I went back to the very lovely Upton Barn & Walled Garden today for another beautiful wedding. This time I was on my own as a solo violinist playing some new tunes. The bridal party entered to 'If I ain't got you' by Alicia Keys which works really well on electric violin. I played L.O.V.E. for the signing of the register and played another new tune 'Are you ready for Love' by Elton John for the exit which also went down really well. I played for the drinks reception and then swapped instruments and played some background piano tunes for the wedding breakfast. Lovely day. Thank you to the staff for being so helpful and welcoming.

I had a double header this weekend with the Exe Valley String Quartet.  Friday we played at a wedding at Upton Barn and Walled Gardens which is a regular venue for us over the past few years.  Lovely wedding with some Bridgerton music and James Bond 007 theme.  On Saturday we travelled down the A38 to the very beautiful Hareston Manor.  What a stunning place to get married!  This was a Canadian wedding so we played the groomsmen and bridesmaids in first (Ed Sheeran Perfect) followed by the bride (Take my Hand - Picture this). We then played a wide range of styles and classics for the drinks reception and photographs. It was a really lovely occasion.  What a job I have!

First time performing at the Family Fun Day in Plymouth. Nice community gig singing to lots of lovely people. They loved hearing us and joining in. Well done to the Plymouth Rockies for a thoroughly professional performance. We had to deal with high winds, heavy showers, an outdoor acoustic, a dog show (which was really cute). Sounded awesome and we had lots of positive feedback. There was lots of food and drink stalls at the event and I tried a vegan sausage roll for the very first time. (Sorry guys, I wasn't convinced!) Thank you to the Newton Abbot Rockies and Dawlish/Teignmouth Rockies who came along in their tee shirts to support. It was lovely to see you and a big heart felt thank you for being there. #plymouth #newtonabbot #torquay #dawlish #teignmouth.

Lovely bank holiday wedding at the very beautiful Huntsham Court Country House, Devon. Day out with the Exe Valley String Quartet. The weather stayed dry although a bit windy. We played 'Wildest Dreams' from Bridgerton for the entrance of the bridal party, Mama Mia and 'Habits' for the signing of the register and we played out the guests with 'Firework' by Katy Perry. We even got to play some rock songs for the brides father, Sweet Child of Mine and Back in Black by ACDC! First of two very different gigs this bank holiday weekend. Off to Plymouth the Rock Choir tomorrow.

To round off a fabulous Rock Choir couple of weeks we came back to Dawlish like we do every August to sing at the Dawlish Celebrates Carnival. As always the atmosphere in the town and the audience was buzzing. Its always so nice to sing in our local community. Well done to all the South Devon Rockies who sang this morning. Lots of very positive feedback. Time for a short break now before we sing at the family fun day in Central Park, Plymouth. #torquay #plymouth #newtonabbot #teignmouth #dawlish Rock Choir.

August has been a super busy month full of wonderful gigs at wonderful venues. Saturday 10th August I had the privilege to play for Emily and Will's wedding. The ceremony was a traditional ceremony in Shobrooke Parish Church where I played a new arrangement of Sail Away by David Gray. Afterwards we drove through some good old Devon country lanes to Pitt Farm near Thorveton where I played for the drinks reception. Gorgeous wedding in stunning Devon countryside. Always feel very privileged and lucky to do what I do for a living! Looking forward to a short break now - back in a couple of weeks!

Just returned from our Rock Choir Tour to the Edinburgh Fringe and straight up the Devon Link Road to the beautiful North Devon coast.  I joined up with the fabulous Exe Valley String Quartet and went up to Sandy Cove Hotel in Ilfracombe for a lovely wedding.  It was a bit soggy so we had to play indoors but that didn't matter at all. We even got to play our brand new arrangement of 'I don't wanna miss a thing' by Airosmith for the Brides entrance. We get to play at some stunning venues.

I joined the Exe Valley String Quartet today for a lovely wedding at a new venue for us.  Lavender House near Ashburton. Another lovely summers day playing outside in the gardens for the ceremony and the drinks reception.  Music requests included a new one - Habits by Tove Lo for the brides entrance.  We also played At Last and Sign Sealed Delivered for the signing of the register and a good old classic to send them on their way - All you need is love by The Beatles.  We were also asked to play a quartet version of Hi Ho Silver Lining - it kinda worked!  Another great day!

