Week In Review - 7 November 2014

Me and my brother Arthur!

I'm baaaaack! Did you miss me? It is always difficult getting back into the swing of things when you've had a break, but I was really ready to get back to work. To be honest, I worked a little everyday during the second week I was away. Just one of the many joys of running your own business and having no staff. I had a fantastic time cruising with the hubs on Royal Caribbean's Oasis and then spending some time with my family & friends in Chicago and Milwaukee. I even did some singing with the lovely and talented Jeannine Rivers at her Halloween/Birthday Celebration Gig in Milwaukee!

Bethany & Yasmin

Speaking of staff, the Cathedral Innovation Centre (CIC) where I'm based has offered me admin assistance from their two interns, Bethany Young and Yasmin Trueman, and I already feel the relief of having less on my plate so I can focus more on securing bookings for my acts and event planning opportunities for GME. I met with them on Wednesday and turned over several weekly duties that seemed to eat up all my time, but are necessary to keep things ticking along. CIC has been an incredible resource for me and their support is much appreciated.

David Williams

Also on Wednesday I attend the Brown Bag Lunch launch event hosted by CIC at the Portsmouth Library where David Williams, CEO of Portsmouth City Council  discussed why social enterprise and entrepreneurship is important to Portsmouth as a city. It was good to learn that there is support for small businesses from the Council and see their desire to help these companies grow and thrive in Portsmouth.

I think having had some much needed rest has opened up my creative channels, because I finished the lyrics to a song and wrote a song for my original band, Mayfield. We are in the process of opening a recording studio and launching a record company where we will record and release our second album, Keep On! Last year we released our debut release, Tempo of Your Soul, and on this next project we are definitely raising the bar with some great soul & funk tunes. Click here to see the video for our new song, Ready Set Go!

On Thursday, I had a meeting at The Woodmancote in Emsworth where I will be performing Supremely, Diana Ross on Monday. I have a full weekend of gigs starting tonight in Portsmouth at The Wellington for their 9th Anniversary Party. Then on Saturday I'm off to perform with The Midnight Soul Sisters at Akamba Garden Center in Birmingham. And, on Sunday I'm covering the lead vocals with Beau performing a fantastic set of Soul, Funk & Rock covers at The Lord Raglan also in Emsworth. I might have to give myself Tuesday off to recover from four gigs in a row.

Fedora Cafe

One of my top acts, Fedora Cafe will be performing at a private party on Saturday in Gosport. If you are looking for something unique for you next event, this is the act for you.

The sultry, sexy and slightly mysterious sounds of Fedora Café will transport you around the world and through the decades with their Cafe-Jazz meets Film-Noir brand of music! My client instantly wanted them for his event and Fedora Cafe were kind enough to learn a special song 'Nobody Loves A Fairy When She's 40th!' You might have guest that this event is a 40th birthday party!

Please take a moment to like my GME Facebook Page. Starting the beginning of the year, I will be posting gig, event and music updates to this page instead of my personal FB page.  Click here to like!

Marlene Hill

Remember to get in touch with GME for your entertainment needs. Get a jump on 2015 by contacting me about Fedora Cafe, my Artist of the Month, Marlene Hill, or any other of my fantastic acts. Call me at 07504 611173 or email me at gloria@gloriamillermusic.com.

Well, that's it for now. Time to prep for my full weekend of gigs ... LOL! Have a fabulous weekend.

Gloria Miller Entertainment

Weeks in Review - 11 July & 18 July 2014

First I want to wish my big brother, Arthur Miller, a very happy birthday! I wish I could be with him and his family in Milwaukee to help him celebrate, but since I can't I wanted to give him a honorable mention in GME Weekly! 

Due to technical difficulties with the newsletter program last week, I was unable to get the 11 July edition out to you, so I'm combining two weeks of happenings so let's get started ...

All of last week was putting the finishing touches on Foodies Festival Bristol. What a way to spend my first visit to Bristol ... the location for the Festival was absolutely fabulous and where the stage was set up couldn't have been better. There are a few pictures below in the 'Photos' section ... do check them out. The event was 11-13 of July and the Friday went so smoothly with everyone turning up on time if not early, and more important, each act sounded amazing. We had quite the good crowd for a Friday and by early evening, the place was heaving. 

The Funkinsteins

Then Saturday rolled around and everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong, from bands being stuck in traffic, to performers not turning up with all their gear to me having to do an emergency set to cover for a cancellation. Even with the issues, the day turned out to be fabulous and ended with an absolute bang with Brighton's Half Crown completely electrifying the place and local Bristol band The Funkinsteins who sizzled with their brand of Rock-laced Funk! By the end of the day I was dancing with the rest of the crowd and had completely forgotten about my earlier troubles! The beauty of good music ... 

