Welcome to the 1999 Diary Page...

The Diary Page is a running Diary of Events that I report as they come up to keep you informed with what is currently happening with the project.

After a receiving a very complimentary message from the staff at MP3.com, my story has been added to the Success Section bulletin board. Visit Page

I received great news this weekend from Karl Adams at Sound Recording Technology, who have offered to support my project by supplying free artwork and digitally re-mastering my current C.D. for promotion and retail sales in support of the project.

I am very pleased to announce that my new MP3 Site is now online. I am grateful to Boldercreations for the work they have put into getting the site up and running. www.mp3.com/horizontalpaulThis also launches the fund itself, allowing the collection of monies towards the provision of a medical treatment in America.

I am looking forward to an interview with John Holmes morning show on Tuesday 9th Nov, 10.40 a.m. when John will be playing new tracks and updating the Music Project.

I have received an offer today from Mark Johnston, who is a freelance Web Site developer www.boldercreations.com. Mark saw my article in Sound On Sound and offer to create a site on MP3.com to promote my music, and to start raising funds. I have sent a copy of my current demo, and the site will allow visitors to purchase copies of the tracks if they wish.

It has taken a while but it was well worth the wait to see the feature published today in the Readerzone section of Sound On Sound Magazine. I have attracted a lot of interest in my story over time, and it is the first time I have not been disappointed in the end result. It is unfortunate that sometimes something is printed that is not accurate, but which you have no power to correct. In this case my story is presentled exactly as intended, and highlights what it is that I am trying to achieve. I have permission to carry a copy of the PDF editorial posted on the magazine web site, on this Web Site, for which I am very grateful.

It was a great pleasure to meet Piers Allardyce who came to take the pictures necessary to compliment the Readerzone feature due for publication in the November edition of Sound On Sound Magazine.

It had been quite a while since the last time I appeared in the Derby Trader with John Holmes of Radio Derby. The paper was happy to report the launch of my Domain and my push for a better understanding of disability at a younger age. I am actively seeking a sponsor to support an ISDN-2 connection.

I was pleased to be given the opportunity today to inform listeners about the new Internet Domain, and my wish to involve schools and children in the project. Two of my compositions I'm So Blue, and Gotta Move On, were played during the 15 minute telephone interview. I was able to request assistance for a sponsor to provide an ISDN-2 connection, but unfortunately this has not been achieved as yet.

I received a phone call today from John Holmes at BBC Radio Derby to arrange an update radio interview which will take place on Wed 25th August 99. This will be in the form of a telephone interview, or possibly an Outside Broadcast.

I had a very enjoyable evening meeting with Paul Ward who came to conduct an interview for publication in the Readerzone section of Sound On Sound Magazine.

Well known for their FreeWare CutePage HTML Editor, SourceTec have sponsored the project with CoolButton, CoolMenu, and SlidingMenu Java Applet's to enhance the Domain. Links to other Music Project Web Sites are provided for Non Java operators.

I had an email today from Ian Gilby, owner of SOS Publications. As a regular reader, I informed SOS Publications about my Music Project. I received confirmation that Sound On Sound magazine will be covering a feature about my project in their ReaderZonefeature section. Not only this, Ian also offered me a Life-Time subscription to the magazine, and copy of Editor Paul White's, The White Book, which is full of useful information.

In the last few weeks I have been in contact with freelance journalist Kyle MacRae after making contact on the Internet. Kyle visited my Web Site, and found my story interesting, he contacted the Daily Mirrorwho today ran his article about the Music Project...See Press Cuttings...

I should have came as no surprise today, to receive a letter from the B.B.C. informing me that I had lost my chance of apearing on the Vanessa Show, the show has been rife with problems from the beginning. I am sure there will be other opportunities in the future.

I have today received confirmation that RealNetworks are to sponsor my Music Project with a copy of Real Audio Producer Pro to allow me to create my Real Audio samples using the latest software available to make sure of the quality of your downloads. My thanks to John Savage (Account Manager for Northern Europe), and Will Taper (European Marketing Co-ordinator).

DomainNames.Com have really helped expand the project as far as the Internet is concerned with the sponsorship of a Domain. http://www.horizontal-paul.com. The Horizontal Paul Music Project, is continuing to gain momentum, and I wanted to expand the Internet operation as we come into the final phase. By involving children and schools, both in the UK, and America, I hope to develop a new connection between the able bodied and the disabled. I have invited children to join in by designing Web Pages, Images. and entering their own compositions in a Schools Top 20, Message Board, Competitions, Links. My family and I, have offered to answer ANY questions about the Music Project, our own lives, and my disability, that they might not ask in person. I hope to develop a better understanding, from a younger age.

It is so refreshing when you email for advice on what to use to improve the vocal quality of recordings on the VS-1680, to be offered help in way that Ted Fletcher did. Their advise was to use the Joemeek "Hooter B1" and offered to donate a unit to the project, for which I am very thankful.

