Andy collins on Janice Long on BBC Radio Wales october 26 2017

Andy Collins had a great session, played two songs live and chatted with the very lovely Janice Long on BBC Radio Wales this eve. I tagged along, and talked about how great his new album is, along with my other love, soft furnishings. Listen again at 1hr 17 mins in http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b099wfvp

memory lane part 1

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NEW ALBUM Andy Collins oct 6 2017

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Hiya all, I'll be a guest with a fabulous new young choir, Allegro, tonight at 7pm St David's Church, Neath.
I'll be doing a few songs, a couple I haven't done in a long while. Rhian Lloyd taught me at Neath College many moons ago, is the choir arranger, and is great! We are doing a Jon Lord song, Pictured Within, and for those in the know, it ain't a walk in the park to play, but Rhian plays it beautifully.

If you're about please pop on down. It's only £7 and in aid of @tyha...fan.
For tix-07496 628 488 X https://t.co/jGvbnQkoqy

Here's me rehearsing one of ours... good job too as I still don't know the words!

click on link to watch video

https://www.facebook.com/stevebalsamo/videos/10154536135067396/ 

Celebrating Jon Lord - The Composer "All Those Years Ago" Feat. Steve Balsamo and Micky Moody

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Celebrating Jon Lord - The Rock Legend "Soldier of Fortune"

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Last Choir Singing 2017 County Winner judged by Steve Balsamo and others

june 26 2107

 

Shakespeare Primary School has been crowned Last Choir Singing 2017 County Winner – winning Lancashire’s foremost school singing competition title at the Grand Final event held at King George’s Hall on 16 June.

 

    Over 2,000 singers from 70 school choirs entered the competition this year in heats, which took place across the County. Eleven finalists were whittled down from six heats to make it to the Grand Final. Shakespeare Primary School from Fleetwood, who took part in the Fylde and North Lancashire heat, beat the ten other finalist choirs to achieve the highly coveted prize in a very close competition, with the runners-up, Norbreck Primary Academy and St Catherine’s Roman Catholic Primary, narrowly missing out on the title.

 

          The Final, presented by International Vocalist Duncan Heather, saw the eleven finalist choirs battle for the title of Last Choir Singing 2017, singing two songs each. The performances were judged by Steve Balsamo (International Singer/Song Writer), Tom Newall (British Conductor), Paul Nuttall (Managing Director, Reidy’s Music Store), Sean Ruane (Classical Opera Singer). Shakespeare choir, consisting of 41 vocalists, is led by Joanna Newson and Claire Savage, who have been working with the choir for two years.Comments from the winner and judge:After receiving the award, Head Teacher, Laura Willan, said: “We are so pleased that our marvellous choir has achieved this recognition. It is just fantastic! All our children have worked extremely hard and shown great dedication, so we are thrilled to get here. It is not only an amazing achievement for us, but also a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase our fantastic school. The competition has brought so much confidence, enjoyment and a real sense of team spirit for our children.”Competition judge, British Conductor, Tom Newall, said: “All tonight’s finalists performed to the highest standard, they were incredibly impressive. Last Choir Singing is an amazing experience and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a judge at the Final. You can see the enjoyment from each child taking part; it is just wonderful to watch.

 

 Events like Last Choir Singing are so important, as they provide a great opportunity for children to express themselves artistically, and make memories they will never forget. “Shakespeare were exceptional and I was instantly won over by them. Watch out, we could see some of these young singers making a name for themselves in the future.”

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My Top 5 Showtunes: Tom Lister

Tom Lister is best known for playing villain Carl King in the soap opera Emmerdale. His theatre credits include Water Babies, a UK tour of Calamity Jane and Legally Blonde at Curve.

He is currently playing Julian Marsh in the West End revival of 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

We caught up with Tom and asked him: "If you were stranded on a desert island which five showtunes could you not live without?"

---

1. "Gethsemane" from Jesus Christ Superstar

 

This is one of my earliest memories of being completely blown away by a song in a musical. It has moved me to tears many times and I spent my childhood years trying to sing it like Steve Balsamo does so effortlessly. It still moves me today.

 

2. "Not While I'm Around" from Sweeney Todd

I remember doing a Sondheim workshop at Drama College and being bowled over by how wonderful his writing is. I love this song and quite often sing Jamie Cullum's great version of the track when I do gigs.

 

3. "42nd Street" from 42nd Street

To be in this show in the Drury Lane is just the stuff of "pinch me am I dreaming!?" I will never forget the sitzprobe day, hearing the music of this show played by 19 of the country's best musicians for the first time. It is so emotive and just overflows with joy! Come and see for yourself, I dare you.

 

4. "With You" from Ghost

I remember first hearing this cast recording when I was in Emmerdale. This track is beautiful and so wonderfully written by Dave Stewart and unfortunately I never saw my good friend Lucie Jones play it in China. But Caissie Levy sings it so well on the cast recording. Just exquisite and it also makes me cry (man I am soft!)

 

5. "Satisfied" from Hamilton

I tried so hard not to be one of the people going nuts for this show. But it's just so so good. It breathes new life into musicals and Lin-Manuel Miranda has deservedly got all the plaudits for such a genius piece of songwriting and storytelling. I could have picked the whole soundtrack.

 

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New single Andy Collins

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Balsamo-Deighton on BBC northampton march10th 2017

Hey, we'll be on BBC Northampton on Friday afternoon March 10th 2017 around 3/3:30pm. Tune in if you can. Then its The Stables in Milton Keynes for an evening show in Studio 2 there. Still a few tickets left.


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Steve Balsamo and CAST members Jesus Christ Superstar (JCS)

 

 

From Left to Right:ZUBIN VARLA; JOANNA AMPIL and STEVE BALSAMO Stars of the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar

 

 

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Songs, stories, and Storys

It's been some time since they've all shared a stage together.
But with the holiday season round the corner, perhaps the time is right for seeing some old friends - and more importantly helping those in need.
And so, for fans of The Storys, the band who toured with Elton John, played the Liberty Stadium, and supported the likes of Santana, Van Morrison and Sinéad O'Connor, there's a chance to see many of the old band, back in their home town at Swansea's Grand Theatre on Friday, December 2, playing their west coast harmony infused Americana.

Songs, stories and Storys features an evening with the band's frontman, Steve Balsamo, and Rosalie Deighton, who joined the band in their latter days, and who have forged their own career as a duo, picking up where the band left off.

 

 

Steve said: "We stayed in touch ever since The Storys went their own way, and when we thought about it, we decided it would be a good way to showcase some of the great talent that exists out there in Swansea.
We hope that after this year, others will be able to take it on, as a way of highlighting some of that talent".

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