3 Geese and more…

March 11th 2012

So it’s a Sunday morning (well, it’s trickled into the afternoon now) and this is one of the first Sunday’s I’ve had off in such a long time and I’m milking it for all it’s worth; pjs, crumpets, fundamentally pointless facebook browsing…the lot.

And I thought I’d share with you some nice news…

Over the weekend I got a call from the lovely Chrissie from the 3 Geese show on BBC Radio Bristol, asking if I’d co-host on Saturday 7th April. Clearly I said yes! Super excited. I love the show, and I love Chrissie and Livvy who present it; they’re amazing characters. So, I feel privileged to be part of their world for a day. You can tune in at 12pm for that.

Besides that I have spent the weekend writing with other artists (more to be revealed) which has been a wonderful thing. I feel so inspired right now.

There will be some releases later on this year…expect to be surprised as some of the music I’m writing for and with is quite different to what you will have heard so far. It’s exciting.

Well, the sun is shining and sky is clear clear blue, and I’m feeling pangs of guilt for still being in bed, so I may be forced to go drink cocktails in the sunshine…

Big love

Katey x

BBC Radio…

Feb 2nd 2012

Tom Robinson played Save My Heart on his Monday morning BBC Introducing show a few days ago. He called it “Heartfelt English gospel”; which I loved. It’s always really exciting to get played on his show so let’s hope there’ll be more to come soon!

Also below is my session with the 3 Geese on the BBC Bristol NYE special show. I had such a laugh with them, I love going on their show. I also played my new song ‘A Moment In Time’ which was great, and received well by the ladies. It’s always quite nerve-wracking playing a new song; you have no idea how people are going to feel about it. I hope you enjoy the live version below…

UKULELE IN PRISONS

Just before Christmas I went into Bristol prison to teach a group of ten guys some ukulele. The thinking behind it was that not only was it something positive and creative for them to be doing, but it would also be a great tool to use to help them bond more with their kids, upon release. We learnt jingle bells and some Bob Marley, and just generally had a really good laugh! There’s something extraordinarily cute about a bunch of big tough guys sat round strumming away at tiny pink ukuleles!

 

I found it to be a pretty moving couple of sessions, as these guys put a lot of energy into their learning, and were keen to know more, and to improve. It felt like time very well spent.

 

At about this time, I got a strong feeling that I’d like to do more volunteering with music, within the prison system….so, expect to hear more about that… We plan to set up a kind of Johnny Cash style tour at some point later on this year/early 2013. I think it will be an amazing experience, and again, bring some light into the prisons, where there surely is not much at all at times.

 

So, I shall keep you posted!

 

Big love

 

Katey x

SILENT NIGHT – FREE DOWNLOAD – DONATIONS TO BARNADOS

Dearest you

 

At the eleventh hour I decided to record a Christmas song.

 

The song is available to you for free, as a Merry Christmas, and a thank you for all your support this year. Just click the link below and you can download.

 

http://kateybrooks.bandcamp.com/

 

However, I have chosen to raise money for Barnados this Christmas, and any donation to the cause would be AMAZING.

 

With the recent cuts the Government have made, and the strong reaction of the public to this, all over the news, I was struck by the impact these cuts will have on children in the UK. The figure of an extra 100,000 children living in poverty came out; which I was really saddened by. I felt gutted that kids who have literally no say, no control, and no responsibility for the current financial mess, should suffer.

 

Then I was struck by how grateful I was for my life. I, like so many people, had a rollercoaster of a childhood, and yet I feel blessed for so many great things I had/have, and the amazing people in my life, and I think it’s so important to give to others who are less fortunate when I can.

 

Barnados is a great charity which helps change and improve the lives of thousands of children all over the UK. They help kids in all kinds of difficult situations from extreme poverty, to sexual exploitation, to situations of domestic violence, and disabilities. So my request is that if you can, would you make a small donation to the cause here :

 

www.justgiving.com/Katey-Brooks

 

As I said, ANY donation, however small or big, is fantastic.

 

They’re doing a great job. And I think we can help them do an even better job by giving them a quid or two.

 

So, here is ‘Silent Night’. I recorded it in a beautiful church in Wick St Lawrence, on a stormy, very un-silent night!!

 

Please send it on to your friends and family, and anyone else who you think would appreciate the cause. Big thanks.

 

I hope you enjoy the song, and I wish you the most wonderful Christmas, and all good things for 2012.

 

Big love

 

Katey

 

P.s. Big thanks to the star and gentleman that is Paul Quinn, my pianist and friend, who gave up lots of his time, for free, to record this for me.