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Hogmanay in Perthshire

January 21, 2014 By Lisa Martin Leave a Comment

Lisa-Martin-New-Years-Eve-rsHappy New Year!

Well it’s been a busy time for me over Christmas and New Year.  I’m just about settling back to normal routine and quite amazed that it’s nearly the end of January already!  

I managed to get back home to see the folks for a couple of days over Christmas, so it was lovely to have a little break.  New Year’s Eve saw me performing up north again, in a beautiful little Perthshire village called Alyth, where I celebrated Hogmanay with a mixture of locals and visitors. 

Alyth must be a very healthy place to live, as there was a lovely gentleman at the bar in his 90s, still looking very fit and active, who had served in the distinguished ‘Black Watch’ Scottish regiment in his younger days.  Him and his wife enjoyed the whole night and stayed well into the wee hours!  

As it was Hogmanay I included several Scottish favourites, including the essential Loch Lomond and Auld Lang Syne at the stroke of midnight.  I also added in some more contemporary Scottish songs by artists such as Rod Stewart, Frankie Miller, Eddi Reader, Paulo Nutini and Emeli Sande. 

It turned out to be a very romantic night, as one young man proposed to his girlfriend just after midnight.  I think that’s the first time that’s happened at one of my gigs – as soon as she said yes I launched into the traditional Scottish song ‘Mairi’s Wedding’ to get everybody in the mood!

I am booked to sing at quite a few weddings over the next few months, plus a few of my friends are also planning to tie the knot this year – looks like 2014 is going to be a very romantic one!

So, let’s get in the mood with this sentimental swing classic by Ella Fitzgerald: ‘I only have eyes for you’.

1940s show at RAFA club, Prestwick, Scotland

September 25, 2013 By Lisa Martin Leave a Comment

Lisa Martin Retro Singer 1940sI was very glad to get the opportunity to perform my 1940s show again at the fantastic RAFA club in Prestwick recently.  This club has got to be one of my favourites, as everyone there just loves to enjoy themselves.  Everyone got in the mood and danced from the start to the finish of the evening.  A big thank you once again to Del and all the gang at this great club for making me feel so welcome!

Airth Castle Hotel – A Vintage Fairytale Scottish Wedding

August 17, 2013 By Lisa Martin Leave a Comment

Professional vintage vocalist at fairytale Scottish Wedding Castle

Vintage Fairytale Scottish Wedding

I had the pleasure of singing at a beautiful vintage fairytale Scottish Wedding at Airth Castle Hotel  last weekend.

Even though Airth is less than an hour away from me (near Falkirk), I’d never been there before (and was not even aware it had a castle!) so it was nice to get the chance to visit a new place.

Airth Castle Hotel provided a beautiful venue for this vintage fairytale Scottish wedding.  The castle itself dates back to the 14th century, and was once owned by the family of Robert the Bruce.

 

Of course, it’s now been refurbished to the high standards that people expect for a luxury vintage Scottish wedding, with outstanding facilities, plus an excellent team of friendly attentive staff.

The bride had asked me to provide some romantic vintage love songs while people were enjoying their Wedding Breakfast.  She wanted some swing and jazz from the 1940s and 1950s – lovely old classics such as ‘The way you look tonight’,  plus some more modern ‘chilled out’ music, including ‘Come away with me’ by Norah Jones.  This is not a song I’ve ever done before, but it was a great suggestion, as it’s such a beautiful song with a very romantic sentiment.  So I’ll keep that one in my set list for future weddings.  It’s a waltz too, which always comes in handy at functions, as everyone loves to dance a waltz, and there are not so many great songs in that particular time signature.

Wedding photography was provided by the excellent TDH Media.  Well, ‘wedding photography’ doesn’t really fully describe their service, as they also provided videography, and even the latest craze: ‘marryoke’.  All the guests had a lot of fun singing along to the marryoke song, as they created a unique video to celebrate the occasion.  I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of this trend, as media companies get creative and provide more fun interactive services for their wedding parties.

Idyllic surroundings, gorgeous suites and fabulous dining – not to mention the luxurious Spa facilities – make Airth Castle Hotel a very popular venue for wedding parties from all over the world.  The bride was a big Disney fan, and it looks like she picked the right place for a perfect vintage fairytale wedding.

Scottish Wedding Singer

Prior to the guests’ arrival… the view from my microphone!

Vintage Wedding Show Glasgow

August 1, 2013 By Lisa Martin Leave a Comment

Lisa Martin Retro Singer

Last weekend saw me at the Trades Hall in Glasgow as I appeared at a wedding showcase for Freak Music which was part of The Vintage Wedding Show at the Merchant City Vintage Festival.

It was great to see Glasgow packed with all things vintage, with so many people showing up dressed for the occasion.  Merchant City was transported back in time as people braved the weather to watch live bands, learn jive dancing and get hair and beauty makeovers.  It certainly seems like the Vintage scene is alive and kicking here in Scotland.

