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July 2009
I started the tour at the very end of April and with so many dates under my belt I am now relaxing into the shows. It has been great seeing so many familiar faces at the end of the night as well as meeting so many new ones. I have to admit that coming out to the foyer after the show is one of my favourite things. No two nights are the same and you all seem to have so many wonderful stories to share.
As much as I love singing, touring can get rather tiring and with the loss of Paul to illness I have also been driving myself. I do prefer to get home at the end of the night but some o the drives have been more than four hours, that on top pf a four-hour journey to the gig, rehearsals, a full show, signing autographs and then doing the drive in reverse. Some nights are obviously tougher than others but there is nothing better than your own bed.
June was very busy with twelve dates. For the last few years I have been doing one tour at the end of October/November, doing twenty-five plus dates and then that is it for a year or so. This year Michele organised it so that I am working most of the year but on a less intense basis – before I would be working nearly every night, this time round I have at least a day or two in between shows to catch my breath.
Some of the tour dates have been swapped around and I am thrilled that Michele has tied up a deal with promoter Tom Kelly that will see me in Ireland for several days. Travelling outside England isn’t easy as the transport of the musicians and sound equipment isn’t a cheap exercise. On top of the travel costs there are also hotels and transport to take into the equation.
2009 Gigs
July
1 Clacton Princess Theatre
August
22 Truro – The Hall for Cornwall
28 Private Function
29 Private FunctionSeptember
5 Darlington Civic
10 Buxton Opera House
12 Lichfield Garrick
13 Uckfield Civic Centre
16 Blackpool North Pier - matinee
17 Basildon Towngate Theatre
18 Market Drayton Arts Centre
19 Morecambe Platform
20 Artrix Bromsgrove
24 Eastbourne Congress
26 Babbacome TorquayOctober
2 Christchurch Regent
3 Civic Aylesbury
9 Consett Empire nr. Durham
16 Retford Majestic
17 Loughborough Town Hall
24 Boston Blackfriars Arts Centre (moved from 15 May)
25 Hunstanton Princess
31 Island Arts Centre LisburnNovember
1 Millennium Forum Theatre Derry
2 Braid Arts Centre Ballymena
3 Waterfront Theatre Belfast
8 Crewe Lyceum
28 Swansea Craig Y Nos Castle
Most months are now set in stone as the posters had to be drawn up and promotion started. But August onwards is still work in progress and there will be several more venues to be added all the way to November.
Unfortunately because of Paul coming off the tour I have had to cancel our offer of the Backstage Pass. I am quite upset, as it was a way of offering each of you a little bonus for being such staunch fans. My hands are tied at the moment, as I have no one to take over from Paul. The theatres are very strict and will not allow people to wander into the auditorium or backstage without being escorted but I will try to think of something that will get us past all the rules and regulations.
July and August is rather quiet concert wise but unless I am doing a summer season I see no point in working anywhere other than a seaside resort as so many people are away on holiday in those months. It gives me a chance to recharge my batteries and do some other things. I am in the middle of negotiating with a major digital download company. With the advance of technology it is important to keep up with the times and downloading is definitely the way of the future. The deal will give me the opportunity of recording two new albums in these quiet months and I am set to go into the studio any day now. Apart from a new solo album I will also be working on a new duets album although that will come later in the year. It is all very exciting.
Don’t forget ‘Friends of Matt Monro’ is our official Fan Club run by Geraldine Vine. Membership includes a Welcome Pack and four issues of our exclusive newsletter. Where possible we give you advanced access to concert tickets and pre-sales as well as the opportunity of purchasing tickets for concerts, personal appearances and special gatherings. The Newsletter also features discounts on exclusive merchandise and Geraldine runs several competitions with the chance to win tickets and merchandise. Membership is £12.00 single/£15.00 joint membership for fans in England or £15.00 single/£18.00 joint membership for overseas fans. If you wish to join the Fan Club contact Geraldine Vine at gerivine2005@yahoo.co.uk or access our website and go to the “News” page. By scrolling down the page you will find the heading ‘Friends of Matt Monro’ and an application form for you to print out.
Although I keep my monthly updates here I also have my own site at www.mattmonrojnr.com, if any of you want to pop across I would love to see you there.
Until next time
Matt
