Sat 23 June 2007 gig at The Hairy Dog, Minehead. It was a massive venue, again similar to a Weatherspoons. There was a mixture of people, some out for the music, who really enjoyed it and some out for a Saturday night pub crawl with Hen & Stag parties etc. It was fun but varied with the crowd response depending on people coming and going. Overall a good night though :)

Fri 22 June 2007 We had fun at The Exeter Inn @ Newton Poppleford. It was a loud and lively bunch of people out for a good night. They were a really buzzy audience which excited me and I gave it my all. We had another long encore one after another as they didn't want us to go home. Cor, I was shattered! :)

Sun 17th June 2007 We were invited to play at The Manor Hotel, Exmouth for the Exmouth festival organisers after party and fundraiser. I really enjoyed Lara Conley's set. She has a fantastic voice & I love her lyrics. Chris stucky's band was very entertaining and there was a guy who had a beat box that he was stomping on. He played amazing guitar and harmonica too. I forget his name cause I'm rubbish at names but never forgot his music. Really blew me away!!

Sun 10th June 2007 The Jolly Farmer, Newton Abbot. brings us back to Paul’s local (playing, not drinking this time) It had been a hot day so we were able to play outside. You just can’t beat gigging outdoors. We had a good garden crowd and moseyed’ through the set with some new songs written and covered and got them singing along. Thanks to Rosey & Roger for coming to yet another one of our gigs!! x

Sat 16th June 2007 we played at The Black Horse, Sidmouth. It was quite busy and they didn’t want us to stop until we popped! :)

Sat 9 June 2007 40th Birthday party at West Hill. It was another glorious scorcher of a day. We played in the garden to a great bunch of people who danced away and seemed to really enjoy it. We sure did. I just love these outdoor events. Paul had to rush off to another gig so we had to leave straight after we finished playing so couldn’t enjoy the party...never mind, another time ehh!!

Thu 7th June 2007 we thought we’d try our luck at a new venue The Marine Tavern, Dawlish. I’m always a bit nervous to begin with at a new venue, wondering how we’ll go down. But they were lovely to us and really seemed to like what we did so we’re going back...mmm....I’ll be back ! he he he!!! :)

Wed 30 th May 2007 was a good gig at The Spinning wheel, Paignton. I was buzzing, my cat came back...no it’s not a song. He ran away when I moved house with him and had disappeared for 6 months. I got a call from the vets just as I was on my way out to the gig. He’d been found, skinny but well and I couldn’t wait to get back to see him.

Bank holiday weekend. 26th May 2007 This was a busy one for us. We had 3 gigs in 2days.

Sat 26th May 2007 We were the Headline band at Exmouth Festival It was fantastic to be asked back to Exmouth festival and to play the headline slot felt an honour. For this special event, my acoustic duo changed into a Trio band with Dave on the congas. It was a great day, although I was quite nervous, it all just fell into place when we got on stage and I loved every minute of it. It was great to be able to have more time to fit in more of our original songs and chuck in a couple of classy sing-along covers too. I'll never forget the sound of the crowd singing back to us ‘play that funky music‘...It really made it for me and made me feel like I've really made it!! ha, ha! :)

Sat 26th eve’ gig at The Jolly Porter, Exeter. Many thanks to Sally for coming out to see us, and me bro, James and his mates for coming all the way from Dorset to take pics of us. It was a great gig and a very late night celebrating with a few bevy’s after- rock and roll stylee!!

Sunday 27th May 2007 at The Ferryboat Inn, Shaldon.
We were exhausted after such a busy weekend but dragged ourselves along, set up and once we started, we just buzzed off the buzzy people and buzzy vibe of the Ferryboat. It’s one of my favourite venues to play. There’s always loads of people there and they really ‘get us’ and love our choices of music. They have a good sing along and it’s always a great gig. Thank you so much Ferryboat people!! :) I’m also completing a questionnaire to see how many times I can say buzz’ in one sentence :) :)

24 May 2007 Our first proper Radio Interview for Bay Fm (Exmouth) with Radar. We were promoting the festival and chatted about music and stuff. We sang 3 original songs and had to sing Sweet child of Mine by Guns & Roses for Radar..(It's his favourite song and one of mine too) It was weird to be in a small room chatting but also knowing it was going out live to hundreds of thousands of the Exmouth people... ( ha, ha ) Radar was very professional and made us feel really relaxed and at ease. Cheers mate.

