Everyone from Paul McCartney, Bruce & The E Street Band to the Rolling Stones, Beyonce, Adele, Alicia, pub entertainers and millions more have nowhere to play.
Lockdowns and Quarantines shut down West End Theatres, Broadway, Las Vegas, Stadium Concerts, Clubs & Bars. It’s been a global disaster for the performing arts.
BUT – there is HOPE!
Perfect Strangers
HOPE
HOPE is a song for the times – written by Barbadian, James “Jimmy” Duncan & Bermudian Tony Brannon. Lyrics in the form of a poem were sent by Tony to Jimmy inspiring him to write the music plus additional lyrics.
The verses talk about the reality of not seeing any live music or fans going to a football game, be it soccer in Liverpool or any global sporting event. 2020 and 2021 feels like a long dark night – lonely prisoners in our homes. The Covid pandemic has resulted in millions of lives lost around the world. Businesses and livelihoods have been shattered.
H O P E – is what keeps us alive when things don’t always go our way. Breathe in and out, hold on be strong, we are gonna make it through this.
Perfect Strangers is an ensemble of some of the finest musicians on the planet…
Will Lee (Bass Guitar)
Will has played on more hit records than any bass player alive from The Bee Gees, Maria Carey, Carly Simon, Joan Armatrading, Barbara Streisand, Al Green, Michael Bolton Peabo Bryson, Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, Cher, Liza Minnelli, James Brown, Bette Midler, Cissy Houston, Ringo Starr, Chaka Khan, Barry Manilow…. the list goes on. Will was part of the Paul Shafer Orchestra on the David Letterman show for over 33 years from the 1st show in 1982 through to the end in 2015.
Andy Newmark (Drums)
This Bermudian has a list of credits including: Sly & The Family Stone, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, David Bowie, George Harrison, Pink Floyd, Carly Simon, James Taylor, George Benson, Roxy Music, David Gilmour & The Bermuda Jam.
Deric Dyer (Sax)
Deric was raised in Bermuda and played, as a young man, in the Bermuda band The Altogether. His international career includes Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, John Miles, Belgium’s Night of The Proms with Roger Hodgson, Bryan Ferry, Al Jarreau, Tony Hadley and Andrea Bocelli.
Mitch Chakour (Choir Arranger & Background Vocals)
Mitch Chakour is a guitarist, keyboardist and music/vocal arranger in the Boston area and was the Musical Director for legendary Joe Cocker. Mitch also played for Peter Wolf & The J Geils Band for 5 years and a further 7 years with The J Geils Band.
Tim Pike (Lead Vocal)
Tim is a brilliant soul, blues & rock singer. Tim headed up vocals in Paul Allen’s band The Underthinkers (Paul Allen and Bill Gates were founding partners of Microsoft).
Dan Reid (Guitar)
Dan is a guitarist and record producer. He has written music for the NFL, BBC, SKY SPORTS and has played on records by Will Young, Aled Jones & Light of the World.
James “Jimmy” Duncan (Guitar, Keys, bv’s & co-writer)
Jimmy has been a part of the music scene in Barbados all his life. Drummer Andy Newmark introduced Tony Brannon to Jimmy in 1981. Jimmy’s musical journey includes The Merry Boys, Ivory, The Splashband & Two Guitars. Jimmy wrote music for the James Bond movie Licensed To Kill, a song called Wedding Party via his friendship with composer Michael Kamen. Jimmy also recorded in 1981 with Paul McCartney in Barbados.
Tony Brannon (Piano, Organ, Acoustic Guitar & co-writer)
Tony’s musical career includes Bermuda club owner, Bermuda concert promoter and playing keyboards for Maxi Priest, Nils Lofgren (E Street Band) and numerous Bermudian bands.
The HOPE Singers
Recorded by John Woolridge: Latosha Codrington, Samantha Smith, Dwayne Robinson & Wayne Caines.
www.hopebyperfectstrangers.com
