[DaiCroParticipant]

Traipsing through my song files today and I found this one… my attempt at a 'chart' pop song. Written for my daughter Amy and sang by her… another reason why I'm miserable at the moment because I miss her. Amy has had a duo for the past 4 years called 'The Carnaby Girls'… a tribute act to the women of the 60's… from Sandy Shaw and Dusty Springfield through to Tina Turner and everything inbetween. Her act included costume changes and dance and she made a busy but good living from it… from Butlin's and Pontin's to the Warner Hotels. with lots of flying out to the sunny spots of Europe during the winter…

But this year she wanted a break… well, she didn't know she wanted a break until she was headhunted to join a ABBA tribute show in Majorca. She was torn because she didn't want to leave me when I was about to start treatment but I wanted her to go… and there she is, working 6 nights a week on the hotel circuit, having a great time with a band she had met for the first time in May (7 nights during the main season – plus a few daytime festivals in a joint show with the South African version of 'Il Divo').

We are very close and I miss her… Skype is great… but its not the same.:-(

Anyway, this is her singing her song… it was just a bit of fun and we enjoyed putting it down… just a few months before I was diagnosed…:-/

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=5861408
Click on the link for an automatic play…

Dai.

[BADGERParticipant]

Dia
your daughter has a good voice shame someone doesn't pick her up she is to good for tribute bands any way if the Velcade works Majorca is only a couple of hours away
Keep Well
Love Jo8-)

[zasrsParticipant]

hi dai

what a lovley voice your daughter has you must be so proud of her,as joe says majorca is not far away. what a lovley talent to share with amy.

sarah xx

[DaiCroParticipant]

Thank you Jo and Sarah,

All three of my children are great singers, my eldest Becky has a wonderful resonance and tone to her voice but saves it for karaoke while Ross is happy to play guitar and sing for his wife and son.

Amy is the professional. I have been extraordinarily proud of how she conducts herself as a professional singer.. and of the quality of the shows she puts on… last year alone she played over 250 gigs – travelling all over the UK and Europe… I couldn't keep up with her… flying out Egypt for 2 days… back to a hotel in Sheffield, followed by a couple of days off… then flying out to Lanzarote for 4 nights before a 7 night tour of Wales/The South East/West/Cornwall… then back to Egypt and begin again… A very busy and frenetic life but the top hotel groups are good to work for and she has made some excellent contacts. How she manages to perform through sniffles and colds is beyond me… 'Technique Dad, its called technique'. 😀 😐

This ABBA show surprised me… but I can see how it makes sense… especially as she and her fiance split up after she had been in Majorca only four weeks (the time it took to meet up with the other three ABBA's and rehearse the show in readiness for the season).

He encouraged her to go.. and then told her he wanted to split when she flew home for a close friend's wedding. They have split 3 times in 10 years and although I was very concerned for her, I accept absolutely that her greatest feeling about the split (along with sadness) is one of grateful relief.

She Skyped the other day to tell me of a series of joint shows with South Africa's answer to 'Il Divo'… four classically trained singers who, having recently left university together, are having the time of their lives. The shows (at weekend town festivals) are a mix of' 'ABBA' and 'Il Divo' where Il DIvo sing ABBA, ABBA sing IL Divo and both do a couple of medleys together – from a large, two-teir stage. Amy says that she can now sing a third of the songs in Spanish… and the way things are going she will be speaking like a native by the time she leaves at the end of October.

She and the other ABBA'a have two apartments next door to each other, literally 5 minutes from the beach. She works 6 days a week up until the schools break and then it will be seven + the occasional festivals. She gets up about 11am, breakfasts on the balcony or at a local cafe and usually heads for the beach about 12.30. They travel the island for their work so usually they leave the apartment at 6/6.30… arrive, set up and sound-check by 8/8.30pm and go on stage for their first set at about 9/9.30pm – for 45minutes. The second set normally starts about 11pm and goes on to about 12.15am. They arrive back at the apartment at about 1/1.30am… and go out for something to eat and a drink… with bed at about 2/2.30am.

Somebody's got to do it. 😎 😀

Dai.

btw… Amy sings 'Frida's' part while 'Agnetha's' part is sung by Irina (from Romania)… 'Bjorn' is also from Romania while 'Benny' is from the Czech Republic. They are all consummate musician's and singers… they have to be because sometimes they are asked to 'support' or play music (and provide backing vocals) for drop in 'Stars'. Their costumes are replicas of the actual costumes used by ABBA, as are their instruments… their preparations for musical and vocal authenticity are second-to-none.

The one thing that made me laugh was that Irina is a natural brunette while Amy is a natural blonde… yet because of their vocal tones and ranges they have to wear wigs. I have watched a short video o them performing at a festival and I have to say, proud Dad to one side for the moment – that their looks and their sound is jaw-droppingly good… and they have to do it night after night after… well, you get the picture… but they all take great pride in maintaining the highest possible standards and every night has a brand new audience eager to see just how good they can be.

Still, I miss her… Skype notwithstanding. xxx

Dai.

[eveParticipant]

Hi Dai

Well we do not need to ask were all that talent comes from:-)you have every right to feel very proud,this is what life is about,doing a good job.
I know the feeling of missing a daughter,one of my daughter,s live in New Zealand only moved out there3 years ago,taking two very young children with her,so journey home is not on the cards.
I do not know how people managed before Skype,sometimes it,s not easy to keep my emotions under control,and the last thing I want to do is upset her being so far away,she says she feels I keep her out of the loop sometimes,but its hard.
I find Facebook handy as well,we have a private family setting,so if i do not feel like phoning or Skype,Family setting lets family only know any news all at once.
it makes one appreciate modern technology ,but I am grateful to my 13 year old grandchild for helping me,although she does look at me sometimes,and sighs.
So glad your feeling a bit better,long may it continue.Eve

[zasrsParticipant]

Hi Dai

I cannot imagine what it is like to have your daughter and grandchildren so far away mine two little ones are always here!! I have to go away to not see them almost every day!!! I am so lucky.

Chin up Dai you have a very talented and by the sound of your posts loving family.

sarah xx

[MinParticipant]

Hi Dai
Amy obviosly inherited her talent from her dad, you must be very proud of her and I am sure some time soon you will be on a plane to go watch her wow the crowds.
It sounds like she has a very exciting life and hope it continues for quite some time.
Love the sound of her voice and your accompaniment
Cheers
Min

[GillParticipant]

I have only just caught up with your post of Amy. I have fond memories of listening to very talented tribute bands on various holidays. They always seemed to be having a fun time as well as entertaining the holiday makers. She sounds really good and I hope she is having a great time.

Fingers crossed that you get over to see her soon.

Love from Gill xx

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