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Follow the purple links for more on that topic.
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29th December 2013
Mike Shaft on BBC Radio Manchester has an excellent hour-long interview with Russell that includes several songs from Only One Man and more.
Available on BBC iPlayerfor the next 7 days. Scroll to 2 hours 4 minutes.
28th December 2013
Wilmslow ‘country gentleman’ Russell is featured in the latest edition of Cheshire Life Magazine (for January 2014) that is out now on the shelves and online.
27th December 2013
Mike Shaft of BBC Radio Manchester invites Tweeps to listen to his hour long interview with Russell on Sunday morning, 29th December…
Graham Rogers on BBC Radio Wiltshire played a previously broadcast interview with Russell as part of his programme “Best of the Guests 2013” and included plays of Without You and Bring Him Home.
24th December 2013
Russell sang a powerful version of Adeste Fideles about 18 minutes into the TV programme ‘Christmas Carols on ITV’ (after an introduction by Aled Jones).
Now available on ITVPlayer for 29 days.
James Watt on BBC Radio Stoke played the interview with Russell that was originally aired in November where Russell gave James an impromptu singing lesson.
It’s available on BBC iPlayer for the next few days. Scroll to 3 hours 24 minutes.
23rd December 2013
James Watt of BBC Radio Stoke will be playing parts of previously aired shows tomorrow, Christmas Eve, 24th December as part of his ‘special’ from 2pm – 6pm and in the last hour (from 5pm) will be playing ‘Russell’s hilarious Singing Lessons’.
You can ‘Listen Live’ on BBC RadioPlayer.
17th December 2013
More superb pictures from Russell’s concert at Preston in aid of the Katy Holmes Trust have been added to their Facebook page, courtesy of Roger Moore at Rouge Creative.
16th December 2013
Roger Moore of Rouge Creative – who took many of the official pictures at Lytham Proms – was also on hand last week at Russell’s concert for The Katy Holmes Trust in Preston and has been Tweeting pictures late this evening. Have a look in his Twitter Media Gallery. There’s also a lovely picture just been added to the Trust’s Facebook Page with the comment that there are more to come over the next few days.
15th December 2013
A very brief interview with Charlotte Green on Classic FM and an air play for Bring Him Home preceded an even more fleeting appearance on BBC Sports Personality Of The Year where Russell sang The Impossible Dream while Sir Alex Ferguson took a circuitous route to the stage to receive a special award.
Apparently, Russell sang Volare and Nessun Dorma before the programme went on air.
14th December 2013
We reckon that Russell loves being mysterious as he Tweets another of his cryptic comments…
It appears from other Tweets to have been a ‘private function’ at The Savoy for someone’s wedding anniversary; still, he does like to keep folk on their toes with these little Tweets.
13th December 2013
The Daily Mirror runs a large feature on Russell (page-and-half centre spread) that mentions the possibility of a wedding! The online version has several good clear pictures that aren’t reproduced as nicely in the printed edition.
Russell goes to t’other side o’ t’ Pennines to support Real Radio Yorkshire‘s “All Day Christmas Party”, raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service. There are several pictures of Russell in their gallery (21-26).
12th December 2013
The Chad amends its report concerning the memorial concert in memory of Pamela Cook to make it clear that Russell (and Kath Jenkins) are NOT performing.
11th December 2013
Russell Tweets, “Let’s Talk Magazine is out now. Fabulous feature and FRONT cover ! “
This is a ‘regional’ magazine normally only available in East Anglia or on a regular subscription but single copies can be ordered online via “buyamag.co.uk“.
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The Chad newspaper reports that Russell is one of a number of international stars backing a memorial concert in memory of the late Pamela Cook, founder of the Cantamus Girls Choir.
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Addendum : The Chad amended its report on 12th December to show that Russell is not performing at this memorial.
9th December 2013
There’s a two-page feature on Russell in the December issue of ‘Choice‘ magazine that is on his Facebook page and is also available to view via iTunes.
8th December 2013
Russell talked with Sir Terry Wogan on BBC Radio 2’s “Weekend Wogan” and, aided by Rob Emery on the “Joanna”, performed My Love And I from the new album, ‘Only One Man’, and a simply fabulous Core n’grato, live in the studio.
Listen Again on this BBC audio clip.
6th December 2013
Russell, joined by Rob Emery, Jonathan Antoine, Nina Fahey and the youngsters from St Mary Magdalene and All Hallows school choir all gave the most outstanding performances at Preston Guildhall in a concert in support of The Katy Holmes Trust. An absolutely fantastic evening, reported briefly in the Lancashire Evening Post. Russell called it, “the most rewarding night of my career ever !“
Later, Russell Tweeted, “@KatyHolmesTrust now we have to plan next years show !! X”
Jonathan appeared to be in favour of the idea… “@russellthevoice it was awesome – thanks so much Russell! Definitely #letsdoitagain 😀”
5th December 2013
Russell and Paula Holmes were on BBC Radio Lancashire just after 3pm this afternoon with John Gillmore talking about tomorrow’s concert at Preston Guildhall for the Katy Holmes Trust.
You can “Listen Again” on BBC iPlayer for the next 7 days. Scroll to 3hrs 7mins 40seconds. Well worth listening to.
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Woman and Home magazine have a full page ‘through our eyes’ feature with Russell on page 40 of their new ‘January’ issue (with Miranda Hart on the cover) out now, or as a digital edition.
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Following the official press release on Tuesday for the ‘Homeground’ Project, “Army & You” magazine reports that “Russell Watson voices his support for our Forces” and promises an ‘extended interview’ with Russell in their spring edition.
4th December 2013
The Facebook Page of ‘Coming Home‘ reports that Russell has kindly agreed to hold a series of concerts in support of their work. It says that details will follow, although two concerts have already been announced in respect of Russell’s support for ‘Home Ground Projects‘ and it remains to be seen if there are to be more.
Tickets for the Home Ground concert at Edinburgh Playhouse on Saturday 17th May 2014 go on general sale on Friday from ATG Tickets but are available now to Theatre Card members.
Several photos from yesterday’s Press Launch have been added to an album by Rex Features.
Back home, Russell Tweets, “Busy day today with an interview and photo shoot for a National Paper. Sneak picture behind the scenes“.
British Forces’ News posts a video to YouTube of Russell and Simon Weston at yesterday’s official launch of the Home Ground Anthem.
3rd December 2013
Today saw the official launch of the Home Ground project for which Russell, waiving all fees and royalties, has recorded the Home Ground Anthem with the Welsh Guards Choir. They all got ‘on parade’ at The Union Jack Club, in Waterloo, London, for a press launch with Simon Weston OBE.
The Anthem, which was actually premiered at the Wales Festival Of Remembrance early in November, is expected to be released as a single early next year; Home Ground have said January but Russell has said more recently, March.
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Preston North End FC post their own video to Twitter of Russell singing Someone To Remember Me at their ground on Saturday as part of his promotion of the forthcoming concert at the Guildhall in support of The Katy Holmes Trust. This is clearer than the two versions already seen (though they are all much appreciated) and it shows Russell greeting David and Paula Holmes at the end.
2nd December 2013
Russell Tweets, “Very excited to announce I will performing at this year’s @BBCSPOTY on 15 December in Leeds, which is live on @BBCOne #SPOTY” – that’s the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year awards, to be held at the ‘First Direct Arena’ in Leeds.
The initial tranche of tickets sold out very quickly but some more have recently been released : Buy tickets.
Lancashire Evening Post posts their own video clip of Russell at Preston North End FC’s Deepdale Road ground on Saturday. It can’t be embedded here but can be seen on their website.
Chadwick Media post a great picture of Russell at Old Trafford, singing the national anthems at the Rugby League World Cup. Considering we didn’t see much of him on the TV, this is most welcome.
Thanks to Gary Chadwick for sharing via Twitter.
