July 2008 - Henley Festival
Charlie came back to the Henley Festival this month, for a second year in a row, playing in Albert Roux's restaurant, La Scala. It was good to see some familiar faces from the previous year as Charlie entertained the diners every night at the festival.
As the clouds appeared and the heaven's opened on the the first night, everybody got their wellies out with their suits and posh frocks, though it didn't dampen the atmosphere. The show must go on as they say. Fortunately the weather improved for the rest of the week and with a whole host of acts from musicians to street performers, orchestras to comedians 2008's festival was a huge success.
There's plenty of gigs coming up for August, including the return of The Venue Open Mic at Stocksbridge. Make sure you get intouch on thepartnership@charliebarkermusic.com if you would like to perform and under 16's are welcome to join the open mic for the first half hour accompanied by a responsible adult. You can see all the latest gig dates here.
Charlie is once again joining BBC Radio Sheffield's Rony Robinson on his Sunday Forum on 3rd August from 10am. It's an interactive talk show where listeners are encouraged to ask the panel questions on any of the topics featured. Make sure you tune in on 88.6 FM, on DAB digital radio and online at www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/radio_sheffield.
June 2008 - New live review & the festival season starts
It was lovely to visit our friends down at the Millstone Inn Acoustic sessions once again, at the start of the month. Charlie played a set at their very intimate venue and received a great review from performer, Jules Morgan in Art & Soul Magazine. Click here to read the full review.
We had a fantastic evening at The Venue Open Mic this month, where Sheffield based Lou Marriot took to the stage for the guest spot. We hope you enjoyed the complimentary champagne and nibbles... we did! The Venue Open Mic will return again on Friday 22nd August, with Alan Gill as special guest.
As the summer gets underway, it's time once again for Charlie to pack her bags and get down to play the prestigious Henley Festival, where you can catch her as the in-house entertainer for Albert Roux's La Scala Restaurant on the festival site. Charlie joins a whole host of performers this year including Lesley Garrett, Sandi Toksvig, The Proclaimers, Show Of Hands, Punt & Dennis, Hayley Westernra and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Check out the website for more festival and ticket information. See you next month!
May 2008 - Travelling, meeting Rony & open mic news
Firstly we would like to say a big thank you
to Charlie's fans in Peterborough for a lovely day at Goodbarns Yard for the
Acoustic Chill Festival. It was great to get back down to see old friends and
perform once again. Charlie will be coming back down to your neck of the woods
later in the year for the Unity music night at Goodbarns Yard on 14th
August.
Charlie also made a trip further north to the City of York Folk Weekend, held outside at the Black Swan folk club. She joined friends Paul Pearson & Ben Trott on cello for a trio set.
BBC Radio Sheffield called upon Charlie again to be a member of Rony Robinson's Sunday morning talk show panel. Where she discussed everything from Eurovision, badly behaved celebrities, reality TV, recent political elections and motorhomes with Rony and the other guests. They certainly weren't short of topics to chat about!
Thanks to everyone who turned up and played at the first of the new open mic nights at The Venue. Next month our special guests will be Sheffield duo, Zapp Brannigan. There will also be soe free drinks and nibbles on arrival for all performers and listeners.
Finally, there have been a few more changes to gigs this month, which have unfortunately been out of our hands. The Worksop Festival was cancelled last month due to problems at the venue, however it has since been replaced with a new gig at the North Notts Community Arena on 15th June, where Charlie and other guests will be raising money for the Bassetlaw hospital's Breast Care Appeal. The other charity gig, also taking place on 15th June, at Rotherham Civic Theatre has also been cancelled.
A late addition to the gigs came about this week, where Charlie will be taking part in BBC Radio Sheffield's Springwatch Weekend, click to read all about how volunteers have revamped the Adwick Road Allotments in Mexborough. You can see Charlie perform there from 5pm onwards! Make sure you bring your wellies and gardening gloves!
April 2008 - Radio work, festival news & more Smokie
If you've been listening to BBC Radio Sheffield this month, you may have heard some of the work that Charlie has been doing. The begining of the month saw Charlie taking to the streets armed with a microphone to cover the opening of Sheffield's newest music venue, the Carling Academy. Charlie met Jarvis Cocker and interviewed Richard Hawley and ABC's Stephen Singleton. Download Charlie's report on the media page.
