Darren Poyzer - singer, songwriter, special needs music leader

4 Shows with Hayseed Dixie . top of page

It gives me great pleasure to announce that I'm playing 4 shows with the awesome rocking bluegrass band Hayseed Dixie, an American group who started out as an Appalachian style tribute to AC/DC, playing traditional instruments such as fiddle, mandolin and banjo. Following the release of 2001's 'A Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC' they have branched out, playing songs by other rock luminaries, as well as a few original compositions. See www.hayseed-dixie.com.

As follows:

Monday 10th July 7pm
Hayseed Dixie + Darren Poyzer
The Picturedome, Holmfirth
Venue Website: www.thepicturedrome.net
Tickets: www.ticketline.co.uk or 0161 832 1111
Tickets: £13 advance

Wednesday 19th July 7pm
Hayseed Dixie + Darren Poyzer
Club Nirvana, Clarence Yard, Wigan WN1 1JU
Venue Website: www.nirvana-wigan.co.uk
Tickets: www.ticketline.co.uk or 0161 832 1111
Tickets: £12 advance

Thursday 20th July at 7pm
Hayseed Dixie + Darren Poyzer
at The Brewery Arts Centre, Highgate, Kendal LA9 4HE
Venue Website: www.breweryarts.co.uk
Tickets call 01539 725133, Tickets: £12.50 advance

Friday 21st July at 7pm
Hayseed Dixie + Darren Poyzer
Waterside Arts Centre, Sale. M33 7ZF
Venue Website: www.watersideartscentre.co.uk
Tickets: www.ticketline.co.uk or 0161 832 1111
Tickets: £12 advance

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Jenny Pope: the appeal continues onwards . top of page

Some of you may have seen this in the news a while ago, and I believe I've paid this mention earlier, however it's time to be re-motivated by this story, because the anguish continues and the need to keep the campaign strong remains.

Jennifer Pope of Mossley, Tameside, went missing around January 9th 2006, whilst travelling in Ecuador. Police revealed that a total of £2,500 was taken out of Jenny’s account in a series of withdrawals in Ecuador over seven days. Throughout her journey, she withdrew only 20 US dollars a day for spending money to prevent her becoming a target for robbers. But analysis of her bank account has revealed a series of withdrawals of up to 200 US dollars which started the day after she last contacted her family. The equivalent of £2,500 was taken out of the account over one week and the account was closed down after it exceeded its £1,500 overdraft limit.

Jen is the wife of popular musician Dave Pope, Mother of equally wonderful songwriter Stefan Pope, and sister to Julie. All three are some of the nicest people you'll meet, and they deserve ongoing love and support. At present, Jen remains on the missling list, and Dave and Stefan remain in Ecuador, supported only by fund-raising efforts and donations.

Please do visit the website at www.jennypopeappeal.org and make a donation, or at very least buy the superb compilation cd available through the site.

You can read the Greater Manchester Police update via this link:
www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/pages/AD012202404DC0168025710A0065E712.htm

Nice one people, if you can ...

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My Space additions: Johnny Marr, TV21, Attila The Stockbroker and many more . top of page

No I haven't got a social life, I have a My Space life instead! And if you're a music buff like me, you'll be having a whizz at some of the stuff on there. Check out www.myspace.com/darrenpoyzer where I have links to many many fab pages, including new links to the likes of Johnny Marr, TV21, Attila Thge Stockbroker, Davey Sharp and many more.

And if you're new to My Space, firstly the disclaimer: look, it's bloody addictive and it's owned by Murdoch, so I ain't promoting smelliness, the media guy or his activities, and I certainly ain't promoting the music whore side of this thing ... I mean at times it's one big 'Woo I'm In A Band Look At Me' fest, but apart from that, it's a great way to network.

More recently I've had a nostalgia blast meeting one or two old friends from years gone by, if not in person then via the message and comments software on the site.

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Forthcoming Gigs: Ozrics, Men They Couldn't Hang, Wishbone Ash . top of page

The poyzergiglist is starting to look quite healthy again. Check it out, highlights include:

Thurdsay July 27th @ 8.30pm
An Evening with Darren Poyzer and Kevin Farrell
@ The Works, Sowerby Bridge
The Works, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax. Telephone 01422 834821
See www.kevinf.tv

Friday September 8th at 7.30pm
Ozric Tentacles + Darren Poyzer
at The Academy, MUSU, Oxford Rd, Manchester. M13 9PR
The UK's premier sonic pioneers and legends of the UK underground. Formed in the early 80s as a freeform psychedelic jam band, the Ozrics have evolved into a deceptively disciplined band with world class ambient atmospherics.
See www.ozrics.co.uk
See www.thegigcartel.com
Tickets: www.ticketline.co.uk or call 0161 832 1111
Tickets: £12.50 advance

