Well! Thought it was about time I told you about the first gig with The Claire Barker Band.
We played the Afternoon Headline Spot at The Brickmakers in Norwich May Charity bash. All the bands on the day play for free to raise money for East Anglian Air Ambulance.
The place was packed for our 4-5 slot. We were thrilled to see so many people there to support us and frankly shocked at how many turned out for us. I Guess the word is spreading.
The set went well, folks were having a boogie and the boys played brilliantly. We had spent so many hours preparing and rehearsing and to see it come together with a big stage, lights and a happy smiling singing audience made my month!
We have a few gigs this month. Please check our website www.theclairebarkerband.weebly.com, facebook and @vocalclaire on twitter to keep in touch with the bands movements!
the fun of being a professional singer and organising a band and a solo career
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Friday, 6 May 2011
recording shenannigans!
What a mad week! Got the boys (and Josie) into the recording studio to record the band demo. We had the most fun day and Andy Cooper (hammond/videographer extrordinaire) captured lots of video and pictures to form a couple of youtube videos. You can now find us on there by looking up The Claire Barker Band.
Putting them onto the music and events page soon too (www.musicandevents.co.uk)who incidentally are offering special rates on their listings right now, check it out at the website.. trying to keep up with all of the online presence and get in gigs and organise rehearsals, as well as the solo gigs. 2 kids, a dog and a house to keep organised!
Too much to do! EEK! only 24 days til debut gig at The Brickmakers Norwich Charity day on 30th May. 12 hours of Bands, bouncy castle, face painting, beers, food all for £2!! Proceeds to East Anglian Air Ambulance...
Bring on the month ahead. You can find a gig list on both websites www.clairebarker.weebly.com. This one links to the band website!
Putting them onto the music and events page soon too (www.musicandevents.co.uk)who incidentally are offering special rates on their listings right now, check it out at the website.. trying to keep up with all of the online presence and get in gigs and organise rehearsals, as well as the solo gigs. 2 kids, a dog and a house to keep organised!
Too much to do! EEK! only 24 days til debut gig at The Brickmakers Norwich Charity day on 30th May. 12 hours of Bands, bouncy castle, face painting, beers, food all for £2!! Proceeds to East Anglian Air Ambulance...
Bring on the month ahead. You can find a gig list on both websites www.clairebarker.weebly.com. This one links to the band website!
Friday, 15 April 2011
Good Day!
What a great day! I secured 4 bookings yesterday, 3 for my solo act and 1 wedding booking for August for the band. The graft if starting to pay off and gigs are coming in which is fabulous!
My first solo gig at the fox was a massive success and a good time was had by all. You can see the photos on my solo website at www.clairebarker.weebly.com and my next solo gig is on St Georges day (23rd April) at The Farmhouse, Colman Road, Norwich. Looking forward to a new venue and new faces!
For details of gigs around the country please pop along to
http://www.musicandevents.co.uk/news/ and check out what's happening near you.
My first solo gig at the fox was a massive success and a good time was had by all. You can see the photos on my solo website at www.clairebarker.weebly.com and my next solo gig is on St Georges day (23rd April) at The Farmhouse, Colman Road, Norwich. Looking forward to a new venue and new faces!
For details of gigs around the country please pop along to
http://www.musicandevents.co.uk/news/ and check out what's happening near you.
Friday, 8 April 2011
What goes into it!!
When booking a band for your wedding or party you might gasp at the prices function bands are charging! It can be very simple to assume that this is a bit of a sham to be honest.. I mean they get up and sing for a couple of hours and go home right? Well not so much!!
I have been organising 6 people in getting 6 schedules together and arranging rehearsals to get my band tight and funky! This is no mean feat with a busy bunch of people all with jobs, gigs and family to fit around! So each rehearsal being 3 hours and paying for studio time is just the tip of the iceberg. If you look at the equipment on the stage, bear in mind even the small bits of kit like an average microphone is over £100! Amps, PA, Speakers, stands, lights, cables, monitors, plus each persons indivual kit like guitar amps, instruments, personal bits like strings, and servicing! I thought I was getting there after the considerable outlay of buying PA and lights! No! Public Liablity insurance is standard practice now and lots of venues won't let you play without it, PAT testing on all electrical cables and insurance for your equipment... and of course the thing that we all understand.. FUEL!
So this blog is just to let you have a think about what is involved in each gig and broken down into an hourly rate I'm sure most musicians would be better off working in tesco!
Pop along to www.musicandevents.co.uk to have a browse amongst the talented and hard working guys that graft for your enjoyment... We do it because we love it so don't think I'm having a moan because I'm never happier than when I'm on stage singing and cheesy though this may be, it does feel good to make someone's wedding day!
