"Cheltenham Show"
Eric Mason, Billy Frost & Lenny Hamilton at "The Robins
Bar", Cheltenham Town FC, Friday. October 20th 2006.
When it was discussed before going on Radio Kerrang to promote
these talk shows, I genuinely thought that all I had to do was
to book the venue, book a comedian, I already had a band...so
that was taken care of, get some tickets printed and then just
sell them...easy!...WRONG!
If I honestly knew how much hard work and stress goes
into setting up and promoting these type of shows, I might have
given it another thought!
But as the night unfolded, it started to become enjoyable and
all the hard work started to pay off.
My mate, Steve Chick had started helping around mid-day by picking
up various people arriving by train and dropping them to the
hotel.
At 700pm, the doors opened and a steady stream of people started
arriving whilst the BBC production of "The Underworld, The
Krays", was shown on the big screen. Before taking to the
stage, Eric Mason, Billy Frost & Lenny Hamilton, had a photo
shoot in the dug-out of Cheltenham Town FC which was hilarious
with Lenny cracking jokes about him being the next manager!
............................
Paul Wilcox, was the photographer that night.
They then took to the stage with to a rapturous applause..and
the "Audience With" had started!
No holds were barred with my questioning and some members of
the audience had some very interesting things to ask the trio
as well. As usual when its gathering pace, we ran overtime
and I suddenly realised I had a set to play!
But first, a raffle was organised in aid of the baby-unit of
Cheltenham Hospital with a signed pair of boxing gloves kindly
donated by ex-world champion, Ricky (Hitman) Hatton.
The band only had time to play a 30 minute set as a book signing & another
photo session had to take place in the bar next door in which
copies of "The Brutal Truth" & "Getting
Away With Murder", by Eric Mason & Lenny Hamilton
were sold along with various Kray photo's.Before I realised
it...the show was over, and I had loads of
good feedback from people saying how much they enjoyed themselves.
Afterwards, we all relaxed for an hour or so in the "chill-out" bar
next door. My thanks go out to Kieron, who was the host of the
club. Danny (Jun) Spencer and "Smudge" who helped on
the door. Paul Wilcox, resident photographer & web-designer
on this site. Steve Chick, who was invaluable in helping during
the set-up & taking the tickets on the door.
The next show will be in Blackpool.......I can't wait!
To View a selection of the nights photographs on the gallery page
click HERE or
To see all the photographs of the evening click.....HERE