Fri 18th May 2007 we played at The Radway Inn, Sidmouth. There were a few people out but it seemed to be more of a chatty pub, with people going out to socialise more so than getting right into the music. They were enjoying it but the main focus was catching up with mates... My goodness, who’d a thought it in a pub, corr I don’t know... ha ha :) ... It’s a good job I sing, because I don’t think I’d ever make it as a comedian ehh!! :)

Fri 11th May 2007 We played at Exeter Memorial Museum for their opening night exhibition. It was a very different gig. A great venue with great art work and acoustics. We then had to rush off for another gig at
The Post Office Inn, Plympton. We set up the P.A. for a second time in hours, It must a been a world record setting up, we did it so quick. We had a great gig. It was busy with a good crowd in. We were buzzing. Think because we’d just played one gig already we were well warmed up and on a mission.:)

Sunday 13th May 2007 back at one of Paul’s favourite venues, The Firestone, Taunton for more of the same. Great crowd, fun and some good music....hopefully! :)

Sun 11 Mar 2007 It's always a pleasure playing at The Jolly Farmer, Newton Abbot. Its Paul's local. There was a good crowd in and we had a good night.

Wed 28 Feb 2007 We had our first ever Electric Marnie band practise...I want to have an Electric Marnie's mob running along side the Acoustic Duo so we can play some acoustic gigs and then for the bigger venues or weddings, parties or anything really, have the electric band. This is really exciting and will take time to get a good set list together but watch this space, I‘m really excited !!

Sunday 18 Feb 2007 Gig at The Ferry Boat Inn, Sheldon. This is one of our favourite venues to play at. It's a cosy pub with a great atmosphere and the people really love their music so they were singing along to lots of songs. They liked our original material too. I love it when we are appreciated for what we do...It's hard work up there on stage when your giving your all and to get such great response, it's what it's all about. We love you Ferry Boat People x

Sat 10 Feb 2007 Rosey's 60th birthday party. We were requested to started the night with a short acoustic set and then I kinda turned into Dj Marnie and played selected tunes for them to have a good old dance to. I loved the strawberries and the chocolate fountain...mmm... I'd like to request that they have one at every venue we play at...ha ha.. :)

Sat 17 Feb 2007 Our first gig at The Crawford Hotel, Exeter. It was a quiet night with a small crowd. but they really enjoyed it and didn't want us to stop. After an encore of about 5 songs, I had to be 'meany marnie' and say we have to stop now...It was a really enjoyable evening for us. They sang along and all got up dancing at the end.

Sunday 21 January 2007 We played a blinding gig in the Firestone, Taunton. The crowd were 'up for it' and we had a right laugh. Paul was totally on form with his witty comments and much fun was had by all. Cheers Taunton.

Jan, Feb, March & April 2007 we have had a busy few months. We’ve been to The Cricketers, Taunton, The Smugglers bar-Hook & Parrot, Seaton, The Spinning Wheel, Paignton, The Jolly Farmer, Newton Abbot, The Thirsty Farmer, Whimple, The Bolton, Brixham and finally back to The Cricketers, Taunton again for gig number two! The Jolly Porter, Exeter, and The Penn & Quill, Taunton. We’ve been busy learning some new songs to keep things fresh!

31 st Dec 2006 New Years Eve gig @ The Old Rydon Inn, Kingsteignton. This was our first new years eve gig so far and we went down a storm. We got everyone up dancing and singing along and had a really good night. We performed a stupidly high number of songs to keep them entertained with our longest set yet and it all went so well. I managed to get the whole 12 o' clock count down perfect - shocking :) really enjoyed it. Roll on next year!!!

Fri 29th Dec 2006 We went all the way to The Globe @ Great Torrington. It was a long and winding road but we got there in the end. When we finally got there I was told, ‘’if a fight breaks out, don’t worry, just move out of the way‘’...I laughed but she was serious. So all night I was waiting for something to kick off but it didn’t. We had a lively, well behaved crowd that had a good sing along. So I think we all left happy!

Nov & Dec 2006 brings busy times. First time at The Globe, Great Torrington, The Old Wellhouse, Paignton, The North Bridge Inn, Exeter, The Balfour Arms, Sidmouth, The Spinning Wheel, Paignton,

October 2006 brings us to The Jolly Farmer-Newton Abbot, The Ferryboat Inn-Shaldon, The Royal British Legion, Kingsteignton....and a support gig at The Royal oak, Exminster


Sat 7th October 2006 We played at The Queens Hall, Minehead. It was an old Theatre so we were a bit surprised to see such a massive venue when we arrived, with just us little two on stage. We soon got over it once we started and It was a good gig. Quite different though to any others we’ve played as there were lots of people in fancy dress. There was a Butlins fun weekend going on so it was quite bizarre looking out to a crowd dressed in such random costumes. Quite amusing really.

