'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

My first appearance at the NEC

I'm pleased to that, together with my percussionist Marie, I was successful at the Open Mic UK Regional Finals – held on October 4th, at the National Exhibition Centre – and will now go on to compete in the Midlands-and-South-West Area Finals on November 22nd.

[I'm in there somewhere ;) ... as are some great Black Country performers, who also very kindly turned out to offer their support :)]

Thanks to everybody who came to to cheer us on! You made it an incredible night . Can't wait to do it all again at the Area Finals (also held at the NEC), in the hope of winning a place in the Grand Final at the O2, London.

[Outside the NEC, with more friends]

Thanks also, for all the fantastic messages of support from all people who couldn't be there on the night! :)

Quick round up of this week

It's been such a hectic week, in the run up to my Open Mic UK performance at the NEC, that I'm only just getting around to posting these photos -lol!

Some are from my performance at 'Vdubs in the Valley' last Sunday. It was great to meet up with so many great folks: especially Bill and Judie Perry, and all their family and friends; Pat and Jess Cuniffe; Steve Welch, and 'Beer Buz' Garry. Marie and I look forward to doing it all again next year!

 

[It was surprisingly windy onstage -lol!]

 

 

[In between playing, Marie and I were with our friends Bill and Judie (not in this photo) and their family]

 

[With my percussionist extraordinaire, Marie]

 

[After performing my set, I unexpectedly bumped into radio presenter, Steve Welch, which was a nice surprise; I hadn't seen him for ages].

There are also a few snaps taken on Wednesday, at the Candela Club in Coseley: one of ...the friendliest music clubs you'll ever visit – courtesy of Linda and John Collier – and jam packed with talented performers.

 

[After playing solo at the Candela, I called Marie up for my last song, to add some harmonies -lol!]

 

[This is (left to right) Dave Coughlin and John Langford, doing a spirited and very entertaining version of a Donavan song, at the Candela Club]

 

[We also took this photo of Sonia Parkes, another of the friendly and welcoming regulars at the Candela Club, entertaining us with her flute, towards the end of the evening].

The final photo, is one I took the other Friday, of the wonderful cakes Jean and Mick Brigdale spoil me with when I visit!

On a sad note, I heard from my a great supporter of my music, and one of my all-time favourite bodhrán players, Jimmy 'The Hat', early this week. Apparently, one of his friends had been badly injured, and, unfortunately, they could do no more for him at the hospital. Jimmy told me they were playing my song 'Here Again', which was a favourite of both Jimmy's and his friend. So I'm very touched by that, and hope my music offered some small comfort, at such a tragic time.

Finally, I want to wish Molly, my friend Marjorie's beautiful dog, a speedy recovery from her op at the vet's today!
xx

Playing at the Black Country Living Museum's first ever Black Country Night!

Marie (my percussionist), and I, had fantastic time playing at the Black Country Museum's first ever Black Country Night.

It felt wonderful to be so actively involved in local history – my late father used to work in a factory right by Rolfe Street Baths, so it was incredible to touch base with my own past and childhood memories, now that the building has been relocated to the museum. It was great to watch all the historic vehicles going by as I played, too -lol!

Once we'd done our set on the main stage, it was great to catch up with all the local Black Country performers that I haven't seen for ages, who we joined for our second and third sets of the evening, playing around the museum's historic village.

[Marie and I, with Linda Simpson: Lisa's name cropped up next to mine in a few newspaper articles on local events, so it was great to finally bump into her for a chat!] 

 [It's great that the museum light up the chimneys to add to the authentic Black Country feel, bringing to mind the industry of yesteryear. This is us greeting the people with a little music, near the museum entrance.]

[While playing our second set, in the museum's authentic recreation of a typical Black Country street, one of my favourite local singer songwriters, Pete Kelly, came over to say hello. This street reminds me of the streets in Oldbury, when I was a young child in the 1970s, before all the Victorian housing was pulled down, to be replaced my, in my opinion, inferior buildings - that's progress for you -lol!].

[Just a little further along the road, the museum has an authentic Chapel, where two of the local music scenes busiest writer/performers – John Langford and David Coughlin – were playing. They entertained us while Marie and I took a break from performing to the crowds to eat our complimentary food from the museum's authentically styled chip shop!]

