Musicians Say…
May 18th
Katey Brooks & Sean Taylor, a stunning night of music and Sean tweeted the following: Truly magical gig @DrawingroomRich in Chesham tonight. One of the nicest venues I have ever played. Beautiful …. visit this venue!!!!
May 4th gig:
20th April: from Polly Barratt on Facebook:
morning after the night before!
“Polly was glowing about your venue and playing there – I hope you enjoyed her performance too, Polly definitely did! Thanks for your support – much appreciated.” Regards, Gerry Rickard
Lisbee Stainton and Will Mcnicol played here on the 16th March 2012:
Mark Abis…played here for the second tiome, 2nd March 13…taken from his blog
SUNDAY, 3 MARCH 2013 Date 4. the Drawing Room – Chesham
Sean Taylor – Many thanks Richard … great to meet you … wonderful venue … hope to see you soon
Odi- (and Dave) – taken from their tour diary:
The Drawingroom is the venue for the evenings gig, where our kind and charming host Richard has created a magical space for art, live music and tasty treats. A mild September’s evening allows us to take to the outside stage which rises up in to the trees above a beautifully decorated courtyard where great ambient lighting and a full moon set the vibe for the evenings shindig perfectly .
…and about Odi:
“Newcomers to Claire Odlum’s quirky Irish folk shouldn’t be put off by her band name (an old school nickname)… ODi tonight was Claire and guitarist Dave Redfearn, both initially bemused by the tree-house stage above the cobbled streets outside the venue, playing lyrical folk charm amongst the delicate fairy lights. …harmonic songs from her new release Maslow’s Songbooks had … audience beaming with delight as the summer night edged away. …the epic grandeur of ‘One In A Million’, before a crafty switch to the jazzier ‘I’m Done’, Odlum’s folk-holler was confident and proud. Taking the opportunity on tour to test new songs, a clear favourite amongst this humbled crowd was the, tentatively-titled, ‘Devil Song’, a gutsy blues number about the perils of addiction. Even the sentiments of melancholy couldn’t prevent positivity and …wow moment when she encored with Bruce Springsteen’s ‘I’m On Fire’
What an incredible 3 days of gigs, all ended perfectly by the Drawingroom in Chesham last night; it remains one of my favourite venues EVER. Thanks to everyone who came along to Cardiff, Hay-on-Wye and Chesham – Lisbee Stainton
What can I say, Richard? Without doubt, you have one of the most unique venues I have ever performed in in my musical career. Thank you again for the opportunity to perform there. The experience for me was an extremely positive one – I met a lot of interesting, fascinating people, heard some great music (especially Amrit, a shared affection for Pat Metheny meant we struck an instant rapport!) and I received a lot of kind and excellent feedback about my own music.
Your hospitality was of the highest order, I have played all over the UK & Ireland (a country noted for its hospitality!), and further afield, and rarely have I been treated so well. You afford the musicians great respect, and treat them well, and it is no wonder they keep coming back to perform for you. Thank you for ensuring I remained well fed and watered throughout my time at the Drawing Room and for providing me with an exquisitely tranquil sleeping environment (it is not every night one falls asleep inside a building of such understated grandeur!). Simon Kempston (aka Man Gone Missing) http://www.myspace.com/simonkempston
Jack Garratt Radio Audio Boo interview
Hi Richard.
Thanks so much for last night. It was really great.
Your place is still magic to me! 😉 …. Jasmin and Jont were lovely and really great to meet them. Juju
Richard–thanks so much for having us play at such a special venue as your amazing Drawing Room–we had such a lovely evening and felt thoroughly well taken care of by everyone there. Thanks again, Mandy
Richard,
We are still buzzing from Sat night!
Thanks so much to you. We can honestly say that we’ve not had a night quite like yours in the good old UK – fantastic audience, absolutely beautiful surroundings, warm welcome, food from the gods, generous remuneration by UK standards, excellent musical company in the form of Lisbee and her band….just WOW all-round!
THE PORTRAITS
http://www.facebook.com/theportraitsmusic
http://www.theportraits.info
Hey Richard!
Just seen the billing for me performnace there next month and WOW! What a FAB line up mate!! REALLY looking forward to it… The bars been raised!!!
Cheers again!
Amrit Sond
Hello All,
“A huge thank you to Richard S. Elkington for being such an exemplary host last night, and a big thanks to all who travelled from afar to watch Jo under the swaying Oak. We didn’t want to leave..” Jon Cotton (Jo Hamilton)
Hi Richard, just to let you know I got your voicemail! Thanks so much for having me come and play, it really was one of the nicest audiences I’ve ever played to and you really have a great thing going on there! I really appreciate all the work you’ve put in to making it was what it is! The UK needs more venues like yours! Congratulations! Haha how did this turn from a thanks to a congratulations!:0) Declan Zapala
hello gorgeous
thankyou so much for hosting the gig,
for your warm hospitality, your expertly cooked breakfast,
your tales and hugs and smiles and contant quietly celebratory demeanour…
I had a lovely time and am so happy to have birthed that song too…
have written several since.
shame you can’t come to the gig, but I will feel both you and amy there
with me…and look forward to a homecoming gig at the drawing room….
xxxxxxxxxxxxx we are one, of course xxxxxxxxxx jont
“Yeah, sorry it took me so long! Indeed we thought you put together a great night, everyone really seemed to care about watching the music, it was like no other house concert I’ve ever seen. Great job to you and Amy & co…spreading good vibes & good music…always a perfect way to spend a life! We actually may be back this June & July…so keep Bleu in mind for an outdoor show! Best, -S”
My dear friend!