Today I received my copy of Ability Magazine, which includes the article I was asked to write about the music project. Ability Magazine is sponsored by IT for ALL, and its main focus is on the use on computers for the disabled. I was lucky enough to have a computer supplied by the Aidis Trust, to enhance the project. The internet itself has been a major means of accessing information and quickly contacting interested parties.

The Horizontal Bopper
Paul Simpson has a typical motivation for bringing his musical talents to the Net - he is not seeking fame or fortune, although neither would hurt. Instead, Horizontal Paul (his own moniker), a bed-bound paraplegic, hopes to use his music to finance a trip from his native Britain to the Jackson Memorial Medical Center in Miami, Fla. for rehabilitation. Paul's site includes a diary chronicling his progress, ways interested parties can contribute, and a number of RealAudio samples from the tenacious troubadour that range from pop to instrumentals. Paul has stirred some media interest - not least because he does seem to have legitimate musical skill - and we hope he garners the support needed to bring his inspiring project to fruition.

The local Derby cable company, Cable & Wireless (Nynex) caught up with my Music Project this week, when I met Jamie & Chris Avery, of Kaje Ltd, who are responsible for the filming. I was filmed for inclusion in next weeks community program Connected. The program goes out hourly, to over 18,000 homes in the Derby area.

It has only taken a few weeks between filming, and the first of three broadcasts of Face In The Crowd today (Sat Mar 13th at 12.30 p.m. & Sun Mar 14th at 8.30 p.m.) on News 24, in which my music project was featured. The News 24 production was very personal, and gave an insight into my life. Should you miss the broadcast a letter to the BBC might prompt a broadcast on prime-time BBC 1, or BBC 2.

This Wednesday 10th March, I had a visit from a very friendly Roland product support technician named Wayne Davies, who delivered a new VS-1680 Digital 16 Track Hard Disk Recorder. Although Roland had previously supplied a VS-880, I alerted them to my personal difficulties in its operation. Their immediate response was to provide the VS-1680 with its large, well lit display, and many advanced features, which better suited my horizontal position. Wayne travelled from Swansea the previous evening and stayed at an hotel in Derby, in order to provide some personal tuition. The original intention was to port the stored information over to the new unit, but instead, I was able to keep the removable internal drive, and can now swap between the two. I was also given an extremely useful VHS Tape containing the VS-1680 Operators Guide. It is no wonder Roland UK are an award winning company, who pride themselves in their customer support. It is not always possible to put into words, what support like this means. I can only say thank you.

I today notified Rolf Thorbjornsen at R.T.T. Music in Norway, of my decision to decline their offer of a 5 year Publishing and Recording Contract. It was a difficult decision to make, but I felt there were too many down points noted by the Musicians' Union solicitors, and others, to enter into such a long term commitment. The main points raised were that the contract was governed by Norwegian Law, and included a Publishers Shared Royalty Agreement which would have meant that R.T.T. Music would have taken a 40% portion of my royalties. The lack of track record and experience was a major factor, although everyone has to start somewhere. The news was taken in good heart, and I wish R.T.T. Music every success for the future.

After receiving a phone call Saturday 13th Feb from the BBC, arrangements were made to film a 26 minute programme called Face In The Crowd about my life and the Music Project. It was a very good experience and will give me a chance to share my thoughts with others. The programme is due to be broadcast in a few weeks and will be broadcast three times during the week on News 24.

I have received a letter today from the Vanessa Show expressing an interest in my story. I am waiting for a researcher to contact me...More info later..

This evening the East Midlands Today broadcast a news item concerning their 5 year contract offer from Norway. I expect to hear from the Musicians' Union solicitors in the next week, and I will then announce my decision. There are some immediate concerns uncovered by a journalist friend, but my decision will be based on the advice I receive.

Sounds like the beginning of a song, but in truth it was Andrew Kemble who had the conviction to start the ball rolling with sponsorship. In the early days of the project Yamaha loaned me equipment to enable me to create my first recordings, which they later gave me. In February this year they were filmed presenting a new PSR-8000 Keyboard and appeared on BBC T.V.   See Press Cuttings

I celebrated my 22nd Wedding Aniversary today and also joined the ranks of the Musicians' Union, on a day that will keep my renewal date in mind each year. It should be remembered how much work the MU does for its members. In my case they will be able to provide contract advice through their own solicitors, so I have sent copies of my contracts before I make any decisions.

The 1st and 14th of January saw the publication of two articles in the Derby Evening Telegraph announcing the fact that I have made a breakthrough with my project. After sending a Demo C.D. to Rolf Thorbjornsen, in December, and as 1999 approached, I was offered a 5 year Publishing and Recording Contract with RTT Music in Norway.

It brings home how much paperwork is involved in the music industry, and how much you need to be aware of. I am in the process of taking advice on the contracts I have received. I am very fortunate in having the friends I have made along the way who are able to offer the advice I need as solicitors can be very expensive.