Monday 12 December 2016

December 2016 Gigs

Hello everyone

A busy couple of weeks ahead.
Monday 12/12, Carol singing and surprises for a very special bloke and honorary Blender.

Thursday 15/12, A public gig at the Angels micro-pub on the market place, Belper. We'll be kicking off about 8.00 pm. n.b. This gig was to have been performed by a Derby Acapella quartet, but they were unable to appear, so the Blenders stepped in at the last moment. Makes a change from what we usually step in!




Monday 19/12  We are excited to be singing at the Tibshelf Parish Council annual Christmas Service at the Parish Church in Tibshelf (where else). We are on quite early in the programme, and our brief is to "liven things up a bit" - I kid you not. They've booked the right act for that!








Tuesday 23 June 2015

Well well well - who'da thunk it?

Hi folks, after heart attacks, job changes, even Chorus changes, we're rehearsing again and having a ball!!

Will we get back to performing? I certainly hope so but time will tell. It takes four to tingle, and of course it has to be a unanimous agreement and commitment, but the signs are there, and just to get us all in the same room with a pitch pipe is an achievement in itself.

Watch this space for further news as it happens......

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Back in harness

After a couple of months off to concentrate on the Chorus National Competition with The Major Oak Chorus, we are hard at work doing gigs at the Wolds in West Bridgeford and private parties. We already have gigs booked for Christmas and are both expanding our repoirtoire and refreshing our existing material.

We are appearing at a couple of private parties over the next 2 months, and also at a  retirement home in Mapperley, and Eastwood Church along with the Major Oak Chorus and Eastwood Male Voice Choir.

We have several crazy ideas which we've never attempted before, but,as always, the big enemy is time.

I had a brilliant time at Stockport recently watching the Great British Barbershop Boys and the incomparable Katy Carr, who gave me a couple of brainwaves regarding our future performances - thanks Katy.

Friday 25 February 2011

Hello World

Hello everybody
It seems like ages since I updated the site, so here goes.....


We decided to not compete in the national competition this year, but instead to concentrate on building up our repertoire, and spend some time on technique. As a result, we believe that we now have a much "tighter", more together sound.

We also spent a couple of very pleasant Sunday afternoons entertaining the diners at the Wolds pub in West Bridgford, and also sang at a 21st birthday party and Pete & Victoria's wedding reception at the Lakeside venue in Arnold.


Picture courtesy of Crash Taylor http://crashtaylor.com/
Later that evening, we were guests at Jess's 21st  birthday party, in what was one of the coldest pubs we have ever sang in - apparently someone had stolen the gas meter - it wasn't a problenm though, because Mick has enough hot air to heat any venue!!

We were also busy singing in our Chorus, the Major Oak Chorus of Nottingham, at several Christmas parties, and a show.

Unfortunatly, because of the bad weather, a couple of gigs were cancelled, but hey - there's always  next year.

2011 has gone off with a bang, with Shows and private function enquiries flooding in, so it looks like being one heck of a year for the Blenders

Monday 20 September 2010

Eastwood Church - take 2

Had a great time here together with all our mates from the Major Oak Chorus . The event was designed to raise money for the church roof appeal. Building on our appearance at Heanor WI last year, we sang 5 numbers to the audience of about 150.

The gig was a great success, and it was a real pleasure to see some familiar faces in the crowd, especially my mum.

Next Sunday (26th), we are at the Wolds pub, Loughborough Rd West Bridgford from 2.00pm to about 4.00, so if you are in the area, why not drop in and say hello. The staff will make you very welcome, and the food is superb.

Tuesday 31 August 2010

Eastwood Parish Church

Come and see us and our friends in the Major Oak Chorus at Eastwood Parish Church . Besides "good ol' barbershop, there will be a few surprises as well.

It's all for a good cause, and it's not expensive, so come along and say hello!

Wednesday 25 August 2010

The Wolds, West Bridgford

Had a great time singing at the new Hungry Horse pub, the Wolds on Loughborough Road West Bridgford (next to Asda)

 The pub had only been open 1 day, so we regarded it as a special privilege to be allowed to sing here.  We were there from 2.00pm to about 4 o'clock, then the managers treated us all to a slap up meal - nice!  One special moment was when an Irish guy asked us to sing for him and his family, so we sang My Wild Irish Rose.  His wife really enjoyed it , and he had tears in his eyes - ah, the power of 4 part harmony!