Later in the day Russell Tweets, “@reginevalcasid hope to be singing our duet together soon . Much love to you and your family x” – so something appears to happening to bring them together for a duet (Live With Somebody You Love from the album ‘Only One Man’). The questions, of course, are where… and how soon is soon?
Later still, Russell Tweeted, “Looking forward to London tomorrow for @HOMEGROUNDPROJ official launch with @Simon_Weston“. Simon Weston OBE is one of the founding Trustees of the Falklands Veterans Foundation that is closely connected with the Homeground Project with which Russell has become involved – he sang their anthem recently at the 33rd Wales Festival Of Remembrance. Media coverage of the launch can be expected soon.
30th November 2013
Russell sang the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia at Old Trafford just ahead of the kick-off of the Rugby League World Cup 2013 – quite a feat as New Zealand’s is in Maori, he had only two days to learn it and he sang it better than some of the players appeared to be able to. He then went straight to Preston North End FC’s ground at Deepdale for their half-time where he took the opportunity to promote the concert at the Guildhall this coming Friday, 6th December, and to sing Someone To Remember Me in memory of Katy Holmes.
You can read Paula Holmes’ own moving comments on the KHT’s Facebook page.
29th November 2013
Russell was on this evening’s Granada Reports (NorthWest TV regional news magazine) promoting his concert for the Katy Holmes Trust. He’d very much like to fill Preston Guildhall and hopes to sell the last remaining tickets to maximise the benefit to the Trust.
Watch the video on the Granada reports website.
26th November 2013
Russell invites fans to submit their pictures for possible inclusion in a special “Fan Album” on his Facebook page …
19th November 2013
Russell has Jonathan Antoine over to his place…
… probably discussing what they’re going to do at the concert at Preston on 6th December in aid of The Katy Holmes Trust. Have you got your tickets? This is going to be one concert absolutely not to be missed.
17th November 2013
Russell was a guest on ITV’s “Sunday Scoop” programme (scroll down for pictures) this morning. and this can now be watched on ITVPlayer for the next month.
Caution : Around 32 minutes there’s a break in the signal and there’s a blank screen with a loud whistling sound for about 8 seconds… rather a shock if you’re not expecting it.
During the afternoon Radio Cumbria airs the Harry King Show and Harry interviews Russell, from 30 minutes in, in his own relaxed style.
‘Only One Man’ enters the UK’s Official Album Chart this evening at No 17.
16th November 2013
Three more radio programmes today :
Thanks to Ian Rutter for putting his “20 Questions with… ” on SoundCloud
Highly recommend listening to the Gaby Roslin Show before the Listen Again link expires. Scroll to 1 hour 30 minutes for a ‘live’ mini-concert with Russell taking the parts of Elvis, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond and an up-and-coming young fellah from Irlam.
15th November 2013
Russell started the day with a chat on Sky News’ “Sunsrise” sofa that can be watched courtesy of Yahoo Video.
Later, he closed the ‘Loose Women’ show – no chat today – with a performance of Without You, ably supported by Rob on piano and Rob’s PA, Peter, stepping in as guitarist at the last moment.
In the evening, Russell appeared on BBC News, sitting across the newscasters’ desk from Gavin Esler to tell him about the genesis of the abum, ‘Only One Man’ before crossing the studio and, to a backdrop of an operatic theatre, belting out “Tourna a Soriento” without any musical accompaniment. Absolutely knockout! Watch on the BBC’s web page.
During the day, he also raised a question about ‘Only One Man’ via TouTube…
14th November 2013
Russell Tweeted that he was heading down to Oxford for tonight’s “The One Show” on BBC1 from 7pm. He ended up singing Volare while cycling alongside ‘Team Rickshaw‘ and then joining in the banter from the live show from outside Balliol College.
Available to watch again on BBC iPlayer until 21st November.
ITV1’s “Sunday Side Up/Sunday Scoop” Tweets that Russell will join Nadia Sawalah and Kaye Adams on Sunday Scoop this coming Sunday. (Sunday Side Up starts 10.30am) in the kitchen from 11.30am
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Russell is having chats with numerous radio presenters and each of these is shown on our ‘interviews‘ page. The purple links are to various ‘listen again’ web pages but they are only valid for seven days after the initial broadcast in many cases, particularly those on BBC.
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11th November 2013
It’s release day for ‘Only One Man’ and Russell was on BBC Breakfast. Following a clip of the Homeground Anthem from the Festival Of Remembrance at Cardiff he talked about the Homeground Project, the Katy Holmes Trust, his new album and the 2014 Tour before singing Bring Him Home, live, to close the programme. Gorgeous!
Russell puts in (at least) three radio interviews…
BBC Radio Manchester : Becky Want : from 20 minutes : * good *
BBC Radio Merseyside : Billy Butler : from 1 hr 16 minutes : ** highly recommended ** BBC Radio Kent : Pat Marsh : from 1 hr 17 minutes : too brief for us.
Russell posts a little reminder…
and there’s a very classy advertisement on TV…
10th November 2013
Russell’s chat with Graham Rogers on BBC Radio Wiltshire from earlier this morning, featuring airplays of Without You and Bring Him Home, is now available to ‘Listen Again’. Russell explains how Bring Him Home became a ‘bonus track’ on the new album.
From 20 minutes in…
9th November 2013
Those UK customers who had pre-ordered their copies of ‘Only One Man’ from Amazon UK received emails notifying them that their orders were dispatched today and found that a free ‘AutoRip’ copy of the album had already been put into their ‘Cloud Player’ library and was available to download.
Note that these are not ‘audio preview clips’ like those on the MP3 album’s ordering page, they are full tracks. If you’re not familiar with this facility, log in to your Amazon account and hover the mouse over “Hello [Your_Name] Your Account” in the top right-hand side and a menu will drop down.
About half-way down, you should see ‘Your Cloud Player’. Follow that and the instructions to install their ‘downloader’.
Then you should be able to see if there are any tracks in your Cloud Player’s library. From there, you can either play tracks and listen online or download them to your computer after ‘authorising’ it to receive downloads from your library.
It might sound like a lot to do but the steps are made simple and it only took a few minutes before we were listening to the whole album.
If you have been ordering physical CDs from Amazon since this scheme began (some time ago) you could well find you have a lot of tracks already in your Cloud Player library!
Russell appeared on QVC this evening. We’re hoping that his fantastic performances of Without You and Bring Him Home, either side of a chat with host Dale Franklin, will make their way to QVC’s YouTube Channel.
8th November 2013
A picture of Regine Velazquez along with the words to Live With Somebody You Love is posted on her Facebook Page.
Russell was on Radio Derby, from just before 12 minutes into the programme to around the 50 minute mark, talking with Andy Potter who played the introduction to the previously unheard (so far as we know) track Seventeen, all of Without You, part of Live With Somebody You Love and all of the brilliant Bring Him Home. Russell also talked about “Asia’s Songbird”, Regine Velasquez and her incredible success as a singer. The interview is punctuated by various news items, etc, but is worth persevering. Russell also mentions the Homegound project, a charity for which he has recorded a ‘single’ to be released early next year. You can hear just the interview, without interruption, on this ‘clip‘.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01l7qvg
7th November 2013
Another funny and candid interview with Russell today, this time with James Watt on BBC Radio Stoke. James played Without You, Tell Me – dedicated to a listener in Japan [Masami, Tweeting as @Tamatoma66] who had ‘tuned in’ on the internet – and, at Russell’s request, Live With Somebody You Love, his duet with “Asia’s Songbird”, Regine Velasquez. Listen from 27 minutes in…
6th November 2013
Russell is featured on three radio stations during the afternoon with lengthy interviews that are both funny and candid. There are airplays for Without You and the duet Live With Someone You Love.
The Daily Telegraph prints Matt Wolf’s interview with Russell on page 29 of today’s issue with a large picture of Russell, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg… all smiles.
