It's so lovely to be able to do this blog, and share a bit of my thoughts with you… I think this is the first blog I've done for my Cathy Beech Music page. So maybe I should tell you a little bit more about myself.

How It All Began…

Yes… I’d like to say I have just started out, however my journey has been a long and varied one… just so you know… I have been a professional singer for over 25 years now, and I absolutely love singing. I started songwriting years and years ago, choosing to write just stories and feelings in verse format, some would say it was more poetry than lyrics.  However I would say that I have developed my skills as a “poet” and become a lyricist rather than a poet and I definitely did not believe that I would be a full on songwriter.  Then 8 years ago, I met this wonderful producer from Coventry, a beautiful musical soul called Keith Fabrique who runs a studio and record label called Glasslip Records. 

My Truthful Beginning as a Songwriter…

It is almost poetic in the way that we met, (because I am totally blaming Keith for the path I am now on, and I am super grateful), we were at a local Music Festival in Welshpool, he had travelled from Coventry and I was the Stage Manager of the venue him and his band were performing for.  The band had bought a following with them, their wives, children and friends, they were the best fun.  A few days later he got in touch and asked if I would like to go and record in his studio a few songs for his album.  Unbeknown to me he had seen something in my performance, (I was still a cabaret singer at this point).  I felt so much joy. My dad came with me and after I sang a few songs, he asked if he could record my album. I was overjoyed, (I kept my cool though).  He has without a shadow of a doubt been my leading force in helping me to develop from a cabaret singer, with no confidence as a songwriter into an musical artist that can carry her own. 

Keith has given me the confidence to actually develop my ability to turn my lyrics into songs and that is why the album is called “Wings To Fly” because that is what he gave me, I don’t think I have told him that so this will be news to him too, maybe hahaha. 

The album is a collaboration of work with some outstanding songwriters, Christopher Sidwell, Danny Ansell, Steve Madden to name but a few, (Coventry songwriting legends). I am even singing the song Keith wrote for his wife, “Better Reason” it is one of my favourites. 

On the album I have produced, written and developed my own songs as well. It would have been ready in January 2021, however the pandemic slowed everything down, we are working towards it being ready to buy and own as soon as we can do it. 

Where am I now…

Right now, after two years of not being able to perform, I am just getting out there to the public arena again like most performers, I am singing a mixture of covers and originals, and I like that… you know… the world is full of music and lyrics and other people's songs that I absolutely adore, and I am a singer first and foremost. If it rocks my world then I will sing it and hopefully rock yours too.

What Songs Rock My World…

Mostly songwriters inspire me, especially female songwriters. I do love male songwriters like Don Black, Elton John to name a few, but I don’t think you can beat songs by Joni Mitchell or Norah Jones. I genuinely have an eclectic range of music that makes me feel lifted and joyous, makes me feel the moment and be present. If it makes me feel, then I will find a way to sing it.

Who Do I think I sound like…

I have always loved the singing styles of Eva Cassidy, Dusty Springfield, Karen Carpenter and Patsy Cline and I have been told you can hear their influences in my voice when I sing, which is an amazing compliment to me, my icons.  To be honest, modern day artistes I love are Lady Gaga, Sia, Rita Ora and Pink too and if I was to say, who did I sound like, I would say I sound like me hahaha….

When it comes to the performance side of my nature. I think that being born in the seventies and listening to ABBA and Showaddywaddy, lively, outgoing, in your face fun bands… you know Slade?  Were they not the best fun?!! They didn't take themselves too seriously, that is me! I don’t take myself too seriously either.  Don’t get me wrong, I take music seriously, but it has to be joyous, poignant and have meaning that lifts, even if it is a melancholy song, it has to represent something that brings the best out in us.  Of course I have a sense of humour, even in trying times in my life, I am no different from anyone else. Music helps me to rise above it though and focus on the joy… it most certainly works for me.

What is my Album about…

My album Wings to Fly, definitely is a theme of relationships that have not worked, but I have written about the joy when they did, which is important that moment that sings to your soul, no matter how long it lasts it is still there and worth recording. As a mother of two and a Nanny now, I have discovered myself and I keep on discovering who I am, it is ever changing.  That is the theme of my second album.

What you can expect from me…

Just note this for now… and it could change lol…

I am really comfortable in my own skin, comfortable in my own art, comfortable in my own singing, my hope is that you too will be comfortable enjoying all my work, my musical art and my adaptation of other people's work and not only the singing, but my truth, the uplifting, the positivity, that in a world that appears dark, only singing and music can shine a light on…  in my opinion!

For now I will be using this website to promote my gigs whilst I get back to singing in public again, but with my guitar only this time. Maybe I will invite some guests on occasions to perform alongside me… who knows what will happen.  I've got another event coming up at The Cock Hotel in Brockton on the 18th  March. If you would like to come to that, please do come along and have a listen and sing along with me anyway..

Many blessings to you always.

Cathy Beech.