First up at our showcase was the quirky and unique fourpiece ‘Banjo Lounge Four’ who performed a great mixture of songs both old and new.  Playing banjo, guitar, double bass and drums, they had a cool acoustic sound and made every song their own – from classics such as ‘Just a Gigolo’ to the latest chart hits from artists such as Beyonce and Calvin Harris.  We were even treated to a unique take on the theme from Knightrider, via their version of Punjabi MC’s remix ‘Mundian To Bach Ke’.

Next up was little ol’ me!  I performed a range of songs from the 1940s and 1950s, and featured some of my favourite wedding songs such as ‘The way you look tonight’, ‘Let there be love’ and ‘At last’.  I’m just an old romantic at heart!

Andy-Miller-Swing-SingerLast but not least was the fabulous Swing singer Andy Miller.  I’m always glad to get the chance to work with this superb performer, as not only is he a great singer, but he is also a really nice guy – always a bonus in this business!  Andy is a true all-rounder, as not only does he do a fantastic Swing show, but he is also in great demand for his Robbie Williams and Michael Buble Tribute shows.

Afterwards I had a wander around to see some of the other exhibitors at the show.  Bouquets, cakes, photography, flowers, and of course, wedding dresses – all in a gorgeous vintage style – it makes me wonder why anybody would consider having a ‘normal’ wedding!

Then as luck would have it, I bumped into my good pal and ‘dancer extraordinaire’ John Ritchie from top Big Band ‘That Swing Sensation’.Vintage-Wedding-Show-Scotland

Fred Astaire eat your heart out!

All in all, the day was a big success, with a great turnout of prospective Brides and Grooms looking for that stylish Vintage touch to add to their special day.

A big thank you goes out to Chris from Freak Music for being on hand throughout the day for help and support.

 

 

 

Lisa Martin Vintage Singer

 

James Bond Tribute and Best of British Music at Berwick

May 18, 2013 By Lisa Martin Leave a Comment

Last weekend I nearly made it back onto English soil; travelling down to The Borders to perform my James Bond tribute show ‘Casino Royale’ at Berwick Holiday Park.  They put on a special ‘Best of British’ themed night for the owners’ party – so of course ‘Bond’ fitted the bill perfectly!

The team at Berwick did a great job in decorating the room in true British fashion, with plenty of bunting and balloons to add to the atmosphere.  The crowd were obviously up for a party and many had come in fancy dress (including one very inventive ‘postbox’ from Newcastle!) so I added into the set some uptempo pop songs from British favourites such as Emili Sande, Jessie J and Amy Winehouse to keep them on the dancefloor.

I was appearing with top Elton John Tribute Act Joel Coombes.  What a great performer this guy is!  He not only looks and sounds the part, but he is also a fantastic musician.  A true professional and a pleasure to work with, he really got the crowd going with all the popular Elton John classics such as I’m Still Standing, Rocket Man, and of course the classic Candle in the Wind.

Joel Coombes Elton John Tribute

Joel Coombes as Elton John

 

Dinner Dance Vintage Cabaret at Stirling Castle

May 8, 2013 By Lisa Martin Leave a Comment

Lisa Martin Retro SingerVintage cabaret is all the rage nowadays!  I had the pleasure of singing my favourite 1940s and 1950s songs at the beautiful Stirling Castle last weekend for an event organised by corporate travel experts Hello Scotland.  I’ve driven past Stirling Castle many times before so it was lovely to see it ‘up close and personal’ at last.  What a stunning venue for weddings and other functions!

I performed a ‘swing‘ style vintage cabaret set for the guests during dinner (5 sumptuous courses! They were well and truly spoilt!) then fabulous DJ Paul Binney took over with dance music to complete the evening’s entertainment.

The event was organised for a group of Swiss visitors who had come over to Scotland for a few days to enjoy the sights and sounds… but possibly not the weather, as it’s been pretty cold and rainy recently!  Still, they kept their spirits up and enjoyed their last night in Scotland, partying in style at beautiful Stirling Castle.

A big thank you to Elaine and Heather, who made me very welcome and did a great job organising the night’s event, making sure everything ran smoothly.

 

1940s, 1950s and 1960s tribute shows at Nardini’s, Largs, Scotland

March 22, 2013 By Lisa Martin Leave a Comment

Lisa Martin 1950s showI recently appeared at a great venue on the West coast of Scotland called Nardini’s.  This famous Scottish landmark was first opened in the 1930s, and it still retains its ‘retro’ art-deco style – perfect for me of course!

I was booked to perform 3 tribute shows in one night – starting with my 1940s wartime show, then my 1950s show, and finishing off with my 1960s show, plus some lively modern songs to keep everyone dancing.

I really enjoyed my first visit to this fabulous restaurant.  The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the audience were ready to enjoy themselves.  A big coachload of ladies from Ardrossan ensured that I was kept as entertained as my audience – they were really up for a laugh and enjoyed dancing and singing along to all the old favourites.