The Blackpool Gazette reckons Russell is a “thoroughly nice chap”… for a million-selling artist.
Russell Tweets a “5 Days To Go” countdown to Only One Man’s release on Monday.
4th November 2013
Matt Wolf of The Telegraph (online) interviews Russell at length. It’s expected to be in the printed edition on Wednesday. More great interviews are in the pipeline.
3rd November 2013
Russell was featured in the Sunday Post – not so ‘miserable’ now.
2nd November 2013
David Allen played four more tracks from Only One Man while featuring it as his album of the night. See our post for more…
Russell premiered the Homeground Anthem at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff. See our post for more…
1st November 2013
Ahead of his performance at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, tomorrow for the 33rd Wales Festival Of Remembrance, Russell talked to Robin Turner of Wales Online about his childhood holidays in Wales and about the ‘Homeground‘ project.
He was also on BBC Radio Wales, laughing with Wynne Evans. Wynne played Without You from the new ‘Only One Man’ album about half way through their conversation.
Scroll to 38 minutes.
Tickets for Russell’s 2014 “Only One Man” tour go on general sale via venues’ Box Offices, Gigs And Tours and other online agencies.
Broadway World‘s editor-in-chief, Carrie Dunn, recently talked with Russell about working with Claude-Michel Schonberg and “those Jean Valjean rumours”. ‘Part 1’ of the conversation has now been posted on their website .
30th October 2013
Russell posts a copy of the ‘Only One Man’ Tour poster on his Official Facebook page and asks what folks think of it. Answers to his Official page, please…
29th October
TOUR DATES : Russell announces via Twitter that tickets will go on sale from 10am Friday 1st November via Gigs & Tours. : Also available via See Tickets + Ents24 and other online agencies.
MusicalTalk Podcast release Nick Hutson’s interview with Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil and Russell. It needs to be downloaded but only takes a moment or two.
28th October 2013
Russell Tweets farewell to Taiwan but reckons he’ll be back, and also visit Japan again, in 2014…
27th October 2013
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Amazon’s page for the MP3 download version of ‘Only One Man’ now has audio previews for each of the tracks…
: - Russell was seen on BBC 1’s Songs Of Praise programme “UK’s Top Ten Hymns” when he sang How Great Thou Art, voted the nation’s favourite.
This video is still available as a ‘clip’ on the BBC Songs Of praise website.
26th October 2013
David Allen played another new song from ‘Only One Man’ this evening, The Sea Of Life (track 10 on the album).
You can hear it via BBC iPlayer until next weekend. It’s at 1 hour 19 minutes and some 45-50 seconds, after dedications, so you can scroll to that point if you wish.
25th October 2013
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Don’t forget that Russell should be heard again on BBC Radio 2’s ‘Friday Night is Music Night‘ tonight from 8pm. It’s a repeat of their 60th anniversary concert, first broadcast last month, in which Russell sang Here Comes The Morning and To Break The Ice during the last half-hour so listen in again on BBC RadioPlayer (from 9.30pm at the latest).
24th October 2013
Quiet day…
The promised behind-the-scenes picture is Tweeted…
Busy day…
Russell’s new album ‘Only One Man’ became available to pre-order via iTunes :
The Editor of Broadway World chatted with him about his collaboration with Schonberg and Boublil, and the ‘rumours’ about him performing in ‘Les Mis’ (article awaited) :
Russell Tweets a picture of him with the Welsh Guards choir at a recording session for the Homeground Anthem (lyrics) :
Online magazine Female First publishes an exclusive two-page interview and he Tweets that a behind-the-scenes picture from the filming of a new television advert for the album will be ‘coming soon’ but we haven’t seen it Tweeted yet… there’s one on his Facebook page though :
Alex Belfield airs a phone-in conversation with Russell as a foretaste of a major interview to follow on 15th November, after the album’s release on the 11th. You can listen to the ‘teaser’ via the YouTube video (audio only) within the Celebrity Radio review of the album or directly on their YouTube channel.
22nd October 2013
Russell Tweets a behind the scenes picture at a photo-shoot for an un-named ‘national newspaper’.
David Allen Tweets that he now has a full copy of album and will play another new track on his show next Saturday, 26th October, and make it his Album Of The Night on Saturday 2nd November.
Last night’s ‘hashtag’ campaign to reach 600 Tweets worked quickly and Russell released a very brief clip of the track I Am Only One Man but you can hear more of it in his video of answers to fans’ questions than in the clip.
21st October 2013
Get your Twitter hats on and get Tweeting #NewWatsong
19th October 2013
Russell lets it be known via Twitter that Without You, track #1 from ‘Only One Man‘, will be premiered tonight, Saturday 19th October, by David Allen on BBC Radio Solent.
His Twitter later added, “Without You from #OnlyOneMan is written about how Russell feels for his fans. Can’t wait for all of your thoughts!”
David’s show is broadcast from 9pm to 1am.
BBC Radio Solent is available to ‘Listen Live‘ internationally and programmes become available afterwards on iPlayer.
18th October 2013
Russell Tweets a little video, that suggests he’s in Washington, but the indications are that it was taken a while back…
Maybe he should have found a phone booth to change in, first.
17th October 2013
Radio Times now shows that Russell will be a guest on the ‘Songs Of Praise’ programme titled “Big Sing: The UK’s Top Ten Hymns” to be broadcast on BBC One on Sunday 27th October from 4.15pm.
15th October 2013
The 60th anniversary programme of BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night is to be broadcast again on Friday 25th October from 8pm.
Russell sang Here Comes The Morning and To Break The Ice just after the 1 hour 38 minutes mark. The BBC’s RadioPlayer should be available internationally and, as well as the traditional wireless broadcast on 88 – 91 FM, Radio 2 can be found in the UK on
+ Freeview (select ‘Radio’) channel 702
+ Sky TV channel 0102
+ Virgin Media cable via BBC iPlayer
10th October 2013
This evening, Russell has distributed his first ‘Newsletter’ via the Mailing List compiled through his OS. If you signed up for it but haven’t received it, it is viewable on the web.
It’s a very personal message, not one of the usual plugs for the latest album by the record company. It bodes well and it looks like there will be a lot to look forward to in the media over the coming weeks. To be sure of getting future ‘Newsletters’ right away, sign up using the form on the OS. Not all of the ‘fields’ are mandatory.
9th October 2013
The Katy Holes Trust, of which Russell is a patron, announces that 17th January 2014 is to be their ‘Super-Hero Day‘.
8th October 2013
The track list for ‘Only One Man’ is posted on Amazon’s pre-order page.
Track 8, Live With Somebody You Love, features ‘Asian Songbird’ Regine Velasquez.
7th October 2013
Russell announces that Jonathan Antoine will be joining him for his special concert in aid of the Katy Holmes Trust at Preston Guildhall on 6th December.
3rd October 2013
According to the International Culture & Tourism Bureau, Miaoli County, Taiwan, Russell will be performing at their prestigious International Arts Festival, on Sunday 27th October 2013.
26th September 2013
Russell’s social media manager, Louise Harris PR, Tweets
That’s really appreciated as, all too often in the past, many interesting articles have gone unannounced. It’s also good to see that Woman & Home magazine should be available as a digital edition. If you subscribed to Zinio for previous articles about Russell in Hello! magazine, Woman & Home should be obtainable through the same account.
Russell Tweets a couple of pictures from the make-up room, [Hairspray] and [Torture] and posts another informal one from the studio on his Official Facebook page.
25th September 2013
After a bit of teasing on Twitter and posting a couple of pictures of himself in the studio with Claude-Michel Schonberg, Russell finally revealed the artwork for the new album cover this evening via his Official Facebook page…
Russell wants to know what folks think of it.