Thank you so much again for putting on such a spectacular event on saturday. Little Fish ABSOLUTELY destroyed it! haha, very enjoyable evening.
The audience were just awesome, the best this year!
Thanks again richard
Have a peaceful evening
Jack Garratt x
It was a fantastic event, and I am very happy to have had a chance to be there at your place.
It will be grateful if I have a chance to perform sometime.
Please feel free to contact me.
Mongo Yamoto
And another massive thank you for getting me down to play – had an absolutely brilliant evening!
Will McNicoll
Have fun Richard and family-
I hope you have a great break and thank you once again for having me play- I had a great night
xxx Jasmine Rodgers
Hi Richard,
Just a quick note to say thank you for Saturday and the warm welcome I received from you and all your staff, and the never ending supply of tea.
Hopefully we can arrange a date for me to return and do an evening show at some point in the near future.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
All the best,
Alastair. xx
Hi Richard
Just wanted to thank you again for putting me on the line up last night. I had a ball, even with all those brand new mistakes!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a lovely evening and as ever, people after were most generous in their praise. Whilst every gig at the Drawing Room is different, there are constants in the beautiful vibe your place has, and the attentiveness of the audience. As a performer, I can’t ask for more.
See you Friday!
Gx (Gill Holdsworth)
cc’d msg withing the music industry networking: Kate, meet Richard, who runs one of the most unique events in the country.
Hi Richard,
Just wanted to re-iterate my thanks to you, Amy, Cameron and all of your Drawing Room lot for last night. Can’t quite express my gratitude for myself and Nerissa being made to feel so welcome. You’ve got something brilliant and unique, which is just great. A perfect platform for upcoming musicians like myself. Will Mcnicoll
“CHeers 4 such a FANTASTIC evening R! …as always u’re a SUPA STAR! Luv ya man!!”
Just reading ur e-mail’s we can tell u’re such (and I’ve met you and felt this straight away) LOVING, honest person R! gosh you’re got true love in you Baby! something I will always strive for in my life.. love is the ONE thing that over comes fear!
Peace! Am’s Amrit Sond
Dear Richard,
Thanks for the emails
I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the drawing room 2 weeks ago and sarah my wife said it was the best chili con carny she had ever had, Outstanding! Richard W.
dear richard,
just a note to say how much we enjoyed playing at the drawing room last night.
it really is a magical place and we both feel very lucky to have had the chance to play there.
thank you also for your hospitality. to open your home to two total strangers with such trust is something to which I aspire.
love from
karl and sherrie x (spyplane)
Richard, Keep up the good work keeping music live.
Your friend,
Dick Massey
All power to your elbow for the lovely place you run and the lovely music!
Kathy x
Best Wishes
Kathy Ridges
richard and amy and cameron!
thankyou so much for such a wonderful night on saturday.
I loved playing, i loved meeting you both, experiencing first hand what you have created
with your love and openness and dedication and generosity…But basically….what a joy….was really fun. We didn’t sleep, stayed up, saw the dawn come in,
and got on the metropolitan line – Jont
Hey Richard
Thanks so much for last night man – lovely, your place is truly unique. Sorry we had to shoot off without saying goodbye – train issues!
Russell Joslyn
It was special night, as it always is, thank you for putting us up and rescuing us from the snow! Let’s organise some more gigs in 2010 : ) Happy Christmas!
Becky and Tim
xxx
From Lisbee Stainton’s dad ahead of anouncing to the world she was about to support Joan Armatrading on a European tour:
Sat was fab and you and your team are saints. Joan A’s team is looking at these photos as confirmation of what they’re going to get next year. I’m bursting to tell the world but we all have to keep it secret for now … C
Thanks so much for a lovely evening. Magical you are. Amazing day! thanks so much for your magical place… magical in every way… keep it safe! 😉 x Juju
Hello!
A quick note to say WOW what a superb setup you have there at The Drawing Room and a wonderful atmosphere full of variety, colour, inspiration, interest – both in respect of people and venue!
We were looked after brilliantly by you and your lovely people! Thank you to all!!
Anna
(On behalf of StrangeWorld)
Hi Richard
Just a big thank you for hosting such a great evening of music at the Drawing Room. It’s the first proper festival that l’ve been to at your place – fantastic. I hope Chesham appreciates what it has in it’s midst. Bravo. See you soon.
Andy MS