't think of anywhere better to launch a "Liberty" album than Normandy so I look forward to seeing you all. I will be on stage out side the D-Day museum in Arromanches at 4pm on 6th June just before the fly past performing for the Veterans in ATS uniform "We'll Meet Again" and on the 7th I will be in Ste Marie du Mont performing outside the church at 4pm my American WAC show "GI Jive".
About the Album
This is s a special commemorative CD which I'm presenting in a DVD box with two souvenir post cards. I've included a couple of popular French songs "J'Attendrai" and Edith Piaf's "Mon Dieu" + the Band of Brothers Theme tune "Requiem for a Soldier" which was specially arranged for me with a sutle La Marseillaise twist. Other favourites include my War time sing-along medley with songs such as "Who do you Think you are Kidding Mr Hitler", "Roll out the Barrel and "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" plus my US Army medley too with, "This is the Army Mr Jones", "Deep in the Heart of Texas" and many more.
If you would like a copy do check out my web-site on the evening of the 3rd June by which time everything should be up and running. In the mean time I must dash as I have to be in London tomorrow morning and I need an early night.
Thank-you for following and Toodle Pip!

Norfest, Weimar to Westminster, The Album and Normandy!

This weekend I have been busy trying to tie up all those lose ends before I head off to France so this week is going to be something of a dash prepping. Sunday was super as I was invited to sing for Norfest by my friend Julius which was being stage at his families home at Norcott Court near Berkhamstead. I didn't realise until I got there that it was Julius's Birthday - but he looked to me like he was having a wonderful time and thank-you ever-so for baking the lovely scones Julius they were fabulous and ever-so Yummy! I particularly enjoyed the home made jam - you certainly know how to spoil a girl! ;-)
It was lovely seeing Julius again after all these years as we met way back in 1989 when we were working on the musical Annie together - my doesn't time fly! While I was at Norfest I put together a 1940s & 50s show mixing Big Band and Swing, Musical Theatre with Rock and Roll. I even finished my set with Edith Piaf's "Mon Dieu" which I've included on my new album "Liberty". After my show Julius's father Peter Rost presented me with his book "Weimar to Westminster" which looks like a fascinating read. To be honest I've not seen much of the book since my mother picked it up but what I have read is very interesting. Peter was born in Berlin and was one of the first to go to school under the Nazi regime and obliged to conform, aged six, by participating in the Hitler Youth. With a Jewish father and a blond Aryan mother, his parents marriage no longer had legal status under the Nazis. So his family joined the flood of refugees to England in 1937. Despite being an outsider during the war and the disadvantages of a disrupted education, Peter Rost managed to get to University, became a financial journalist and a Member of the London Stock Exchange, before becoming a Member of Parliament. One of the passages I found very entertaining was when he talked about his national service and I quote :-
"It was to be the RAF, my preferred choice. The reason was not because I had ambitions to fly, but - please don't laugh - those who knew the score and had been through the ordeal, had told me that life in the Army for National Service recruits was somewhat harsh. The uniforms were rough and "itchy"; the bedding did not include sheets; the food was inedible. The RAF on the other hand, was gentile, soft and civilised - a middle class elite "set"! Cotton shirts and collars, white sheets, no lugging around heavy rifles and back-packs. It sounded so much less daunting than the alternative. Well I soon discovered the truth! Even the RAF's first eight weeks of square bashing was rough and tough".
Ha ha - I sometimes think I could do with a bit of square bashing as I march like a chours girl with a bit of Ballet thrown in! The last time I was was singing in Arromanches I was wearing my ATS uniform and somehow I ended up in the parade. I must have looked like Tinker Bell!
The latest new on my album is that today I was able to pick up my inlays for Liberty and I've already started putting "Liberty" together. I'm still waiting on the post cards which will arrive Thursday so it's all starting to come together. I've made up my corsages which will go on my dresses and much of my wardrobe for France will be following a Red White and Blue theme. I will of course be taking my ATS and WAC uniforms which I shall be wearing for my Arromanches and Ste Marie du Mont shows.
With regards my shows -  it looks like you will be able to see me in Arromanches on the 6th June after all.  I've been asked to take my show from the Veterans Marquee onto the main stage out side the D-Day Museum which is where you've all seen me play before. I will be on stage at 4pm 1600h with my ATS Veteran's Show and on the 7th June you will be able to catch me in Ste Marie du Mont out side the church at 4pm performing "GI Jive" my American WAC Swing Show. So I hope you can all make it along. On the 4th June I'm  booked to perform in Cartigny L'Epinay which is a private party being held at Manoir de la Fosse aux Loups. So as you can see D-Day and Normandy is going to be very busy.
Well that's all my news for now. Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Jellied Eales, House Parties and More on the New Album!

On the Road Again!

