Welcome to the Diary Pre 1999 Page...

This Diary Page details events from the start of the project, until 1999. I reported events as they came up, to keep you informed with the project, in descending order.

Whilst making project notes on Saturday evening, I received a phone call from major singing star Daniel O'Donnell. I had written to Daniel some months ago about my project, and he had only just seen my paperwork and took the time to call. Daniel is famous for opening his home to his fans on a regular basis and having a chat and cup of tea with them. I don't know of anyone else who does this. Daniel gave me an address to send a demo tape for him to listen to, and took the time to discuss the project and my situation. Daniel, although you are a star and major recording artist, you are a real gentleman, and I am very grateful to you.

Last week I was visited by B.B.C. Radio Derby presenter John Holmes after I sent a tape of my latest re-mix of Cruel World. It has been a year since the launch of my project, and it has been a slow process to obtain the equipment I needed to be able to make a C.D. quality recording, and to build the home studio to house the equipment. With all this being accomplished, it was time to make approaches to get the Music Project back on track. It gave me great pleasure to be able to give John a copy of the C.D. I have created to introduce myself to the music industry. This morning Monday 16th Nov 98 was a very important day for me as at 10.40 a.m. my wife and I sat listening to the broadcast of the interview John had taped during his visit.

The interview started with a snipet of the track I am currently working on I'll be there to catch you, and it also gave me great pleasure to hear the first air-play of my Dance Instrumental It Takes Two (Part One Live). The Dance Track has specific importance to myself personally as a musician. I had previously performed Empty School-Yard, over the phone, but it was brilliant to hear it played on local radio. I was able to put over in detail, the thanks I needed to express, to those who have been so important to me, and to update those who do not have the means to visit my Internet Site. The item covered a lot of ground in the 20 minute program. Thanks to the air-play, I will be able to register the performances with the Performing Right Society.

Its always when you least expect it that the best things can happen... Out of the blue I received a telephone call from Jyoti Mishra of White Town fame, and who had a major No1 success with his song Your Woman. It has never been my way to spam the Internet to attract attention, but I had noticed some activity in a few of the music newsgroups, so I sent out a single message to a few newsgroups, inviting readers to take a look at my site. I was very fortunate that Jyoti chose uk.music.misc, read my message, visited my site, and then gave me a call. I was choked with excitement at the prospect of speaking to someone famous, and was very quickly put at ease by a warm down to earth guy who was prepared to take the time to phone. I had all the questions flooding into my head, and all the time I was in awe of the person, and what he has achieved. Jyoti has done exactly what I am trying to do, recording in a home studio. Our conversation has given me great confidence in what I have yet to accomplish.

I learned so much in one telephone call, and not only this Jyoti has offered some of his effects equipment that he no longer requires. I am now armed with a number that I can call to someone who has run the gauntlet and succeeded, and who was always insistant that he was only quoting from his own experience, and that I should make my own choices. At least I am more informed. I have no intention of making a nuisance of myself, but at least I can take the time to consider questions to ask that I could not bring to mind at the time. I have permission to include this information on my site, and I have looked forward to adding this new link to the official WHITE TOWN site now its back online.

I received a new computer supplied by the Aidis Trust today, which will enable me to start building an Internet presence for the project.

I received an Espon Stylus 600 printer in the post today with nothing more than a compliment slip. I will now be able to send out information as it is requested.

Talk Radio phoned for the second time today to see if I had managed to record Empty School-Yard, as they want to follow it up.

Radio Derby have provided confirmation of all of my broadcasts, to enable me to become a member of the Performing Right Society. The society collects royalties on behalf of artists for the air-play of their music. I have achieved their requirement of three individual song broadcasts.

On Tuesday night, I was listening to the James Whale Show on Talk Radio, and decided to ring, tongue-in-cheek, and ask James if there was a chance that a bed-bound paraplegic with a bad hand could make it in the music industry. After a short chat on my circumstances, James asked me to play something so I performed part of a new song Empty School-Yard. I was delighted to find out that there had been a very good response to my song, although it had to be cut short for the hourly news report. I have since heard from James Whale's producer asking me to keep her informed as soon as a recording is available. They are very excited about the song, and think it has great potential. Their comment was that something has to be done.

Was featured on BBC Radio Derby today as an update on the progress of my Music Room, and they played Cruel World.

REMAP delivered a keyboard trolley today that will allow me to mount my keyboard in a permanent location, which is easily pulled into position for use.

I received a beautifully made wooden Over-Bed keyboard stand today, with interchangable ends to allow for different keyboards. My thanks to Norman Butler.

I was visited today by REMAP representative Maurice Elliott. The charity specialise in building fittings for the disabled that are not available to buy. We dicussed my needs for a bed-side fitment and keyboard trolley.

At last my Music Room is under way with the delivery today of a Hospital Bed. We had been waiting for its arrival to allow us to plan the fittings which will surround it.

I received the DA-05 from PIONEER today, not only this, a major discount concession has meant that other equipment has now been purchased to enable alternative formats also. This offer was a major step forward for the project, and I can only offer my sincere thanks.

I had a major problem in that I had no means of making a MASTER recording. I contacted Pioneer High Fidelity (GB) Ltdand invited them to have a look at my Web Site. The response of the Managing Director, Mr. Kawabata, was dramatic. Their immediate response has been to offer to supply a DA-05 DAT Recorder.

A taped interview was broadcast today on Radio 106 FM in Nottingham, which is the second radio station to show interest in my story.

I was invited by John Holmes to send in more of my music during an update telphone interview.

We are already off to a good start to the new year with the BBC broadcasting the delivery of my equipment, filmed before christmas.

This christmast has had significant meaning to me. The Derby Evening Telegraph published an article on Boxing Day calling me the Bedroom Crooner.    See Press Cuttings

It was a full day today with the BBC filming the delivery of equipment promised by Yamaha-Kemble. The D.E.T. Were also on hand to report the event.

It was a thrilling experience to make the front page when meeting Radio Derby presenter John Holmes for the first time when we appeared together for an article in the Derby Trader. I have written a number of songs, one of which is called I'll be there to Catch You, which I performed live for John during his visit.   See Press Cuttings

I fulfilled a dream ambition today when my song Cruel World was broadcast for the first time on Radio Derby. It is a major landmark for me, and although the cassette recording was very rough due to my lack of mastering equipment, the feeback from listeneers was fantastic. Within 4 hours of the broadcast Island Records were in touch reqesting a demo. I understand that they produce Indie Music, so did not expect anything to come of the contact.

True to their word, I have received an MD4 4 Track, and PRS-620 from Yamaha-Kemble during this month to be able to start making the Demo of a song I have written with Cliff Richard in mind called Cruel World.

Today is problably the day that will prove to be the most significant to the project in the future, as David Jones at Yamaha-Kemble confirmed they will help with equipment to allow me to make a Demo Record.