Grand line-up for showcase

Ricky had a spell as a agent, but I for one was delighted when this stylish singer and entertainer went back on stage, where he surely belongs.

Oddly enough Ricky’s agency still trades, but it is run these days by Harry Heywood and Ashley Wheelhouse. In this world of aliases and stage names, Harry and Ashley are known as Harry Turnstyle and Ashley Jakkman when they themselves venture on stage as solo entertainers.

East Ardsley General Club is set to host a Wakefield and Pontefract Concert Secretaries’ Federation showcase evening on January 26.

Appearing on the night will be singers Natasha Parks, Rebecca Ashley, Chris Blackburn and Mark Turver, plus all-girl act Sugarush and four piece-band Undecided. Admission is free, so why not go along and enjoy a great clubland night out.

Alverthorpe WMC is set for a fun night this weekend with a Sunday evening appearance from Wakefield trio Carefree. I saw these lads in action a few weeks ago at Carlton WMC near Rothwell, and I was impressed with their traditional approach and the live music angle. I personally wish there were more acts like this one around these days.

Well done to Tingley duo Duplicate, who are set to appear in the Blackpool Command Show in April.

This event presents an opportunity for a clubland gathering these days, prior to the CIU conference.

I seem to recall seeing this act some time ago at a talent event and they had lots going for them back then. The show will be produced once again by Pontefract agent Brian Cliff.

Clubland favourite Danielle Grace Williams has a television appearance coming up. Danielle, from Barnsley, appears in our clubs regularly, but this lovely lass may well find romance when she appears in the TV dating show Take Me Out.

I’m just recovering from illness at the moment, so I sat at home and watched TV all weekend last week. I saw Take Me Out and the presenter Paddy McGuinness made the whole thing into great fun.

I don’t know of the gorgeous Danielle will find love on the show, but I’ll sure she’ll have fun trying.

The lovely Wakefield singer Natalie Brandon has moved back into the Wakefield area and is taking a break from her singing career, due to her two tiny tots who unsurprisingly take up so much of her time.

Natalie tells me that she’ll let me know if and when a return to the stage is imminent and I’m sure that her many friends and admirers will be delighted to see her back on stage.

On a personal note, I would like to apologise to local clubs Crigglestone WMC and Thornhill Edge WMC for pulling out of appearances at threes clubs in my capacity as an entertainer.

Hopefully I’ll be able to visit these clubs again at some time in the future when I’m feeling a little better.

I shall be returning to travelling around our local clubland scene over the next week or two.

Despite the fact that January is the worst time of year for our clubs, there is still plenty going on and I’m assured I won’t be confined to my living room for too much longer.

I’m champing at the bit to get out there, so hopefully I’ll see you around clubland.

If you have any news or views for this column I would like to hear from you. Just drop me a line at the Express, email [email protected] or call my office number on 01924 890800 and leave a message.