Answers to him on Twitter : @RussellTheVoice or Facebook
Somehow, it feels as if it needs to have the James Bond theme playing in the background… Doodly-Doo De-Do-Doo, Doodly-Doo-De-Do. (Apologies to John Barry!)
24th September 2013
Russell’s Official Facebook page posts a picture of him back in the studio with Claude-Michel Schonberg (on the other side of the glass) putting the “finishing touches” to the new album and poses the question, “… have you pre-ordered your copy yet?” Three guesses! Available from Amazon £9.00 or Sainsburys £8.99
The Blue Bell Hotel posts a slideshow gallery of pictures from their Party In The Park.
Broadway World calls Russell “One of the UK’s most adored tenors” as they preview ‘Only One Man’ : Too true!
20th September 2013
Russell was on BBC Radio 2′s programme, Friday Night Is Music Night, helping them to celebrate their 60th anniversary with a ‘live’ broadcast from The Mermaid theatre in Blackfriars, London. In the latter part of the show he sang two songs from the new album both of which were refreshingly different to his normal repertoire; the second, To Break The Ice, being particularly well received. The first song was Here Comes The Morning, originally from the musical, Martin Guerre, but ‘re-worked’ for Russell and gave him a chance to put some of his renowned vocal power into effect. Both most enjoyable and an interesting foretaste of what else might be on the album.
Listen Again on BBC iPlayer until 27th September : Scroll to 1 hr 38 mins.
17th September 2013
Françoise Pourcel posts a picture on Facebook of Russell in the studio with Claude-Michel Schonberg, still working on the new album…
14th September 2013
Russell headlines at The Party In The Park at Burton Agnes, Yorkshire.
13th September 2013
After initially offering congratulations to Messrs Boublil and Schonberg on his website ‘Blog‘ on the success of their new ‘Miss Saigon’ production in London, Russell also Tweeted earlier today…
Later on he appeared very, very briefly during tonight’s “The One Show” on BBC1.
The lovely Lulu is one of the nominees for The People’s Portrait, to be decided by viewers’ votes, the winner having their portrait hung in The National Gallery. Each nominee has had a brief vignette aired and Russell popped up in Lulu’s with a snap of his fingers to admire how she had “stepped out of the sixties and into the nineties [snap] just like that…”
11th September 2013
Ahead of the ‘Party In The Park’ at The Blue Bell Hotel on Saturday, Russell had a brief phone-in chat with ‘Rosie and Jim’ on 96.9 Viking FM this morning that can be heard as ‘streaming’ background on the hotel’s web page. (Since removed).
Russell’s Facebook page confirms he will be taking part in the live broadcast of the 60th anniversary celebrations of BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night on Friday 20th September, to be broadcast at 8pm, adding that songs from the new album Only One Man will be included.
See also the item on page 146 of Radio Times (with a picture).
8th September 2013
Russell has recorded the hymn How Great Thou Art at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the 2013 BBC Songs Of Praise “Big Sing” to be transmitted over two episodes, one in October and the other in December, but it is not yet known which episode he will be in, nor are precise transmission dates… but 27th October is in the diary!
5th September 2013
Russell to hold a charity concert in aid of The Katy Holmes Trust –
Russell became a patron of The Katy Homes Trust last November when he met Paula and David Holmes at the switch-on of Preston’s ‘Christmas Lights’. Katy, as many of you will know, suffered from an inoperable brain tumour; the Trust was set up by her parents to raise awareness of childhood brain tumours and to fund research into treatment and cures. Russell is lending his support with a special Charity Concert “An Evening With Russell Watson & Friends” at Preston Guildhall on Friday 6th December. More information has now been posted on Russell’s own Facebook page and via TwitLonger.
4th September 2013
BBC ALBA TV to repeat their Cuide Ri Cathy episode, where Cathy MacDonald spends a day with Russell, tonight at 11.30pm. Available to watch on –
Terrestrial TV : Scotland (only) Freeview channel 8
Satellite TV : Sky channel 143 : Freesat channel 110
Cable TV : Virgin Media channel 188 / BBC iPlayer / CatchUp On Demand : Smallworld channel 170
Streaming TV : BBC online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/bbcalba/live
3rd September 2013
Sainsbury’s Entertainment joins the battle for pre-order sales of Russell’s forthcoming album ‘Only One Man’ by offering it at £8.99 with free postage and Nectar points, undercutting Amazon’s price of £10.54.
2nd September 2013
BBC ALBA TV repeat the episode of their programme ‘Cuide Ri Cathy‘ where Cathy MacDonald spends a day with Russell in and around his home in Cheshire. It’s to be shown again at 11.30pm tomorrow, Wednesday 4th September.
29th August 2013
The much anticipated DVD of the “A Salute To Vienna” concert in April is now available to order directly from their Toronto offices for all addresses outside North America.
24th August 2013
Page 11 of today’s “Independent” newspaper features the news of Russell’s collaboration with Boublil and Schonberg but there is more told in the online version of the article.
23rd August 2013
Russell appears on ITV’s “Lorraine”.
21st August 2013
Russell posts on his Facebook page and Tweets
that the title of his new album is “Only One Man”.
He also tells the London Evening Standard that the new album is “the rainbow at the end of the storm.” A Tour to promote the album is mentioned for “the Spring.”
Later in the day there’s some further comment on the album’s content via his Facebook page… “it features original songs written just for Russell as well as songs from the Boublil and Schonberg Catalogue that have been re-crafted specifically for Russell. More news to follow! “.
20th August 2013
The Nottingham Post reports on the Clumber Park ‘Classical Concert.
The Stage reports on the ‘private event’ at which some information about the collaboration between Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg and Russell was revealed. A similar report is carried by the Manchester Evening News.
19th August 2013
Russell attends a ‘private event’ with songwriters Alain Boudlil and Claude-Michel Schonberg to showcase some of the “very, very exciting” new material for the forthcoming album.
18th August 2013
Russell performs at Clumber Park’s Classical Concert and hints of an announcement ‘tomorrow’ in relation to the new album.
12th August 2013
P&O Cruses add an album of photos from Russell’s concerts aboard Azura in July to their Facebook page.
8th August 2013
Russell’s Official Facebook page and Twitter account confirm that the new album is available to pre-order via Amazon. Still no further information such as what’s on it but the price has come down a few pence. More news is promised “soon”.
According to the Lincolnshire Echo, Russell is “raring to go” at the Classic Concert next week at Clumber Park.
7th August 2013
Jamie Crick of Classic FM was kind enough to respond to our Twitter enquiry as to when his interview with Russell might be broadcast with the news that it’s to be a video, currently being edited, posted on the Classic FM website next week. One to watch…
6th August 2013
Jamie Crick of Classic FM interviewed Russell today and Tweeted (and said on Facebook) that their chat was to come “shortly” but it wasn’t on this afternoon’s programme so perhaps it might be broadcast one day later this week. Jamie’s request show airs daily from 1pm-5pm.
You can ‘Listen Live’ to Classic FM via their internet radio player. It’s also possible to hear programmes aired over the past seven days by clicking the ‘Listen Again’ tab on the player and selecting the appropriate show from the list that opens.
3rd August 2013
Russell headlined at Lytham Proms. Fabulous evening all round.
Russell opened with O Sole Mio…
https://twitter.com/Russellers/status/363766128197136384
2nd August 2013
BBC Radio Lancashire are ‘live’ at Lytham Proms this weekend and Sally Naden (@sallynaden) chatted with Russell (via landline) from there. Russell promised Sally, “It won’t rain.” Pleased to say he was right.
1st August 2013
UK Events, organisers of the Clumber Park concert to be held on Sunday 18th August, send out an email to ticket-holders clearly reiterating the “No glass” policy.
31st July 2013
Amazon now has a pre-order option for Russell’s next CD that it says is due out on 11th November 2013 but, other than a price tag of £10.85, has no other information.
The Oldham Evening Chronicle reports how one fan aboard Azura got to meet his favourite tenor.