Many thanks to Andrew and Sharon (our hosts) for inviting us, and also booking us again for Sunday September 26th. If you want a good meal at a reasonable price, and a bit of 4 part Harmony thrown in for good measure, then come and say hello.  

Saturday 3 July 2010

Geoff's Birthday Party (1st July)

One of the really good things about singing in quartet is seeing the smiles on peoples faces, and one of the best smiles we have seen for a long time was this evening, when we walked in and suprised Geoff!

Geoff saw us perform at the Heanor show back in February, and said it was the best show he had ever seen, so his daughter Susan contacted us about his 80th birthday party. We thought it was a great idea and hid behind a fence before walking into his back garden singing (Only for 5 minutes - not from February!!!). 

It was brilliant! Excellent audience, we sang both outside in the garden, then later in the house. Geoff was grinning from ear to ear throughout the evening.

A particularly touching moment was when we sang Heart Of My Heart to Geoff and his beautiful wife Mary. I explained that we always sing this song to the bride at weddings - but as we weren't around when they got married (1953), we'd do it for them now.

One of the most enjoyable evenings we've had for ages.

Many, many thanks to Susan for inviting us.

Singin' In The Rain

After the University gig, we hot footed it into the suburbs for another performance. This one was a Diamond Wedding Anniversary at Brinsley.

The party was supposed to be outside on the lawn, but as it was raining cats and dogs, it had been moved into a  plastic marquee on the patio. All well and good, except that the rain was VERY LOUD!! Still, we sang and sang, and everyone had a great time. We also had one lady get so emotionally involved in one of the ballads that she had tears running down her cheeks. Lovely!

It was a privilege to be allowed to share Margaret and Vics' special day, and many thanks to David and Karen for such a brilliant evening.

Special Blend go to University

This was an extremely interesting gig that we shared with our friends Revised Edition. The occasion was a champagne reception for the graduates of Cripps Hall in Nottingham.

Both quartets sang a few songs individually and then we all joined together as an Octet for a few final songs, culminating in The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

The grads loved this, all joining in.

What made this gig so memorable was the way the Grads were dressed - chaps in Dj's and the ladies in the some of the most gorgeous outfits we've ever seen. Picture eight middle aged guys trying to sing with their eyes popping out of their heads and you've just about got it!!
 
Many thanks to Katherine for such wonderful organisation. 

Newark - The Quartet that was nearly a trio!

I suppose it had to happen eventually. On the morning of our performance in Newark, Rob had a minor accident and was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg. Frantic phoning round resulted in Steve, the bass from our brother quartet and very good friends Revised Edition hot -footing it from their rehearsal in Nottingham over to Newark to stand in for Rob - and a very good job he did too!!

We sang as a trio for about 30 minutes - which was interesting - and then Steve joined us for the rest of the afternoon.



As we were singing at a Barbershop, I took the opportunity to have a quick haircut, and can highly recommend their services. Besides cutting hair, they also provide a shave with a cut-throat razor, and a full face hot towel treatment. Sadly, there wasn't enough time for that, but I'm going to have one in the future!

Who says Barbershop is just for older people? Not Victoria, pictured here, who was transfixed watching us, and then badgered her mum to come back so she could listen again. Many thanks to Victoria, and also to her mum for allowing us to reproduce the picture here.

Many thanks to Marion and the girls for making us so welcome, and for really entering into the spirit of the occasion, and a huge thanks to Steve of Revised Edition for helping us out at such incredibly short notice.

Monday 10 May 2010

Next Appearance - Look out Newark!

A chance to see the quartet for free!


On Saturday 15th May, we will be performing in Newark Market Place, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a Barbershop!!

We will be there from 11.00 am to about 3:00 pm, then it's a mad dash back to Nottingham for a private party - that is of course if we have any voices left!! 

Monday 15 March 2010

Lincoln Music Festival

We went, we entertained and we Won! - well, we won the quartet category anyway!

