Editor's Note - 1 July 2015

Billie & Neil

As I am writing this editor's note (that's what I''m calling this now), it's a lovely sunny day and I'm working outside in the garden. It's days like these that make me appreciate the flexibility of running my own business. Last week I was on a mini-break in Spain arriving back to the UK on Friday afternoon and stepping right into a very hectic weekend.

Starting with performing solo at a lovely wedding at the Salterns Harbourside Hotel in Poole on Saturday morning singing at the ceremony and wedding breakfast of Neil & Billie. The venue was lovely with it's waterside views, and the bride was gorgeous in her 50's style dress. Neil was looking quite dapper too dressed in his military uniform complete with more metals that could actually fit on the uniform. It was a delight to be a part of this special occasion and I have to share with you Billie's very nice testimonial:

Gloria is a superb artist and was admired by all on our special day with a potential booking from my inlaws. My father, who has been a jazz player for most of his life was extremely impressed with Gloria's talent. Gloria is such a wonderful person inside and out that I felt I had known her for a long time making our experience even more enjoyable. Gloria mixed well with all our guests and was liked by all. I highly recommend her for any event xx

Later on Saturday I was at The Jolly Sailor in Southsea with my party band, Move On Up. Thanks to the great weather we're having, the venue was packed with very enthusiastic people and we had a fantastic night playing a bit of Soul, Funk, Blues and more.

Then on Sunday I was back in wedding mode as GME was exhibiting and providing entertainment for a Wedding Show at Tiger, Tiger at Gunwharf Quay. It turned out to be a good networking event, and I made some good connections with some of the other vendors.

On Sunday afternoon, I performed a short Diana Ross Tribute set at the Thundercats Racing Event also in Southsea, then I finished up Sunday night singing with Beau covering the vocals for their regular singer. When I was driving to the gig I honestly didn't know where I was going to get the energy to do two 45-minute sets of very high energy music, but as soon as I heard that music from the very talented musicians I was sharing the stage with ... that was all I needed to get me through.

So when I finally woke up on Monday morning I was quite exhausted, but looking back over the weekend, I wouldn't have wanted to spend it any other way.

Here at GME, we provide star-quality entertainment at affordable prices for Weddings, Corporate & Private Events, and Venues all across the UK, and now Europe too. While in Spain, I pitched my Tribute Shows to one of the top venues in the area, and they are interested in booking a show for either later this year or in 2016.

We are now accepting bookings for the remainder of this year and we're already confirming shows for next year. Do call me at 07504 611 173 to discuss your next event or click here to request a quote.

I am now presenting a weekly radio show on ExpressFM every Sunday night at 10pm. If you'd like to hear previous show, click here. And don't forget to tune in this Sunday for a brand new show. You can find the show locally on 93.7 FM or you can listen on-line.

This edition of GME News is the last weekly version. Starting with this issue, we are switching to a monthly format so the next update will be 1 August. Thanks to you all for reading these updates, and I am always thrilled to receive your feedback. You can find us on Twitter and Facebook and leave your comments there or you can email to gloria@gloriamillerentertainment.com.

That's it for now. When I write the next edition, I'll be another year older. I am turning 49 on 6 July ... wow, the last year of my 40's. I think I better live it up while I still have the strength!  LOL! Have a fabulous July!

Week In Review - 30 March 2015

I'm baaaack ... after a much needed mini-break to Spain last week. Due to the fact that I was unplugged for a few days, I didn't write a blog for last week's newsletter. Did you miss me? One less thing to have to read, right?

So here are some highlights from the week of 16 March through today ...

On Tuesday, I was at The Spring in Havant shooting a promotional video for my Diana Ross Tribute Show. My video team, led by Emma Stock, were absolutely amazing with making sure we had good shooting angles, that the lighting and sound were just right, and that we used the time well to get all the footage we needed, and then some! A special thanks to The Spring's Production and Technical Manager, Ian McInally for being on hand to assist with the lights, sound, smoke machine and even a fabulous Disco Ball! I will share the finished video in a couple weeks. Watch this space.

On Friday, I sat in with Beau, a great Funk, Rock band at a venue in Stubbington. For the night, they renamed the band 'The Glo'! How nice of them.

