May 2008

(If you receive this it's because we've had some dealings in the past, you're a personal friend, I met you in a pub, or because you've expressed an interest in receiving the newsletter… or all of the above. However, if you have no wish to receive further issues - just hit reply and enter "unsubscribe" in the subject box. I won't take offence!)
Tel: 01506 873013www.drewmcadam.co.uk

THIS MONTH:
Do you live in the ABERDEEN area? If the answer is “yes” then this might be of interest. If “no” then you can safely skip this section.

All my gigs tend to be private/corporate and a lot of you have been asking where it’s possible to catch a show. In fact, I’ve been asked so often that I’ve decided to do something about it… Well, here is your answer. On June 25th I will be doing a supper cabaret gig at THE STAGE DOOR IN ABERDEEN. (That’s a restaurant, not an actual stage door!) Here is the flyer…



My friend EAN JONES of XS promotions runs The Sorbet Club, “Scotland’s Premier Dining and Live Entertainment Experience”. His idea is to offer his customers nice surroundings, great entertainment, and fantastic food – all at a reasonable price. And he has succeeded.

More information and tickets are available from the ABERDEEN BOX OFFICE. Tel: 01224 641122 Mon-Sat 9.30am to 6pm or click here: http://www.boxofficeaberdeen.com/prod-productions_details.asp?pid=1260&venueid=274

Hope to see you there.

Oh, and by the way, for those of you NOT in the Aberdeen area (and that being the case, why are you reading this section?) on 20th and 21st of September there is A TWO DAY FESTIVAL AT STIRLING CASTLE – and I’ll be there. Also, on Friday, 24th of October I will be playing the BATHGATE REGAL THEATRE. So, that covers North of Scotland, the Central Region, and West Lothian… gigs that will be open to everybody. Don’t say I’m not good to you.

Details of the September and October gigs will follow in later newsletters… I bet you can’t wait!

xxx

GIGS THIS MONTH
I had the pleasure of a wee private party gig in BO’NESS. What fun that was! Socialising and showing off – it’s a strange way to make a living. But, honestly, there can be no better. And this little gig just highlighted that. “Bad” Drew also recorded another three episodes as The Interrogator for TRISHA to be shown over the next few weeks – no, I don’t know when they will be transmitted.

I also recorded the first part of “SCHOOL FOR GENIUS” to be transmitted as a four-part programme starting late July on the BBC. What a hoot that was! Making up the crew there is the delicious ANNE, PETER, LOVELY LUCY and Radio 1 and BBC Scotland DJ VIC GALLOWAY as the presenter (You can listen to him on BBC Radio 1 Wednesday/Thursday Midnight till 2am, and on BBC Radio Scotland on Mondays from 8pm until 10pm.) We ended up at a primary school in Dundee, where I demonstrated the art of the impossible and taught them all a system to develop a super-memory. Great fun, and in the coming month we have another three schools to do, plus record the sections with adults putting these skills to use.

Recording “School For genius” led to a spot on the popular FRED MACAULAY morning show during which I gave a demonstration, and Vic plugged our search for adults to attend School For Genius.

Other gigs included one at CAMERON HOUSE ON THE SHORE OF LOCH LOMOND, and another fun presentation at the swanky NORTON HOUSE HOTEL. And my favourite: EIGHT ACRES HOTEL IN ELGIN for my mate, MIKE PICKFORD. Mike, always a pleasure!

xxx

TRAINS
I’ve had a lot of experience of trains lately. (I had a friend whose ambition it was to be run down by a steam train. When it eventually happened, he was chuffed to bits!) Firstly, I took a trip on a steam train. The train followed a circle around Edinburgh, then crossed the mighty Forth Bridge before completing a circle round Fife before returning a few hours later.

Great fun. But this was followed by a very early rise in order to catch an ancient diesel (complete with the old, comfy carriages from the Sixties) at Linlithgow. From there, the train headed out past Glasgow, past Helensburgh and then North along the bank of Loch Lomond. And from there… it was off into the wild blue yonder. And I DO mean wild! The train runs over a viaduct, round the back of Glencoe and across Rannoch Moor, the track resting on piles of stakes to stop the whole lot sinking into the bogs. (It was about the only location where there were no bands of people with cameras and video equipment to capture the sight of the train passing through a Highland landscape.) Onwards along the banks of lochs, through woods, across moor and under the shadow of mighty (still snow-capped!) mountains – and all in glorious sunshine. There was a short stop in Fort William, and then we left Ben Nevis behind, crossed the Glenfinnan viaduct, along the shore past the islands of Eigg and Rhum, and on to Mallaig, a short hop across the water from the island of Skye. All-in-all the return journey took fifteen hours. That’s a lot of time to relax, sleep, read, eat (meals were delivered by the stewards) and watch the wonderful world go by. Literally.