 

James Bond Tribute Show at Gleneagles Hotel

February 9, 2013 By Lisa Martin Leave a Comment

Last week I appeared at a function in the world-renowned Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder; a beautiful town within the magnificent Perthshire countrside, deep in the heart of Scotland.  I was booked to perform my James Bond tribute show for a multi-national group of business people.

Also appearing were Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, Kate Middleton and Our Majesty the Queen.  Well, not quite – they were all lookalikes – but very convincing nonetheless!  It was a lovely night with a very friendly audience who were really enjoying themselves.  The organisers really took care of every detail, with a lavish dinner, lots of great entertainment (including the fantastic showband Stax of Motown), and even some Knighthoods by Our Madge!

Gleneagles Hotel

James Bond Tribute Show London

December 5, 2012 By Lisa Martin Leave a Comment

James Bond casino showLast weekend I performed my James Bond tribute show for a corporate Christmas function at the beautiful Grand Connaught Rooms  in London. As it turns out, they only needed a short performance, so I flew all the way from Glasgow to London to sing for 20 minutes! Still, it was a great night, I was made very welcome, and it was lovely to revisit London – it’s been a few years since I was last there.

Even  though it was a short show, I managed to fit in all my favourite James Bond songs, including Goldfinger by Shirley Bassey, Nobody does it better by Carly Simon, You only live twice by Nancy Sinatra, plus the latest Bond theme song Skyfall by Adele.

Of course, no James Bond tribute show would be complete without the classic song Diamonds are forever – so here it is!

The pros and cons of working as a Cruise Ship Singer

November 14, 2012 By Lisa Martin Leave a Comment

Cruise ship singerThe other day I got an email from a music student asking about the pros and cons of working as a cruise ship singer. I thought it was a great question which warranted more than a brief reply, so I decided it would make for a good blog topic.

I have done a variety of different kinds of singing jobs onboard cruise ships over the years, and they all presented their own highlights and challenges. The job of ‘a cruise ship singer’ can vary from ship to ship and contract to contract, in terms of job conditions, type of performance, and length of contract.

For instance, one of my first contracts was as a production cast member, singing in the ‘in-house’ shows onboard ship. I auditioned in London, got the job, and from then on things happened very quickly. I had to arrange my visa then fly straight to the US to attend show rehearsals for several weeks before joining the ship for a six month contract.

As well as performing in the shows each night there were other ‘entertainment host’ type duties I was expected to fulfil onboard ship, such as compering events, organising safety drills and socialising with passengers.

I have also worked as a ‘resident band’ singer on many ships. This job is also generally a long contract of around 6 months, and can involve singing for up to 6 hours a day, for 6 or 7 days per week, so it can be quite hard work as a singer. My vocal chords certainly became very strong after a while!

Performances can be in different parts of the ship; for example lounge bars, the theatre, or even out on deck. Resident bands are not expected to perform ‘entertainment host’ type duties, but would be required to participate in health and safety procedures, such as boat drills and other regular training sessions. Also, performances are not necessarily confined to evening; often the band are required to play during the afternoon. Add regular band rehearsals to this and you may be disappointed if you expect to have every day free for sunning yourself out on deck!

Perhaps the most sought-after Cruise Ship singing job is that of a ‘headline act’ or ‘visiting cabaret’. These types of contracts are usually very short-term and can last anywhere between one night and a couple of weeks, during which one or two shows will be performed in the main theatre. No other duties will usually be required, and the singer will normally have passenger status (which means a passenger cabin, no restrictions in terms of using bars and restaurants, and no safety drill responsibilities).

The money and conditions for this type of job are usually much better than other types of contract, especially considering that you are only expected to perform a few shows and are free for the rest of the time to enjoy the ship – however it can be quite difficult to secure a contract as a visiting cabaret, unless you are already well-known on the circuit.

There is a downside however, as a lot of travelling is involved in these short-term contracts. As a solo performer it can feel quite lonely flying back and forth to various ports to meet the ships, and staying in hotels alone en-route. ‘Living out of a suitcase’ may not be everybody’s cup of tea. An organised and confident personality is a bonus when dealing with delayed flights, lost luggage and other stressful travel situations. Again, it all depends on your own outlook – a lot of singers would relish the thought of being paid to travel to so many different places.

No matter what your job, any work onboard ship calls for quite an outgoing personality, as you are expected to be friendly and polite to passengers at all times. Privacy can be an issue, as when you are at sea there is ‘nowhere to hide’ – plus you often have to share a cabin with another performer, unless you are a visiting cabaret. In terms of food and general living conditions, it varies greatly from ship to ship – it’s a good idea to study your contract carefully before signing to check out what’s in store!

Weighing up all the good and bad points, I must admit that I certainly don’t regret any of my time onboard cruise ships – it has been a fantastic way to travel the world, meet some great people, gain unique life experience, and see some places I never would have travelled to otherwise.

Lisa Martin Retro Singer

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About Lisa Martin

Lisa Martin retro singerLisa Martin is a professional singer based in Glasgow Scotland who specialises in classy vintage style shows.. Read More…

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