I have been organising 6 people in getting 6 schedules together and arranging rehearsals to get my band tight and funky! This is no mean feat with a busy bunch of people all with jobs, gigs and family to fit around! So each rehearsal being 3 hours and paying for studio time is just the tip of the iceberg. If you look at the equipment on the stage, bear in mind even the small bits of kit like an average microphone is over £100! Amps, PA, Speakers, stands, lights, cables, monitors, plus each persons indivual kit like guitar amps, instruments, personal bits like strings, and servicing! I thought I was getting there after the considerable outlay of buying PA and lights! No! Public Liablity insurance is standard practice now and lots of venues won't let you play without it, PAT testing on all electrical cables and insurance for your equipment... and of course the thing that we all understand.. FUEL!
So this blog is just to let you have a think about what is involved in each gig and broken down into an hourly rate I'm sure most musicians would be better off working in tesco!
Pop along to www.musicandevents.co.uk to have a browse amongst the talented and hard working guys that graft for your enjoyment... We do it because we love it so don't think I'm having a moan because I'm never happier than when I'm on stage singing and cheesy though this may be, it does feel good to make someone's wedding day!
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Eeeekk!!
Well after 10 years of singing for a living in duos and function bands at restaurants and at weddings I have my very first public solo gig in a pub with rowdy drinkers! And as scary as I'm finding it I can't wait.. Looking forward to a new challenge..The locals are a great bunch so not much to worry about!
Also this week I had an enquiry for my band about a wedding, from www.musicandevents.co.uk I have been plugging this website as THE next big thing in online advertising (and will continue to!). The website has done well this week and more and more people are signing up. If you are a muso or have any events type buisness please check it out. You can get a featured listing for as little as £50 for the year... that is GREAT value and far cheaper than most! Find the site on facebook too. 'Music & Events Entertainment Directory' and click 'like' to get updates.
Have a great week, and come see me at 'The Silver Fox' pub, Fakenham Road, Taverham. 9th April
Bye for now
Claire xx
Also this week I had an enquiry for my band about a wedding, from www.musicandevents.co.uk I have been plugging this website as THE next big thing in online advertising (and will continue to!). The website has done well this week and more and more people are signing up. If you are a muso or have any events type buisness please check it out. You can get a featured listing for as little as £50 for the year... that is GREAT value and far cheaper than most! Find the site on facebook too. 'Music & Events Entertainment Directory' and click 'like' to get updates.
Have a great week, and come see me at 'The Silver Fox' pub, Fakenham Road, Taverham. 9th April
Bye for now
Claire xx
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Hello and Welcome!
Hi! Well here it is.. the first blog of many. So here's a little bit about me.
My name is Claire and I'm a singer.. I have recently signed up to promote a FAB website which showcases bands, agents, solo artists, magicians, P.A Hire, shops, studios and pretty much anything else you can think of related to the music and entertainment industry.
The company is called Music & Events and is an Entertainments & Events Directory. The website address is http://www.musicandevents.co.uk/
If you are planning a party, corporate event or wedding you can find out who is available, listen to their tracks, view photos and even get an idea of price in a one-stop-shop! My job is to promote the site and sign people up to join.
The cost to join varies but you get more benefits for the high end packages. But you can join for free if you don't want the photos, music and other benefits.
I will promote, not only the site but bands and buinesses that join through my blog, which I intend to post to facebook, twitter and any other sites I can find!!
So drop me a line if you want to sign up to this brilliant resource.. email me at vocalclaire@hotmail.co.uk, in the mean time happy planning, gigging, retailing or anything else you might be up to..
Claire x
My name is Claire and I'm a singer.. I have recently signed up to promote a FAB website which showcases bands, agents, solo artists, magicians, P.A Hire, shops, studios and pretty much anything else you can think of related to the music and entertainment industry.
The company is called Music & Events and is an Entertainments & Events Directory. The website address is http://www.musicandevents.co.uk/
If you are planning a party, corporate event or wedding you can find out who is available, listen to their tracks, view photos and even get an idea of price in a one-stop-shop! My job is to promote the site and sign people up to join.
The cost to join varies but you get more benefits for the high end packages. But you can join for free if you don't want the photos, music and other benefits.
I will promote, not only the site but bands and buinesses that join through my blog, which I intend to post to facebook, twitter and any other sites I can find!!
So drop me a line if you want to sign up to this brilliant resource.. email me at vocalclaire@hotmail.co.uk, in the mean time happy planning, gigging, retailing or anything else you might be up to..
Claire x
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