This week I have been out and about performing a real mix bag of shows from my first WW1 show to GI Jive, my US WAC show to Pearly Queen. In fact when I turned up to do my Pearly Queen show on Thursday the venue had gone to town with a selection of sea food from jellied eales to oysterss and the audience sang along with every-one of my numbers, especially "The Marrow Song" better known to us all as Oh What a Beauty!. I even included "My Winkles Fallen Out" because yes you've guest it they even had those too!
I'm now all set for the weekend which I've been rather looking forward to as it's the first one in ages where I'm not having to dash away somewhere. However saying that I do have a House Party on Sunday which is being hosted by my friend Julius at Norcott Court. Julius and I go back years when we worked on the musical "Annie" together in the summer of 89 and it will be lovely to see him again after all these years. I have a great show planned and I will be including some of my new songs and arrangements which I'll be taking out to France in 10 days time. Gosh is it really only 10 days away. In fact even though I only have one show this weekend the time wont go idaly by as I have all my show plans to do and lots of loose ends to tie up before I hit the road running again.
Rather thrilling my new album arrived today from the CD duplicator so I'm just waiting on the inlays and post cards which will arrive early next week. What I've done is to produce a special D-Day Souvenir album which I'm presenting in a DVD box rather than in the standard CD Jewel case. This album comes complete with two souvenir post cards. One of me in my ATS uniform and the other one in my American A2 flying jacket. I've not released either of these photos before or indeed the cover photo so they come to you fresh which might explain why I've done so many photos shoots lately. For those of you who follow me on facebook will know I always like to put up lots of photos and although you may have seen some of the others from the shoots which are similar these haven't been seen before.
Next week is going to be a week of making sure all is well for France. Connie goes in for a service just to make sure she is tip top and I'm back in the hair dresses making sure I look my best too.
Time for Bed Now as I want to get up and go for a good run tomorrow morning!
Thank-you for Following and Toodle Pip!

Sell Out at Longhope and Fiona in France!

Me at Longhope Church in a 1941 Jeep!

There are times when I look back over a weekend and I ask myself how did I ever manage to achieve so much in so little time and last weekend was just such a case. On Saturday I had two bookings one an afternoon show in Milton Keynes and the other an evening performance in the charming village of Longhope in Gloucestershire. I knew it was going to be tight going from one to the other but not impossible and with help from my friend Paul things couldn't have gone better. I've been teaching Paul the art of being a sound engineer and as he drove it gave me time to eat my sandwiches in Connie on the way over. Paul is doing a fabulous job and I certainly couldn't have managed Saturday without his help. Thank-you Paul you were wonderful! As a diabetic I have to make sure I eat properly and the amount of energy one uses for shows can be great. It's not just the singing but the setting up and getting to which can really burn calories so I have to make sure I always have my Lucazade with me just in case!

Tina and the Longhope Committee!

In fact Saturdays shows couldn't have gone better and Longhope had really gone to town. My show was a sell out and the church had been beautifully decorated by the committee. I had been booked by the friends of Longhope Church who run a theatre club. Up to now they have been engaging singers from the West End, so with it being the 70th they decided to do something different and went with a 1940s theme. The whole village came out to support the event and the profits will help to pay for the fabric and maintenance of the Church. When I took the booking I just assumed I would be in a Church Hall so I was thrilled to find out that the show was taking place in the Church it self!

Mike and his Jeep at Longhope Church!

I love singing in Church and the committee had even rigged up a stage and lighting for me which was fabulous. One local chap Mike even arrived in his 1941 Jeep so I hope very much I will have the pleasure of returning to Longhope some time in the future. Last Saturday couldn't have been more perfect, so thank-you to Tina who found me on line as both Paul and I had a fabulous time!
Tina had booked Paul and I into The Farmers Boy Inn which is just down the road from the church. It won pub of the year in 2012 & 13 and if you are ever looking for somewhere to stay in that area I would recommend it. They have a wonderful restaurant, wine, pie and cheese shop so do check out their web-site www.thefarmersboyinn.co.uk
On Sunday Paul and I headed off to the Cotswolds as I had a show to do on the way home. In fact on the 19th July I will be returning to the Cotswolds as I've been booked to perform at Redesdale Hall for Moreton in the Mash's WW1 event. Oh that reminds me speaking of WW1 events I have my first WW1 show to do tomorrow and I really must go over some of my words and new arrangements!

Me at The Farmers Boy Inn

Since returning home things are really starting to take shape for France. My new CD is being pressed and the front cover is at the printers being printed. I received an e-mail today that due to the number of people expected in Arromanches on the 6th they may well take me out of the veterans marquee and make my show public by putting me on the main stage outside the D-Day Museum. Ofcouse nothing is final and things are changing from day to day so do keep watching my blog and I will keep you posted as events develop. It would be great if they did put me on the main stage as I know so many of you were disappointed that you would't be able to see me in Arromanches as the Veteran's Marquee is private. So fingers crossed and I shall keep you posted!
That's about all my news for now. I have another busy week with a mix bag of shows from WW1, Pearly Queen to WAC.
Thanks for Following and Toodle Pip!

Off to Gloucester and Liberty!