30th July 2013
The Blackpool Gazette reports that Russell is heading back to “where it all started – almost.” In an interview with Jacqui Morley he confirms he’s in the process of planning his next record, “…it’s very exciting,” he says. It’s still intended for release “around Christmas and is the very best project I’ve had by a long way.“
A little background to the PBS Special “A Salute To Vienna” in an article on Tulsa World reveals how it was “chaos” but all came together nicely on the night. The concert is currently airing in the US and details of how to order a copy of the DVD will follow when they are available.
29th July 2013
Somewhat belatedly we discovered today that Russell is (or has been) learning French. He’s quoted on the “Rosetta Stone” “Milestones” blog (from January 2013) as endorsing them after having already used them to learn Italian. With his new managers at City Lights being French, and the recent collaboration at the Coronation Festival Gala with Claude-Michel Schonberg, it may be just courtesy or suggest an interesting change of direction for his music, or both.
Peter Taylor, the promoter of Lytham Proms, was on Sally Naden’s show on BBC Radio Lancashire today, between 11am – 1pm, talking about Russell’s forthcoming appearance at the ‘Last Night Of The Proms’ on Saturday 3rd August.
28th July 2013
For a chance to win tickets to see Russell at Clumber Park you just need to tell Dinnington Today (Worksop Guardian) how many Classical Brit Awards he has won.
27th July
Judith Dornan of the Lancashire Evening Post talks at length with Russell about why Lytham Proms is a “dream” for him, and more, in an audio interview on the LEP website.
25th July
Charity “Homeground” announces that Russell is to headline three events and record an anthem with the Welsh Guards choir in the run up to the centenary of the outbreak of WWI. Read more…
20th July
US television station KPBS lists the Salute To Vienna concert in its schedule for 11am Saturday 3rd August with a repeat at 9pm. More stations will follow shortly. Check local listings (enter your local PBS station to search).
17th July
Salute to Vienna have posted a trailer for their PBS Special at which Russell was a ‘special guest’. It’s to be aired in the States in August. Catch a brief glimpse of him in tie and tails around 35 seconds in…
15th July
Lytham Proms posts “Essential Information” for those attending Russell’s ‘Last Night Of The Proms’ concert on Lytham Green on 3rd August. Please do have a look.
14th July
Next Sunday, 21st July, BBC Songs Of Praise offers another chance to see “Russell Watson’s Salford” (first shown in October 2012). It is scheduled for BBC2 at 4.55pm and features Russell meeting people in his home city, exploring its thirty miles of waterways, introducing hymns from St Peter’s Parish Church in Swinton and singing ‘Abide With Me’.
11th – 13th July
After performing Granada and Bring Him Home at the Queen’s Coronation Festival Gala over three nights, Russell can be heard on a BBC Music audio clip that should be available outside the UK until 10th August. Highlights, as broadcast on BBC1 television, are also available on BBC iPlayer within the UK until 20th July.
Russell Tweeted, “Huge thanks to everyone who helped put on the coronation gala. To all the lovely staff at the palace and the fantastic NYO x” and then…
11th July
Russell talks to the “Diary” of the Manchester Evening News about his improving game of tennis, the Coronation Festival galas – the first of which is tonight in the presence of Her Majesty – and the possibility of returning to Australia and the Far East later this year…
8th July
Russell boarded ‘Azura’ for P&O’s English Channel cruise on Friday 5th and today, presumably still aboard, Tweeted, “Would you like to see a silly pic or a serious pic of our cruising experience? X” A lot of replies asked for both and he then posted
So, where’s the silly one, then?
Oh, here we go…
26th June
Russell’s interview with Helen Beighton of The Chad newspaper, Nottingham, is published online. He ‘hopes for sunshine’ and hints at some ‘new material’ at Clumber Park in August.
16th June
Russell’s albums Anthems – Music To Inspire A Nation and Amore – The Opera Album both re-enter the UK Official Classical Albums Chart. Anthems is back at #24 while Amore is a little lower at #29. This is great news and with the publicity surrounding the Queen’s Coronation Festivals we truly hope they’ll move even higher and it would be the greatest thing ever if Anthems made it back to #1 yet again.
13th June
Smooth Radio post a video of Russell rousing the audience at ‘Love Live Music On The Waterfront’ with Land Of Hope And Glory for the finale…
12th June
Some happy news. We’ve just learned that the ‘London Town’ competition to win tickets to see Russell at Hampton Court Palace that we posted on here on 9th May was won by a regular fan of Russell’s (and not someone who simply enters comps). That’s good to know they’ll be properly appreciated. So, well done that lady…
10th June
Smooth Radio posts another slideshow gallery of pictures, these are from ‘backstage’.
St.David’s Hall, Cardiff, announces that Russell is to be the Special Guest at the Royal British Legion’s 33rd Wales Festival Of Remembrance at the Hall on 2nd November.
9th June
Smooth Radio have posted a slideshow gallery of pictures from last night’s Love Live Music On The Waterfront.
Don’t forget… Russell puts in an appearance to sing Abide With Me on tonight’s Songs Of Praise, Hymns For All Reasons, on BBC1 4.25pm
Abide With Me from Russell’s album Anthems – Music To Inspire A Nation
8th June
Russell was in Liverpool for Smooth Radio’s FREE “Love Live Music on the Waterfront” at the Pier Head.
He was very briefly ‘on air’ after his sound check and said that he would be singing Swing Low and Land Of Hope And Glory – with fireworks – for the finale.
Follow on Twitter or Facebook.
4th June
The release of the DVD, “Sir Bobby Robson – A (K)night To Remember” is ‘officially’ announced via the Foundation’s Twitter.
Thanks to excellent service from the publishers, MWM Ltd, we’ve received our copy today (First Class post) and can thoroughly recommend this DVD… something for everyone, whether you’re a football fan or not. As well as Russell and Faryl Smith, Joe McEldery, Ruby Turner, and Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) are, perhaps, more familiar names joining a host of local stars giving great performances punctuated with footballing anecdotes from Sir Bobby’s life. : It must have been a fabulous night and it has been superbly captured in this recording.
3rd June
The vendors of the charity DVD “Sir Bobby Robson – Another (K)night To Remember” confirm that it is in ‘multi-region’ format and that overseas orders will be processed with no additional postage charges (beyond the standard £1 P&P). What nice people! Proceeds go to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation‘s work seeking cures/treatments for various cancers. Here’s a recent upbeat report on some of their work from ITV Tyne Tees.
The DVD is available to buy online now…
2nd June
This evening Russell Tweeted two pictures of himself and OJ, the new ‘love’ in his life…
and another where he just needs the wind beneath his wings… and some wings.
Looking ahead to next Sunday, 9th June, BBC Songs Of Praise, ‘Hymns For All Reasons‘ with Pam Rhodes, will feature performances by Willard White and Russell. There’s no indication as to whether this is to be a new performance or if it’s one that has previously been broadcast now being edited into a composite programme.
This afternoon Russell’s elder daughter, Rebecca, kindly shared pictures on Twitter of their family day out riding; here’s one…
Thanks, Rebecca, that’s a lovely photo.
When Russell appeared at The Sage, Gateshead, back in February, in support of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation‘s celebration of Sir Bobby’s life it was said that a DVD of the evening would be available in due course and it now appears that it is. Entitled “Sir Bobby Robson – Another (K)night To Remember” proceeds will support the foundation’s continuing work in the fight against cancer. Available online from Mawson-Wareham.com
31st May
The Daily Express reports on the five things Russell can’t live without.
Russell chatted with BBC Radio Derby’s Andy Potter, over a cup of coffee and a meat & potato pie, from the comfort of his own lounge about the forthcoming Clumber Park concert, his health, the Salford Foundation’s ‘TWIST’ project for young people and… oh, all sorts. Available on BBC RadioPlayer until 6th June. Scroll to 16 minutes in (continues after the traffic news).
