Blog

Sorry this blog has been a long time coming - but here’s a run-down of what I’ve been up to since May!

I couldn’t believe it when, earlier in the year, I received an invitation to Sid Tepper’s 90th birthday party in Florida. Sid and his co-writer, Roy C Bennett, penned The Young Ones, Travelling Light, ‘D’ In Love, and When The Girl In Your Arms… for me. Of course I went and I felt honoured to be there as it was mostly a gathering of family and friends. I had met Roy Bennett before, when he came to one of my Tennis Classic events in Birmingham, so it was terrific to complete the set, so to speak!

We talked a lot, ate a lot, and even sang together. How could Sid possibly remember the lyrics to The Young Ones and Travelling Light? Well, he not only knew the words but sang in tune too! At the end of the party he gave me a CD of songs sung by Elvis, and written by the mighty duo! It was a happy experience and a thrill to meet someone who had played such a major role in my recording career. Thank you, Sid - don’t forget to invite me to your 100th!

Suddenly it was Wimbledon - and a final to end all finals. Apparently the best one ever, according to the members I sit with and they should know - after all, they’ve seen most of them. I was disappointed in the result because I thought Federer deserved to break Bjorn Borg’s record but, having said that, I was happy that the new champion, Nadal, is such a great sportsman and, like Roger, a wonderful role model.

Nadal should rightly be proud of his achievement but Federer should feel no shame, as he made a player five years younger fight to the death. I still wonder what would have happened had the last set been played in daylight!

As I write this, the US Open is in full swing, and I wish both players luck. Who knows it might be another epic final!

I travelled straight to Portugal after Wimbledon and settled into an easy routine. For years I’ve learned my song ’sets’ for forthcoming tours while on holiday, and this year is no different. There are so many songs for the Time Machine tour - some of course I know well but many I haven’t sung for years, and some are brand new. I may be sun-tanned, but my brain is addled!

During the second week of Wimbledon, I’d recorded my new single Thank You For A Lifetime and I listened to mixes on the computer in Portugal. Chris Neil, the producer, gave me the chance to put in my ‘two-penn’orth’ and I really like the end result. The song was written by Charlie Grant and Pete Woodroffe, and I love the way they made the song autobiographical and gave me the chance to sing my thank-yours to you all. My fingers are tightly crossed for the song’s success and I really appreciate all your support as release date approaches!

I also recorded with the Olsen Brothers from Denmark for a duet CD they are releasing. I loved the song - Look Up, Look Down - when I first heard it and enjoyed singing it with them. To top it all, they are really nice guys.

During my Portugal stay, I’ve also done some bottle-signing - no different to signing books or CDs really! I was surprised at the large crowds that turned up at the supermarket - I thought most folk would be on the beach at 11 am - but people came, I signed, they drank. I did a second session and still they came! I signed nearly 3,000 bottles, and now of course it’s hard to find a bottle of Vida Nova that isn’t signed!

One thing I’m glad of is that I had enough time left for tennis. On three days a week I play with a coach at 2 pm, when the sun is at its hottest. (I know, mad dogs and Englishmen…) I love it though; I chase that little yellow ball, I sweat a lot, I get my heart pumping, and I always feel it’s building up my stamina for what’s ahead of me.

But I also spend time watching the grapes grow and in the last week or two I’ve seen them being picked. My wine-makers tell me it’s been a great year and that the wine will be very good. We’ve had hot days and cool nights - just how the grapes like it. And I’ve also bought some new chickens and a rooster; I wake to his crowing and the chickens supply me with my breakfast. Is this paradise or what?

Anyway, all good things come to an end and soon I’ll be back in England, where I hear you have not had ‘good grape weather’. I hope some of you have escaped to some sun though and that you’re now set up for the British winter!

My real work starts the moment I get home. September 3 sees the official launch of my book My Life, My Way and I have four days of book signings around the UK. My single will be released on September 8, and I’ll be plugging that on radio and television, and also promoting the new box set And They Said It Wouldn’t Last. And I might just talk a little bit about my tour!

So the build-up begins and, even as I write, I feel excited about the prospect of touring and saying hi to all of you from the stage. I hope you’ll enjoy what we have planned for the Time Machine tour. See you soon!

Love