Unfortunate news on the festival front, we have just received confirmation that Worksop Festival has been cancelled. Charlie's appearance on the 15th June will therefore not be taking place. We apologise for any inconveinience and disappointment this may cause. For more information please read the article published on the Worksop Guardian's website. Please also note the change in venue for the Acoustic Chill All Day music fest. It will now be held at Goodbarn's Yard in Peterborough and not The Cock Inn. See the gig listings for more information.
Charlie supported country/ rock band Smokie, on their recent South Yorkshire gig at the Barnsley Metrodome Arena. It was a great night for all and Charlie would like to thank all the Smokie fans who were so welcoming and supportive.
March 2008 - Charlie to support Smokie, The Venue & open mic news
Charlie has never lived next door to Alice... but she is set to support rock/ country band Smokie on their UK tour date at the Barnsley Metrodome Arena on 25th April. The band originally found fame in the 1970s with hit singles such as 'If You Think You Know How To Love Me' and 'Living Next Door To Alice', they then went on to record in Nashville USA and have had a great success performing as a country/rock band for many years.
Charlie's first appearance at The Venue is on 18th April, where she will be performing solo and is supported by Barnsley based, four-piece harmony group, The Delicateers. Tickets are available from the box office on (UK)
Sadly, as you may have heard in our last newsletter, the Millstone Inn open mic has been postponed until further notice due to refurbishment work happening at the venue. We apologise for any inconveinience this has caused and will keep you posted on the latest developments. Charlie's next open mic night will be held at The Venue on 23rd May and we hope to see you there next month.
February 2008 - It's good to be back!
What a great month it's been. Charlie travelled up to meet the lovely people of the Tap & Spile acoustic night in Hull at the begining of the month, then it was a local slot at the Hollybush Inn in Sheffield. Charlie then made an appearance on BBC Radio Sheffield with presenter Steve White, where she was part of a local musical panel on the Sunday talk show. Then finally we had a superb night with our musical friends at the Millstone Inn open mic on the last Sunday of the month.
Charlie has been invited back again to BBC Radio Sheffield again with presenter Steve White to do a 1 hour live programme to talk about her music career. She will be featured on the weekday talk show on Tuesday 11th March, starting at 2pm. Make sure you tune in. You can send in your messages and questions to Charlie and she will answer them live on air.
We regret to inform you that Charlie's gig at the Nottingham House (28th March) has been cancelled due to venue closure. Also the Millstone Inn open mic (30th March & every last Sunday after) is postponed until further notice until the venue has completed major refurbishment work. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and hope that in the meantime we will be able to see you all when Charlie's new open mic starts at The Venue, Stocksbridge in May.
January 2008- Sheffield Telegraph article & Folking.com
Charlie was featured in the Sheffield Telegraph this month as she is to team up with The Venue, for a set of acoustic music nights. She is very pleased to be working with them in the coming months and will be playing a solo gig and hosting one of her open mics. Read the article in full here. For more information or if you would like to perform at any of Charlie's acoustic open mic nights, listed here, then please get in touch via (UK) 0114 2361040 or email thepartnership@charliebarkermusic.com.
Charlie has joined the writing and reviewing team of internet folk site Folking.com this month. It is an internet-based community of music lovers and musicians where you can read all about the latest gigs and news in the folk/ roots world. Make sure you pop by to read Charlie's articles, which will also be included on her journalism website http://charliebarker.blogspot.com.
December 2007 - Happy New Year & the latest gig news
We hope you've all had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Charlie was joined by Roger Davies for her last gig of 2007 at Castle Inn Saturday Sessions in December. He received a very warm welcome from the music fans of Bradway and they are both set to return later in the year with musician Jon Gomm as part of the Breaking With Tradition tour.
After Charlie's short break over the holiday period she is back to her normal gig schedule later this month with the return of the Millstone Inn Open Mic on Sunday 27th January, with special guest, Nigel Lavender. The last session in November saw many talented performers take to the stage, which made for a very enjoyable evening of music.
Be sure to check Charlie's gig diary for 2008 so far. There have been many updates recently, including all the latest festival bookings at Henley, Worksop and Wath festivals.
November 2007 - Open mic news, graduation, new videos and Christmas is coming!
First of all we would like to thank the many performers and listeners who came to November's Millstone open mic and made it a great success. It was lovely to hear you all and hope that we'll see everyone again in the New Year. Please remember the December 2007 session is not taking place due to Christmas and New Year celebrations, but will return as normal on the last Sunday in January (27th). Charlie's special guest performer in January will be Peterborough singer songwriter, Nigel Lavender.
