Hiya!  It's now been a couple of years since I started this blog, and I'd like to say HI!  I am now 38, and still singing around the pubs and clubs of Scotland.  I'm still singing solo, but also rehearsing as part of Gary Collins' Elvis tribute band - the "Viva Showband".  Watch this space for info as soon as we are up and gigging.  I'm also learning to play guitar (ouch my fingers hurt!),and working with a guitarist on some acoustic covers as well as original material.  I'm pretty much up for anything I can do with my voice, including backing vocals and session work (I haven't done any session work as yet but I have a helluva voice and sing in a wide range of styles).  i can also providearound an hour of Bond themes/Shirley Bassey if you need me for any casino nights.
Anything considered. All you need to do is ask. Just email me at mail@joanie.co.uk. 

Cheers

Joanie (a little older and a whole lot wiser....)

This was the second night of a difficult weekend.

We arrived early as requested at the venue to get our equipment in before the Christmas dinner started, and were pleased to see that the venue had had a thorough makeover since our last visit. Unfortunately the way the main hall is laid out is a soundman's nightmare. Two rooms have been knocked into one, and the passageway between made into the main stage. Facing a wall. The two ends of the room create a sort of "dumbell" shape, which we cound not fill with sound from our 2 Mackie srm450 tops and 2 Mackie bass bins. No matter how hard we tried.

As if this wasn't difficult enough, the crowd were less than expected, and so they all sat at one end of the room. We weren't to know this, so we ended up turning both 450s round to face them. This didn't work really, and we still had a muddy sound. I have spoken to many acts since, and they all say the same. I'd urge the venue to rethink the staging area, and allow us to set up at one end next time. There is more than enough room.

Most of the people dining and taking part in the Christmas night celebrations were farmers and their families, some of whom were due to be up early to harvest sprouts. As you can imagine, alcohol and harvesting do not go well together, and as a result many people left after the meal to go home. The remainder didn't seem to be impressed with the sound quality (see above), and were complaining that they couldn't hear. Whilst sitting twenty feet away. With two huge beams in the ceiling between me and them. I suggested (as you would) that they move closer, which they did.

I was finding the night very difficult altogether, and must admit to not being a happy camper. The remaining crowd did not put their hands together, and I had a good few tumbleweed moments. They did, however, like my dj-ing in between sets, and got up to dance at every opportunity. They also made suggestions to me as to what they wanted to hear.

I'd suggest that the venue look into putting on a simple disco for this crowd next year, and allow the DJ to set up in the far corner, where the stage used to be.

Here's hoping my next gig here will be more enjoyable, for both me and the crowd

I must admit to putting off writing about this weekend. My expected pub full of firefighters turned out to have been out all day, and they were all getting ready to go home after demolishing the buffet laid out for them. It can be a bit demoralising when you start your first set and all but empty the place!

I was asked to come along a bit early, and I did quite a bit of preparation for the "do", downloading tracks, learning songs and gearing up for a big night.

You can never predict these things, and I must mention that the situation was nobody's fault, and could happen to any of us.

Once again I was privileged to be part of a Help for Heroes charity event, this time in Kelty Club. I had a thoroughly good time, and wish the charity all the best.  A cheque for £2500 was handed over during the night, with more to come from the auction, which sold such items as paintings, signed footballs and shirts.

The other acts involved during the gig were -

Jim Foster - www.jimfoster-singer.co.uk

Bert Allan - www.fifesfosterandallan.co.uk

Tam Scott - www.tamscott.co.uk

Alan Boyle

Kim Seymour

Kenny Smith

Blues Brothers Tribute "The Two Fivers"

Stevie Agnew - www.myspace.com/stevieagnew

Thanks to all concerned, including Major Nick Carrell, who brought home the work of Help for Heroes. He told us of the dangers faced every day by our servicemen and women, and of the help they needed should they become injured in the line of duty.

Unfortunately most of the acts who were performing on the day had to leave due to other commitments, but Al and I stayed to mix the sound for the remainder of the evening - no mean feat considering neither one of us had operated a minidisc player before!  I have used my laptop for a number of years, and never felt that minidiscs were the way to go.  If you go to a gig and someone else is doing the sound, you have to rely on them to change discs, find tracks and mix your sound - this is all time consuming stuff.  All my tracks are on the laptop, and choosing a song means just clicking on the title!  Less hassle. But each to their own.  I suppose it means less to carry for them. But please always bring a minidisc player if you're working with me, cos I don't have one!

Happy HOWLoween to all!  Another excellent night at the Jolly Beggars, although the start time of 8.30 is a little early, as there were only half a dozen or so people in at that time. Having said that, they were quality customers, and I had a good bit of craic with them,  They were very appreciative.

Now the dressing up bit - I got out my best witchy-poo hat, and raided my daughters face paints, so I was ready for the big fancy dress night. Now while the "Beggars" may be a busy friendly pub, they have no guts.  Only the staff and I were dressed up to start with, and one guy had bought a mask - presumably so he could stick it in his pocket if no one else was dressed up.... I hope that the next time they have a theme night they get dressed up! Come on guys!

The second and third "half" of the night were very busy, and I made sure I picked only the best songs for the occasion, changing some of the words here and there to match the Halloween theme.  Such songs included -

Let Your Blood Flow

Bad Moon Rising

Mercy

Black Night

A great night was had by all, and I hope to be back soon

I was very happy to be invited back to the USC.  I was asked for by name, so I must have made a good impression the first time. That's always reassuring.

This time I knew exactly what the crowd would be looking for, and I had prepared a good selection of older material, including songs from The Carpenters, Marie Osmond and a few jazzy classics.  The dance floor was filled for the better part of my first set, and I received a good bit of applause between each song, whilst the dancers waited patiently for the next number.

I had to stop for the second round of bingo (the first was before I started my first set) but I was surprised to be back on only 15 minutes later - what a quick 'house' call!

The club have brought their 'flyer' forward from 10.30pm to 10pm, so I was a bit disappointed when a good many people left during the beginning of my second set. I reckon more people stayed later when the bingo was at 10.30pm.  But it's important to realise that people have lives and have buses to catch, so I didn't take it personally when I was asked to stop at around 11 o'clock.  There were only half a dozen people left, so I can understand why. 

I hope to be invited back, and I also hope that more people hang around for the second set next time!

My second gig at the Braefoot was just as good as the first, but with a bigger audience this time! Thanks to Tom for inviting me back. 

Speaking of back, I had hurt my back during the day, and was relying on Ibuprofen and Jack Daniels to keep me going.  I managed with no problems, but I can't say the same for the next morning!