'A tonic for the times' Chris Hawkins BBC 6 Music 

So here's a story that you may need to grab a cup of tea and the biscuit barrel for, are you sitting comfortably? Then, let us begin...

Gorstey Lea AKA 'The Gorstey Lea Street Choir' formed one cold winters night in 2016. Two friends on a life long journey. 

Michael first met Russ in 1985, Michael was 15, Russ was 19. Russ played in 'the' up and coming local band ‘Soul Exit’. Michael admired his musical craft and ended up following the band around the country. A gig in Manchester was planned. Michael needed to go and went to Russ’s house (on Gorstey Lea) with a gift, a tape in hand. On one side The Pale Fountains ‘… From Across the Kitchen Table’ on the other Dexys Midnight Runners ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’. Russ welcomed Michael in and he attended the gig travelling in the bands van. 

The future was cast... the following year Michael formed his first band ‘The Great Divide’ inspired by what he had seen and the world of endless possibilities and free expression.

Fast forward some 31 years to August 2016 and a big birthday bash for Russ. Michael attends Russ's party. Talk turns to days gone by and Russ pops the question... “It’s about time we got together and did some music Michael, what do you reckon? No pressure. I have converted my garage into a recording studio, you should come round and we’ll have a play”. 

Michael was not sure, for 15 plus years he has not played an instrument, not sung a song, not written down his thoughts. The conversation was left. A mutual friend then messages Michael 4 months later to tell him that Russ is doing a gig and he thinks it would be good if they did a couple of their favourite cover versions together. 

Messages are exchanged and the meeting is arranged at Russ's new house in Gorstey Lea, 4 houses up the road and 31 years since that first knock on the door. Without any rehearsal the two friends agree to play together for the first time on that Friday evening… 

The reaction from the crowd and the landlord is overwhelming 2 songs turn to 2 hours and at the end of the evening the landlord books the duo to play the following month. ‘What’s your band name boys? ‘The Gorstey Lea Street Choir’ is quickly retorted an amalgam of that first meeting point and Van Morrison’s LP ‘His Band And The Street Choir’ … a door is unlocked, a journey is born.

So, to the ‘here and now’. The duo release their first track in October 2019 'The British Isles' which picks up national radio play from 6 Music, BBC Introducing and great digital stations such as Brum Radio, with the wind in their sails a double A side limited vinyl 'Lions' and 'Somedays' follows in January 2020 and in December 2020 their debut EP snazzily titled 'extended play one' hits the digital shops... 

Summer 2021 - the boys release an 8 track mini LP ''...from Prince's Park to Farsley (Volume I)' a tale of new found collaborations and two towns... aided and abetted by Gavin Monaghan, George Shilling, Choque (Black Star Liner) and Mark Gardener... Volume II will be a long before you know it!!!!

Well it should have been... Covid came and went, then Russ and Michael regrouped and decided to put the 5 piece 'live version' together. 
Joining Russ and Michael are:

Martin Betts on Bass
Sean Bradnick on Drums
Swiss Harris on all manner of musical gadgets

New songs are been written and recorded sporadically. Live dates are just  been announced (see Bands In Town Link) 

The first fruits of this new harvest are now available in their latest release '(My Heart Belongs To...) The Beaches'... just like buses there will be more along very soon

Stay safe, be well

The Flat White Kid

About Morning Song and Folk Soup: 
for non-profit use only
Morning Song will inspire and awaken your heart. Morning Song is a series of themed programs featuring epic soundtrack, including neoclassical and cinematic trailers, epic sci-fi/fantasy, orchestral, electronica and gaming soundtracks, Celtic, new age and world music. I will occasionally blend in folk music if it fits with the spirit of the program. Soundtracks feature inspired and dramatic themes. GRR programs may include volume sub-series. 

Folk Soup is an eclectic folk music program. Have you ever heard the phrase,”It’s all folk”? Every ingredient in this folk soup is yummy.  No matter if it’s from Nashville, Romania, the Andes mountains, New York City, your front porch, back yard or kitchen table. It’s all good. If it’s good? I throw it in the folk soup! I am in love with folklore. If you really listen to my programs, you’ll learn a lot too. That’s what makes Folk Soup enjoyed by the entire family. I never hesitate to mix up great lyric writing, production, arrangement, vocals and musical interest with some humor and intelligence, if I can.

Look for "MS" in title to indicate Morning Song episodes and "FS" in the program title to indicate Folk Soup episodes. Some playlists mix titles from both genres. About one half of the tracks here are Folk Soup, folk/singer-songwriter, programs,  and the other half are epic soundtrack programs.

All Goddess Rising Radio programs are evergreen. Morning Song and Folk Soup are intended for non-profit use and are suitable for all ages. You will always be able to find favorite playlists easily because they are organized by category and easily explored on Soundcloud. 

In August 2021, I announce a place for fans to go to find all my production content. For a long time, listeners have been desiring program information for Morning Song and Folk Soup Programs. So many have been asking about the music I program, I finally created a solution. I found a home for Morning Song and Folk Soup on Soundcloud. 

I will regularly rotate contemporary themes with programs appropriate to the times on the Morning Song playlist https://soundcloud.com/goddessrisingradio/sets/morningsong, where I feature visual and musical artists. 

If you have any questions or ideas for the programs, please send an email to me Victrola, at babygoddess@icloud.com or consider becoming a member of Goddess Rising Radio. Go to https://www.goddessrisingradio.com where you can donate to support my work. A $24 annual membership subscription will keep Goddess Rising Radio on the Internet and give you access to featured promotions. Goddess Rising Radio is a labor of love for two genres of music that deserve a place in your heart. I produce this series for broadcast on syndicated non-profit Pacifica Radio Network affiliate stations. Morning Song originates from WGRN-LP 91.9 Community Radio, Columbus, Ohio. 

Artwork appearing on the channel does not belong to me and I do not claim any copyright on art contained herein. Contact the artist directly with all inquiries. I urge you to support these artists. They are in my playlists because they move me, body, mind, heart and soul! Their music and art has to be excellent to be included here, and it is! This endeavor is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and is a labor of love.

Amateur DJ and music producer in MAO with fl studio
I like dusting old tube
I like the sound
funky, hip up, electro, trans ...

Red Grape Records is an independent label and management company based in London.  Check the website for more details: http://www.redgrapemusic.com

Producer on BBC Radio Scotland's daily arts programme - The Culture Studio with Janice Forsyth

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