We remained true to ourselves and sang two comedy numbers and were shocked when the adjudicator announced that we had won the competition. He also said said some very complementary things about our singing, and he should know - Christopher Field MA, ARAM, LRAM, ARCM


Christopher Field was a Choral Exhibitioner at Trinity College, Cambridge and a scholar at the Royal Academy of Music.

Later, he won an Arts Council of Great Britain scholarship for postgraduate vocal studies with Frederick Husler in Switzerland. After becoming established as a baritone soloist, working with choral societies throughout Britain, he joined the music staff of Dulwich College where he stayed until 2000, retiring as Deputy Master.

Throughout that time, he continued to make music professionally, singing, conducting choirs, playing the double bass and composing, mainly, choral music and songs.

Several of his teaching works have appeared in the double bass and singing examination syllabuses of the Associated Board and of Trinity Guildhall.

He has wide experience as an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals and is a diploma examiner for the Associated Board. In August 2008, he gave masterclasses on English Song and oratorio in Reykjavik He is conductor of the City of London Chamber Choir and, from 1985 to 2005, he was a member of the Council of the Royal School of Church Music. Christopher Field was appointed an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 1993.

To be selected by Christopher for first place is praise indeed!

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Carlton Junior School

One of the great things about what we do is the people and places we get to meet and go to. Carlton Junior School is not one of the places where we would have thought of singing, until their School Administrator, Anne saw us at the Albert Hall in Nottingham. An invitation followed, and then the performance itself, with the Major Oak Chorus and the School choir.

The kids were brilliant, and when we did our bit, were squealing with laughter as I hit Rob (twice) during Bye Bye Blues (Rob was just squealing!).

An absolutely fantastic evening, followed by an afterglow in the Bread & Bitter pub where - guess what - we sang some more.

Hopefully the chorus will get a few new members from the audience, and we will get a few more gigs!

Next Friday, the 12th, we are appearing at the Lincoln Music Festival, and once again we are singing comedy songs, so once again we expect to come last - but hey - we guarantee we will entertain!!

Monday 1 March 2010

Hazel Grove Music Festival

We went, we sang, we entertained, we came last!

For this festival, we decided that we were going to be true to ourselves and put on a performance of a couple of our comedy routines. The audience and the adjudicator laughed the whole way through the set, but (of course) we were marked down. As the top two quartets were local, it probably wouldn't have mattered if we had been the world champions - we still wouldn't have won, but hey - we are entertainers first and barbershop singers second.

As we left the hall, several people stopped us and said how much they had enjoyed our set, and that they had never seen stuff like that at the festival.

Objective achieved!!

Incidentally, we are doing the same thing at the Lincoln Music Festival on March 12th - we are the guys who put the barb into barbershop!  Maybe we should change our name to Bad boys Blend!!

Heanor

What an absolutely brilliant evening.

Sometimes, things just seem to flow, and this was one of those times.
The Major Oak Chorus was magificent, one of our frinds, Nigel, recited some poetry, we sang in Octet with 4 chorus members and had people laughing in all the right places during our spot.

Special thanks must go to the WI ladies who organised everything so well, and of course to the audience, who were very receptive and warm.

Sunday 7 February 2010

I don't need it! - I could use it! - I WANT it! - My feet hurt! 

Friday 5 February 2010

Heanor - advanced notice

Oops. Almost forgot this one!
We are performing at Heanor Methodist Church, Market Place Heanor on Saturday 6th February, along with the Major Oak Chorus.
This is a show put on by Heanor WI, and starts at 7:15. Tickets are £5 each.

For more information, please click here


Sunday 31 January 2010

Here we go again

Good gig at John & Mary's Golden Wedding Anniversary last night. We were particularly pleased when John and a guest, Pete who are both members of the Major Oak Chorus got up and sang with us for a couple of songs.

As ever, it's a real pleasure to sing for an appreciative audience, and we received several enquiries to do further gigs from audience members, and also the manager of the golf club.

We were accompanied on this gig by two semi pro photographers who are compiling a photo portfolio of the quartet, so as soon as we get some pics from them, I'll put them on this site. Many thanks to Emma & Laura for doing this for us.

