AARON BAYLEY Aaron sings on Wisdom and An Irish Blessing. From Newcastle On Tyne, Aaron was part of the first ever Pop Idol competition in 2001, which has since taken the world by storm. He made it to the final 10, with Will Young and Gareth Gates. An Elvis fan, Walking in Memphis became Aaron’s trademark introduction to the world of celebrity. (He was later characatured in Peter Kay’s spoof, Britain’s Got the Pop Factor, as the Geordie who was second only to Geraldine herself.) Aaron earned a National Diploma in Music and Performance at Newcastle College of Performing Arts (where country musician Jim Hornsby taught him to play guitar). He now fronts his own successful and popular band, available for functions. He has also written, recorded and produced a quality debut album GUARDIAN ANGEL It has an upbeat country rock sound with some profound and sensitive ballads.To hear more, book his band or buy his album see www.aaronbayley.com
Aaron also has a wedding photography site 1-weddingphotography.co.uk
Angela
Sr ANGELA ROBSON Angela sings on Beneath My Shade and Blossom Like the Lily. She belongs to the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, based in Newcastle On Tyne. She has led singing and worship in prayer groups and larger meetings for decades. Angela is also part of a charismatic prayer group, which meets at St Andrew’s church, Worsick Street, Newcastle. They meet there on Mondays 2-3pm. And also on Tuesdays 2-3pm for an Intercessory prayer group. The Worswick Welcome meets at St Andrew’s every Friday 10am-1.30pm and provides a safe space and drop-in service with hot food, refreshments and clothing from the St Cuthberts Care 5p Bus.
Contact Angela www.instituteofourladyofmercy.org or wildpurpleheathermusic@yahoo.co.uk
Ann Liddell
ANN LIDDELL Soloist on The Better Part and The Man who is my Destiny. Ann lives in Darlington with husband, Mike Webster, and their teenage children. Her distinctive voice is well recognised in Charismatic Renewal circles, where she is renowned for leading others to sing from the heart. She has been involved in the music ministry for over 40 years, writes and performs her own modern hymns, and leads conferences across the UK. As well as liturgical and worship music Ann sings country, blues, gospel and rock. Her varied experience includes singing in an acoustic blues group with husband, Mike. She entertains at folk gigs locally (the Copper Beach) enjoying contemporary and traditional folk. In her parish she leads groups in intercession and this is a strong focus for her work now. Ann has recorded two albums of her own songs and a compilation of other artists, mostly original modern hymns, and some traditional. She is available for concerts and testimonials. For more about Ann and her albums FRIEND MOVE UP HIGHER/ IF I HAVE THE ELOQUENCE visit www.annliddell.org email: fmuh@live.com
Anna Raine at home
ANNA RAINE, the soloist on Silence, lives on the Northumbrian Island of Lindisfarne with husband Andy and teenage children Joel and Martha. Home to SS Aidan and Cuthbert, Lindisfarne is known as the Cradle of Christianity. Silence also has that nurturing lullaby-like quality. Anna has released her debut album, inspired by the Celtic tradition, simple songs and blessings, which reflect the rhythms and moods of the Island. Her album ANCIENT PATHS is available directly from www.uppersprings.com/ancientpaths
Helen
HELEN RAE choruses for Blossom Like the Lily
Helen lives in Cramlington, Northumberland, and has taken part in several Sing Live! concerts. She has also lived in Wooler, and it was Helen who introduced us to our first experience of the wild heather on Wooler Common.
Paul in studio
PAUL SOUTHGATE sings on Beneath My Shade, Blossom Like the Lily, Voice in the Desert, Never Ending Stream.
From Stockton-On-Tees Paul is well known and respected for his pastoral work throughout the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, especiallyin Cramlington, Whitley Bay and Newcastle He has also worked as a missionary in Kenya. More recently as chief officer for the Churches’ Regional Commission, promoting social action in churches and faith communities www.northeastchurches.org.uk He now has a new role, as director for the Society of St Vincent de Paul, ‘Working Together to overcome poverty’, with an outreach to the homeles www.vip-gb.org
Paul throws his heart and soul into everything he undertakes, as he did for his first experiences in a recording studio. Trained in classical (liturgical) music he is also a lover of country music. So it was satisfying being able to give his voice the country backing on Beneath My Shade. There was a night Paul was recording, and Graham (keyboards and backing) turned up wearing slippers by mistake. He was meeting Paul for the first time and somehow it seemed appropriate as Paul’s deep,calming and mature voice put us all at ease. Val Doonican came to mind … rocking chair, pipe …! For more on Paul and his work visit the website above, or email director@vip-gb.org
Rachael
RACHAEL SHORT brings the youthful and contemporary sound to Find me Sanctuary, Blossom Like the Lily(end), Voice in the Desert, Never Ending Stream, Arise, my Faithful One, and An Irish Blessing.
In a way she became the protagonist of the album. As recording progressed she announced major changes in her life, a new career and a move to Malaysia. We just managed to keep her long enough to record It’s time to write a whole new chapter, time to start a brand new page …(Find me Sanctuary) and the other songs. Within days she was off to catch her flight! Rachael can be contacted via our email wildpurpleheathermusic@yahoo.co.uk or rachael.short@hotmail.co.uk
Terence/ Dowling/ Sage Gateshead
TERENCE DOWLING sings on Broken Man on a Tree and Arise, my Faithful One
Born and raised in Newcastle, Terence also attended St Cuthbert’s Grammar School, where he was taught Maths by Pete Kennedy. He remembers Pete with much affection. He had a strong influence onTerence, who was inspired by Pete’s spirituality and by his just approach to each pupil. “He was a very caring man”. Later Terence studied Frank Lake’s Clinical Theology course and Pete was in the same group. It was shortly afterwards that Pete died.
Terence has always been an enthusiastic teacher, generously passing on any knowledge aquired through study and life experience. The songs he sings on this album require the maturity that comes only with age and a testing in the crucible of life. Terence now lives and works in Germany as a psychotherapist. He teaches and trains in-depth psycho-somatic medicine: taking seriously the effects of early childhood from conception onwards, the psychological and physical issues. He sang as an operatic tenor for 10 years. He is now settled in an alternative community, a transition town and village, which faces ecological and justice issues. The community is centred on children. There is no forced philosophy or idealogy, Buddhists, Sufis, Christians living alongside each other. Terence can be contacted by email: terencedowling@gmx.de