BOOKS & WRITINGS

Recently, I have increased my output as a writer, so there are a number of books coming along starting with BRILLIANT SOUNDING RUBBISH on August 8th 2025 on new book imprint pageturna.com. Despite the subject matter being the decline of the British Music Biz, it's a fun-time for all to read, so be ready for a laugh and a joke in amongst what I feel are some important and much-needed home truths currently being swept under the carpet. One key factor in particular is that this book is intended to give potential music students and careerists a genuine inside-track on what you are may be letting yourselves in for by choosing music as a career. As you will see, it’s very different on the inside. The audiobook versions are even more fun so look out for them coming along soon. You can also find me on Substack and most other social media platforms as we move forward. Thanks for reading…

MUSIC EDUCATION

After a lifetime of making records and touring the world, it was time to pass-it-forward, so over the first 20 years of this millennium, I became a founder of BIMM (Brighton Institute of Modern Music), and DIME Group (Detroit Institute of Music Education) which stretched to building music colleges in seven cities, and where we shared our music and industry experience with the next generation of musicians and entrepreneurs.We taught the right stuff to our students, but we were also the ones doing the learning, especially in Detroit where we lived for eight fantastic years in the greatest musical city on earth.

PRODUCER & MANAGER

My professional music career began with my first record deal aged 17, and I signed a few more before becoming a full-time record producer in my mid-twenties. As an artist and session-player I was fortunate to work with some legendary producers so the job became second nature.About halfway through my career, I became an A&R Director at Secret Records, Stage One, A&M and V2, which confirmed my non-corporate approach.  I have made over 50 albums in the worlds greatest studios from Abbey Road to Electric Lady, working with many great artists and colleagues from Robert Plant to Bob Clearmountain. Some sold a bucket-load, and some didn't, but that has no bearing on their standards.In my thirties, I became a manager because so few of them understand music, and my artists were young and needed help. But also I found great musical equilibrium with three of them -  Kirsty MacColl , Francis Dunnery and Kula Shaker - with all of whom I managed to have some big hits and great times.