Many thanks also to John and Mary for allowing us to share their special evening.

Monday 4 January 2010

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone. We're back, and practicing hard with an  ambitious programme of new songs to be learned, and a bunch of surprises (some of them, even the rest of the quartet don't know about!!)

Fixed items for 2010 include  performing at the Hazel Grove (Stockport)  and the Lincoln Music Festivals both as Special Blend and also the Octet Special Edition - or is it Revised Blens - I can never remember. Anyway it's a collaboration with our brother quartet Revised Edition. This gives us the opportunity to sing 8 part harmonies, one of which will be Scarborough Fair - we can't wait!

Apart from the above, Chris and I are going to sing with a Spanish Chorus for a week in april, and we have the National Competition (Convention) held this year at Harrogate in May.

As far as new year's resolutions go, Mick has promised to keep his nasal hair under control. Chris has promised to stop impersonating Mr Pastry, Rob said he would buy a round of drinks sometime in 2010, and I'm going to try to curb my baritone sense of humour.

We are available for bookings, for both large and small events, if you have a look at the rest of the site you will see what we do, and also what people have said about our performances.

This year we would maybe like to do more for (registered) charites, so if you are involved in a charity and you feel a performance from  a well rounded quartet would benefit your cause, just get in touch and we'll see what we can do.

Friday 18 December 2009

Southwell Rotary Club

Last night we performed at the Saracen's Head Southwell, for the annual Southwell Rotary Club Christmas Dinner. What a wonderful audience.

We sang around the tables as they had their meal, then after a short break, we did a more formal set, including all the idiocy and silliness that we are well known for. During this set, the Rotarians were "hijacked" by the Lions Santa Claus, who went around the tables collecting for charity, while we provided a festive backing by singing Jingle Bells.

I was especially pleased to see Santa, as it gave me an opportunity to give him my presents list and save a stamp.

We would like to say a big thank you to William for inviting us, and for the wonderful hospitality we were shown.  Also a big thanks to the receptionist at the Saracen's Head who kindly opened a room for us to warm up in.

This was our last performance of 2009.  We are all looking forward to a break over Christmas before we start learning new material for 2010.

Merry Christmas everybody

Sunday 13 December 2009

Busy busy busy.

Thursday evening saw us entertaining a group of people at the Gotham (nr Nottingham) community centre at an event organised by the Womens Institute.

Mick had left his hat at the Cornmill pub, so we made him wear a Santa hat! We had a whale of a time, with the audience joining in with the Christmas songs at the end, and then the ladies gave us a salad dinner, some cakes and a pot plant each (!)

Sunday 13th we were at the Cornmill again, but this time we had ladies quartet Elixir guesting with us, in an absolutely packed pub. A highlight was when we sang Happy Birthday to a youg lady called Helen who was celebrating her eighteenth birthday - happy birthday Helen.


We performed our Christmas package, complete with Jingle Bells, which the kids reallly seemed to appreciate, and once again the staff were absolutely fantastic. 




Elixer were really good, in fact considering this was their very first time singing in public, they were amazing.

Mandy, thir lead joined us in our final song, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, helping Mick out on the tenor part, which rounded off a really good afternoon.


  

Wednesday 2 December 2009

Guests and Food!!

I'm very pleased to announce that we have a special guest appearance at the Cornmill, Beeston on December 13th.

New ladies quartet Elixir will be joining us. Although all Elixir members are seasoned barbershoppers, this will be the very first time they have ever performed in public in this configuration.

Both quartets will be singing Christmas songs as well as their normal repoirtoires, so if you're in the area, drop in and say hello.

Now, besides the excellent food, good surroundings and Special Blend, there's yet another reason to visit the Cormill!

Our normal performance times are between 2.00pm and about 4.30.

The venue address is
Swiney Way,
Beeston,
Nottingham, 
NG9 6GX

Monday 30 November 2009

Lions Party Southwell

An excellent afternoon spent entertaining the over 60's at the Lion organised party held in the Southwell Minster School.

On the bill were the Lions themselves, who sang some songs from the thirties and forties, and then the Palace Singers from Newark who got the audience singing and were really enjoyable, with one of the most active musical directors I have ever seen.