Xxxx

A NOT-TO-BE MISSED SHOW IF YOU LIVE IN THE CENTRAL BELT OF SCOTLAND
Get this. Do you want to see an OUTSTANDING show? Then do yourself a mammoth favour. Get yourself along to The Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow on June 10, and see STEVE HARLEY AND COCKNEY REBEL. I promise you, you will experience a performer and a performance that will stick in your mind for years to come. He’s a true professional, an outstanding entertainer, a fantastic singer/songwriter, and a jolly nice bloke. The band will knock your socks off – guaranteed. Tickets available here…http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1700404E9C6B62DB

What are you waiting for?

Xxx

Amazing simple home remedies
1. If you're choking on an ice cube, simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat. Presto! The blockage will instantly remove itself.2. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold the vegetables while you chop.3. Avoid arguments with the females about lifting the toilet seat - by using the sink.4. For high blood pressure sufferers ~ simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure on your veins. Remember to use a timer.5. A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you'll be afraid to cough.7. You only need two tools in life - wd-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the wd-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.8. Remember - everyone seems normal until you get to know them.9. If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.Daily thought:some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

Xxxx

A DAY OFF!
I had a day off. Oh, yes, I did. Just for ME. And what a great day it turned out to be. It started with a meal at the very swanky CENTO TRE RESTAURANT in George Street, Edinburgh. In the company of my manager Douglas (who paid!) and John the manager of the Dunkeld Hilton. Coincidentally, top chef Nick Nairn was at the next table but one… He was my chef when I did a spot on Ready Steady Cook, so we it was nice to say “hello” again.

After a great meal and a couple of glasses of fine wine, I headed off to Another Planet, a shop run by two of the flakiest people I know – Tom and Brendan. Coffee, a laugh and a browse around the shop… they sell some of the amazing gadgets and toys you’ll find this side of La-la land. Make no mistake, this is a shop well worth a visit. However, they are closing down the shop side of things to concentrate on their next project… so they are having a sale! DO get yourself along to Another Planet, 34 Ashley Terrace, Edinburgh… Alternatively, pay a visit to www.toogoodforkids.com and DO check out the X-sail.

In the early evening I met up with BILLY McMURRAY at the Sheraton Hotel where we indulged ourselves exploring the outside, rooftop hydropool and the hammams, laconium, and saunas of the thermal suite (I do wish he hadn’t told his daughter that we were going on a hot date, though!). Let me assure you that seeing Billy lying back in the massive, bubbling hydropool singing “I’m in Heaven” at the top of his voice is NOT a pretty sight!) Good fun, though! And afterwards… a beer.

What a fantastic day.

XXX
AND NOW TO NEXT MONTH…
It’s shaping up to be one of the busiest months ever.
I’m recording more of the BBC’s SCHOOL FOR GENIUS episodes at schools IN LAUDER, KILSYTH and CAMBUSLANG.
I have gigs at, among others, DALMAHOY HOTEL, Edinburgh and ARDOE HOUSE HOTEL just outside Aberdeen.
I am also performing at THE CROWN PLAZA in Glasgow, and at GLENEAGLES in Perthshire. There is a wee private gig at BATHGATE GOLF CLUB for a very good friend of mine, and two gigs at KINLOSS AIR BASE. Oh, yes, and THE STAGE DOOR IN ABERDEEN.
As if all that were not enough, I have two BBQ’s, a recording with Steve Mason, previous front man of THE BETA BAND, and another two episodes of THE TRISHA SHOW to record at THE MAIDSTONE TELEVISION STUDIOS…

Other than that, my time is my own!

Xxxx

FOR THOSE OF YOU WITH BROADBAND A BIT OF TIME ON YOUR HANDS…
Click on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBsOeLcUARw
The Power of Ten – mind blowing.

Xxx

SO, THERE WE GO… I cannot believe that’s another month flown past. How scary! But I suppose that’s the way I like it. I’m nowhere near ready yet to “take it easy”.

And remember, the whole point of this newsletter is so that you can hit the REPLY button and let me know what’s going on in YOUR life. It can be really hard to keep in touch with everybody... so, please, drop me a line.

Over and out.

Drew
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