Fife's Top Quality Singer

This page contains My Latest Gig review and My Bookings.

My Home Page

Hi and welcome to my website - the source on information on what I do and where I do it!

I currently gig around Scotland, but may be persuaded to go further afield if the gig is right, so don't be afraid to ask.  I usually perform twice weekly in pubs and clubs as a solo act, covering a wide range of styles and songs. My usual night consists of 3 x 40 minute sets, ranging from pop and rock to blues and jazz.  If you have any song requests for your evening, just let me know.

I have also taken part in a James Bond themed evening, and now have over an hour of Bond themes/jazz/lounge songs under my belt.  If any of you pubs or clubs out there are having a casino night, I could make the atmosphere that little bit more authentic.

If you have any suggestions, queries or comments please feel free to leave me a message or email me.

My Latest Gig...

NB - Where I've played a venue a few times, more comments are available by clicking on Past Gigs...

Please be aware that these reviews constitute my opinion only, and should not be used to influence your decision on visiting/performing in a venue. We all have good gigs and bad gigs, which may be due to a number of factors.  you may have a good gig one time, then a not so good one next time (or vice versa).

Hogmanay - Kinglassie Miners, Kinglassie - with "Just Grant"

When I asked Grant why he was "Just Grant", he told me that when the agent had asked him what he wanted to be called on his posters he said "Just Grant".  So there you go.  A name was born. A very experienced musician, Grant was actually part of Noel Edmonds' 'Crinkly Bottom' orchestra, worked on BBC's Pebble Mill and has worked in quite a number of projects with many many famous and equally talented musicians over the years. I was pleased to make a new friend on Hogmanay.  So Hi to you Grant, and remember me if you run into someone who needs a singer or backing vocalist!!!

I was delighted to return to the Kinglassie Miners' Club after so long.  One of the crowd told me I was pregnant the last time she saw me in there - that's over 5 years ago! Having said that, it felt like I was welcome from the start, and I was even offered a cup of tea - something that I am rarely offered in pubs these days.  So thanks to Willie, who deciphered my request for '2 and a coo' in my coffee.

Auld Year's Night can be a strange one.  The crowd are generally pacing themselves - unusual for a gig night.  And pacing themselves can sometimes mean not losing any inhibitions, and being a wee bit on the shy side.  Subsequently there's not much dancing or banter to be had. 

This was not the case though.  We started relatively late - 10pm, and the crowd were friendly and wanted to have a good time. Apart from one guy who gave a bit of lip to Grant (he left before he was "oxtered aff" the premises), the crowd were up for it.  They had all brought their own buffet too, so were obviously in it for the long haul.  All that energy paid off, and they were up dancing for most of the night.

Poor Grant was suffering from a bad cold on the night, and struggled a wee bit towards the end of the night.  I was right there willing to take over if he wanted to, but being the consummate pro, he carried on.  I'd like to compliment Grant on his commitment to the job, and especially on his guitarplaying - excellent stuff!  I'd be delighted to appear with him again any time. 

Saturday 20th December - The Old Bank Bar, Peterculter

After getting lost (bl**dy satnav ran out of power, and we had no charger) and being laughed at for asking for directions for PETER CULTER, we found our way to this lovely pub.  NB it's pronounced PETER COOTER.

I set up in the corner of the pub in what turned out to be a bit of dead space.  Anything outside of my 10 feet square area dropped like a stone, despite the sound being so loud it was creating a doppler effect around me.

Despite the sound setbacks, I went on to do a very long gig which seemed to flash by in parts, and drag in others.  As usual the last half hour was a bit mad, with the punters bouncing off the walls!!!

Friday 19th December - The Jolly Beggars Hotel, Milnathort

This wee pub has a lot to offer Milnathort, despite its small interior.  The people are really nice, and the atmosphere is friendly and inviting.

There was a "Black friday" night out in the pub, and I arrived to find a magician doing his 'thing' to a group of guys who had obviously been out for a while.  The magician roped me in to a trick involving my engagement ring.  I got it back tho.

Sunday 23rd November - The Ferry Tap, South Queensferry

This booking was taken at very short notice, and I was in two minds.  However, given the current financial climate (ie not enough cash and too much flow), I decided that maybe working was better than sitting on my butt in the house watching TV.

I am so glad I agreed to do this gig.  The Ferry Tap audience is one of the friendliest I have come across in all my time as a singer.  They were very attentive, and applauded loudly with gusto at the end of every song, then waited quietly to hear what I had to say.  They were so nice, particularly Linda and Peter, that I will now tell you a bit about the pub.

The Ferry Tap is on the High Street in South Queensferry (- a wee warning to any other acts is the lack of parking spaces on a busy Sunday night.  Just park outside, unload and then find a space to park).  The ceiling inside the pub has been made to look like an old railway carriage, which makes for excellent acoustics.  It's a historic pub with several real ales available on tap.  The owners were having a 10 day real ale and wine festival (21st to 30th November 2008), and were giving out t shirts to customers for every 10 pints of ale.

I hope I come back here again to this beautiful pub, and it's excellent punters (although my quiz skills leave a lot to be desired lol - you'll understand if you were there)

Saturday 25th October - Seton Sands Caravan Park

Bit of a strange one this - I didn't know what to expect, as I had never appeared at Seton Sands before.  I had no idea whether I was to be on the big stage in the Showbar or in the smaller Terrace Bar.  I worry that I will soon need at least one bass bin so I can fill these huge showbar venues, and that my 2 Mackie SRM450s are not enough.  Having said that, I only have them turned up halfway, so I'm sure I could get more out of them if need be. 

Anyhoo, it turned out that I was in the Terrace Bar, and a Glam Rock group were playing in the Showbar.  I didn't get much of a chance to see them in action, but their set list (stuck onto their monitor speakers) looked impressive.  If it was your band, let me know your name and send me some info!  Maybe Al could put you on his site at www.guidnightsoot.co.uk!

I quite enjoyed myself in the Bar, but I must admit to being amazed at how quiet it was (apart from a few kids - and adults - running riot).  I can only take it that the band was good enough to keep them entertained.

One thing went wrong though - I forgot to bring my top to change into!  Luckily we realised early enough to brave the atrocious weather all the way to Fort Kinnaird ASDA, where I picked up another top no problem.  Hmm I wonder if I can scrounge anything for advertising them....? 

So, if you are travelling a long way to do a gig guys, remember to check EVERYTHING. Including your outfit.  I don't often have to change at a venue, but you can get so crumpled travelling long distances.

My Bookings...

Should you wish to know about a specific date that doesn't appear here, please e mail me or call.

Bookings for 2009 so far -

Saturday 19th January - The Abbey Inn, Newburgh

Saturday 17th January - Private Party at Valleyfield Club

Saturday 21st February - The Auld Shank, Ballingry

Saturday 28th February - The Volunteer Arms, Inverkeithing

10th-13th April - Time off

Saturday 2nd May - Dixon Arms, Glenrothes

Saturday 30th May - Peterhead Football Club

Saturday 20th June - Private Party at Valleyfield Club

Saturday 27th June - The Weavers, Kirkcaldy

6th - 20th July - Time Off

Saturday 25th July - United Services Institute, Aberdeen

Saturday 29th August - The Volunteer Arms, Inverkeithing

Saturday 6th September - Dixon Arms, Glenrothes

12-23rd October - Time Off

Remember - Don't leave it till the last minute to book for Christmas and Hogmanay 2009!