As you all know, it's World Cup year, and when Oliver and I were playing around with a couple of tunes we hit on something that proved to be quite catchy.  I came up with a few ideas about how, and who we should get on the recording and it grew from there.

As is often the case with some ideas, we were told it wouldn't work.  Didn't someone say, the greatest pleasure in life is doing the things people say we cannot do!

As the song is essentially about unity, we wanted every club to be represented by a fan and stand together as one team, so we set about contacting every English football club in the Premiership, Championship and Leagues 1 and 2, 90 in total!

After a considerable number of emails and telephone calls, the day finally arrived and we all met to record in Abbey Road Studios on Wednesday 31st March.  Now when you get together 90 people who have never met before who tend not to be trained singers, we thought it would be something we'd have to work on to get it right.  NOT THIS GROUP, they were fantastic and were so quick at picking it up they finished recording with an hour to spare.

The World Cup is after all associated with football legends so I called Peter Shilton a few weeks before, sent him a demo of the song and asked him to join me.  When he said yes to being a part of it, the excitement at having the most capped England footballer on the recording made it even more special.  He is such a great guy, and we got on really well.  We also had quite a few club mascots that came along too, who all went on an open top bus journey around London before the recording started.  From what I can tell they had a great time-all of this you'll see on the music video.

Finding a charity that fit the bill wasn't easy-there are so many doing such great work.  When we read the opening statement of Kick4Life, we knew we had found what we were looking for.

'Football and sport and have the power to inspire, to unite and to make a difference.  Kick4Life uses this potential to transform the lives of some of the most disadvantaged children in the world'.

Changing lives through football is amazing isn't it, and when you add music, it just grips you.  What started out as a bit of fun one evening, getting ourselves in the mood for the World Cup has grown into a national project and a real chance of making a difference.  Oliver and I, together with Kick4Life, are now on a mission to raise as much as possible.  The single is due to be released on 24th April, so over the next couple of weeks leading up to it you'll be hearing it on the radio and seeing it on TV.

Sorry for the break between blog posts, I will be in touch really soon.

Thomas

I just had a fantastic weekend, as you know I was singing with Katherine Jenkins on Sunday, the first time our paths have crossed, and I must say that I really hope we get to do another concert very soon.  She was absolutely lovely and wonderful to work with.  It's the first time I've heard her sing live in concert as well and must say she really is the real deal in every way.

The day was eventful (as always), I unfortunately dislocated my shoulder about an and a half before the start of the concert, I was having a little nap in the car and knocked myself on the seat buckle holder as I was getting up.  I opened the door, rolled out and popped it back in, then looked up to see my manager and the head promoter; "Hello there", I said whilst rolling on the floor.  Don't think they'll forget me too soon!  The paramedics strapped me up and put me in a sling, which I didn't wear on the stage as I wanted the audience to like the music and myself, not out of sympathy for the shoulder injury.  Painful but worth it.  I had a great evening, all the family were there and we all enjoyed ourselves.

Things are beginning to gather momentum so stay tuned for more adventures (hopefully there won't be as much pain with what's to come).

Thomas x

Yes I know that the blog writing has been poor of late, but that is all going to change starting now, so keep checking in for regular updates.

I just had a fantastic time down in Devon, performed at the Birdman event on the Sunday (2nd August) and then had an interview and sung a couple of songs on The Judi Spiers Show on BBC Radio Devon on Monday morning.  Judi was fantastic!  Julia, Jenny and Dom all played live with me and filled the studio to capacity, good job I didn't take a brass section!

Have been working hard all week on everything, but looking forward to the weekend as it's the first game of the season at Derby County.  The plan.....sing well...and for Derby to get the 3 points!!

Speak soon

Thomas

Welcome to my website, so glad it is now operational. I've never had to do a blog before, so this really is very new to me. Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who came to the concert in Burton Upon-Trent at Christmas, it was a very special evening, and all the musicians, soloists and myself had an amazing time. 

It was great to be home for Christmas and New Year and really lovely to spend some time with my family. So it's 2009 and a year I am really looking forward to, my head is filled with so many ideas of which I'm working hard on, making it all happen, so lots of exciting things coming, I hope. There is of course the concert at Birmingham Town Hall on Friday 27th March, and also there's the release of the album 'Believe' into the classical charts in March, so I'm working hard on both concert planning and promoting the album. 

What else should I say.......there's a lot more news to come. I'll definitely keep you posted, so keep checking in.  

I hope you enjoy looking around,

Thomas