Friday August 2nd 2024. What a great way to end the week. 190 South Devon Rockies singing today outside the iconic Buckfast Abbey. We had a really appreciative and large crowd come over to watch and listen and I can't tell you all how proud it makes me feel when I hear the amazing feedback from the friends and family listening to us. Huge shout out to the rockies on their first gig today - you were brilliant. Next stop.....Edinburgh fringe!

Sunday 28th July - Dawlish Lawn/Band Stand. A lovely Sunday summer afternoon in beautiful Dawlish. Live music featuring the wonderful Torbay Brass Band the the South Devon Rockies. The rockies were again on top form as we performed two sets to a lovely appreciative audience. Our new songs went down really well. Love my rockies very much - always sound and look very professional even in hot conditions like today. Respect!

Saturday 27th July 2024 - our debut appearance at the Bovey Tracey Party in the Park. What a great gig. A traditional Devon event where families bring a picnic and are entertained all day and night by local musicians, groups and bands. Stalls and food and drinks and things for the kids to do. The weather was kind and 100 South Devon Rockies were bang in form as we sang to a good crowd of over 1000 people! Can we come back next year please!

On Friday I played violin for a beautiful wedding in the very stunning Harbour Hotel Salcombe for Laura and Josh. It was an electric violin day with 'Wildest Dreams' from Bridgerton for the entrance of the bridal party. I particularly enjoyed arranging and learning 'Going Home' from the film The Local Hero for the signing of the register. This was for Josh and all the Newcastle Fans in the guests! Everybody exited to 'I believe in a thing called Love' by The Darkness on Violin! It was awesome! I then played for a couple of hours while guests had canapes and drinks. Lovely day. Thank you to Laura Louise Hall for being a brilliant wedding planner on the day.

South Devon Rock Choir Big Sing - Saturday July 6th Plymouth. 275 Rockies coming together to celebrate Rock Choir in South Devon. A truly spectacular day with a lot of emotional and powerful singing! Come and join Rock Choir in South Devon. Choirs in Torquay, Plymouth, Newton Abbot and Dawlish. www.rockchoir.com #torquay #plymouth #newtonabbot #dawlish #teignmouth

Another fabulous afternoon playing at a beautiful wedding at the very beautiful Rockbeare Manor. Thanks to Steph and the staff as always for looking after us. We had an afternoon of classical music which is always nice. We played the very gorgeous 'La Califfa' for the brides entrance - what a melody that is! We played for just under 4 hours today for the guests who were very appreciative. #weddingquartet #exevalleystringquartet #devonquartet

Plymouth Armed Forces Day 2024. I am feeling very proud today after another fantastic performance at Armed Forces Day in Plymouth. You all look so smart and thank you so much for your patience with lining up and getting all the little details just right. It makes a huge difference. I cannot tell you how many people stopped me on the way home to say how amazing the Rock Choir was. Well done everyone! Congratulations also to those Rockies doing their first gig with us. I hope you enjoyed it! Rock Choir #plymouth #plymoutharmedforcesday

Lovely Wedding at Upton Barn & Walled Garden near Collumpton last Friday. We are becoming regular visitors to this venue now and it is set in the beautiful Devon countryside. We played Pachelbels Canon for the Bridal party to enter, Arrival of the Queen of Sheeba and Marry You by Bruno Mars for the signing of the register an then we played one of our new arrangements 'The Theme Tune from Friends' for the exit of the guests. A very appreciative crowd with lots of lovely feedback.

What a fabulous weekend we spent together. Saturday was our very first trip to Higher Egbeer Farm nr Cheriton Bishop which was beautiful and rustic. Sunday we returned to a very familiar venue Rockbeare Manor nr Exeter. Today we played a very special request. 'English Rose' by Paul Weller was very close to the bride's heart and was chosen for her entrance music. We always love writing special arrangements for couples because it makes their day even more special and personal.  5 weddings played at in June with another 3 to go.  Loving our jobs!  #weddingquartet #exevalleystringquartet

Lovely road trip with my string quartet Exe Valley String Quartet.Not everyday we get to accompany two opera singers. It was a special experience. #flowerduet.

Another fabulous Devon venue, this time down by Tavistock at the very beautiful Bradstone Manor Farm. Beautiful surroundings and beautiful summer weather. Just a duo today with Richard on the violin and Lucy on the cello. We played a range of special requests including Canon in D, Concerning Hobbits, Everlasting Love, Wildest Dreams and one of our favourites, Teenage Dirtbag! What a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon in June!