The perfect end to the three days was on Sunday when we went back to operating like a well oiled machine, with everyone arriving on time and giving amazing performances. Supremely, Diana Ross made an appearance mid-afternoon and got everyone up dancing. And then the deliciously Bluesy Cherry White closed the festival with some great original and cover tunes, and even some classic Rock & Roll to get the crowd moving. Bristol was amamamamazing!! The next Foodies event is at Battersea Park in London on 15-17 August.

This week Monday, I took a much needed day off and hung out with the hubs doing normal stuff. On Tuesday, it was back to work finalizing a few bookings including confirming Mayfield to perform at The Southsea Show on Sunday, 3rd August. Also booked on this weekend event is Supremely, Diana Ross on Friday, 1st August and Move On Up on Saturday, 2nd August. Geoff Priestley, one of the organizers suggested I camp out for the three days ... if only I could ... LOL!

On Wednesday, I attended a workshop on Business & Personal Development that was hosted by the Portsmouth Venus Awards, which was immediately followed by the VA Finalist Announcement Tea where I was named a Finalist in the New Business Category! When I was driving to the Langstone Hotel that morning, I didn't really think I was that bothered about being a finalist. However, once I was in the room and they started naming names, the fact that my heart was literally pounding out of my chest was a little giveaway that I really wanted my name to be called. When it was, in good ole American style, I let out a yelp before I could stop myself *giggle*! I feel very proud of this accomplishment and look forward to attending the awards ceremony in October. Click here to see the full list of finalists!

Thursday, I met with a new client in Gosport and will be announcing some great shows at this new venue in the coming weeks. And finally, tonight I'm performing solo at Shepherd's Crook in Portsmouth and on Saturday night I will be with Move On Up at The Jolly Sailor in Southsea. Both shows are Supremely, Diana Ross followed by a party set. Can't wait ...

That's it for this edition, have a fantastic weekend!

Week In Review - 28 February 2014

Mom (Christine Miller)

This was my first full week back in the office after having a glorious 2-week holiday travelling around the States. It was great catching up with friends and family in Tampa, Savannah, Chicago & Milwaukee!  Now I'm busy trying to lose the weight I gained cruising with my husband from Tampa for 7-days and hitting all my favourite food spots!  The best part of the trip was getting to see my 91 year old mom and my 90 year old dad. They are doing so well and my dad is still living on his own, driving and making daily visits to my mom who is now in a nursing home (walking distance from my dad's place)!

Dad (Arthur Miller)

My parents will be celebrating 67 years of marriage in April, and they are still holding hands and giggling like teenagers ... LOL! My dad starting reminiscing about when he was dating my mom, and I had the good sense to record the conversation. I can't wait to share this with my siblings.

I had an amazing gig with Jeannine Rivers and Scott Currier at The Delafield Hotel in Wisconsin.  My brother joined me and it was nice singing some of my favourite Jazz standards, as well as a few pop songs given the 'Jazz' treatment. It was just like old times working with Scott again!  I wish I could have brought him back to the UK with me! And Jeannine was sounding better than ever (which I didn't think was possible). She is a master at singing Jazz standards!

Gloria, Scott, Jeannine

Monday I was slightly jet-lagged, so didn't do much and then Tuesday through Thursday I worked from my office in Portsmouth. It's nice having a place outside of the home to work ... I'm much more productive!  I received several inquiries about my Diana Ross Tribute show, as well as entertainners for parties and other events. I'll be announcing some new bookings in next week's edition.  

Tonight, I am performing with 'Mayfield' at the Lake Yard Club in Poole.  This is a new venue for us and we had an amazing rehearsal on Tuesday prepping for this gig. We are really looking forward to taking a bit of 'Mayfield Soul' to Poole! On Saturday, Dominic Elton (keys player) and I will be doing an interview on The Croydon Radio Show. We'll be discussing and playing tunes from our current release, 'Tempo Of Your Soul' and talking about our next release, 'Keep On' for which we are currently writing songs.

Finally, I have my first vocal coaching session with a new student tomorrow! I started doing some vocal coaching last year while working as a judge with Southsea's Got Talent, and have picked up this student from this year's 1st heat of the competition! Can't wait to hear her vocal transformation as we work together over the next several weeks!

Well, that's it for now. I've got to get myself ready for gig!  Until next week ...

Have a fabulous weekend.

Gloria