As ever I'm in a bit of a dash as I'm determined to get to bed at a descent hour tonight instead of working through to 2am as I have been doing so the last couple of weeks. I've more or less caught up although I do have a few contracts to do and some WW1 song sheets I must type up for a client.I'm really thrilled my album is coming together beautifully and today I bought the licence from MCPS which you have to have for recorded work. I also delivered my master to the CD duplicator and Rachel was able to finish off all the art work which I popped into the printers today. So all being well I hope to get everything back next week and packaged up ready for my album launch in Normandy. I've called the album "Liberty" and I'm very proud of  the way it's turn out. It's a special D-Day souvenir album which I've package up differently but more on that later. In the mean time just so you know I will be sailing out to France on the 3rd and my first show will be taking place on the 4th June for a private party at a Chateau. Then I'm heading over to Arromanches for the 5th and 6th - I'm booked to sing for the Veterans in the Veterans Marquee. My main public show will be on the 7th June in Ste Marie du Mont outside the church at 4pm and this show is open to every-one. My other two performances are private events and not open to the public so if you would like to see me this is the place to catch me.
As for this weekend I'm off to Gloucester. I'm booked to sing for the Longhope Theatre Club as up to now they have been engaging artists from the West End but decided with it being the 70th they would like a 1940s theme. So I'm all set to go "We'll Meet Again" with a touch of Hollywood for act two.
I've a show tomorrow and also another one on my way to Gloucester before I entertain the Theatre Club. On Tuesday I perform the first of my WW1 shows which reminds me I still have a few words to learn with my new arrangements.
Time for Bed - Thank-you for Following and Toodle Pip!

Back in the Studio and the Bealieu Belles!

Me with the Beaulieu Belles!

Do you ever get the feeling there aren't enough hours in the day to do all the things you need to do? Well I get that feeling constantly and I can't believe France is only less than 3 weeks away! Crikey so much to do before I go!
These last few weeks haven't just been about performing shows but I've been working really hard on my paper work and sorting out the inlays for the new album - which reminds me I must fill in the form for the licence. There's so much to producing an album and today I saw Rachel's designs for the front cover which are coming along splendidly.
Last weekend I was in Northampton and Milton Keynes performing for a Ritz Tea Party and yesterday I was over in Great Baddlow near Chelmsford in Essex singing for The Beaulie Belles WI. It was a group meeting and the Belles had gone with a 1940s theme. Every one had come dressed up and the ladies had decorated the hall beautifully with lots of interesting displays. They even asked me to judge the hat competition which was to design a hat based on an

Working with Richard in the Studio!

inspiring woman. The winning design I choose was a mortar board which was inspired by the makers teacher. Teachers can be so inspiring and when I think if it hadn't been for my music teacher Miss Short at Leighton Middle School I probably wouldn't be a professional singer today.
On Sunday I made a fleeting visit to see Richard in the recording studio as I wanted to tie up a few of those loose ends before my album goes into production. Not long now! I've named my CD "Liberty" and I'm really pleased with the balance and mix. So many albums are so heavily produced these days that they loose the human element. This album is very me and something I'm really proud of. So I'm looking forward to launching it in France during my D-Day tour. So if you are out in France over D-Day don't forget you can catch me in Ste Marie du Mont at 4pm on 7th June. I will be performing out side the Church and this show is open to every-one. My Arromanches show on the 6th June is a private event so not open to the public but don't forget you can see me on the 7th.
This weekend I shall be performing in Gloucester in the village of Longhope for a Theatre Club so I'm looking forward to that very much.
Time for me to go now. Thank-you for Following and Toodle Pip! 

My New Show Reels!

Wouldn't be Loverly!

This weekend I'm all set to do a couple of Spring Time and Putting on the Ritz type shows so I've been busy putting together my play lists and costumes. I'm rather thrilled to announce Rachel and I have just up loaded a couple of new show reels which were filmed by Micheal Ross when I sang at Wythenshawe Hall for their Victorian Day. So if you haven't yet seen them do check out my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiona-Harrison-A-Voice-in-a-Million/143965822288531or you can click straight onto my video channel here on my web-site by clicking the You Tube button. I will be returning to Wythenshawe Hall on 27th July for their 1940s day so I'm looking forward to that very much.
Once again this week has been a very busy one not only show wise but sorting out wise too. I have been burning the candle at both ends some what working on the CD cover designs and writing. It's the writing I find so difficult and something most people would only take a few minutes to do I have to spend hours on - but despite that I always get there in the end. Sadly we have been a little held up with the photographs this week but I saw Rachel today and we've worked out a plan B.
This year has filled up splendidly with the D-Day 70th and WW1 centenary. August has gone crazy with 34 shows booked in so far. I'm starting to run out of days and it's rather exciting to know that my web-site is attracting so much new business. 
Oh gosh I've just notice the time and I really must get to bed.
Keep Watching  - I hope you like the new videos and Toodle Pip!

Mon Dieu, The Album and the 7th June!

Me after 11 hours in the Recording Studio!

