My ReverbNation page

Since my website is temporarily offline, I've updated my ReverbNation page and added photos, music and video content.


Here's the address: https://www.reverbnation.com/bretthuckfield
















 

My website is temporarily offline

While I'm doing a bit of 2016 early spring cleaning, my bretthuckfield.com website will be offline for a little while. In the meantime, if you don't already have my email address and want to contact me, please use Facebook, ReverbNation or a specially trained carrier pigeon! ;) Thanks.

Back soon!

Apologies for the lack of posts and updates lately. I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to update my blog or finish building my new website (the old one is still up though).



 In the meantime, just link up with me on Facebook for my current gigs.



I have a whole summer of gigs and festivals booked, starting with the Robin 2 tonight (May 6th), opening for country star Tia McGraff.

Back soon!
Brett x

 

 

Express & Star: Brett and Marie reach finals of national contest

I'm pleased to say we made it into Saturday's copy of the Express & Star newspaper.
Bless them, they slightly mixed up a few things I said during the interview. Nonetheless, it's a good write up and Marie loves the picture -lol! x

Singer Jordan Adams releases a cover of Brett's 'Be My Love' song as his brand new single

Singer, Jordan Adams, has just released his own version of a song I wrote: 'Be My Love' (from my City Blue album).

I've known Jordan for quite a while, but lost touch with him in recent years. So it was a nice surprise to bump into him again at the earlier heats of Open Mic UK. Since then, we've both made it through to the UK Grand Finals show, which is on January the 24th (at the NEC in Birmingham). I believe Jordan is very likely going to be on a TV talent show later this year, too.

Jordan has been working very hard these last few months to forge himself a career as a contemporary pop singer, and I have my fingers crossed for him, as he deserves to do well. Hence, although we work in very different styles, I was happy to give him permission to record and release a cover version of 'Be My Love' (my original version is on my City Blue album), done in his own style.

I hope it will be a breakthrough single for him.

Jordan's version is available on iTunes at:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/be-my-love-single/id957279511

Website weirdness.

For some reason, I'm having problems logging into my website to update it. so apologies to anyone seeking up-to-date information at bretthuckfield.com regarding my appearances in Open Mic UK, and about other upcoming events.

I should have a few days spare in February to get started on creating a new website. But I can't see me having time before then, sorry!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!
With Christmas almost over – by my estimation we're on the the 11th day of it –  thought it was high time I posted a little blog.

First, the sad news that Marie's nan, Gladys, passed away recently. Gladys was always great company and I shall miss her. It wasn't so long ago, back when she was in her late eighties, that she'd still come and see us at the odd gig, or dog/house sit for me or Marie, so we could go out playing. Sadly her health deteriorated throughout this year. She will be sadly missed by us all, and my thoughts are with Marie and her family.

On  a happier subject: despite having flu and a surprise attack of toothache over the festive period, I did manage to squeeze in a few radio interviews. As always happens over the Yuletide celebrations, my alternative Christmas song 'Christmas Carols and Auld Lang Syne', was again a topic of conversation and received airplay:

Thanks to:

• the Open University's Christmas Radio Show, who played the song

• Black Country Radio who both played my song on their Christmas Show, and interviewed me for a show that will be aired next year (on Billy Spakemon's show)

• Jason, Zoe and Jan and the Milkbar, a very popular pod-cast recorded at the Molineux Stadium, who also played my Christmas song and interviewed me over the phone

The only show I can easily link to is the Milkbar one, so here it is. My interview starts around 55 minutes in. Also on the show are Carol Decker from T'Pau (being interviewed) and Britain's got Talent finalist Jean Martyn (playing an instrumental song from her album). I really like Jean, she's a fine musician, and we have, on occasion, jammed together. 

Anyway, here's the show:

Brett Huckfield interviewed on the Milkbar podcast (55 minutes into the show)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Time to get stuck into rehearsals for the Grand Finals of Open Mic UK now, which is on January the 24th.

The Brett Huckfield Band rides again!

For a bit of fun, as one of our last performances of the year, Marie and I left our acoustic instruments at home and I put together my old band to do a 45 minute guest slot at the Old Moseley Arms' Beer Festival – for our friends, The Acoustic Who – with Marie kindly standing in for our old bass player, the late great Ian, to whom I dedicated our set.

Speaking of dedications: thanks, Acoustic Who for dedicating your fine performance of one of my all-time favourite Who songs to me. The only reason I declined jumping up on stage to perform it with you, when Mark gestured to me, was that I was enjoying listening to you guys so much!

Thanks, also, to the absolutely buzzing crowd at the Old Mo. You were awesome – so vocal and enthusiastic! I can't remember the last time I was given so many compliments, or offered quite so many paid band gigs in one night, for that matter. Unfortunately, I don't have time to do 'electric' performances very often, so appearances of the Brett Huckfield Band will be something of a rarity, I'm afraid. But bless you all for an amazing night!

Last, but by no means least, a hugely important mention must go to my fellow band members, as although I seemed to receive the lion's share of the praise, it was very much a team effort. So thank you, and well done Marie Timmins, Graham Powell and Tony Morton, who did the gig after only a single, two-hour rehearsal. As someone aptly said on the night: you guys rock!

Open Mic UK update: we're through to the Grand Finals

So much has been happening lately that my blog has been sadly neglected. I'm hoping to redesign my website in the new year, then perhaps I can incorporate the blog into that too, so I can update them both a bit more frequently

Anyway, since my last post. I've successfully made it through to the Grand Finals of Open Mic UK. Having battled through 10,000 other performers, my percussionist and I are now in the final 30 acts.

So, on January 24th, 2015, accompanied by Marie, I'll be competing in front of a very prestigious panel of judges that includes A&R representatives from some of the biggest record labels in the world, Ivor Novello award-winning songwriters, and other music industry professionals.

Things are certainly looking bright: at the Midland and South West Area finals of Open Mic UK, Marie and I were the first to qualify for a place in the Grand Finals. Chris Grayston of Future Music, who organises Open Mic UK, addressed the audience during the show and said 'I would just like to say at this point in the show, Brett Huckfield is a brilliant singer-songwriter'. He also said mine and Marie's performance was the standard the other acts had to aspire towards.

Tickets are £20 for the show, but they sell out well in advance. Give me a shout of Facebook if you want any, and I'll check if there are any left.

Thanks, as always, to all the usual crew who are coming along to cheer us on. Bless, you. It wouldn't be the same without you! :)

Thanks also for all of you who live too far away to come to the show, but have sent so many warm messages of support!

xx

'Dreams do come true' Express & Star article

It was nice to see the Express & Star have given me and Marie and little mention, with regards to successfully passing through the first round of the Open Mic UK live shows at the National Exhibition Centre, on October the 4th.

Next up is the penultimate heat on November 22nd. If we can get through that, we'll be in the Grand Final, fingers crossed! :) xx