Well, it’s afternoon technically but I don’t really care. I’m very pleased to announce that we are Tom Gee Band and we are 8 beautiful people strong; David Sudall, Jim Jamm, Gavin Stevenson, Joe Roughton, Matt Newby, Laura Popperwell and Bridie Burkinshaw. And me, but yeah. Sort of goes without saying doesn’t it?

We have a gig at the Library with our good friend Richard from the 360 Club. It’s 27th January a Friday night in Leeds. Get down for a chance to be on the Suzie’s Rendez-Vous video! AND our 2 new tracks will be available. AND it’s the first full band gig. AND it’s going to be awesome, fun-filled and groovy. One last plug, please please please like the fan page on facebook if you don’t already. If you do already muchas gracias. The new year looks exciting and hopefully we can make it as good as last year. Not much to follow is it really? UK & Ireland tour, 02 Arena, new EP….just casually. Crack that one out again? You bet. Here is a video of our misdeeds at the O2 last year. Thanks for your support from 2011 and as for 2012? (Cue cool sign off line in Lethal Weapon style) I’m gettin’ too old for this… doesn’t really work does it?

Schmeh (there’s an underrated word, yes it’s word) I’ll leave you with this gem, courtesy of Mr. Jamie Moore. Enjoy and See you soon.

Hasta luego

TG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZpEDKwPUQ0

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The Keighley blues club is an intimate venue with the 100 plus crowd up close and personal. On the same bill was award-winning blues artist Cherry Lee Mewis – so no pressure there then!

The Keighley crowd are appreciative and know their blues no wonder we were a little apprehensive and as ‘Smokes’ put it before we went on “But we’re not even a blues band!”

I thought we just have to aspire to be like Stevie Ray Vaughan of whom B.B. King said, “I’ve said that playing the blues is like having to be black twice. He missed on both counts, but I never noticed.”

The Clapton-eqsue version of ‘I shot the sheriff’ broke them in gently but as the set grew more and more bluesy the audience reaction was great. John Mayer covers and the Classic 1954 “I Just Want to Make Love to You” (written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Muddy Waters) went down well.

As a blues inspired, funk-soul outfit we just about got away with it. Then sat back and listened to the fabulous Cherry Lee Mewis and her band – I particularly loved acoustic guitarist Max Milligan – but then I guess I would.

All the venues with their own unique atmospheres just help us craft our performance and we’re constantly learning. However a tight, 100 plus crowd of blues enthusiasts is a stark contrast to the next gig of 14,000 Bulls enthusiasts!

Playing a stadium is great opportunity and ideal preparation for the Live and Unsigned grand Final at the O2 arena on July 23^rd.

Why not come and see us at Live and Unsigned we’d love to see you there.

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Everything’s hectic at the moment, been some fantastic performances by LCM students as part of the ensemble unit down at the Wardrobe all week, great to see the talent I’ve had the priveledge of performing and learning with for the last 3 years. Can’t believe it’s over to be honest. I’ll be doing my solo performance, joined by my 3 best friends (Dave, Dave and Jim), on 10th June playing a bluesy Clapton-Mayer-Me set, should be a good laugh. I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in Bridie Burkinshaw’s performance and David Levi’s, both are sounding great.

So everybody’s busy rehearsing, revising, organising, breathing, the whole shebang and I heard in the news that Sean Kingston crashed his boat into a bridge, it was described as a watercraft accident. Not to be confused with a witchcraft accident as I thought it said at first sight. Obviously it’s terrible news and everyone wishes him a speedy recovery but somebody posed the question what would you do if you had as much money as Sean Kingston?

So what would I do? Well, it’s easier to say what I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t buy a boat, well I might but I wouldn’t buy a boat that I was going to control; I’m a nutcase. Don’t give me a high speed boat and a stretch of water, something’s going to go wrong. I think the main thing is that I’m a bit of a wimp, I’d be way too scared of damaging myself, pathetic I know. I think the fear stems from having to explain to my girlfriend/parents/sisters that I’ve hurt myself. Because even if I survived a tragic watercraft accident, I wouldn’t survive the absolute bollocking they’d give me!

Playing a gig tonight at The Fenton as part of Something In The Loft, a good night in Leeds supporting unsigned bands and artists. David Sudall is joining me on percussion so even if you don’t like me, it’s worth coming down to see a masterful musician at work! We’re on at 9pm.

There are a few exciting things in the pipeline, keep posted for all the updates, you’ll get them here first!

TG

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