Since my last newsletter in June, quite a lot has been happening! I hope you like the completely revamped website, which (among other things) now includes sheet music in various formats, to help the musicians and worship leaders in your music team. There’s also much more information about the songs and how they were written, and a very useful search facility for finding songs by theme, scripture reference, or even word/phrase! Please take a moment to check it out when you can.
After a fun spring and summer of events, which included New Word Alive (in a freezing cold Pwllheli), Bible By The Beach (in a much warmer Eastbourne), and the Keswick Convention (in the wet but beautiful Lake district), I managed to squeeze in a brilliant tour of the northern regions of the UK with Keith and Kristyn Getty. This included my first experience of sleeping on a tour bus… sorry, first AND LAST experience of sleeping on a tour bus… but also the opportunity to play with some incredible musicians, and spend some time with my good friends Keith and Kristyn…
In October I did my first tour of Australia, taking in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne in a pretty short space of time – an amazing country, and really encouraging crowds at all the events. I met quite a number of old friends (and made quite a lot of new ones) en route, and I suspect it won’t be long before I work out a way of getting out there again. Highlights of the tour included a ferry across Sydney Harbour, an amazing trip up to the Blue Mountains, beautiful views around Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, the cool vibe of the Melbourne streets, and the overwhelming warmth and hospitality of the people everywhere we went. Special thanks to Philip Percival (of Emu Music and St Ebbe’s Oxford) for putting it all together.
Hot on the heels of Australia I did some solo gigs in the north-east and north-west of England, then on to the annual Mission Worship event in Eastbourne, where’s it’s always fun to connect with old muso friends.
Right now I’m working on the schedule for next year, which I’m hoping will include some more solo and band touring in the UK, and also some possible international trips to the US and Singapore. I’m also planning to record A NEW ALBUM in February and I’m frantically trying to come up with some new material for it – so please pray if you get the chance!!
Thanks for reading this, and for taking an interest in what I do. Please stay in touch, and I do appreciate your prayers for me and the team as we seek to serve the church through songs, recordings and events.
Have a great Christmas!
Stuart