June 2005
  Music
MARK WINTERS 

Well it's June already! Where has the year gone? I suppose some of you will be preparing for your Summer holidays, let's hope we get some decent weather soon.

I haven't had a gripe for a while, so I thought I had better have a go at Microsoft! I would be interested to know if any of you have had as much trouble as me with Microsoft Express and XP. Both of mine have crashed and of course Microsoft give you no explanation as to why it happens! My Microsoft Express (ME) is totally unusable now, and I have had Microsoft XP (MXP) setup three times and on each occasion have lost historic e-mails! When you ring the helpline you are put through to India, whereby you have to run through everything with them, now they don't try and repair your existing version, they set up a new one! This costs a fortune as you are invariably on the telephone for two to three hours! One word of warning MXP has a limit to what it can hold, so if it goes over that limit it freezes and not only can you not receive or send e-mails, you can't transfer them either!

Does anyone know of better e-mail software? Ok, that's off my chest now!


DRUMMING UP HOPE 2... Two nights of non-stop music!

FUND-RAISING MEMORIAL TRIBUTE

Drumming Up Hope is an annual charitable live music event held at The Mill Hall Arts Centre, Rayleigh, in Essex, in memory of local drummer Michael Bettell who died aged 41 in 2003 of a brain tumour. This year's event 'DRUMMING UP HOPE 2' was held over Spring Bank Holiday weekend, on Saturday May 28th and Sunday May 29th, from 6pm to midnight.

Encouraged by the massive success of last year's one-night show, organizers Mark Cunningham and Jane Winiberg have decided to repeat Drumming Up Hope on an annual basis. This year's event has been increased to two nights with artists playing longer sets. Once again, the occasion promise dozens of artists and even more hours of quality, non-stop music.

In keeping with last year, artists performed on two stages. The Main Stage was furnished with sound, lighting and staging systems supplied by some of the concert industry's leading rental companies, while upstairs, The Sail Loft Acoustic Stage was run by the Sail Loft Folk Club, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year as one of the most progressive folk clubs in the South-East.

Mark Cunningham said: "Last year's audience, and the bands performing, were taken aback by the high production standards of the event and credit for that is due to the generous support of the companies who supplied us with the very best equipment and services available. And this years event kept to the same high standard.

Jane Winiberg added: "We worked really hard organizing the show last year but all our efforts were rewarded when we saw how many people turned up and how much money we raised." This year proved to be no exception !

Making a repeat appearance this year, and headlining on the Saturday night, was THE BAND OF HOPE — a special line-up featuring many of Michael Bettell's musical collaborators and close friends. The line-up included Mark and Jane, Phil Burdett, Wendy Roberts, Terry Lewis, Dave Mascall, Claire Furley, Steve McLean, Stewart Harper, John Mannion, Miche Revivo, Tim Huskisson and chart topping artist Maria Nayler. Others taking part were Michael's son Ollie Winiberg-Bettell and stepson Josh Winiberg. The Band Of Hope section of the show also included guest spots from folk-rockers THE MARSHMEN, a Small Faces/Bob Dylan set from DIRTY FACES and a Beatles tribute finale by THE RATTLES, incorporating a cast of very special guests!

Other artists appearing over the weekend included: Eddie & The Hot Rods ( Ian Drury's Original band ! ) , Stud 100, Fiction, Francesca Berlin , Suzie's Lip, Graeme Campbell, Jewels, Pearl, Swindle, Vince Freeman, and many more …



Two special DRUMMING UP HOPE CDs are also being planned. The first is a compilation album 'DRUMMING UP HOPE: THE ALBUM' featuring songs donated by many of this year's artists. The album will include for the first time include Michael Bettell's final recording, 'Hope', which was completed by his close friends and sons shortly before he died. The second album will consist of live highlights of the entire weekend's Main Stage performances which was digitally recorded by leading engineer Daniel Frampton. Both CD's will go on sale shortly via the website and from other outlets.

Proceeds from ticket sales and both CDs will be donated to the Elizabeth Loury Ward at Southend General Hospital, the ward that cared for Michael Bettell during his brief, tragic illness. Please visit the official website at www.drumminguphope.com

A few famous birthdays:

1st June
Alanis Morrissette - 31

2nd June
Charlie Watts - 64

3rd June
Susie Quatro - 55
Curtis Mayfield - 65
Deniece Williams - 54

5th June
'Marky' Mark Wahlberg - 34
Kenny G - 49

7th June
Prince - 47
Tom Jones - 65

14th June
Boy George - 44

15th June
Ice Cube - 35

17th June
Lee Ryan - 22
Mark Winters - 21 J
Barry Manilow - 59

18th June
Paul McCartney - 63

Millennium Dome

Looks like the Millennium Dome is going to find a use after being left to decay by the Government, using our money of course! O2 have joined forces with the AEG group to make it a 23,000 capacity indoor Arena.

Although the Music Arena itself will only occupy 40% of the space! The reset will be converted into shops, office bars and restaurants, an exhibition space and an ice rink.

Let's hope they sort out the transport links. Or it will end up like the Docklands Arena, a white elephant.

It makes me really fume, as it is nearly 2006, 6 years after it was built, that they have only cottoned on to using it for a music venue and exhibition space etc, I wrote about using it for that 5 years ago !

Personally, I think that there should be a public enquiry into the abuse of public money. It has cost the tax payer, you and me hundreds of millions of pounds ! Enough to build 30 hospitals !

I suggest that you contact your local MP and ask him to table a question Parliament asking for a Public Inquiry.

We must use people power more or the Government will do as it pleases !

Well that's that's lot this month, keep the e-mails coming in
[email protected]


And don't for get to check out the following sites :

For the budding artiste and songwriter

Bandit A&R Newsletter
Helping unsigned acts/songwriters target their material to the right people. [email protected] / http://www.banditnewsletter.com

Songlink is for Songwriters who need to place their songs www.songlink.com

If you are a performer and you want to showcase to the industry then this is for you www.kashmirklub.com

Also don't forget the song for little Sarah, who was so brutally murdered www.asongforsarah.co.uk

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