 [After I'd played my final set, outside the pub, to a wonderful crowd, I paused for a photo with two lovely ladies: singer Emma Langford (right) and Dee (left), John Langford's wife (no relation to Emma -lol It was such a big place that there were quite a few musician friends who I didn't run into that night, or saw only for a moment while I was on my way to play my next set, like Caroline and Phil of East West Infusion, who, sadly, we didn't have time to take any photos of!]

[The friendly fellow who was dressed as the town crier, told me he thought that around 600 people attended the event in total. If so, that's brilliant!]

Thanks to local legends of the acoustic and folk scene, Billy and Lozz, for asking me to be part of such a brilliant occasion.  The feedback from the museum is that it was a great success and the event will very likely happen again next year – as part of the Black Country Day celebrations.

Finally, thanks, Michael Timmins, for taking all the photos, helping move our equipment – and for queuing in the chip shop for us, for nearly an hour while Marie and I were busy playing!

Black County Night at the Museum

My first gig, of what promises to be an exceptionally fine collection of autumn engagements, is at the Black Country Museum on their first ever 'Black Country Night'.

As well as playing on the main stage, Marie and I will be busking around the Museum's 'town' too.

Not only is this a great warm-up gig for us on our way to play at the NEC in October at the Open Mic UK Regional Finals, it's a great excuse to catch up with some old performer friends who'll also be playing/speaking at the museum. And, of course, it's always great to support a bit of local history and culture.

A huge thank-you to whoever included my name in the press release for the event, that appeared in the newspapers on websites.

Thanks also for comments such as:

 'Fantastic songs impeccably played. From wonderful ballads to stadium anthems with Brett's powerful voice and great guitar playing to Marie’s effortless rhythms.' (The Black Country Living Museum)

'There will also be music from some truly talented local musicians ... including Brett Huckfield and Linda Simpson' (visitbirmingham.com)

I will, of course, be accompanied by my wonderful percussionist, Marie Timmins, when I play at the museum. Other local artists appearing at the event, in no particular order (and this is by no means a complete list) are:

Pete Kelly
East West Infusion
Heather Wastie
Linda Simsdon
John Langford
The Empty Can
Bryn Philips
Wednesbury Players
The Got2Sing Choir

 Event details:

 The Black Country Night is on Saturday, 13th September, at the Black Country Living Museum.
Ticket Prices (in advance):

Adult £15.95
Concession £12.75
Young person £7.95
Carer £7.95

For tickets tel: 0121 520 8054 (Apparently, 'The Black Country Night is an advanced booking only event, 6.30pm - 10.00pm' so I'm assuming there aren't any tickets available on the door).

Passing the Open Mic UK audition

I'm pleased to say that, yesterday afternoon, accompanied by my wonderful percussionist, Marie, I passed the audition for Open Mic UK with flying colours.

After the audition when we were taken to one side and told that the Birmingham heats were the toughest of all to pass, as the standards are so high, I was half expecting to have failed -lol! Not so: we were then told we had wowed the judges with 'pure talent' ..

The next stage is to compete in the regional finals at the NEC on October the 4th. It would be great to see some friendly faces there so, if anyone wants to come along and support me and Marie, I'd really appreciate it, as the audience also gets a vote in who wins.

Tickets for the event where we compete in front of a judging panel of press and media representatives, record company A&R and music biz professionals, and an audience of hundreds, are £8 apparently. (Just message me if you want to reserve one – non of the money goes to me, I hasten to add -lol!)

Thanks to everyone who's already promised to come along and support us! :)
 x

Meeting to save Dudley Hippodrome, followed by a visit to the Candela Folk Club

 

It was great to catch up with Garry 'Blackcountrygaz' Sawers and Rovi Osinborn recently (23rd July) at the Station Hotel. We attended a meeting, along with other supporters the esteemed Dudley Hippodrome building, to try and save it from destruction.

 

Garry and Rovi are truly passionate about saving Dudley Hippodrome and turning it into a fantastic venue for live music and theatre. Marie (my percussionist) and I were only too happy to lend our support to such a great cause. Well done guys, if anyone can save the Hippo it's you!

Many famous stars played there over the years, and though, sadly, it has fallen in to disuse over the years, there are a growing number of good folks who would like to see the Hippo restored to it's former glory.

 

During most of the 90s I worked in a guitar shop (Modern Music), just over the road from the building, so I've grown rather fond of the place over the years and would hate to see it pulled down. Let's hope this fine historical and still relevant building can be saved. Thanks Garry and Rovi for keeping me up-to-date with all the latest developments – we'll certainly be lending our support to the cause – and for your thought-provoking comments:

 

Garry: 'Your a good man Brett, people like you help me and others to stand up for our heritage. We are all links in a Black Country chain that's getting longer and stronger. I'm glad you're a link mate! God bless ya.'