On Saturday, I performed at a 40th Birthday Party at Amfield Golf & Country Club which turned out to be quite the Soulful event. I even hit the dance floor after my set was done, which couldn't be helped really due to the jammin' setlist DJ Paul Mico was throwing down.

Here's what the birthday girl had to say about the entertainment:

"I booked Gloria as a solo act for my 40th. What an outstanding performance from her singing soul songs selected by me..it was a great lead into the soul disco I had arranged also. Gloria was easy to deal with and it all went as planned. I'd definitely book her again. Truly outstanding." - Vicky Hemmings

Then on Sunday it was off to not-so-sunny Spain for a few days of R&R. I didn't mind that it wasn't sunny, cause that forced the hubs and me to stay in and actually rest. We returned home on Thursday and then I was off to the races on Friday with Performance Coaching sessions at Mayfield Studios and a Diana Ross Tribute Show in the evening at the Carisbrooke Arms in Gosport. This is a regular venue for me, and as usual the crowd was ready for a good time, and that's exactly what we had! Shout out to fellow Move On Up band member, Graeme Lewis, for doing sound for me.

On Saturday, my newest show, Simply Tina Turner was performed for the first time with Move On Up backing me, and we had a right rowdy time at The Jolly Sailor. As fate would have it, the Portsmouth Backlight Run finished just before we started the Tina Turner set, and what seems like the entire contingency of runners crammed into The Jolly for a pint. The place was heaving with people. Then Tina made her appearance and the place went absolutely mad! I don't think the runners planned on staying the night, but many of them did and were still there as we were packing up to go home!

We are currently running a special offer for a double tribute show ... Diana Ross vs. Tina Turner! There has already been a great response to this offer and I'll be performing the first one solo in April at a venue in Poole. This show is available solo with professional backing tracks or backed by my band, Move On Up. Please contact me for all the details or if you would like to book this show, please click here to complete the 'get-a-quote' form and include Promo Code SDRSTT in the 'budget' field.

Saturday was a busy day for GME with two of my Acts also out performing. Marlene Hill performed at the Noah Mapalo Help Centre charity event held at the The John Pounds Centre in Southsea, and The Coasters performed at the business launch event for Crunch Time Catering at Southsea Castle.

The Coasters Duo

Finally, on Sunday the Frankie & Glo Duo performed a bit of Acoustic Soul at The Jolly Sailor for a lovely, laid back afternoon. Honestly, I wasn't sure how I was going to get through this gig cause I was quite exhausted from performing Tina Turner and then a equally high-powered second Move On Up set the night before. Frankie, lead guitarist in Move On Up, seemed fine on Sunday (he is much younger than me ... LOL), but I wouldn't have made it at all had the hubs not agreed to be my driver and roadie.

Needless to say, but I need another holiday after that fast-paced weekend! But, alas, no rest for the weary as I was back in the office on Monday playing catch after being out of the office for a week, yet basking in the afterglow of having had an amazing weekend of performing! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Glo & Neal

Oh, I almost forgot ... the new GME website has gone live! Click here to have a look around, and please let me know what you think of the new site. You can leave your comments of feedback below.

And remember, at GME we provide star-quality entertainment at affordable prices for Weddings, Events, Venues, Festivals & Cruise Ships. We also offer professional Disco/DJ services, so get in touch and let us handle the details of your next event!

That's plenty for this edition! Have a fabulous week and Happy Easter!

Week In Review - 20 June 2014

Chillin' in Spain w/the Hubs!

I had a much needed 4-day mini break to Spain from Monday through Thursday, topping up my tan and the scale a bit too! The getaway was the perfect combination on sunshine, sangria & paella!  

On Friday, I performed a dep gig with 'Beau' at the grand re-opening of The Westleigh in Havant. The venue and the crowd were both fantastic, and I really enjoyed working with the fantastic musicians that comprise Beau. Dep gigs keep you on your toes because usually you don't get a chance to rehearse, you just show up and hope for the best :). Thankfully, I've dep'd for them before, so we were good to go.

Beau

Gloria Miller Duo

Note to self ... never schedule three gigs for the same date which is exactly what I did on Saturday, the longest day of the year in every way! I put in a 12-hour day gigging at The Spring in Havant with my duo in the afternoon, a private party in Hedge End in the early evening, and finishing up at The Mermaid in Portsmouth performing Supremely, Diana Ross. I was one tired soul at the end of the night and the drive home was a bit of a blur. When I arrived home, my very lovely husband had lit relaxing candles all over the house to create a calming atmosphere for me to come home to! After murdering a veggie stir-fry I hit the sack only to wake up on Sunday feeling quite out of it. This was my excuse to sit on the sofa and watch movies on LoveFilm, which I did! 