Friday 29th September at 7.30pm
The Men They Couldn't Hang + Darren Poyzer & Jamie Parkes (violin)
@ Manchester Academy
At The Academy, MUSU, Oxford Rd, Manchester. M13 9PR
See www.tmtch.net
See www.thegigcartel.com
Venue Website: www.manchesteracademy.net
Tickets: £12 advance from www.ticketline.co.uk or call 0161 832 1111

Friday October 20th @ 7pm
Wishbone Ash + Darren Poyzer
@ The Picturedome, Holmfirth
The Picturedrome, Market Walk, Holmfirth. HD9 1DA
See www.wishboneash.com
See www.thegigcartel.com
Venue Website: www.thepicturedrome.net
Tickets: www.ticketline.co.uk or call 0161 832 1111
Tickets: £15 advance

Tuesday October 24th @ 7. 30pm
A Mental Health Benefit Concert
Darren Poyzer + Dave Rowley
@ The Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Contribution / Tickets £5
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS GIG
DONATE VIA TICKETS NOW ON SALE AT THIS LINK:
www.octagonbolton.co.uk/DaveDarren.htm

Wednesday November 1st @ 8pm
Wishbone Ash + Darren Poyzer
at The Albert Halls, Victoria Sq, Bolton. BL1 1RU
See www.wishboneash.com
See www.thegigcartel.com
Venue Website: www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk
Tickets: £15 adv from 01204 334400

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Brand New Coming up in September: Stereo Graffiti Night . top of page

If you follow the Stereo Graffiti / poyzerthing regularly you'll know that a bunch of us run our own Internet Radio Broadcast, a fortnightly offering of awesome music and flirtations with comedy. You'll also know that we have a monthly songwriters night called 'Acoustica' every 2nd Thursday in Stockport. Well, we';re putting the lot together for a new mopnghtly night called 'Stereo Graffiti' and it will take place on the 2nd Thursday of every month at The Bulls Head, Market Place, Stockport, starting on Thursday September 14th 2006, at 8pm.

To tune in and download the radio show to your pc / i-pod whatever, go to www.stereograffiti.com.

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The Witchwood, Ashton ... doesn't sound like good news . top of page

I gave ten good years of my life in return for the rock'n'frenzy of a gig called The Witchwood in Ashton Under Lyne. I promoted over 2,500 gigs for hundreds probably thousands of musicians, covering at least 5 nights every week. This all began for me in 1988, and I eventually left in 1999, to start afresh and seek new direction, and above all be a songwriter once more.

The Witchwood, since I left, has I'm happy to report, continued to be a wonderful place, especially for a new generation of young musicians and bands. However, recent days and weeks have brought sad tales of the venue's demise, and this week there are stories of the end for the current management team at least. Now whether this means the end of The Witchwood as a live music venue remains to be seen, and knowing the owners Inventive Leisure as I do, it would surprise me if they didn't seek to honour at least the bookings that are advertised, and maybe even look for a new team to take the venue forward.

Words on the grapevine however tell a tale of financial difficulties, and when that's the case, you can't blame anyone for moving on, protecting their own investments, and calling it a day if the thing just ain't working anymore. With that at the back of my mind therefore, I am fearing this could be the end for The Witchwood as we know it.

I hope not. Young people and musicians have a shortage of venues as it is, and that place when it's run well and organised is one of the finest live music venues in the UK. Only time will tell ... The Witchwood is dead - long live The Witchwood.

Maybe we'll see something on The Witchwood website at www.thewitchwood.co.uk at some point soon.

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The poyzerboy invited to Italy for Chris Difford Songwriters 'Masterclass' . top of page

The news that's given yours truly a lift recently has come in the shape of a personal invitation from Chris Difford of Squeeze to attend a Songwriters gathering at a hilltop villa in Italy in September. Gladly accepted, I'm now seeking to blot out the troubles of the world for a while and take in the opportunity to just be a songwriter for a week. Can't wait!

Others in attendence apparently will number around 15 include Graham Gouldman of 10cc, and a host of songwriters and producers from Nashville, Austrailia, Greece, and of course a bunch of us from the UK, including Amy Wadge who is making a name for herself right now.

Could this be the time when the new album will start to finally take shape? Let's hope so ...

Check out Chris Difford at www.chrisdifford.com.

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Thank you for reading and taking interest,
Lovenstuff, dp x

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