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Comment by Hellen Bach on May 29, 2012 at 10:08

Well we are nearly there. The launch of the top 4 songs is on the 11th June at the BBC Club. Sir Terry will be hosting the launch and we are delighted with the 4 very different songs.

For those who have read previous blogs you will see that our life has had its ups and downs lately.

I think we both feel we are on the road leading upwards finally, who knows how high the hill is, but we are holding hands and will walk the hill TOGether.

A D Chivers has now sent us the completed songs, and we have sent them off to be uploaded on iTunes and all the other download sites. We have also decided to have 1,000 CDs made. I am of the older generation and I still want to have something solid in my hand that I can put in a CD player and on a shelf, I can look at the cover and it will bring back memories. If I only had downloads, I would worry that I would lose it all, and yes I know it’s all backed up, but that’s me.

Norman has designed the cover, very simple with a view to holding this competition next year, but there are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes hanging over that at the moment.

We need radio play, we need people to show an interest, we need to go viral. 

We are putting together a collage film of all four songs to put on YouTube for everyone to share.

Again, those of you who know me know that I was just a housewife, who stumbled into this whole media, fundraising thing by accident. With the faith that Pauly Walters (Sir Terry Wogan’s producer on WUTW) had in me and later, meeting and falling in love with Norman, I have believed that what we are doing is the right thing to do.

One of the things I have learnt is that you can ask, you can be rejected, you cannot take it to heart and you can find another way to do it. Or, you can ask, have reality pointed out to you and look for a different direction. I certainly have done this and feel happy in the fact that at least for now, I can keep trying.

So, we have the Oldie Composers ready to launch on the 11^th June at the BBC club in London, with Sir Terry Wogan hosting. We hope the press will come, we hope producers and radio presenters will come and most of all, we hope people will like the songs.

Each song is so very different, each song has its own charm, and we can see how they will appeal to different people.

“Cry”, written by Marina Florance, being sung by Anthony Head is a very moving song, the words are so beautiful and touch your heart, Anthony sings it with such emotion. It should appeal to the lovers and the heartbroken in the world.

“Love’s Forever” written by Trevor Wiles and Paul Hadler, another love song, but with a totally different beat, sung by the up and coming boy band FTW, there is a very catchy chorus, that I defy you not to be singing along with by the end of the song.  This will obviously appeal to the younger generation, but also the older generation too.

“Peace For The Child” written by Maggie Duffy, sung by the wonderful Clare Teal,  is a song that makes you stop and think, about the children in this world and the suffering, and the hope for peace. A D has given it a bit of a country twist. Els Hanson’s violin playing is particularly lovely.

This made me smile, but I can see the line dancing community learning this ;-)

Finally and by no means least in any way “Requiem For A Soldier” written by John Mackfall and sung by Andrea Ryder. This is by no means your ordinary pop song, in fact it isn’t a pop song at all, it’s a stunning classical piece, very moving and beautiful recorded.

Having spoken to our composers, they are so enthusiastic and fired up about Oldie Composers, they feel they are being given a second chance, in their later years. We believe that there are a lot of experienced, talented people in our older generation and we do tend to be swept under the carpet by the young up and coming executives, but I hope we can prove them wrong. Our silver surfers and TOGs from previous years have galvanised themselves into action and between us have raised over £5 million for charity. This project is a whole new thing and we can’t do it without your help.

So please watch out for these four songs, the launch will be on June 11^th at the BBC Club. If anyone knows any journalists or TV people who wish to cover this event with Sir Terry, please get in touch.

This is all in aid of Barnardo’s, the charity that has touched our hearts because of the work they do for the young people in this country.  http://www.barnardos.org.uk/?gclid=CO-J4qPVorACFcQKfAod5EgFWA

Having met a few of the people who work there, we truly believe they can make a difference to our young people, especially those who have been abused or those that are lost and can see no future.

All the money from the “downloads” will go direct to Barnardo’s. (Except for what the download host takes)

To make this whole project work, we need everyone’s help and belief in what we do. Of course, we believe the songs are of a good enough calibre to get radio play, but it is not up to us, it is up to you, the people who read this blog to spread the word to prove that we don’t need lots of money to make a difference, we need people and belief to make the difference.

If anyone wishes to get in touch with me about media coverage, or anything  about our fundraising, please email me Hellen@charitygoods.com

Here is the link to all our interviews with the songwriters, FTW and Andrea Ryder etc.... OLDIE COMPOSERS

          

                                                                          

Comment by Hellen Bach on September 7, 2011 at 13:28

As it is a songwriting competition, the singing budgie would not be judged, but the song would be :-)

Comment by JOHN HALL on September 7, 2011 at 13:08

Could a musical singing Budgie be entered in the competition?

Comment by Hellen Bach on September 1, 2011 at 15:10

Hello, yes we have quite a few. We are really pleased that Johnnie Walker has just joined Terry Wogan, Ken Bruce and Bob Harris as a judge, and the overall winner will receive £500 cash, along with the top four having their song recorded by professional musicians, made available for download. Closing date 30th November, so still plenty of time to get composing.

Comment by Grey Pride on September 1, 2011 at 11:11

How's it going Hellen? Have you got plenty of applicants to the competition?

Comment by Ian Williams on August 16, 2011 at 8:47

Hi John K, I'll send you a private message and see if I'm able to help.

Comment by Hellen Bach on August 15, 2011 at 18:32

No, its not Sir Ken Bruce yet... It is Bob Harris O.B.E though. :-)

Comment by John Katon on August 15, 2011 at 18:27

Pss isnt it Sir Bruce Kent?

Comment by John Katon on August 15, 2011 at 18:25

just wondering anyone here have Vista OS on their pcs? Reason i ask is that it seems nigh on impossible to get a usb input to my recording programme, I have a digitech RP150  which i put my guitar onto the programme. all the drivers are there but the only way i can get sound onto my Sony acid 8 programme is vis a 3.5mm jack at rear of PC (HP COMPAQ dx2400) and i also want to add a Yamaha keyboard as a midi deviice but  Vista doesnt like it, Im not IT  trained so please does anyone know of a cheap solution? Thanks, John

Comment by JOHN HALL on August 15, 2011 at 15:53

Yes same with me lead guitar ,then after the band packed in nothing for a while bar backbedroom recording then a chance meeting steered me to a open band night ,i was just going to watch ! However the thoughtof having a go because few did get up spurred me on ! From that one i kept it going after a hospital session i decieded to to much as possible while you can! Look out for a guitar player called CATFISH KIETH from the usa on tour here in the uk from OCT he sort of inspired me to have a go at a certain style! ta ta

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