As many of you will be aware Charlie finished her university degree earlier in the summer and she had her graduation ceremony this month in Sheffield, where she was presented with her degree by Lord Robert Winston. Charlie is now a fully qualified BA Honours graduate.
We have some new additions to the website this month in the videos section. You can now view and download the latest videos of Charlie playing Ely Festival and being interviewed at Cambridge Rock Festival this summer by visiting the Sovereign Pictures section on the Media page. We will shortly be releasing some more performance footage as well from Cambridge Rock Festival and will keep you posted when that becomes available.
You may have noticed a quiet period in Charlie's gig listings over December and January. Charlie is scheduled to take a short break over the festive season and is returning to normal gigging from February onwards. In the meantime, we hope you have a very happy Christmas and will see you in the New Year!
October 2007 - Breaking with Tradition and charity gigs
The 'Breaking with Tradition' shows this month saw Charlie take to the stage with friends Jon Gomm and Roger Davies. They were met with a warm welcome at each of their shows in Stockport, Homfirth and finally the Phoenix Theatre at Bawtry. Plans are underway for more shows in the new year and the three musicians will be teaming up for more events very soon. If you want Charlie, Jon and Roger to visit a music venue near you let us know via Pete Thornton Smith's details on the contacts page.
Charlie was pleased to support a couple of charities this month for World Mental Health Day on October 10th at West Street Live, where musicians performed and held an auction of various musical memorabilia. Then there was the Oxjam event in Sheffield city centre, where musicians gathered together to support the work of Oxfam. We will keep you posted of how much was raised!
Thank you to our guest musicians this month: Bob Chiswick who joined us at the Castle Inn and Scuppered who came along to the Millstone Inn open mic. There will be another chance to catch Bob as he is our guest at November's Millstone open mic.
September 2007 - Collaborations & supporting the Acoustic Strawbs
Coming up this month Charlie is teaming up for the three dates with Jon Gomm and Roger Davies, at the Blue Cat Cafe (Oct 4th at Stockport), Number 11 Bar (Oct 5th at Homfirth) and the Phoenix Theatre (Oct 20th at Bawtry). Tickets are now available for the events and details can be found on the gigs page.
Alongside working on the dates with Jon & Roger, Charlie has recently been playing a few shows as a trio with friends Paul Pearson & Chris Treebeard. Charlie joins guitarist Paul and mandolin player Chris, on the cello and they've been featured supporting the Acoustic Strawbs at The Rock, Maltby (pictured left) and at the Millstone Inn open mic.
October is set to be a month of interesting collaborations alongside Charlie's solo appearances. Hope to see you at a gig soon!
August 2007 - Festivals end, a new tour and the latest videos
As the busy festival season comes to a close this year, you might be fooled into thinking it's time for Charlie to put her feet up. You'd be wrong. Plans are already underway for a 2008 'Breaking With Tradition' tour around some of the countries top acoustic venues with a couple of her musical friends Jon Gomm and Roger Davies. The three artists have decided to team up and put together show where they share a triple billing each as individuals, to give audiences a taste of the young contemporary acoustic scene. Three dates for October 2007 have been organised as a promotional mini tour before they set out in Spring 2008, see the gig page for more information.
Thanks
to the many people who came to support Charlie for a second year running at Cambridge Rock Festival. It was good to see some familiar faces and meet lots of new music fans. Charlie said, "It's been a great year so far to re-visit Ely & Cambridge and get to do something totally different at Henley. I'm looking forward to what lies ahead next year!"
Charlie was also fortunate to meet musician Anthony John Clarke when they shared a stage at Ely Folk Festival who said, "Ely Festival produced a jewel this year in Charlie Barker. It was my first time seeing Charlie but not my last. Lovely voice, superb delivery, totally engaging, beautiful stage manners and of course that indefinable something that makes her audience want to listen to her songs. A rare gift indeed. The next house-hold name on the folk scene? Charlie Barker, no doubt about that!"
Two wonderful guest acts joined us at the Castle Inn launch party and the Millstone Inn open mic this month. Graham Rodgers blew everyone away at the Castle with his confident delivery and brilliant songwriting, whilst Jack's Rake gave a lively and energetic performance as our guests at the Millstone.
Until next month, be sure to catch the live performances of 'Poppies' and 'Black Horse & The Cherry Tree', along with a short film of some of the things we saw at Ely & Henley Festival on Charlie's YouTube channel www.youtube.com/charliebarker and the media page.
© Charlie Barker Music 2008