MEET OUR ENTERTAINERS.

GEORGE WARD - Volunteer Singer/Musician

I started singing as a new born baby realizing I had a voice! And have been singing ever since. Mum Dad and both my sisters were all good singers, so I was destined to love singing. 

As a teenager, I sang with a few pop groups in the 60s for a while, but my real love is Classic Jazz – The Crooner stuff, and in my later years, recorded several Jazz CDs in my self-built 'Recording Studio' in the garden shed, e.g – 'GEORGE SINGS SINATRA – HIS WAY' , that I gave to family and friends who were partly deaf! I also recorded a CD of my own songs.

I Taught myself to play Guitar over the years, and at my current age of  almost 80, I'm still learning.

Since I retired at 72 years young, I have been a music Volunteer at the Dementia Music & Social Club. I am the 'warm-up' man before the main singer comes on, where I wander around like a 'traveling Minstrel' with my Guitar/Banjo, playing popular old songs, getting everyone singing and encouraging Members to do a solo with me.

I love my work and hope I can manage to do it for a good few year more. If I could, I would encourage the whole world to sing and stop fighting. As Shakespeare wrote - Music IS the food of love, and as TheSeekers said - we really do need to TEACH THE WORLD TO SING.

ANGIE WALKER - PROFESSIONAL SINGER

Here's a bit about myself & how I started singing. I think I was probably singing & annoying my family as soon as I could talk! I've always loved Music, when I started work at nearly 16, all my wages would go on records! Oddly enough I was very shy when I was younger & only dreamed of doing what I do now, then karaoke came about & I plucked up the courage to give it a go, once I got the bug that was it! I was working in a bar & helping out with the karaoke when a man asked if I'd like to join him singing in pub's and clubs, which I did for a couple of years, then someone approached me & asked me to audition with his band, I joined the band, The Lateshift & was with them for about 12 years, as well as doing solo gigs, & performing as a duo with my friend Gary from the band. Since being made redundant from my day job in 2020, singing is all I do, it's all I want to do! I've been singing at the DEMENTIA MUSIC & SOCIAL CLUB (DMSC) for about 7 years now, I've a[so sung at weddings, festivals, pub's club's etc. Over the years but I can honestly say that singing at the DMSC, is my absolute favourite! It's such a joy! I look forward to seeing everyone & always have a great time with them all!  I hope I'm able to continue to do this for many year's to come!

 

NICK BROWN - PROFESSIONAL SINGER

I've wanted to entertain and sing since I was able to walk and talk. Always on stage at Butlins when I was a kid either in a talent competition or any opportunity I got to get on stage🎤 even ask the band after they finished on one occasion if I could borrow his trumpet at the end of there performance. He agreed but didn’t ask what I was going to play. I was six and just learn to play THE LAST POST at band practice. My mum and dad were mortified.

I’ve been singing (professionally) for 22 years now. About 4 years ago I gave up a little business I had to do this full time as before I was trying to do both. I hated the job I was doing. Up at 2am Monday to Friday to collect my fruit and deliver it to all the primary schools in south London.

I decided it wasn’t about the money anymore. I’d done my bit for over 30 years and said it’s time I did something I love doing. And I have to tell you I really feel like I’m living my dream. Nothing on earth gives me more pleasure than making someone’s day or even making them smile for a while. Yes pubs and clubs are great but I get so much more out of entertaining by performing for The Dementia Music & Social Club, and doing care homes.

Some heights of the passed 22 years have been - appearing in the West End musical at the theatre Royal Drury Lane. Singing with Marti Pellow on the beach in jersey. Getting through to the televised stage of stars in their eyes. Unfortunately I feel ill the day of recording. But honestly hand on heart. Even auditioned for Huey Greens opportunity knocks. My best and most cherished performance I have given so far in my life. Last Monday when I performed at the opening of The Dementia Music And Social Group. It’s was such a special moment not just for me but for everyone involved.

My mother-in-law suffered with dementia for over 10 years. Myself Sue and her sister cared for her went on different courses to learn about Dementia. One of the things we learn to do was play music to her. It would bring her back for a while. There’s a dementia Society called speckle. We learnt a lot on there courses.

Finally I’d just like to say that I’ve never tried to be anything than who I really am on or off stage. My show/performance is all about you and not me. I love to make you smile and feel special.

Because you are ❤️ hope to see you at our Clubs.

JOANNE MARTIN - PROFESSIONAL SINGER

I've been music mad since a young age, mainly due to my dad always singing and playing music in the house. I was the typical teenager singing into my hairbrush in my bedroom, playing records.

My dad Frank used to sing in pubs and in 1992 he heard about this Japanese karaoke machine which we bought and then worked with my mum too in various pubs in the East End. I loved karaoke but really wanted to go out as a singer. It took me a while to build up my song catalogue and confidence but it was something that I love and still do.

Me and dad then went out as a duo which was really lovely for both of us and he really was my best friend/roadie and my biggest supporter.

Sadly Dad passed away February 2017 which can be hard singing certain songs as the lyrics now have a whole lot more meaning. 

I've been very lucky with my singing, I've sung in great venues, sang beautiful songs but most of all made lots of wonderful friends along the way.