Besides doing our regular spot, complete with jumping off the stage and dancing with some audience members, we aired our Chrismas package for the first time this year, and then sang a selection of carols with the Lions. A highlight was when we told the audience it was Rob's birthday, and without any prompting, the audience sang "Happy Birthday" to him.

I have to say that we get much more enjoyment and fun singing for an appreciative audience like this then we ever get from singing in barbershop competitions or even to a barbershop audience. This is where we feel "at home", and where we get a genuine rapport with the audience. Additionally, we are very aware that because of mobility and health problems, this particular audience is limited in it's choice of live entertainment. We feel humbled and honoured that we were enable to spend an afternoon with them and give them a few smiles. 

After the show, we adjurned to the excellent Saracens's Head,  to check it out in readiness for our forthcoming appearance there at the Rotary Club annual dinner (actually, we just went there for a pint!!).

Our next performance is with the Major Oak Chorus at a Freemasons dinner at the Goldsmith Street Masonic Hall in Nottingham, and then it's a WI event at Gotham (near Nottingham) on the 10th December.

 

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Cornmill Beeston

Another great afternoon at this superb pub.

We sang for about 2 hours then we were fed a wonderful lunch by our hosts Andrew and Sharon.  A lady came up to us and told us it was her husbands' birthday, so we trooped to his table and sang Happy Birthday, and then When I'm 64, which his family loved!!

One of the highlights (for us) was in the dining room when we sang The Lion Sleeps Tonght to a couple of tables with kids - always the hardest audience to please. It was great seeing their grinning faces.

We are back at the Cornmill in a couple of weeks on December 13th (2.00pm to about 4.30), and we hope to have as guests, a brilliant new ladies quartet who will be making their debue appearance. We are also planning to include a few Christmas songs, and may even persuade Mick to wear his Christmas hat (he looks like a proper Santa's little helper)!!


Saturday 21 November 2009

Nov-December appearances

Hello everybody


We are at the Cornmill Beeston on Sunday 22nd November and again on Sunday December 13th, from 2.00 till about 4.00 on both dates. If you are in the area, drop in and say hello - the food is delicious and Andrew the landlord and his staff will make you really welcome.

On Sunday 29th, we are at Southwell Minster School at the Lions Christmas Party. This is a party for the local over 60's, and we are proud to be singing with a whole host of other groups, including (so I am imformed) the Southwell Rugby Club!! Can't wait to see what Mick makes of that!!

Other than these performances, we are singing for the WI, the Rotary Club (again in Southwell), and the Free Masons (with the Major Oak Chorus). All are Christmas events so there will be much Ho HO Ho'ing and hopefully Christmas Cheer.

Although we are now fully booked for November and December, we are available throughout most of 2010, so if you are interested in booking us for your event, please email me on ron@special-blend.co.uk  and we'll happily discuss your requirements.

Monday 16 November 2009

Quartet Championships 2009

What an enjoyable day.

Although we didn't qualify for the next round (we are a performance quartet - not a specialist competition one), we increased our scoring by some 3% over last year, and were highly commended for our performance of the ballad "I'll Be Seeing You". The judges didn't like our interpretation of the uptune "Ain't Misbehavin",  because we sang it in swing time - just like Fats Waller used to sing it.

Maybe it was a bit too advanced for them. Luckily, when we sing Ain't Misbehavin  to everyone else, they love it.

Many many thanks to our supporters who travelled all the way from Nottingham to cheer us on, especially Mandy, Karen and Nigel, and the members of Revised Edition quartet. Guys, we really really appreciate your support. 

Anyway onwards and upwards. Yet more invitations ot sing in and around Nottingham, and I'm delighted to confirm that we will be singing at th Cornmill Beeston again on Sunday November 22nd, and Also December 13th.
Both of these appearances start around 2.00pm, and we will be singing around the pub until about 4.00

The December one will be special, because we will be performing our Christmas package, and hopefully have another quartet giving a guest appearance.

If you are in the area, it would be great to see you. Andrew and his staff are really good, and the food is superb.