This weekend has been one of the most exhausting I've ever done. With a show on Saturday night and then a full day of singing in the recording studio on Sunday I've never worked so hard in all my born days. Of course when I say a full day I mean 11 and a half hours in the studio plus a 3 hour car journey there and back. What I was able to achieved this weekend I'm very proud of and I think I can say this will be the best album I've ever done! To be honest and this may sound a bit crazy but I've never much liked my singing voice until now. After 22 years of singing professionally it's suddenly matured and I'm singing better now than I have ever done. All my hard work, training and experience is now starting to pay off and I can't quite believe what I was able to achieve this weekend. The reason I'm so proud is because I also sung in French and I was able to lay down a few French rehearsal tracks too which will help me to perfect my pronunciation before I perform in Normandy for D-Day. I was also able to pick up my WW1 backing tracks which I orded last year and as ever Richard has done me proud with the arrangements. This year is getting very busy and I don't have many dates left but I'm enjoying doing my WW1 Music Hall shows which have really taken off this year!
I've now got to work hard on the CD cover design and Rachel is helping me to do that as I have a very clear idea of what I want. Sadly it has put my mobile sight behind ever-so slightly but it is nearly there and all is in hand so like I keep saying not long now!
I will be launching my D-Day commemorations album in France as part of my tour and I've included Edith Piaf's Mon Dieu along with another French song I enjoy singing very much J'Attendrai. Richard has also produced a new backing track for me of "Requiem for a Soldier" which many of you will know as the theme tune to Band of Brothers. This is my final song on the album and I thought it would be very appropriate for my show in Saint Marie du Mont. I was inspired by the 1812 overture so we have an element of La Marseillaise in the arrangement.
Speaking of Ste Marie du Mont I must clear up the query I will be singing on the 7th June in Ste Marie du Mont at 4pm outside the church and not the 6th which has appeared on a few web-sites. This is a typing error. I will be in Arromanches on the 6th performing for the Veterans in The Veterans Marquee. So if you want to see my show make sure you make it along to Ste Marie du Mont at 4pm on the 7th June and you will be able to see me performing my American Swing GI Jive Show. My Arromanches show on the 6th is a private event and not open to the public.

Bell Ringing at All Saints Church!

I'm pleased to say that after Saturday's show at Whipsnade which went really well and Sunday's recording day I was able to take some time out and enjoy Leighton Buzzard's May Day Fair. Being a special Day All Saints Church opened up the Bell Tower and for anyone who ever wanted to take up bell ringing there is quite a skill to it. Great for toning the back and arms though!
Today I have been out singing and I'm looking forward to having a day in the gym tomorrow with shows booked in the rest of the week.
Time for bed now I think. Thank you for Following and Toodle Pip!

Whipsnade,Going French and a New Album!

I'm sorry I've not been quite as active on social media this last week as normal but to be honest I've been working flat out and I'm pleased to announce I'm booked to record a new D-Day Commemorative album this weekend. For those of you who follow me will know I've been out and about a fair bit the last couple of months and it great to see all my hard work starting to come together. April has been a very busy month having completed 31 shows and May is going to be just as busy with the run up to D-Day.
I'm afraid once again I'm in a bit of a dash when it comes to writing my blog tonight as I want to get back rehearsing my songs in prep for the recording studio. I've been working very hard at my French and the pronunciation. This week I have been going over my French songs with a very good friend and pianist Ross who is a wiz when it comes to French. Being dyslexic I have to work twice as hard. I learn the phonetics and sometimes I do make mistakes reversing the sounds but pratice makes perfect and I'm so close to getting it spot on that I must get back to my rehearing!
I'm pleased to announce Saturday's show at Whipsnade Village Hall is a sell out so I will be taking it away with my "We'll Meet Again" Show before heading off to the recording studio!
Now I really must dash Thank-you for Following and Toodle Pip!

Ghosts at Sandiway, Carlton Towers, See you on the 3rd May!

Once again it's been a very full week and I'm back from playing at The Sandiway Golf Club in Cheshire. It was lovely to be booked back again. I played there 10 years ago when I went through a Leyland agent who has since retired. This time they tracked me down through the Internet and it was lovely to be invited back. I had been engaged to perform my "Magic of the Musicals" with my 1940's ATS "We'll Meet Again" show and everything was going swimmingly!
Then just before my last number in the first half the temperature suddenly dropped and my net book crashed in mid song which has never happened to me before. Speaking with the bar staff afterwards they said there have been one or two sightings of ghosts in the club house. Late at night members from days gone by have been seen in the bar smoking in their plus fours and one chap who was working on engraving the cups up stairs turned round only to find he was being watch by a ghost - Spooky!
Of course it could, and most likely a load of nonsense but for those of you who believe in this sort of thing it's not the first time I've felt a ghostly presence when I've been out and about. The last time was when I stayed in the Lord Mark Suite at Carlton Towers in Yorkshire. I was there for a Queens Coronation Show back in 2012 and I remember it being a really hot night so I had one leg outside my douevay. I remember being woken up in the middle of the night by something pulling at my leg. I was the only one staying in the suite so it was all very strange!

