Duncan Oakley
Big idiot, who goes around the country's top comedy clubs, with whatever instrument takes his fancy at the time, and makes people laugh... a lot... and he doesn't tend to stop doing it when he's not working, either. Idiot!
The Pesky Alligators
Legendary! In my opinion, the best musical act on the Nottingham circuit. They don't need the work as much as I do, though, so still book me!!!!
Adrian could organise an Italian government & still look as though he were sauntering through Venice on a gondola. I saw him in action at a wedding we were both working at and, at the time, was looking for someone to cater for my own wedding. After that night, it was clear that I needed to search no further.
Tom McNair
Aka Little John/Bear John Thomas. Tom is my oldest friend, not because he's 96 but because I've known him the longest. We went to school together, formed our first ever band together at the tender ages of 14 and used to jam together in the music room store cupboard at lunchtimes, using whatever guitar we could get our hands on. Most of them only had 3 strings. He is one of the most creative people I know and, since those school days, has learnt every instrument you can think of - he's just one of those really frustrating people, who can. Duncan(see above) calls him the whitest black man ever because he is that cool and has that much soul. Just in case anyone was in any doubt, he has grown dreadlocks, to boot. Tom & I still play together for the occasional gig and these days, our instruments tend to have all their strings, skins & keys in tact.
"An Eclectic Blend of Musical Style" is what their website says. Pretty accurate ... but they missed out the part where they kick the proverbial rear-end!!! A great funked-up, rocked-out vibe with some really cool tunes. They're so cool, they even get away with the odd crowd-pleaser. Frankly, by that time, they've got you well & truly by the balls anyway. I hate them so much, I booked them to play at my own wedding!
GR Cases
Are you in U2? Do you have a shed load of instruments and amps and speakers and cables and lighting and computers and Bono's ego, or anything delicate for that matter, to shove into the hold of your private jet on your way to Japan or Madison Square Gardens? Well then, what you'll be needing is a flight case. Big, strong, sturdy box to protect whatever it is you want to protect from those oh so careful baggage handlers. Made by the big man himself: Mr Malcolm Chapman. Yes, he's related - or so he keeps telling me. That's him in the photo, the one on the left. Nothing going on here but pure, unashamed, unabridged, in-your-face nepotism!!! And no, the other one isn't my grandad.
Jonny & Anna in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! Aka the Jelly Sessions. A fantastic bent on classic covers with acoustic guitar, harmonies & Anna on violin. As Amsterdam, along with cousin, Ian, they're Glastonbury material. Money for Nothing and your chicks for free? I should hope not, they're to be married soon and that just wouldn't do...
Jonatha Barbieri
Imagine a taller, blonder, more blue-eyed, Italian version of Duncan ... well, that'll be my best buddy from Italy. He's also into idiocy in a big way. We were DJs together on our local radio station back in 1991 when I lived in my Mum's home town of Reggio Emilia. We were the "Mark & Lard" of Radio Centrale ... and then the station went bust. He still DJs and I don't.
Hatchett Garden Design
James has an impeccable eye for detail, the temperament to ensure it counts and the artistic flair to draw your attention to it in the first place. So if you want to turn your jungle into an oasis, James will certainly lead up the garden path, so to speak.
La Congrega dei Liffi
Pietro is my Mum's sister's husband. Officially, that makes him my uncle but I've never called him that and he'd certainly object to me calling him that, so he's just Pietro. Well, I say, "just". He happens to be one of the most hospitable, charming and fascinating people I know. He loves anything to do with the sea, especially eating what swims in it. He formed a club of seafood afficionados with a few friends because they loved experimenting with new ways to cook it, and 20 years later, the club is host to one of the most sought after seafood cookery courses in the whole of Italy. Ever looked for just one word to say, "Do it because you love it, not because you have to?". Well, here it is: Pietro!
The Herb Birds
By far the cutest duo on Nottingham's live music circuit. Check them out, too - they're awesome! Don't book them, though, book me!!!
Ahh! Little Stacey. We've known each other since we were kids. Cool as a cucumber in The Antarctic, as wackey as a cake of soap suds on a motorbike and absolutely stunning to boot (hands off, though, she's spoken for!! The girl's got passion, ambition, a great sense of fun ... and hundreds upon hundreds of shoes! Go and buy some, would ya!!