Wednesday 11 November 2009

It's that time of year again

Once more into the breach - it's time for the British Association National Competition again, this time to be held in Birmingham. Hopefully, this year we'll be able to compete without sore throats, coughs, sneezers etc. Our aim is to improve on our scores from last year, but the competition this year is enourmous - 45 quartets competing- all on 1 day!

At least we'll have a good day out and hear some fine singing, and for the first time in our history I'm not driving, so I can partake of what we hope will be a celebration drink later.

Our diary is now full for December, but we are happy to take enquiries for 2010 - why not contact us - we may not be as expensive as you think!!

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Latest News

Following our successful appearanceat the Corn Mill gastro pub in Beeston, I am delighted to report that we have been requested to perform there for  two more dates. More news once the timings  have been confirmed.

Sunday 25 October 2009

Things are Hotting Up!!

Rob - our bass is still in Nashville Tennessee at the Sweet Adelines (Ladies Barbershop - some people get all the luck!!) World Championships, so at the moment the quartet is a trio, but he returns on November 1st, literally just in time for our performance with the Major Oak Chorus at the Albert Hall in Nottingham that evening - it will be interesting to see if he can stay awake!!

November 15th is the date for the British Quartet Championship Preliminary Competition (commonly known as Prelims) at the Birmingham Conservatoire, so everything is now on hold until we have performed there.

Following that, we have loads of appearances at weddings, Womens' institute parties and also a Rotary Club party. Sadly these are all private performances so the public cannot be admitted, but if you are interested in booking the quartet in 2010, please get in touch and we'll see what we can do.




We have also got permission from Nottingham City Council to give ad-hoc performances in and around the city centre, so who knows - you might see us singing on a street corner near you!!

Wednesday 14 October 2009

The Corn Mill - Beeston

We were pleased to have been chosen by Andy and his lovely wife Sharon, the pub managers, to entertain their customers at the relaunch of this fabulous gastro -pub.

We performed three 30 minute spots around the packed pub whilst the diners enjoyed their lunches, and were particularly appreciative when we were offered lunch "on the house", and delicious it was.

Everyone seemed to enjoy our singing, and we received several enquiries from diners about singing at their various events.

Along with the quartet, a group of lady Morris Dancers from Loughborough were dancing outside in the car park, and were really enthusiastic in the way they used their short staffs - I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of them!!

All in all, a really good afternoon and we look forward to a repeat performance in the coming months.

If you want to visit this pub, then click here for more information

Tuesday 29 September 2009


The Major Oak Chorus opened the days entertainment at The Big Wheels Big Day Out at Nottingham Castle on Saturday 26th September, 2009. Special Blend is pictured performing in front of the chorus and were given a rapturous reception by the onlooking throng. With a bit of pomp and ceremony, the Lady Mayoress duly arrived, by rickshaw, and joined us on stage to make the official opening speech which was followed by a rousing performance of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'. As we were singing a cameraman from Central News took some footage and we had our 10 seconds of fame on the local TV network !!


Special Blend and some of the guys from the chorus headed up towards the arena and gave an impromtu performance which went down so well one of the organisers asked us to sing in the main arena...result !! (Well the clowns had just finished and the organisers asked us to fill in) the crowds loved it !!
And then there was four. Special Blend continued to sing for a couple of hours more at various sites around the castle grounds. We decided to go the the main entrance and sing to the people entering the castle which was amazing. A huge crowd of people stopped to listen and we thought we were in trouble when a policeman came walking up to us, but he smiled, winked and walked on.......what a day to remember !!
And finally, the weather was sunny all day and the organisers were very impressed, last year 14000 people, this year 21000. Big thanks to all our mates in the chorus, espescially the guys who came and sang with us in the arena. Just a wonderful day singing and fantastic crowds !!

Sunday 13 September 2009

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Wednesday 2 September 2009

The Big Wheel’s Big Day Out


Our next public appearance is at the Big Wheel's Day Out at Nottingham Castle, along with the Major Oak Chorus.

We are appearing at the opening ceremony, at about 11.00 am and performing in front of the Lord Mayor Of Nottingham, Councillor Jeannie Packer.