Sat 14th October 2006 Bmad party @ The Parkers Farm Holiday Park. Thanks to Radar for inviting us to play. The sound was great and the people created a really great vibe.

Thu 26th October 2006 Water Aid charity gig @ The City Gate, Exeter

Sun 24th Sept 2006 We visited The Golden Lion at St Ives where we had the most amazing time and some fine, fine beer. Huge thanks to Derek for putting us up and making us so welcome there. We look forward to seeing you guys again soon...what an amazing crowd and a superb venue.

August - Sept 2006 We have been busy little bees...We have played quite a few new venues...The Jolly Porter-Exeter, The Black Horse-Sidmouth, The Pheonix-Exmouth, The Bolton-Brixham, The Lime Tree-Paignton to name a few and returned to our first venue (The North Bridge Inn) and all have been jolly good fun.

The website is up and running, thanks Heather...Tis great! We have written a new original, which seems to stick in people’s heads...ha, ha ! :)

End of Sept 2006 This week we play at the Prospect Inn in Exeter and the Ferryboat Inn in Shaldon, must say I am looking forward to it...lets hope we are in with the Inn crowd...ha ha ha...sometimes I crack myself up!!! :)
See ya there if you’re square with hair yeah!? :)

Mon 7th Aug 2006 last nights gig on Paignton sea front for the Regatta was awesome, many thanks to everyone involved, particularly Radar. The stage was facing the waterfront and it was a picture. The atmosphere was superb and the sound was fantastic-thanks Radar, even the sun was out! I was buzzing me little socks off. Palm Fm Radio 105.5 took a copy of our cd and plan to play ‘Lost and Found’ on the radio.....how cool is that? We then got asked to play at The V.W. van Festival at Sheldon.

Fri 11th Aug 2006. V.W. Festival at Sheldon.
The venue was a field high up on the cliff tops overlooking Sheldon and Teignmouth. We set up the P.A. next to the big bonfire and played outside as the sun went down and the moon came up. The guys sang along all night long. It was a magical experience. You just can't beat singing around a bonfire with a wonderful crowd and with views as beautiful as they were. We were in heaven. ;) Lots of really cool vans too.

Air Fusion- Newton Abbot Festival. we had a small time slot, enough to play 3 songs. The festival had a nice vibe and it was a glorious day with a big crowd. Palm Fm showed interest and said they wanted to play one of our songs on the radio...ooh-er-exciting!

Sun 2nd July 2006 The Jolly Farmer. was our first gig here. Paul has wanted to perform here for years. I believe it was worth the wait. It was quite special. We played outside in their lovely garden with a fab crowd. We both really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to playing here again. :)

Fri 28th Jul 2006 we played at Rowcroft Day care centre @ Torquay. I really enjoy the Hospice gigs we do. People really appreciate the live music. It really makes me think how lucky I am and want to appreciate life and live it to the full.

23May 2006 We played at Exmouth Festival @ The strawberry Jam. We had our 15 minutes on stage and spent the rest of the day being mesmerised and inspired by a varied selection of fantastic local musicians. They were great and it was a brill day with the sun shining an all' and a park full of people!

24 May 2006 Exmouth festival - Strawberry Jam. liked what they saw and asked us to come back and play outside the Harbour view cafe the very next day. Wow, what an amazing setting. Paul and I were a bit hung over and slightly regretting saying yes to play on the Sunday morning, that is, until we started playing. There was something special about the gig. Our backdrop was the beach and sea and sky behind us. It was a really relaxed atmosphere with people chilling out and enjoying the music sound wafting around, drawing people off the street. I truly love these outdoor gigs. We played our set with a great sound mixed by Jen & Martin and then spent the rest of the day buzzing. I didn't want to go home.

Mar, April, May, June 2006 We’ve been to Dukes, Sidmouth, The Jolly Farmer, Newton Abbot, The Day care Hospice at Exeter, The Lime Tree-Paignton, The York, Exmouth, and a couple of gigs at The Malthouse, Exeter and The Thirsty Farmer @ Whimple...