Carlton Towers in 2012

As for Sandiway I wondered if the ghost was curious as I was multy tracking at the time and singing "I Know him so Well" from Chess. Up to this point I had been singing from lots of older musicals and it was the first time I had sung in harmony with myself so who knows!
Paul had very kindly offered to do sound for me this weekend and although my net book didn't crash during my second act he did mention it pulsated at one point so it's all very odd!
Today I was out doing a "Putting on the Ritz" show and all seemed to be well. I'm keeping everything crossed as I have some very important shows coming up and I can't afford for my equipment to go down but then I always carry back-up!
Don't forget you can see me this weekend at Whipsnade Village Hall on Saturday 3rd May performing my We'll Meet Again Show. Tickets cost £15 and includes a buffet, Dancing and Raffle. Bring your own drinks. Buffet from 7.30pm and tickets can be obtained by ringing 07761 384970. All profit will be donated to the Whipsnade Church Fund! See you there!
Time for bed now I think. Thank-you for following and Toodle Pip!

Pearly Queen to Sandiway Golf Club!

Once again I'm in a bit of a dash as there never seem to be enough hours in the day to do all the things I have to do. Today I have been out and about performing my Pearly Queen Show with two shows back to back and tomorrow I'm out bright and early. I've set some time aside to go over my French songs with a pianist in prep for France as D-Day is going to be such an important event with it being the 70th and all. Today has been St Georges Day and I now have a run of Pearly Queen shows taking me up to the end of the month - so it's full steam ahead!
On Saturday I'm heading up to Sandiway Golf Club in Cheshire to perform a mixture of Musicals and 1940s music - which reminds me I must choose a dress. My meeting went well with Rachel on Tuesday and it wont be long now before my web-site goes mobile so I'm looking forward to that very much. I've also introduced a new Pintrest board called My favourite things which has lots of photos of vintage fashion and pictures which inspire me so if you get the chance do take a look. You can click through from my web-site by clicking onto my Follow Fiona tab and by clicking the P icon which stands for Pintrest.
Gosh it's late and I need to be away in the morning.
Thank-you for following Toodle Pip!

Back from Wythenshawe, Battling With Bonnets and Meeting Scarlett!

Going Victorian at Wythenshawe Hall!

Hello every-one and what a busy Easter weekend it has been too. I'm just back from performing in Lancashire at Wythenshawe Hall for a Victorian event. It was the first time I wore my new bustle costume on stage and although the costume did everything I hoped it would do I had a few teething problems battling with the bonnet. As you can see by the photograph it made a real mess of my hair. The bonnet is held in place with a ribbon which I tie under the chin. The only snag is if you tie it too tight it makes it hard to sing and the slack means it moves backwards and forwards slightly when I'm working - hence the messy hair!
I shall have to pin it in place next time!
On the positive side the costume worked really well and by wearing a corsette rather than a corset I was still able to sing and not upset the line of the dress! Phew! For those of you who follow me will know I always like to bring a change of gown and for my second set I wore my white dress which as a costume has never let me down yet!

Wythenshawe Hall

 This was my first visit to Wythenshawe Hall thanks to Ingrid who found me on line and who very kindly invited me to stay Saturday night at her lovely home. Thank you Ingrid for your wonderful hospitality I really enjoyed our girly chats and meeting Tom the cat.
I confess I had rather hoped that I might have met a ghost or two while I was at the Hall but rather disappointingly I didn't. I'm so lucky I get to travel and perform at so many wonderful locations. I'm keeping my fingers crossed fate will see that I return there again soon. Just to fill you in about some of the history Wythenshawe Hall was built around 1540 by Robert Tatton of Chester. Some years ago I performed at Tatton Park so I know the name well and the Hall has a lovely presence to it which you can feel as soon as you walk through the door. Wythenshawe is now owned by Manchester City Council and they have their own resident soprano called Scarlett

Between shows with Soprano Scarlett

Scarlett is only 16 and has a glittering carer a head of her. In fact she reminds me so much of myself and it was a pleasure to hear her sing. Some of the ariars and languages I heard her sing on Saturday I didn't even start to tackle until my very late teens early twenties so it's no wonder Scarlett has a growing fan base. Do check out her web site and be amazed by her stunning voice, talent and exquisite beauty www.scarlettsoprano.com I was thrilled to meet her and mix her sound. I know just how hard it can be being a soprano and having the right sound can make or break you. So many engineers don't know how to mix it and I think Scarlett enjoyed going through my EV speakers and using an SM Beater microphone rather than an SM 58. The beater is design for a soprano voice and gives greater clarity on top notes and more resonance to bottom notes. During my career I 've used so many different types of speakers and microphones but these two make for a wonderful combination and really suit classical and soprano voices.

Scarlett and I at Wythenshawe Hall!

I have a feeling Scarlett's father might be making a few enquires when he next visits his local music shop. I really enjoyed meeting Scarlett and talking to her family or be it rather briefly as one is always in such a dash to get back on stage. In fact I came away feeling very inspired and thinking about cuirtin arias I had not sung or thought about in years. The down side about being a professional singer is I spend so much of my time dashing about singing songs for money I forget sometimes what it is to be creative and Scarlett has rather opened my eyes again.
This month I have 30 shows to do and tomorrow I have my last Easter Bonnet show before I start on a run of Pearly Queen shows with it being St George's Day on Wednesday. I shall be meeting up with Rachel my web-designer tomorrow and we should be switching my web-site over and going mobile by the end of this week.
That's about all my news for now apart from I will be back up in Cheshire next Saturday when I shall be playing at The Sandiway Golf Club with my "We'll Meet Again" show and "Magic of the Musicals"
Thank-you for Following, Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Happy Easter & Fiona's Forth Coming Events!