Long may it continue.

 

DEBBIE RAINFORTH - PROFESSIONAL SINGER

When I was young my parents would sing in the car on long journeys and I used to sing along from the back seat so i grew up listening to Barbra Striesand, Barry Manilow & The Carpenters. When I was old enough to chose my own music I fell in love with Whitney Houston & Michael Jackson.

A bit of karaoke first gave me the confidence to sing so I joined a couple of different bands over the course of 10 years. With one of the bands we played the Brentwood Fireworks Spectacular to an audience of over 10k!

Since then I've worked with a couple of duos before going it alone as a solo.

I met Joanne Martin some years back, she has helped me loads and we've developed a fantastic friendship. I'm very lucky to work in a duo with her too.

I love singing, it makes me so happy. I never have a bad day when I go to work. 😊 I love seeing others enjoying it too.

LLOYD ELLERY -  PROFESSIONAL SINGER

 

BIOGRAPHY  -  LLOYD ELLERY
 
Well, I first sang in public when I was very young, at my Sunday School anniversary, then started having music lessons. My singing teacher would enter me into the music festivals, which was terrifying but also very exciting, and I started getting bookings for weddings, hotels, all sorts really. I was known as ‘Cornwall’s Boy Soprano’, much like Aled Jones, singing on the telly and radio. No one in my family was musical, but Mum says she used to sing to me in the pram, so I guess that’s where I first caught the music bug.
 
I made several recordings, and everyone thought I would have a music career, but instead I went to Uni and studied Law. I hated it...lol. I would spend all my evenings doing late night spots in clubs, bars and on the cabaret circuit, which was a great lesson in really connecting with an audience (I’ve always loved to chat). Me and my band even performed in the middle of a proper bar fight, like in a Western – that was great fun!
 
So, like Dick Whittington, I made my way to London, and started singing professionally, in the West End and on tour. But when my parents became quite ill, I decided to stop working abroad, and came home to be near to them. And that was when I discovered the joy of singing for the elderly, the mentally and physically disabled, and, of course, those with dementia, and their families. I think the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me was from one little old lady, who took my hand and said ‘I love it when you come and sing to us because for one hour, all my pain goes away’.  
 
And really, that sums up why I sing: to bring smiles, laughter, sometimes share a tear, to hold someone’s hand and have a dance, or just a cuddle.  
 
So I hope to see you soon at the DMSC – say ‘hello’, or even ask for a request. I’d love to make your 
 
 

JOHNATHAN STEVENS - PROFESSIONAL SINGER/GUITARIST

 

Jonathan Stevens Professional Vocalist/Guitarist
My first introduction into music was when I was a year old and refused to sit for a photograph. The photographer gave me a music box and got the shot. When I was 10, I sang with the choir at the Durban City Hall with the orchestra alto Mozarts Ave Verum and Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. I was about to study Accountancy but was lured away by a touring show. My father was horrified. He said, “You’re giving up a good career to go with a bunch of gypsies!” That bunch of Gypies took me all over the world including Germany & Spain. I had several pops at the big time. Song for Europe 83, signed to Adam Ants Management and Mark Dean of Innervison Records [George Michael’s Company] I have worked with Geoff Stephens, Spike Milligan, Lynsey de Paul, Gerrard Kenny, Tony Burrows and Don Black The Bond Theme Lyricist. I have had 3 invitations to attend Her The Queen’s Garden Parties. I am delighted to work with The Dementia Music & Social Club. The group is such a Joy!

 

 

JOHN SUMMERTON - PROFESSIONAL SINGER/GUITARIST

John’s musical path started with Dagenham band The Young Revival, at age 11 and appeared on Blue Peter , later progressed into Flintlock (1975-1980) releasing 4 albums and 10 singles, with “Dawn” making the top 30 in 1976 with appearances on
“ Top of the Pops “ , FLINTLOCK also were featured on TV shows like “You must be Joking and “Paulines Quirks” . After 2 tours in Japan and the changing music scene
Flintlock finished in 1980 .
John has focused on his family and business ventures since, whilst still writing and performing and producing bands locally .
John is an acomplished guitarist and a great singer, who has shared the stage with Gary Brooker (Procol Harum) and John Illsley (Dire Straits) a highlight was when he was ask to sing and play “Reeling in the Years “ at the Giants or Rock with Steely Dan’s Elliott Randall!
The Rubettes with Bill Hurd came next where John took lead vocals for for a few tours in Europe and the Uk .
2023 John was ask to join Herman’s Hermits
Outside of the band, he runs a successful Music Academy and recording studio in Essex

 

MITCH HORNER - PROFESSIONAL SINGER/GUITARIST

Studied at Barbara Speake Stage School,

Which through the school gave me performance education and got me appearing in many TV and Film production’s, I acquired my Full Equity Card in 1975 at by 16 left school and was an accomplished guitar and Bass player and became a full time session musician playing on many studio sessions and live appearances, whilst still appearing in TV commercials and film, by the 1980’s I was playing more music writing ✍️ and performing 🎭 so still to this day loving playing live, and occasionally doing some TV and love doing the Dementia Club once a month, a date in the calendar we so look forward to 🎼🎶🎵

 

 

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