Fri 24th Feb 2006 at The North Bridge Inn This was the first proper gig myself and Paul played together. What a good start. I was sooooo nervous but as soon as we started we just did what we do and it was brill. I really enjoyed it. This is what all the hard work has been for!!! :) Thanks to my mate Jo for coming to support me. x

19, 20 & 21st Dec 2005 I played 3 gigs at Exeter’s Rowcroft Hospice care centre for their Christmas celebrations. They invited me early so I could share their Christmas dinner with them. How nice is that. Thanks guys :)

Thu 27th October 2005 I played a gig at The Langstone Hotel, Dawlish. for a friend of Rosey’s birthday party. Terry did the sound. The gig consisted of me playing some songs with my guitar and the rest were with backing tracks. There was another guy who also played. He was really good. He had a really full sound and was quite funny.

15th Oct 2005. I went to a Reoffenders gig at The Old Barrel, Exmouth with a mate. This is where I met Paul. I asked him (the same as I’d been asking just about everyone I’d met recently) if he knew of any guitarists that might want to join my acoustic band.
Paul said that he was interested in another project and wanted to play more acoustic guitar and was excited about the fact of us writing original material.
We began choosing songs and rehearsing and quickly became good friends.
Paul later wrote, ‘‘Over the years I have played in many bands on the local scene but it wasn’t until I had the good fortune to meet Marnie that I made that artistic connection. When a voice makes your hairs stand up, you can’t fail to be inspired, and I can’t explain the buzz of working with someone who complements your song writing style.’’ Aw shucks....Fanx :)

Fri 2nd Sept 2005 was Aurora’s second gig at The Anchor, Sidmouth. with Ben. A few friends came down so we had a bit of banter going on with them. We had a really good time. Thanks Mum, Linda, Kiwi Bex, Ade & Bens mum & dad who made special effort to come down.

Fri 16th Sept 2005 Ben and I had a gig at The North Bridge Inn. shared with David Lion, Beth & Simon Barron. I was still very nervous but the more we played, the more I got into it and then I didn’t want to stop.
Oct 2005 Ben went off to study music tec’ at Doncaster Uni’ ,so the search was now on for a new guitarist.

1st Aug-5th Aug. 2005 we played at Sidmouth folk festival. We stayed for five days. We started off busking on the seafront....Ben & I got asked to join a bonfire party on the beach and play...We played on the open mic stage at Dukes...We were asked to play in the pub garden at The Anchor, Then they asked us to play on the big stage in the pub garden with P.a...We then played a full gig in the Anchor Pub on the last night of the festival. We earned £204 while busking and playing at Sid. fest. Aurora. It was a really great week full of different music and much fun.

June 2005 I went to GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL Arrived there on Tuesday and left on the following Tuesday morn. I worked with Ben on a Mexican food stall. It was really hard, hot work for 6hours a day, but boy when the shift was over, I made the most of it. It was the year of a heat wave and the massive storm that Friday morning. I never knew there could be so many different types of mud. It was such hard work walking through it all as it dried, going from wet and slushy to slide'y and then sticky and vacum’ous, so every footstep was a battle between the mud claiming the wellies and trying to keep them on my feet. This is dangerous to be attempted after a night of sampling that lovely Glastonbury cider...It was a dodgy long walk back to the tents.
Ben and I played on the ‘Other Stage’ (which is the 2nd biggest stage at Glastonbury fest) It was massive and so amazing to be up there. I felt right at home. The crowd went wild...all two of them.. I do have to now admit that it was on the Monday after most people had left the festival & there were no security guys around, just people clearing up and a few odd passers by. We climbed up on stage with our guitars and played a couple of songs. It was wicked. Thanks to Ethan for taking the pic‘s. Monday was our last night there so we made a bonfire and had a jam. A couple of random people stopped while passing and said hi. I didn’t want to leave on Tuesday, There was such a special vibe there, and I so didn’t want it to be over. I had to almost drag myself away. We drove around the site before we left, it was massive, miles and miles of tents and rubbish. Quite surprising to see all the devastation that week had left behind.

From May to Oct 2005 I formed my 1st acoustic duo band with Ben, called Aurora.
We played some support slots for bands to gain confidence & experience.

Jan 2005. I was in Swindon for a meeting and I thought that it was far enough away to go busking on my own and it didn’t matter if I made an idiot of myself because I was so far from home that no-one would know me. After spending literally ages walking around and gaining the courage, I finally found a spot and started singing away. It was the week after that horrendous tsunami and there were people on nearly every corner with buckets raising funds for them, so it wasn’t really a good choice of day and place for me. But hey I was there for 3 hours and earned about £24 pounds and a tube of super glue. It’s strange what people throw into your guitar case. Maybe he was out of change...After 3 hours I was freezing, I went for a coffee to warm up and as I thawed out I felt my thumb throbbing. I had a massive blister on it. I now know why people use plectrums...:)

