I truly can’t believe how manic this year has been. We finally finished filming for both television programmes, Vivaldi for Perspectives on ITV (I understand scheduled for some time in April, but no fixed date yet) and also the history of the Tour Bus for BBC which I understand could be May. As soon as we know the actual broadcast dates they will be up on the website. I have to say filming both projects was absolutely great fun and I feel honoured to have been asked to be involved. I really think they will be compulsive viewing.
So far already this month I have invested my son Adam into the Grand Order of Water Rats which was a very proud moment for me. Adam and I played a couple of duets after the ceremony and he was thrilled to find out that my mentions to him about the involvement of ferrets and weasels in the ceremony turned out to be false!
From the 2nd until the 5th we were doing more tour bus filming which on one day took us to the wonderful Boston Gliderdrome which holds so many fabulous memories for me. I played there with both Strawbs and YES but never with the ERE which is something I hope very much to put right this year in what could turn out to be a very interesting time indeed if things go according to plan.
On Sunday the 8th I have my Chelsea Ladies Night at which more than 1,000 people will be attending. It’s always a great atmosphere and great entertainment.
Two days later I have a very interesting meeting about the possibility of doing Journey to the Centre of the Earth in Norfolk, not a million miles away from where I live and I am really hoping this comes off as there’s nothing better than doing a show and then driving home to sleep in your own bed!!
Thursday 12th sees me at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton a venue I haven’t played for years, in fact I think Chrissie Hammond and Adam were in the band the last time I was there.
On the 13th I am at a sportsman’s dinner in Sheffield. Now I know I’m not a sportsman, but the organisers do digress occasionally and I’m one of the digressers’! They are always fun nights and this is about the 6th or 7th one I’ve done for them.
On Saturday 14th I am in Bexhill de la Warr Pavilion and that’s a lovely place. Lots of friends turning up to this one so should turn into a bit of a party!
Then the next day it’s Mothering Sunday so we will be off somewhere nice with the mum-in-law which will be a really nice relaxing day....well it should be!
On Tuesday 17th, the golf clubs come out for a Comedian’s golf Society day and the state of my golf dictates that playing with the comedians is about all I’m fit for, although it has to be said that some of the comics are really good.
On Wednesday 18th there’s a reception for the Rock the House event at Westminster which is a fabulous event and I have written about it before. It’s a cross party political music event that has really done a lot for the understanding of music and musicians to MPs and Lords and I support it wholeheartedly. They have a website which is well worth checking out.
Then on the 18th, the next day, I am playing at Crawley Heath...and then it’s off to Wales for the Prog festival and I know there has been some confusion as to what I am playing and to clear things up, it is not with the ERE but just myself and a piano, but it’s NOT the same one man show that I take around the theatres, it’s virtually all music from Journey, Six Wives, Arthur, 1984 and other bits and pieces and telling the stories of how they came into being and written on the piano.
On Tuesday 24th, I’m off to the Sage in Gateshead where I was last there with Jon Anderson on our last duo tour. Lovely place and great people.
On the 27th I am off to Shrewsbury to the Theatre Severn, another lovely venue.
A very busy month indeed with all the days not mentioned being filled with studio work and recording and planning future events and looking ahead, April is just as manic.
There are some really exciting things on the horizon for the rest of this year and indeed 2016 and we will keep you informed as and when they reach fruition, so stay tuned!
Cheers,
Rick