Hi Everyone,

A special thanks to those of you who visited my stall and bought a signed copy of my book...Please enjoy!!

1970's UK Gospel Funk band Paradise were a sensation in their time.12 of there songs spanning 3 albums as been re-issued. I contributed to the photos and liner notes.

I am working on the next edition of my book. If you feel that a pioneering group or individual should be included please get in touch.

I will be speaking for a brief moment and selling my books at one of Britains largest Gospel music festival, Gosfes in the Midlands.

If you do plan to attend, come over to my stall and I will be happy to sign a book for you.

Otherwise, have a great Bank Holiday.

Sorry I know you are all eager to hear from me but am a bit busy at moment. Will feedback very soon....btw had a great time in Huddersfield.

My book was featured in Peckham History Society newsletter end of July 2010. I have included a few pioneers from the Peckham area and it attracted much attention from society members. The book also recieved a very good review. Also, for all of you who won copies of my book as part of the recent Premier Radio promotion.......enjoy!!!

By the way, I have entered the part of my life where I need a rocking chair and peace n quiet...I am a Grandad.

British Black Gospel will be on release in the USA end of this month. May create opportunities to promote over there.....the cradle of Black gospel....should be interesting.

 

 

Hi,

A very keen and enthusiastic reader has begun a facebook page entitled...British Black Gospel. Check it out and please sign up!

Really appreciate that.

Steve

I managed to make it to the Premier Radio station near Pimlico....... a bit late and with my heart hanging out of my mouth.

The interview went very well and the host Yinka was brilliant. My brother and photographer Alan 'Anju' Smith took some great pics which should be available on my blog soon.

The Premier Gospel show are giving away 1 free copy of my book every day for one week.

It's all happening next week!!           I will be interviewed on Monday 12th July 2010 on Premier Radio.......and my book will be promoted for the rest of the week with listeners gettng the opportunity to win a book each day. On Saturday the 17th I will be at a fete in Brixton selling and signing copies of my book.

 

Tak Care

 

Steve

Brazil knocked out of the world cup and Uraguay through....this looks very interesting...maybe Argentina??

 

 

See you at Huddersfield University next week for award cerermony.

The World cup is being played for the first time on African soil.

Cannot complain about the London weather. So hot, I left my jumper at home......long may it last!!

I will be returning back to my roots on Friday 25th June, which is about 4 weeks. I am presenting an award to young teenagers who have achieved academic excellence against the odds. There is a nice meal thrown in as well!!!

Just a quick note.......Andrae Crouch the legendary US gospel singer will be visiting the UK and Ireland around end of May and early June.

Crouch is featured in my book and played a role in inspiring and influencing many in Britian around the late 1970's.

 

If you have bought my book and you are interested in starting a on-line reader discussion forum let me know.

Huddersfield Town football club will need to wait a few more years before they enter the premiership....the best team won!!!

UK General election   more »

If you want to see an award winning advert to end all adverts, go to youtube an type in 'British Black Gospel'.

Have a quality day and remember t excercise your voice on thursday....not singing or shouting, but voting.

Hi Blogees!!

Sorry I have not responded for so long. Before you know it the days and weeks begin to merge into one. I am filling up my schedule for a very busy June. I will be visiting Huddersfield University and taking part in a panel discussion in Brixton......British Black Gospel: The Invisible sector?

Just relaxing at the moment and scribbling down ideas for my next book. Staye tuned.

 

Not often the clouds clear and reveals that fireball in the sky called the Sun. Make the most of it!!

 I am going outside to dig up some weeds and appreciate what is a rare weather pattern in Britain.

Rare film footage 1970's black gospel in Britiain.   more »

Lavine Hudson (Intervention)...1988 single made an impact in both the UK and USA.   more »

Ever seen the classic movie Leap of Faith with Steve Martin?....go to the link and listen to the soundtrack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lip2K4x2Mhg&feature=PlayList&p=21E4F61973E116FF&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=54

A number of my readers are blues fans it as come to my attention. Particulary American blues music from the 1950's. Both blues and gospel share a common history and in the early part of the 20th Century the blues was described by the church as the Devils Music. It is interesting and in fact quite ironic that Thomas Dorsey who is considered to be the father of Gospel music came from a blues background and used influences from his music past to create and reshape church music into what we regard now as gospel music.

If you own a copy of my book, let me know your favourite chapter, CD track and why!!

Chilling reminder in Deptford   more »

Very soon you will be able to sample some of the tracks from the free CD that is part of my book....watch this space!! 

Last night as I was driving to my cousins home a news report came over the radio. Victoria Station, one of the main rail transport hubs in London if not the UK was shut due to a stabbing which involved like so many others a gang confrontation. I shook my head in disgust and spoke out to myself asking 'how many more?'.

The next day I picked up a mainstream newspaper expecting the incident to dominate front page news, but it did not. In fact it was relegated to the inner most part of this particular tabloid and would quite easily be skimmed over were it not for the eye catching headlines.

A 15 year old  child dies in such a violent incident and it does not even make front page!!

I remember once listening to a veteran that was lucky enough to return home from the 1960's/70's Vietnam war. He said, "What worried me was the way violence seemed to have little effect on some soldiers who were caught up in the thick of it".

What worries me about the Victoria incident is that we as a society seem to be rapidly developing an immunity to such youth crimes.

We are approaching a General election and it is time we pushed for these type of crimes to be placed at the top of the political agenda. Seems we are more interested in polls and TV debates than real issues such as the degeneration of youth culture in inner city Britain.

 

 

My book was recently reviewed on an American website....   more »

UK to Jamaica to Canada   more »

Bristol Radio Interview now on Sunday 28th March folks!!!