John A. Read: Co-Writers - (past & present) Evelyn Glennie OBE; Dave Williams; Stopher Secher; John Hamilton; Holly Tooze; Malcolm MacDonald; Alan Briscoe; Shirley Kent; Richard Jones; Judy Low; Donna Britton;
Influences
Bryan Adams; Christine Aguilera, Frank Sinatra, Carly Simon; Muse, Hayley Westenra, Carlene Carter; Maria Callas, Billy Joel, Carol King; Rachmaninov, Joni Mitchell; Diane Warren; Beatles, Sting; Cat Stevens; Burt Bacharach; Squeeze; Goldfrapp; Vivaldi;
Sounds Like
A burning cat gargling with nettles........ But the people who sing my songs sound much much better !
Record Label
The song - Watch Me Now - is on Square Biz Records
----- ALL SONGS ABOVE ARE WRITTEN OR CO-WRITTEN BY JOHN A. READ.
-----
I was born and raised in Birmingham England where I went to the same school as Jeff Lynn of ELO fame, and was raised in the same neighborhood as Duran Duran and a short drive from Ozzy Osbourne - Black Sabbath. (I've done album photography for Bill Ward.) (Sabbath drummer.) I worked in Cabaret Theatre for many years - in charge of stage and lighting for artists such as - Three Degrees; Jack Jones; Dionne Warwick; Supremes; Buddy Rich; Rose Royce; Odyssey; Commodores; Osmonds; Dr Hook; Four Tops; Hollies; Sister Sledge; Martha Reeves - and many more. My first piano lessons were on the Theatre's Grand Piano on an empty stage, where I would drive the other staff crazy by practising scales for hours on end. I often had help from visiting MDs and artists such as Victor Borge. Before music took hold, my first writing success was short scripts and comedy sketches for TV and radio. As a songwriter, I have written with world famous percussionist Evelyn Glennie OBE.
And with John Hamilton (18 weeks in the charts.)
Also with the superb Donna Britton. www.donnabritton.com I currently have a song on the latest Sham Rock CD, 'The Album'.
Sham Rock had a massive chart hit with their song 'Tell Me Ma.'
The album is produced by Grammy award winner, Philip Larson, (Kylie Minogue; Mary J Blige) and features songs by Tom Springfield and a spine tingling ballad by Paul McCartney
The song, 'Watch Me Now' is a rockin, foot stomping 'girl power' song that was originally written for a Whoopi Goldberg film, but was dropped at the eleventh hour for a Gospel song.
I have also had 'near misses' with Celine Dion; & Jennifer Rush
I've been signed to: Warner Chappell; The International Music Network;
MKM Germany, Faber Music, Strange Art Music; and others. xxxx
E.mail: mayjar@aol.com ............... Website:www.readsongs.com
x Sham Rock Video. 'Tell Me Ma'. This song spent 17 weeks in the UK charts. Massive hit and instant dance floor filler. Sham Rock are also on the music player above with an excellent pop/rock 'girlpower' song - Watch Me Now. Specifically written for a Whoopi Goldberg Movie. It is now 'looking for a home' with any 'strong, sassy' female 'pop rock' singer/group.
Thanks for adding me! Do you have a fave song of mine? If you would like a FREE song from my back catalogue just shoot me your email and I’ll send it over.
Hi John. Thanks for the invite. It's great to meet you on MySpace, being a fellow Midlander an' all. Some strong, catchy tunes here! Loved them. Your demos are good, too. I always find it hard to get singers to match the songs! How do you do it?
I found the comparison with Laurie Anderson interesting. I'd never thought of that. I think o Superman is probably the scariest song I've ever heard. Don't think I could ever be quite that scary!
Hey John- glad you like "you and me". Thanks again for your friendship and for letting me share my music with you...hope you have an awesome weekend...xoxo, Elly
Online Now!