Russell was also on with BBC Radio Lancashire’s Graham Liver. Graham will be one of the comperes at Lytham Proms so that was the main topic. Available on BBC RadioPlayer until 6th June. Scroll to 2 hours 50 minutes.
30th May
Russell appeared briefly on ITV1′s ‘Daybreak‘ programme around 8am to talk about the forthcoming Coronation Festival Gala. He also indicated that he was working on a new album with ‘one of the most prolific’ songwriters around today, and towards a Tour at the end of this year or, more likely, the beginning of next year. It’s available to watch (UK only) until 5th June on ITV Player.
Photographers for ‘Zimbio‘ pictured Russell, with a bit of shopping, at the ITV Studios, London.
Russell visited the Brookhouse Community Centre in Eccles to offer support and encouragement to youngsters who are rehearsing for a theatrical production as part of the ‘TWiST’ project. He was interviewed by BBC Radio Manchester and there are several pictures on Salford Foundation’s Twitter account.
There’s also a report, with a brief video, on Salford Online.
26th May
Russell is interviewed in the Mail On Sunday’s “You” magazine and talks about his health, his two-hour-a-day ‘addiction’ and the possibility of some new material being performed at his Hampton Court Palace Festival show on 16th June. The same interview can be read in the Mail Online.
24th May
Russell will be mentoring youngsters from the TWIST Project, part of the Salford Foundation’s work, next week as they prepare to stage a production of “If I Can Dream”.
23rd May
Russell’s own competition to win tickets to his Hampton Court Palace Festival show may have closed but there are (at least) two others currently open… 1. LondonTown.com (Prize is Tickets only : closes midday 7th June) 2. Surrey Life magazine (Prize includes Meet & Greet with Russell)
22nd May
Australian broadcaster ABC TV is to show the BBC’s ‘Songs Of Praise – Russell Watson’s Salford” on ABC1 on the morning of Sunday 2nd June.
21st May
Aurora’s webcam now shows they are dockside (arrived about 8.30am) in a misty Southampton and Rob has Tweeted three pictures….
Several complimentary Tweets have been posted during the day as people get back on dry land… “Bring Him Home was just wonderful…” “Had a brilliant time…” “Fantastic concert…” “Brilliant performance… great to hear The Loveliest Night Of The Year.”
The BBC outlines arrangements for broadcasting “highlights” of the Coronation Festival Gala.
20th May
Last chance today to enter Russell’s competition to win tickets to his Hampton Court Palace Festival show with a Meet & Greet…
Anyone thinking of going to the Viking Radio “Party In The Park” at The Blue Bell Hotel in September may care to check thoroughly the “Important Event Information” on the ticket ordering page about the nature of the event and the security arrangements, below the picture of ‘Escala’.
19th May
Preparations seem to be well in hand for tonight’s performances aboard ‘Aurora’…
You can see the “sea state” with Aurora’s live webcam view…
18th May
Russell’s own ‘blog‘ confirms that he is honoured to be performing for Her Majesty at the Coronation Festival.
14th May
Two new dates for live performances… 8th June at Smooth Radio’s “Love Live Music on the Waterfront” at The Pier Head, Liverpool (free entry) from 6pm onwards and 14th September at Viking FM’s “Party In The Park” at The Blue Bell Hotel, Burton Agnes, Driffield, Yorkshire from 3pm – 9pm. Russell is expected to be on stage from around 7pm.
9th May
‘Now’ magazine, in partnership with Macleans toothpaste, is offering an opportunity to win tickets to the Coronation Festival Gala on 12th July. Subscription to the online magazine is required and there are T&Cs to note (UK entrants only, etc) but all you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is to correctly answer one question about Kate Middleton’s style, and there are clues on offer in their picture gallery. : LondonTown.com are offering a free competition to win tickets to see Russell at his Hampton Court Palace Festival concert 0n 16th June by correctly answering a question about how many Classical Brit awards he has won.
The ‘Elmbridge Lifestyle’ and ‘Kingston’ magazines also have a free competition to win tickets to the Hampton Court Palace Festival. The competition is offered across a range of Sheengate.co.uk’s magazines but only one avenue may be pursued for valid entry.
Russell is interviewed in a two-page feature in these magazines that are distributed free in the Kingston-upon-Thames area (see map for outlets) and it can also be read, free of charge, on pages 12 and 13 of their digital edition.
7th May
It’s the BUPA Great Manchester Run on Sunday 26th May and The Kirsty Club is once again entering a team and hoping for sponsors. We know that Kirsty and Francis House are dear to Russell’s heart although he’s not named in their list of runners this year.
6th May
The Coronation Festival concerts may be ‘sold out’ but it might still be possible to get to see Russell by booking a package holiday such as the one being offered by Newmarket Travel (Code N400).
5th May
Michael Ball plays Russell’s Il Gladiatore on his BBC Radio 2 programme and pays compliments to Russell’s resilience. You can Listen Again on BBC iPlayer until 12th May. Scroll to 1 hour 33 minutes.
2nd May
Salute To Vienna posts a great picture of Russell in his tail suit…
30th April
Russell is to perform for HM Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace as part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of her coronation, including two evening concerts that are open to the public.
28th April
- A picture of Russell in Vienna, having changed into a less formal suit for song #2, is posted on Twitter…
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It appears that Russell’s ‘penguin suit’ was tailored for him by “Stitches” of St.Mary Street, Manchester.
26th April
Returning safely to the UK, Russell Tweets, “Just hit the tarmac at Heathrow . Thanks to everyone involved in last nights show ! Really enjoyed my Vienna experience x”
25th April
Russell is in Vienna for tonight’s “Salute To Vienna” concert and Tweeted, “Outside the world famous Vienna concert hall !!! Its even more beautiful inside : ) #readyfortheperformance pic.twitter.com/dwjg7gsnBs“.
He later adds, around 9.30pm, “Just come off stage for the first half !! What an amazing night : ) x”. A British fan in the audience let it be known that, “#salutetovienna was magical! @russellthevoice sung ‘The Student Prince’ (Romberg) & ‘The Land of Smiles'(Lehar) and raised the roof! #Bravo” and we’re grateful for that timely report.
24th April : Russell Tweeted 
last night (after our bedtime) “Just arrived in Austria for the salute to Vienna PBS special #stunningcity”and then, “Never mind the quality , feel the width !!! Penguin suit fitting for Vienna Konzerthaus show #suitsyousir pic.twitter.com/QkAjNuJ457“.
Nice to know he’s got there safely.: ::
Russell’s Official Site has become so popular that Plug and Play Design have had to move it to a different server. Steve Rosler from P&P says to “Clear your cache if you have problems” accessing it. By “clear your cache” he means ‘delete your computer’s browsing history’ (in Tools on Internet Explorer).
23rd April
- Russell generously offers an opportunity to win VIP tickets to, and a Meet & Greet at, his Hampton Court Palace Festival concert on 16th June. All you need to do is email his fan address with your contact details. See his Facebook post or his website for more details. The ‘closing date’ is given as 20th May but there’s no indication yet of when or how winners will be notified; we’re sure he’ll get to that in good time, though. :
- Lancashire Life reports online on the recent Butterfly Ball with slightly different pictures accompanying the report on pages 62 and 63 of the printed, May 2013 edition.
22nd April
Russell’s getting cryptic with his Tweets, “Jolly good game of togger on the box tonight , Newton Heath playing a blinder #20/20RVP : ) x”. We think that decodes as ‘Superb football match on television tonight. Manchester United playing brilliantly. Robin Van Persie, wearing the Number 20 shirt scores a first-half hat-trick to ensure United’s 20th Premier League title” but he’d not have got all that in a single Tweet! Newton Heath was the name of one of the small local teams that eventually grew into MUFC.