The festivities start at about 11am. Come and check us out - it's free!
The quartet will be performing a couple of songs about 11.15, then I'm sure there will be some "ad hoc" singing after that.

Friday 28 August 2009

Joules Clothing Store Opening at Stamford

Stamford has been Blended!!



Three of us arrived in Stamford on time, but Chris was stuck in traffic and appeared about 10 minutes late, running across the road with his shirt hanging out!

The quartet was asked to sing outside the shop, as it was incredibly busy inside, so we stood on the pavement and entertained the passers-by, atracting attention and ushering people into the shop.

As a stage, the pavement was only about 2 meters wide, but as Mick said,it was very long!!

Acrosss the road, there were several offices, who opened their windows and leaned out to have a listen!

Just down from the shop were some traffic lights, so we also entertained the motorists, most of whom wound down their windows and listened until the lights changed. It was incredible, how many smiled, and even clapped before they drove away. A true Barbershop Drive-Through!!

Dominay (hope I've spelt that right) and her staff were really nice, and although they were rushed off their feet, still found time to keep us supplied with drinks and pop out every now and then to have a listen. Love especially to birthday girl Sarah, and to the lady I was dancing with on the streets of Stamford - strange things happen at a Special Blend appearance.



Thanks also to Karen, who acted as our "roadie" and photographer.

An extremely successful evening for both the Blenders and Joules. Once again, many thanks to all their staff.

Saturday 15 August 2009

Next Appearance

We are proud and pleased to have been selected to provide the entertainment at the opening of the latest Joules clothing shop in Stamford, Lincs. Website http://www.joulesclothing.com/

If you wish to attend, the address is 9A St Mary's Hill, Stamford PE9 2DP, and we are appearing from 6pm to 8pm

As it's a clothes shop, we'll have to make sure we are very well presented, and Mick has promised to trim his moustache and nasal hair especially.

Thursday 4 June 2009

Available for Hire

We have several spaces in our performance diary available, so if you think you would like a Barbershop Quartet to perform at your special event (party, BBQ, Corporate event or show) just get in touch.

We can perform either and/or comedy, love songs, background music (weddings/ christenings), a full blown show package, or a mixture of all the styles.

We have performed in such diverse venues as a seaside pier, a Polish Cafe, in Churches, at Stately Homes, shops and showrooms. small family parties, BBQ's, Pubs, formal theatres etc. etc.

Please just get in touch to discusss your requirements.
We just love to perform!!


Thursday 21 May 2009

Beer n Barbershop in ass.with Macmillan Cancer Support

Beer n Barbershop was a great success, both for the Major Oak Chorus and ourselves, and the audience seemed to like the new routine, "I Only Have Eyes For You". Now it's off to Llandudno for the British Association Convention and National Championships.

Good luck to everyone, but especially the Major Oak Chorus and our brother quartet, 4 Blokes Singin', who are performing with a stand-in Tenor, Mr Dale Kyneston from Telford, who has more gold medals than you can shake a stick at!

Wednesday 20 May 2009

Beer n Barbershop in ass.with Macmillan Cancer Support

Well we did it!!

The new song was "I Only Have Eyes For You", and we performed the full choreography. The audience were laughing their hearts out, so it was very well received. Because of illness, our brother quartet 4 Blokes Singin' were unable to appear (get well soon Chris), so we got to sing more songs than originally planned.

I know several of our friends were there taking pics and videos so I hope someone will be kind enough to send them to me so I can post them here.

The Major Oak Chorus were absolutely fantastic, and I'm sure it will do well at the National Competitions in Llandudno this weekend.

A fantastic evening.

Tuesday 19 May 2009

Beer n Barbershop in ass.with Macmillan Cancer Support

Beer 'n Barbershop event at the Bread and Bitter pub in Mapperley Nottingham tonight, where we will be performing, without a safety net, our new comedy song with the most complicated choreography we have ever attempted , for the very first time (gulp).

Hopefully it will all be OK.

This weekend we are in Llandudno with the Major Oak Chorus for the national championships. Friday evening our brother quartet 4 Blokes Singin' are competing in the national semi finals, and we wish them the very best.

I suppose we will have to sing and drink beer all weekend.

How we suffer for our art!!