One of my acts, the incredible Marlene Hill, will be performing in 'Swinging at the Cotton Club' at the King's Theatre in Southsea on the 26th of October. I've seen this show a couple times now and it is spectacular and features The Jiving Lindy Hoppers & Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra!  Take a step back into 1920's New York City and through the doors of Harlem's hottest nightclub, 'The Cotton Club'!  Swinging at The Cotton Club is an action-packed show celebrating music, dance, and song! Buy your ticket today!

I am excited to announce that I am starting to book original duo and band gigs as my CD, Let Go, is experiencing a bit of a revival over here in the UK. I released this CD in America just before moving to the UK five years ago and it seems the album got a little bit lost somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic ... LOL! At the first of my three gigs on this past Saturday, I dried off and performed five songs from the album which received a really positive response from the audience, and I sold a few CDs too!  

I just confirmed today that The Gloria Miller Duo will be performing originals & covers as part of The Guildhall Summer Sessions on the 24th of July at the outside cafe! We're performing two 45-minute sets, starting at 5:30pm.  And, Move On Up will be backing me on a gig at The Pizza Express in Soho on Sunday the 28th of September ... doors at 12:00 and we start at 13:30. We are supporting a fantastic up and coming band, Alter Ego, and will be performing songs from my CD as well as a few covers. This is going to be a great show with two great bands performing original Jazz, Soul, Blues & Funk!  Click here for more information.

Venus Awards Nominee Networking Event

Lastly, it was just announced that I have been nominated for a 2nd Venus Award in the New Business category. I was completely surprised to get the 1st nomination in the Customer Service category, and I am terribly humbled to be recognized again for starting GME. Check out their blog and learn more about the other nominees and the businesses they represent.

I think that's enough for now ... I'll be with you again on Friday with the next edition!

Until then, have a fab week!

Week In Review - 18 April 2014

Sunshine, Sangria, Spain!  I am on holiday in sunny Spain and loving every minute of it! It has been a slightly working holiday because I am still sorting out the first two of my five forthcoming Foodies events.  The Brighton event was 100% sorted last week, but due to a few last minute issues, it's now about 99% sorted ... LOL!  I'm just waiting on final confirmation from a couple replacement acts.  The Clapham Common event is quickly approaching, 6-8 June, and I am presenting the performer list to the Foodies organizers next week for their approval.  I hope to have both events done by the end of next week, but I think I'm dreaming a bit regarding Clapham!

Volume 2 of 'Glo's Music for the Soul' Radio Show, which airs on One World Radio, was released last weekend and I know I'm risking being thought of as vain when I admit that I've listened to it about 10 times already! The radio show is all about showcasing music that feeds the soul, and I'm really enjoying the song selection. Click here to listen and please let me know what you think. Also, if you have any song suggestions, that would be awesome. Next month's edition of the show will feature 'Foodies Festival' performers. Most of the acts I've booked on these events perform original music, and I'm looking forward to sharing their amazing music with you!  

I'm happy to announce that I'm working with a new venue in Southsea, 69 Wine Bar & Bistro and have booked the fabulous Marlene Hill to perform two R&B and Disco infused sets of music on Easter Sunday from 7:30pm! Marlene is the first act GME has booked into this venue, and I know she will set the bar high! If you're looking for something to do on Easter, join Marlene at 69 Wine Bar & Bistro and get your dance on!!

I mentioned last week that I'll be debuting my 'I'll Be Seeing You' wartime music show on Easter Sunday at an event at the Hayling Island Sailing Club. I've had a couple run-throughs of the show while on holiday, and it has come together quite nicely! The only potential problem is fitting into the cute little military number I purchased to wear for the event! Pitchers of sangria and pans full of paella seem like a good idea when you're indulging, but not so great when you're bulging!!  I barely fit into the outfit before I left for Spain, so I'm glad I sorted out a 'back-up' outfit just in case!  Here's hoping ...

That's it for this week ... have a fabulous weekend and ...