19th April
Russell appears briefly in this week’s OK magazine, pictured at last month’s spectacular Butterfly Ball, and has copied a picture on his Facebook page.
25th March
Russell announces that he has appointed City Lights Entertainment UK as his new exclusive worldwide management. It seems that City Lights made an announcement back in February but nobody spotted it, tucked away on their ‘blog’ page but at least there’s a photo of Russell that we’ve not seen before; he’s got his hands in his pockets, looking down. Probably from an earlier photoshoot but it’s new to us.
22nd March
Russell’s recovery progresses well enough for him to Tweet a couple of pictures of his dog Blaze and Blaze’s friend Rodney enjoying a ‘duvet day’. Who can blame them in this weather?
20th March
Russell’s Musical Director, Rob Emery, visits Russell to discuss future projects but isn’t giving anything away other than Russell has decided that Rob is one of the television advert meerkats. We hope that’s a sign that Russell’s getting over the virus… his mischievous sense of humour’s recovering at any rate. Natasha Marsh, who went to China with Russell recently, has also been suffering from a virus. We wish them both speedy return to full health.
19th March
Smooth Radio add three more videos of Russell performing at their ‘Love Live Music At Christmas‘ concert at the Union Chapel, Islington, on 19th December to YouTube.
18th March
The ‘Cruise International’ interview with Russell that’s in their April/May issue can now be found online. Those who might prefer the printed edition, with pictures, if you can’t find the magazine in your local shops, a single edition can be ordered from Chelsea Magazines.
Cost £3.95 post free in the UK with reasonable rates for overseas.
17th March
Russell was due to star at Holders Season in Barbados on 23rd March but according to their website… “Newsflash: Russell Watson has just let us know to his great regret that due to a virus he has been advised by his doctors he must rest and not travel till the end on the month. The Holder’s Season Family wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.” We, too, wish him a speedy recovery.
16th March
Russell was pictured recently by Time Machine Hire having a good look at their “Back To The Future” DeLorean.
14th March
Russell apparently entertained at a gala in Old Billingsgate in aid of “Find A Better Way” a charity founded by Sir Bobby Charlton and devoted to improving the lives of individuals and communities affected by landmines. Supported by Sir Alex Ferguson and members of Manchester United FC, over £75,000 was raised. Now, that’s a good score!
13th March
Russell adds a picture from The Butterfly Ball to his website’s blog. Over £43,000 was raised for The Prince’s Trust.
11th March
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Russell’s Official Forum disappears unexpectedly again. It is understood to be a ‘hosting’ problem and nothing to do with Russell or Management. It is restored around 9pm. :
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Armonico Consort announces that, following the considerable interest in their “Around The World In 18 Tunes” they will release a special DVD of the event, including behind-the-scenes clips, rehearsals and interviews as well as the evening performance. To request a copy, please email marketing@armonico.org.uk for a copy of the order form by Wednesday 20th March 2013. However, please note that the DVD is intended as a souvenir for the children and their families of their special day at the RAH and it won’t feature anything of Russell’s contribution.
10th March
Armonico Consort’s “Around The World in 18 Tunes”, with some 1,200 young singers, is performed at the Royal Albert Hall. Russell supports the event and sings You Raise Me Up.
There are two sets of pictures on Classic FM’s website, one from rehearsal and one from the evening performance. There are 7 of Russell in the first set (33 to 39) and four in the second (22, 27, 28 and 31).
9th March
Russell appeared as the special guest artist at The Butterfly Ball in aid of The Prince’s Trust at The Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Lancashire.
8th March
The winner of Armonico Consort’s competition to win a box for the performance of their ‘Around The World In 18 Tunes’ is named as a good Russeller who is also attending the Butterfly Ball and can’t re-arrange things at such a late stage so as to make it to London. Still it was a nice gesture.
5th March
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Armonico Consort is offering a chance to win a FREE box at the Royal Albert Hall for the performance of their “Around The World In 18 Tunes” concert on Sunday evening 10th March just by Re-Tweeting @ArmonicoConsort‘s post on Twitter or by ‘sharing’ the post on their Facebook page. :
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The magazine Cruise International has done a ‘Quickfire Quiz’ with Russell in their latest April/May issue and offered a glimpse of some of the Q&As online though you have to buy the magazine to see the whole thing. It can be bought as a ‘digital edition’ if you have an account with Zinio or, if you can’t find it in the shops, single copies of the magazine can be obtained for £3.95, post free in the UK, without taking out a full subscription, from Chelsea Magazines though you do still have to create an account. Overseas postage is also available at reasonable rates.
4th March
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Earlier today, Russell Tweeted, “The launch of the brand new Cadillac ! That’s me in the distance x http://yfrog.com/oegnepkj”
So this was why he’d been to China again… another vehicle launch. Last time was for the new BMW, this time it was the new Cadillac XTS. : -
Twitter and Facebook reveal that Russell is to support 1500 youngsters of Armonico Concerto’s AC Academy in a performance of “Around The World In 18 Tunes” at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday evening, 10th March.:
3rd March
Decca’s compilation, ‘Amore – The Opera Album‘, goes back up two places to No.12 on the Classic FM Official Chart, while on the UK Official Chart Company’s Chart it holds steady at No.9 for a second week.
1st March
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It’s almost a week since Russell and Natasha Marsh flew off to China and both their Twitter accounts have been very quiet – apparently they weren’t allowed to Tweet – but today Natasha let it be known that she was back and that she’d had food poisoning, probably from eating tuna; she’s also added a couple of pictures to her Twitter account. Just hoping for some word soon that Russell is safely back and that he didn’t have the tuna, too. :
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Russell’s Twitter account says, “Ave a smashing weekend x” so he may, possibly, be back. “U2”, Russell, wherever you are. ;
- Late news in from “Salute To Vienna” of the DVD to be made of the concert on 25th April. Its release date still isn’t confirmed beyond “late fall” so it may be several months of a wait but it will be produced in a region free format for the benefit of those outside their usual North American market and available from their ‘boutique‘. They also confirm that those who purchase tickets to the VIP aftershow reception will “most likely” be able to meet Russell!
25th February
The Butterfly Ball is added to the Blog page of Russell’s Official Website while the Holders Season and Salute To Vienna events are added to the Live Dates page.
24th February
’Amore – The Opera Album‘, holds up well at No.14 on the Classic FM Official Chart (if you swap the ‘Last Week’ and ‘This Week’ columns round) while on the UK Official Chart Company’s Chart it moves up to No.9.
22nd February
Russell does like to spring little surprises. Earlier this evening he Tweeted, “Just about to fly out to China for a show ! 13 hour flight ahead , might treat myself to a glass of vino x”, drawing a lot of responses wishing him well on his travels and encouraging him to sup up. It seems he may be in company with the lovely Natasha Marsh who Tweeted separately, “Just about ready to board for china. Bought lots of cadburys bubbly at the airport to keep me entertained!” Well, wine and chocolate at 35,000 feet… they just need a decent in-flight movie and they’re cosy.
21st February
There are more photos from the Sir Bobby Robson Celebration on Virgin Money’s Flickr photostream, including some different pictures of Russell (with Lady Elsie, Ruby Turner and Joe McElderry).
20th February
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It’s announced that the operatic quartet, Amore, are to support Russell at the Classics Concert at Clumber Park on 18th August. :
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There are a number of super photos from the Sir Bobby Robson Celebration on the website of “The Picture Foundry“. Russell appears in pictures 1, 4 (just), 5, 32, 33, 45 and 46.
19th February
Gordon Barr reported the Sir Bobby Robson Celebration for the Evening Chronicle and the Chronicle also has a slideshow of pictures, two of which feature Russell.
There’s also a report from Sky : Tyne & Wear.