 

Rovi: 'Thanks for the support Brett & Marie, always good to see you both, it was a good meeting that surely opened the eyes to the opportunity we have going to waste if we're not allowed to take it forward. Thanks again.'

 

***

 

Later on that night, there was just time for me to pop out to a local folk club and perform a few songs solo. It was a good opportunity to catch up with John and Linda Collier, and everyone at their Candela Folk Club – always a great, friendly venue. Best of all, in-between performing, I won a Toblerone on the raffle! :)

 

Linda: 'Great night Brett as always, a wonderful relaxed evening and some really great songs, Pity we have to head for home at 11.30 ish! Lovely to see you and best wishes to Marie xx'
 

Climbing The Tower of Song

Together with my percussionist Marie, I finally found time to make my first visit to the Tower Of Song on the 16th of July – which, for some odd reason, is a place where some people seem to think (albeit wrongly) they've already seen me perform at -lol!

Although winning over new audiences is something we thrive on, I didn't quite know what response to expect as the venue is a little outside of my usual gigging area. But I was genuinely surprised by the sheer scale of the positive response. Being told time and again that we were easily one of the finest acts to have ever graced the Tower Of Song's stage was a heart-warming experience. Thank you so much, everyone!

 I'm only sorry I can't go back to do a longer set there any time soon – as so many people were suggesting – as I'm tied up with other musical endeavours at the moment. But I will go back one of the Wednesdays, to the Rea River Roots Club at the Tower Of Song, when I have a little more time.

 As well as performing, Marie and I got to watch a host of other acts perform, including Sue Stevens (who runs the Lighthouse Folk Club); singer/songwriter (and the person who set up the Tower Of Song) Tom Martin and cellist Helena Rosewell, the country stylings of the Honky Tonk Boys (Terry Foley and Jimmy Cox); and Lobelia Lawson, who runs Lobelia's Lazy Sundays Songwriters Circle.

It was great to visit a venue centred wholly around live-music that is so well supported by enthusiastic music lovers and performers.

Tom Martin's Tower of Song venue is at 107 Pershore Rd S., Birmingham, B30 3JX. To find out what's happening on any given night just check the venue's website: http://www.towerofsong.co.uk/

PS Thanks to Mike for taking the pics!

July 14th, 10pm, Hour-long Special Radio Show With Brett Huckfield

10pm until 11pm

On Black Country Radio: http://www.blackcountryradio.co.uk/ (Just click on 'Listen Live').

A while back I recorded a radio show with Dr Brian Dakin (AKA Billy Spakemon of the popular, talented folk duo Billy & Lozz) on Billy & Lozz's Black Country Radio show 'Omma N Chain' (That translates to 'Hammer and Chain', as rendered in Black Country Dialect: a reference to the historical industries of the area).

The hour-long show is full of my songs, interspersed with interview sections. To be honest, as it's been a month or two since the interview and I was very busy preparing for my final Advanced Creative Writing exam at the time (with the Open University), even I can't remember what I said, so I'll have to tune in myself to find out -lol!

So whatever I'm going on about during the interview, it's a great honour that they've chosen to broadcast my show on Black Country Day! How proud and pleased am I? :) xo

Black Country Day / Saracen's Head Gig

A huge thank-you to everyone who turned up in time to watch me play, accompanied by my percussionist extraordinaire, Marie Timmins, at the all-day Saracen's Head live-music event on Saturday in Dudley. Especially Judie, Bill, Ritchie and Alex. I know there were a number folks who wanted to be there but couldn't, so thanks to them too for all the messages/emails. 

 Thanks also to 'Black Country' Gaz for inviting me get involved with the Black Country Day celebrations in Dudley. What a smashing bloke! Not forgetting Rovi, the brilliant compere for the event, who, as it turned out, rather surprisingly, had a picture of me on his wall at home (as part of a newspaper photo-shoot with other local musicians, I hasten to add -lol!).

I must have been stopped a dozen times by people I didn't know who'd seen me playing here and there, over the years – even the Saracen's Head landlord, Andy, as I later discovered, knew me from my days playing lead guitar in bands! What with being recognised so often, it was like being famous for a day!

Anyway thanks everybody all for your support, compliments and suchlike, they're all very much appreciated! xo