These last few weeks have been all go and I'm all set for a very busy Easter as I pack up my bustle and bird cadge and head up to Manchester for a Victorian Easter at Wythenshawe Hall on Sunday 20th April. I shall be singing songs from the golden age of Music Hall at 1pm and 3pm and it promises to be a great event. There will be free Easter craft sessions for all the family + a Punch and Judy show. Period photography will also be available by appointment for a small charge of £12. Please email friends@wythenshawehall to arrange a photo shoot but the best bit is it's Free Admission so I look forward to seeing you all there!
For all you 1940s fans you will be able to see me on Saturday 3rd May performing at Whipsnade Village Hall, Whipsnade, Dunstable, Beds my "We'll Meet Again" Show at 7.30pm -11.30pm. Tickets are £15 each and it includes a Cold Buffet, Dancing and Raffle but as the hall doesn't have a licence please bring your own drinks. The dress code is period costume or smart casual and admission is by ticket only. At the moment there are only 18 tickets left and if you would like some please ring 07761 384970. All the profits from this event will be going to the Whipsnade Church Fund.
In the mean time Rachel hopes to make my web-site mobile by the end of April so it wont be long now. I've lots of plans for my web-site and once we get the technology in place it will make adding new pages so much simpler. I've lots of new photos I want to add and for those of you who have been following me on face book will know I've been doing lots of photo shoots so it's great to see everything coming together! Last weekend I was working with photographer Amy Elsibeth Phillips up at Swanwick Station at the Midland Railway and I've been enjoying watching her photos come through onto Facebook.
Don't forget you will be able to see me in Normandy over the D-Day period this June. I shall be singing the British and French anthems at the parade in Arromanches at 5.30/6pm on the 6th June and on the 7th you will be able to see my American Swing Show in Ste Marie Du Mont at 4pm. I shall be performing outside the church so lots to look forward to.
All that's left for me to do is to wish you all a Very Happy Easter and Toodle Pip and thank you for following!

Shooting at the Midland, Vintage Vehicles and off to Wythenshawe Hall!

Between Sets on Sunday!

Hello every-one and what a fantastic weekend it's been not only weather wise but busy wise too. Once again I've been on my travels. This Saturday I was up at The Midland Railway doing a photo shoot with photographer Amy Elsibeth Phillips for her photographic project "Keep Variety Alive". Amy wanted to photograph me as her 1940s Vera Lynn so I had the idea of using a 1947 bus as a backdrop. I drove up from Bedfordshire and Amy came down from Lancashire and we met half way at Swanwick Juction Station in Derby. I'm so lucky in my line of work I get to go to so many interesting places and I'm always meeting people with fantastic collections. I first became a where of this wonderful 1947 bus when I played at The Midland Railway last year for their 1960s weekend and I knew I would like to use her for a shoot at some stage. So a big thank-you to Swanwick Station, John Peck and his son for making this possible. We all had a super time and I know Amy was pleased with her photos

All Aboard at Swanwick Station!

In fact Amy has already posted up a few from Saturday's photo shoot onto my Face book page so do take a look http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiona-Harrison-A-Voice-in-a-Million/143965822288531 As with any shoot I always like to bring a few different costumes with me and on this occasion I brought my Evette the Spivette outfit. We also did a few on the Station platform and as luck would have it the train was just pulling in. So weren't we

Behind the scenes on Amy's photo shoot!

jammy!
Sunday was another busy day as I was booked to sing for a private party in one of the local villages. What was lovely was most of the guests came in a vintage car and the host had his own private collection of vintage Austins out on display, many dating back to the 1920s. The weather was just fabulous and I was booked to do 2 x 45 min sets. In the end I did 3 x 60 min sets and I was asked to stay longer so I finished my final show with some good old fashioned Rock and Roll. It was great to see every-one up dancing and having such a good time. Mind you I confess by the time I got home I was ready for bed!
Today I have been out performing my Easter Bonnet show and I've Easter shows to do all this week so busy busy! Don't forget this Sunday I will be up at Wythenshawe Hall, Northenden, Manchester, M23 OAB for the Hall's Victorian Easter. I've been booked to do 2 x 45 min Victorian Music Hall shows daily so I hope you can all make it along. I will be setting up on Saturday Night and I'm told the Hall can be a bit spooky as it's over 600 years old. So I hope I don't bump into any ghosts. Do check out their web-site. www.wythenshawehall.com
Well that's about all my news for now. Thank-you for following and Toodle Pip!

Mixing Victorian with Going Mobile!