18th February
Russell leads a stellar cast of celebrities and entertainers at the celebration of the life of Sir Bobby Robson at The Sage and performs two of Sir Bobby’s favourite songs, Land of Hope and Glory and Barcelona, the latter with Faryl Smith.
Local newspaper, the Evening Chronicle, reported briefly on the success of the event with a promise of a full report ‘tomorrow’.
17th February
Decca’s back-catalogue compilation of some of Russell’s best operatic music, “Amore – The Opera Album” enters the Official Classic FM Chart at No.10. How good is that for a release of his ‘oldies’… well, they are ‘goldies’…
As well as being available from Amazon, etc, it’s also stocked at ASDA for £5 (and they have an offer on at the moment, two CDs for £9… fill your boots!).
16th February
Russell answers his own question about musicals, “My favorite musical – Phantom is awesome , South Pacific the movie beautiful , Lion King on stage wow ! Les Mis just edging top spot ; )”
15th February
Over on Twitter (again), Russell has posed the question, “What is you favorite musical of all time ? : )” Answers to Russell via his Twitter account @russellthevoice.
13th February
From Twitter (again)… SBRFoundation @SBRFoundation : “Confirmed: Russell Watson, Alistair McGowan, Peter Brewis, The Cornshed Sisters, Paul Smith, Ruby Turner, Faryl Smith… #SBRCelebration” we discover that Russell is to star at a fundraising celebration of the life of Sir Bobby Robson at The Sage, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, on Monday 18th February. The event has been ‘sold out’ for some months but a further allocation of tickets is to be released at 10am on Thursday 14th February. Ticket Office : 0191 443 4661.
12th February
Russell Tweets that, “The forum is now back up and running! Please visit http://www.russellwatson.com or http://www.russellwatsonforum.com”
1oth February
Russell’s Official Forum reappeared online early this evening as suddenly and mysteriously as it had disappeared in January. We understand that it’s not yet ready for full re-launch but at least it appears to be on its way back. Thank you, Russell.
5th February
An announcement on the Twitter account of ‘Salute To Vienna‘ indicates that Russell would be in some way involved with them, “Spread the word! #STVinVienna2013 #Vienna #WienerKonzerthaus #Waltz #RussellWatson #ViennaChoirBoys #HaraldSerafin #MaximilianSchell ” and a check on their website shows he’s to be a very special guest at their concert at the Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna on Thursday 25th April 2013. It appears from the programme on the ticket office’s website (in translation) that he is to perform only two songs, My Heart Is Yours and Serenade. Read more in their PDF Press Release…
31st January
An announcement on Russell’s Twitter account this afternoon declared simply, “Russell is performing in Barbados on 23rd March for Holders Season. For more information please visit http://www.holders.net/ – so, a venue in the sunny West Indies!
30th January
Promoters Cuffe and Taylor announced today that Jonathan and Charlotte would be Russell’s ‘special guests’ at Lytham Proms on 3rd August…
27th January
The second of Russell’s two recorded presentations of Songs Of Praise, “Lowry’s Salford – Then and Now” was broadcast on BBC1 this evening and can be seen on BBC iPlayer for the next seven days.
25th January
The forthcoming “Butterfly Ball” is mentioned by ‘Lake District and Lancashire Life‘ (online, not in print). For more information, and to request tickets, contact Phillip Skingsley via ‘Moore & Smalley’ on 01772 821021 or by email at phillip.skingsley@mooreandsmalley.co.uk.
Please note that a ‘block booking’ at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel has been obtained by the organisers so as to be able to offer preferential rates to guests who wish to stay overnight so a ‘normal’ search for availability on the hotel’s website may suggest it is ‘full’ when it may not be. Talk to Phillip for details.
24th January
Russell is to be the star entertainer at The Prince’s Trust’s “Butterfly Ball” on Saturday 9th March at The Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors (just off J7 of the M65 between Blackburn and Burnley).
23rd January
Russell awards not two tickets but six to the staff at Pebble Nursery for their PJ Day picture. Lovely gesture, Russell, and ‘well done’ ladies… enjoy the concert!
22nd January
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A brief trailer, narrated by Russell himself, for the forthcoming Songs Of Praise programme, is posted on their website. It’s a bit longer than the clip shown at the end of last Sunday’s programme. :
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The Clumber Park concert is added to Russell’s offical site’s Tour Dates.
21st January
The picnic-style Classical Concert at Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, is confirmed over Twitter by the promoter and Russell. Tickets go on sale Tuesday 22nd January at 12 noon. Read more…
18th January
It’s PJ Day for the Katy Holmes Trust with Russell and Team really showing how to get into the spirit of it. Read more…> >
15th January
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Radio Times confirms the broadcast of the second Songs Of Praise programme to be presented by Russell as “Lowry’s Salford – Then and Now” in which he explores how his native Salford has changed since artist LS Lowry painted the industrial town in the 1920s. He also performs classic anthem Jerusalem and introduces other popular hymns from St Peter’s Church in Swinton. Sunday 27th January : BBC1 : 4.25pm (5.25pm in Scotland). Watch the Songs Of Praise trailer… :
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Last night’s news included a report that HMV had called in administrators although they are still trading. If you are considering ordering the Decca compilation CD Amore at all, it may be prudent to bear that in mind. Vouchers and Gift Cards are no longer being honoured.
14th January
- This afternoon there was a Tweet from Russell (or his team), “We’re seeing what we can do to resurrect the old forum. Hopefully we’ll have some more information by the end of the week.
#teamwatson“. Good news, considering that not everyone is comfortable with Facebook or Twitter. Thanks, Team! :
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From Amazon.co.uk we see that Decca are to ‘release’ a compilation album of twenty MP3-only tracks under the title “Classic FM The Sound Of Russell Watson”.
The track list is available via the link above or click the picture. ::
10th January 
The Royal British Legion’s online shop, The Poppy Shop, re-stocks with the the DVD of the 2012 Festival Of Remembrance in which Russell performs a duet of There You’ll Be with Alexandra Burke. Pal : Region 2 : : Cost £10.75 plus £2.95 UK p&p. Order online… :
9th January
The Lancashire Evening Post reports on Russell’s support for the Katy Holmes Trust’s forthcoming fundraiser ‘Pyjama Day’ on 18th January. Later in the day Russell blogs, Tweets and posts on Facebook that he wants to see folks’ pictures of them in their PJs and he’ll award tickets to a forthcoming show to the ones he judges best. Read more…
8th January
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Russell Tweets, “Hi everyone, i’ve seen your tweets about the forum. Unfortunately we didn’t run it and we don’t know where its gone!” :
- Russell’s latest ‘Blog‘ on his website confirms the date of the second of his two “Songs Of Praise” programmes as Sunday 27th January.
7th January
Russell’s Official Forum ‘disappeared’ suddenly this afternoon, to be replaced by a message to say that it was not to be found on the site’s server.
6th January
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Anthems takes the No 4 spot in Classic FM’s “Top 30 classical music albums of 2012” and Russell is also featured twice on “The Classical Album 2013” at No 5 in the same chart!
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The Pentagon Channel (US Military network) posts a link to their recording of a “Command Performance” interview that Russell did with them during his trip to Washington in July. It’s worth a look if you haven’t seen it before.
4th January
The first of Russell’s “changes” takes place with a new background on his official website; instead of the wintery scene there’s now a short slideshow. Very nice. And it’s followed by an update to his ‘blog’ page with some brief news about his plans for the coming year that include a new CD, the possibility of “international” dates and a UK Tour at the end of the year. Read the full post here…
1st January 2013
After Tweeting, “Happy New year everyone, I wish you all the very best for 2013 x” Russell Tweeted, “I’m going to make some changes this year ! Any resolutions planned tweeps ?? #newbroomsweepsclean2013“. Some changes, eh? Russell not being one to do things by halves, we wonder what’s afoot; new record label, bigger house, church or registry office… speculation is rife but useless, we’ll find out in due course.
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Russellers 