In March 2004 I first met Ben with his band ‘Merlyn’ at the Three fat fish, Exeter after the open mic night where I‘d just played & asked if there were any guitarists out there to work with me.
I was just walking across the car park at the end of the night when Ben approached me and asked if I fancied joining his band. We had a jam there and then in the car park. There were about 9 of us in a circle singing away when this guy stopped to listen. He must have been on his way home from a pub or something. He stayed for a bit then said cheers guys, great music. As he walked off across the car park, I said, thank you very much, hang on, I’ll get the hat (for a tip)...I was only messing about, being mouthy in a jokey kind of way, and this guy then turned around and said come here...He was fumbling around in his pockets as I walked towards him...I thought that’ll teach me, I was really embarrassed saying, I was only joking mate. He said no, no I really enjoyed it. He passed me a note and walked off. I embarrassingly walked back to the circle of guys I’d just met earlier. I thought the guy must have just given me his shopping list or something to be funny, but when I looked, I couldn’t believe it was a £20 pound note. I did feel a bit bad. I said to the guys, oh no, I was only messing around. We all laughed about it and thought what a nice man...or drunken nutter.. I split the dosh between us as we were all kind of singing, I thought it was only fare. We stayed in the car park chatting and singing for a couple of hours and got frozen. Someone piped up, cor I could do with a cup of tea. I said, do you want one? I’ve got my campa van over there with cooker & Tea and coffee etc. So we all piled into Betsey-Ronald, my old Renault Traffic campa van and I started making a brew. It was a bit of a squeeze but we managed it. I finally got home about 2 am. It was a long but good night and I made nearly £3 through music. wow!! :)

Me and the Merlyn band jammed and played at open mic nights. The North bridge Inn, Honiton Carlton, Sandford, Ottery St. Mary, cullompton, Angel...

Dec 2004 was my first ever gig at The hospice care centre, Taunton through Sue Cocheraine. It was so nerve wracking but once I’d started, I got into the flow of things and it ended up being good fun. I got a really good response from the patients and I just knew I had to do more!!

From April to October 2004 I sang for a season at The Golden Sands, Dawlish. I worked with Mark Price and Debbie singing every Wednesday night to give the red coats a night off. It was good working with them and it really boosted my confidence and helped me ( a little bit )to get over my total fear of performing on stage in front of people. My poor little legs were a shaking every night. I really had to force myself up there but it was well worth it.

I got some gigs at Hospice care centres in Exeter, Torquay & Cullompton disability home, singing on my own with backing tracks and played a few songs on guitar while still searching for someone.

Dec 2003 was when I first started song writing And the first time I ever picked up a guitar and started practising.
Aug 2003 I started going to open mic nights (to mention a few- The Three Fat Fish, The North Bridge Inn, Exeter, The Angel, Thirsty Farmer-Whimple, Ottery St Mary...) singing harmonies at first with mate Callum and a guy called David Lyon until I was able to play guitar well enough to sing on my own.

2003 After entering a few Talent comp's I entered one to raise money for Force Cancer Charity and at Denbury in Sept’03 I actually won it. I just couldn’t believe it. I thought all of the other singers were so much better than me. I was so nervous I thought I’d blown it but instead I was blown away by coming first. Kevin Kayne from Gemini Fm radio was one of the judges and played a snippit of me singing ‘Heaven’ on radio plugging the charity gig and saying I won it...wow, I’d hit fame! ha, ha :)
I then came 2nd in another talent comp’ at The Spinning Wheel-Paignton.
It really made me think and gave me the confidence to pursue music as a career and look for a band and start gigging..... I also got my wonderful campa van so that I could go campa-vanning ! :)

......My Musical History from the start......
2001 This is when I first started singing for fun in public. Me and a mate, Jo accidentally stumbled upon a ‘Karayucky’ one night. We had a sing a long and had a really fun night.
I started practising whenever I could and gradually got better and we entered some competitions. Jo had a brilliant voice and always inspired me to get better..............
.........As a child I was always singing but as I got older hitting teenage’ness, I got more embarrassed and for some reason thought I was rubbish, so I stopped singing in front of people. Until now!!!
Nov 2001 I had a handful of singing lessons with Diana Lindley to learn & master the breathing technique...It's always good to breath :)
I entered the Branch Office Karaoke/ Talent competition in Feb’02 and May’02 the Lady’s Mile Holiday park, Dawlish. My mate came 3rd.
We then entered one in Crediton and Jo won it and I came 3rd. Was so excited. I sang Fallin by Alicia Keys.