Today I have been meeting up with my web-designer Rachel to check on the progress of my web-site as we move into the modern world of going mobile. It's all very exciting looking at all the different formats and watching my site contract and expand depending on the devise it's being viewed on. In fact I predict that the most popular devise in the next few years will be the Samson Galaxy as the Iphone is starting to get left behind. Talking with people who use one alot are saying the Internet connection on the Iphone is very slow and the Galaxy is much better so we will just have to see. Tablets are quite the thing and I do use my Ipad alot at home. It's great for checking on my e-mails quickly and for facebook when I want to add a quick comment. I myself still uses an Orange brick when it comes to a phone but then I've always liked old things. However I have to be aware of technology and understand it's importance when it comes to running a business which is why I'm so lucky to have Rachel as my web-designer. She keeps me up to date with the technological advances even if I don't always understand them. So not long now - as going mobile here I come!
This month is promising to be really busy with Easter and St Georges day. My next public engagement will be on Easter Sunday 20th April when I head up to Wythenshawe Hall, Northenden, Manchester and perform for their Victorian Day. I shall be performing at 1pm and 3pm and I hope you can all make it along. www.wythenshawehall.com  On 3rd May I'm performing at Whpsnade Village Hall. Tickets are £15 and include a cold buffet and the profects go towards The Whipsnade Church Fund. If you would like tickets please ring 07761 384970 Tel 01582 872552.
Time for bed I think. Thank you for following.
Toodle Pip for Now!

Back from Bushey and the Lincolnsfields Children's Centre!

Me in my A2 Flying Jacket!

What a fantastic weekend it's been! I'm just back from performing at The Lincolnsfields Children's Centre in Bushey for the 40s Family Experience and it's been one of those weekends where everything has gone beautifully to plan. We were a little worried about the weather but as it happens apart from some rain before the event opened on the Sunday we didn't get any rain at all. So who could ask for anything more!
For those of you who don't know The Lincolnsfields Centre is the WW2 heritage site which was once the command HQ for the USAAF 8th Fighter Command. So this weekend I have been sporting quite a few different American uniforms and shows from US WAVES to WAC and I even finished off my last Lindy Hop show in my A2 flying jacket. Many thanks to Tom Brennan who sent me this photo. This shot was taken just after I came off stage on Sunday with the Swingsters Mike and Mel and boy did we get the joint swinging! Thank-you every-one who came to the show and to the Swingsters for organising the Saturday night dance. What a great event!

Paul - The World Famous Unknown Bathroom Singer!

In fact this  weekend has been non stop. I was booked to perform 3 shows daily + the Saturday Night Dance but this year I had some help from my friend Paul who not only did a fantastic job as my sound engineer but sang too. Paul is secretly known as the World Famous Unknown Bathroom Singer and does a pretty mean Frank Sinatra which the ladies just loved of course! I've been teaching him sound as I'm quite the stickler and there is a reel art to it which Paul is picking up splendidly. Thank-you for all your help Paul you were fabulous!
What was lovely about this weekend was the number of people who came especially to see me - including Brian the friendly German from Mansfield. Brian discovered my videos by chance on You Tube and has now started to follow my carear.

Me with Brian from Mansfield!

I was really thrilled to see the Polka Dot Dolls who came to see me on Sunday. I'd had the pleasure of working with The Polka Dots at Chatham's "Salute to the 40s" weekend a couple of times and I'm really looking forward to working with them again later this year. I also saw my friend Gail and James and not forgetting Maud who came and saw me at the Saturday Night dance which  was where we met a couple of years ago at one of  Mike and Mels Sunday afternoon tea dances. Thank-you everyone for supporting the event it was lovely to see you all and I know this year we had over a 1000 visitors through the gate so thank you.
I've been checking through my analytics data and I can't believe that last week over 4000 people read my face book posts. I'm sure that can't be right and maybe I'm mis reading the information but either way thank-you for following and for your kind comments about my Best of British article on WW2 woman's uniforms. Do look out for my next article which will be in Octobers issue and this time I will be writing about Music Hall Songs and how they kept the troops marching during WW1.

PauI and I!

As with any good 1940s event I always like to visit the stalls and this year I treated myself to a couple of new 1940s hats which I shall be taking out to Normandy when I sing for D-Day. I had planed to make myself some but these days I don't get much time to sew. These hats are just perfect and will go with the jacket I bought at Hammersmith last month so everything is starting to come together for France.
Talking of hats today I have been out and about performing my first Easter Bonnet Show of the season and this month I have a real mix bag of shows from Victorian to Rock and Roll. Tomorrow I'm booked to do the 1950s and 60s so time for bed I think.
Many thanks for following and Toodle Pip!

From March to April and Full Steam Ahead!

Me with Photographer Bill Jordan!

