Where to now?

Slightly (in fact, very) embarrassed at not having kept this blog up to date. Sorry. It's just that by now Dan and I had hoped to have some more positive news about shows and recordings, instead the project is pretty much stalled.

Mark Heimermann (Nashville, dcTalk, the Newsboys, MW Smith) would love to produce a recording (with possible vocals from people like Michael W Smith, Michael Tait, Kevin Max, or Marc Martel); the London Community Gospel Choir (Sting, Paul McCartney etc.) would love to help us; the Brno Symphony Orchestra and the B Side Big Band are ready to play; we've even got outline sponsorship money to help with a recording.

The problem is that we cannot find a record company willing to take it on as a project: seems like it too 'rock' for the classical genres and too 'epic' for the pop genre. Sponsors (of which we have potentially two wanting to invest a significant amount of cash) will not release any money until they have some idea of projected sales. So for now it's all a bit frustrating.

Hopefully we can organise some gigs in the Czech Republic before too long to get things started.

Do let us know if you have any bright ideas!

The Pope and George Michael

A couple of weeks ago Dan and I met up with our good friend Mick Spratt, MD of Wigwam Acoustics near Manchester. Wigwam are currently doing sound for George Michael, and other clients have included Radiohead, Oasis and Bjork. They were also the main contractors for the Pope's recent UK visit. Great to know that, when it comes to live shows, we can call on such a great company for support. It was even sunny in Rochdale! As Mick said: 'The sun shines on the just and the unjust - at least one day a year!'

We talked with Mick about future gigs, and also met with a potential Production Manager for live shows that we'd like to hire as soon as we've got some funds - a relief to be able to connect with people that really understand live sound and the issues of touring with such a large group of musicians. Mick is personally getting behind the project, for which we are really thankful. So we're expecting an awesome live sound!

Right now the hunt is on for a production company that will help us take the first major step - a CD, to be recorded this autumn. It could be we've found the right partner... will let you know soon.

Do stay in touch - and help us spread the word through Facebook etc. Take care!

Emerging into daylight

Composers and lyricists are a bit like architects - we work for months (even years) behind a computer screen, but then the day finally comes when the bulldozers move onto the building site. That's how it feels at the moment, and it feels great as well as being a little scary. We've been so grateful for the support and encouragement we've received, and as we go 'live' with this project we've decided to set up this blog so you can follow progress and make comments. Try to say nice things - we need encouragement (and money!).

With the writing phase nearing completion, our first step is to record a CD in the autumn if we can raise enough funds. It will feature string and brass players from the Czech Republic, a gospel choir (probably from London), and singers from the States. We'll do some name-dropping once things are clearer, but in the meantime, as we plan for this recording and for the first live shows, we are grateful for your support!

If you've just come across this work, do visit our main website where you can find out more and listen to the first demos. It would be great to hear from you.