It's just a very quick blog tonight as I must get to bed early. I have a very busy weekend ahead with 7 shows to do over the next two days at the 40s Family Experience Weekend in Buhey so I hope you can all make it along! Check out the events page on the Lincolnsfields web-site www.lincolnsfields.co.uk
Looking back over the month of March I can't quite believe how busy I've been. I've been keen to cram in lots of different projects before the start of the season as April is promising to be a grate month with 29 dates sold so far! I've been very lucky to meet up with two fabulous photographers John Winchcombe and Bill Jordan and this month we've already done 3 shoots together. In fact today I met up with John and we went through some of his photographs. For those of you who follow me on facebook you may well have seen some of them. In fact I must arrange a time to meet up with Bill and go through his photos. There are so many good ones it's hard to choose. But with social media the way it is now you can never have too many good shots. Talking of photos next weekend I'm heading up to the Midland Railway in Derby to do a photo shoot with another photographer Amy Elisibeth Phillips before heading back down to Oxfordshire for a show so busy busy!
I'm going to be doing a fair amount of travelling and on Easter Sunday I'm booked to do a Victorian Day at Wythenshawe Hall, Northenden nr Manchester and then I'm up in Cheshire at The Sandiway Golf Club the following weekend, so much to do.
Time for bed now. Thank-you for Following and Toodle Pip!

The Best of British to Hednas and The 40s Family Experience Weekend!

Me in My US WAVES Uniform

What with one thing and another it's been a very busy week and here I am once again burning the mid night oil trying to keep you all up to date with my latest news. Firstly many thanks to every-one for your kind comments with regards to my latest article on WW2 Woman's Uniforms in the Best of British magazine. You can find me on page 40 and as the cover girl for The 40s Post inside. I'm afraid they have labelled me up as wearing an American WAAC Uniform when it should be WAC. I know all you anoraks out there will know the WAAC was superseded and renamed WAC in 1942. I'm also wearing the yellow American defence and European theatre of Operations medal which fits for D-Day and Normandy. If you haven't yet seen my article then do pop down to WH Smiths and pick up the latest BOB. It also lists all the 1940s events for the year and has a very interesting article on Winston Churchill and his wife Clemmie! So well worth investing in a copy!
For those of you who follow my blog will know I was out doing a Victorian photo shoot last Thursday and this Wednesday I'm doing a 1940s one. It's just as well as this weekend you will be able to see me at The 40s Family Experience Weekend at The Lincolnsfield Children's Centre. I shall be performing 3 shows daily Saturday 11.30am  ATS "We'll Meet Again", 1.30pm "Hooray for Hollywood", 3.30pm "GI Jive" US WAC Show Lindy Hop Style, Sunday 11.30am WAAF "Those Magnificent Men", 1.30pm US WAVES "Anchors Aweigh" 3.30pm Lindy Hop Show "Sing Sing Sing". I'm also singing  for the Saturday night dance too so I hope you can all make it along. www.fortiesexperience.co.uk
Talking about Saturday nights last Saturday I was at Hednas Vintage Night Club with my friend Paul and it's one of those places where you can get really dressed up - which we did! Do check out the photos on my facebook page every-one looks ever-so glam! So here's to the next one! 
Gosh I've just noticed the time - it's gone 2am - I must get to bed!
Thank-you for following and Toodle Pip!

Going Victorian in Potterspury!

Behind the Scenes as I go Victorian!

These last few days have been non-stop and to be honest completely crazy. Yesterday was one of those days where nothing went quite right but saying that everything fell into place today after a frightful amount of running about. Today I have been working with photographers John Winchcombe and Bill Jordan over in Potterspury who were keen to do a Victorian photo shoot with me. Bill likes to use a lot of cut outs in his photography and is an artist who is inspired my modernism. So despite being in Victorian costume I may well end up in a space age or fantasy setting.  John may also change my background too which was why we shot against white today. We also did some location shots and went to Potterspury's grave yard just when the rain and hail started to fall. However the weather cleared up and we were able to take a few shots down by the brook. I say a few shots in fact today's shoot was from 11am to 5pm and John and Bill took over 1400 pictures between them which might explain why I'm so tired now!
As with all these things there is so much preparation and thought goes into getting the shot and today's shoot was a combination of many peoples hard work. I experimented with lots of different Victorian hair styles and in the end I took Denise's hair style from the TV seres The Paradise as my inspiration - with thanks to my hair dresser Angela. I was in the hair dresses yesterday afternoon and afterwards I had to dash over to John Lewis in Milton Keynes for fringing. One of the problems my dress fitting showed was a weighting issue with the bustle. I couldn't get black fringing but I was able to get jet beading which my dress maker Judi quickly sewed on this morning. In fact we were both sewing first thing this morning as I needed a bigger bustle and used my mothers neck cushion! That reminds me I will have to un pick it as she will be wanting it back!
I'm really please I got the jet fringing or be it in the 11 hour as it made all the difference to my out fit and Bill has very kindly sent me a few photos from today's shoot which are already up on my face book page. These are raw but I know we will have a lot of fun with them so if you get the chance do take a look. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiona-Harrison-A-Voice-in-a-Million/143965822288531
Once again I have a busy weekend ahead with me booked to do lots of mother day shows over the next few days and my friend Paul has invited me to Hednas Vintage Night Club Saturday Night. So something to look forward to - which reminds me I must choose a dress!
Time for bed I think as there's much I must do tomorrow  morning.
Thanks for following and Toodle Pip!