A Star was Born
Posted on August 12, 2011, by Su Skinner, under Christmas 2011, laughter, Parties, Rock with Laughter, rock with laughter show.
Do you remember? Rock with Laughter 2007, the year of Jasper Carrott, Chris de Burgh, Jack Dee, Dame Edna Everage, Jo Brand, Shakin’ Stevens, Jamelia, Tap Dogs, The Manfreds, Ray Quinn and Niki Evans…… a simply fabulous show, quite the most glittering line-up, I think you’ll agree. And that was the year that radio station Heart fm joined us in our Search for a Star, someone with the vocal talent, and the chutzpah, to perform on stage in front of 10,000 people and to do that on the Gala Opening Night of Rock with Laughter at the NEC Arena in Birmingham!
Out of the hundreds of applicants who sent in their demo tapes, the choice was narrowed down to three finalists and there was absolutely no hesitation in picking Emma Skipp as the winner – her voice was quite simply amazing and she was a truly worthy Star. On the opening night, she looked perfectly at home out there on that huge stage. Her stunning vocals didn’t disappoint, she absolutely held the audience in her hand, and if she enjoyed it half as much as we did, she had a pretty fabulous time. The VIPs at the glamorous ‘backstage’ party had a very welcome surprise when Emma also performed on the party stage later that night, together with X Factor finalist, Niki Evans, and the dance band TopCatz, entertaining the guests until the early hours. That was some party.
So, where is she now? Well, you’ll all be pleased to know she’s out there, performing her music as a fixture on the Midlands gigging circuit. However, what you might not know is that since Emma’s appearance on RWL, she has also made a single with The Enemy, ‘No Time For Tears’ in 2009, and the album reached number 2 in the charts. (The ‘Hit Parade’, for those more mature members of our audience…..) Emma toured the UK and Ireland with the group and even appeared on the Jonathan Ross Show – ooh, get her! Then with hardly a pause for breath, she was asked to perform backing vocals for the Ocean Colour Scene album ‘Saturday’ which also took her touring all over the UK, including a performance at The Royal Albert Hall, a first that stands out in her memory of all-time greats. (After Rock with Laughter, of course.)
“My Dad, always my Dad,” she said, fondly. “He had worked at the NEC since it opened!” (Actually, I think they built it around him.) He and Emma’s Mum nearly burst with pride when they saw their little princess on the arena stage, performing to 10,000 people. When asked to describe the experience, Emma said “Surreal, overwhelming. My Mum said to me ‘remember this moment, no matter what you do, nothing will ever compare to this first time’ and she was right, of course. Even singing at Wembley didn’t come close!”
Emma is a prolific writer of her own music and lyrics; trying to describe her style is evidently quite tricky: “I’ve been asking myself the question recently. It’s pop music, but not bubblegum, it can be almost folk, but not like traditional folk; the electric set is more lively, more soulful.” We think it’s great music for all seasons, but that’s just our opinion.
Has winning the competition actually changed anything for Emma? “Absolutely,” she said, enthusiastically. “Before the competition I was with my band, learning the hard way and business was tough, I was at quite a low point. Winning the competition, performing at such a terrific show, put me back on my game, gave me confidence to keep at it. It has certainly paid off!”
We asked Emma what advice she could give to the millions of other young people, hoping and dreaming of making a career in music. She was a little cautious and diffident, not wanting to sound pompous (as if!) but she thought about it and said:
“I would go the hard route, get in a band, learn an instrument, even if it’s only enough to help you write music, get out and play, do everything that’s offered to you, as a singer, do session work for producers and studios, get to know other bands and people involved in the industry.” One other nugget of advice occurred to her: “Oh, don’t let it rule you, have other interests, it will keep you sane.” Emma certainly has other interests – she has just picked up her BA Hons in Philosophy and Creative & Professional Writing - not just a pretty face, you know.
We’re looking forward to catching up with Emma backstage at this year’s Rock with Laughter shows, but who is she most looking forward to seeing on stage this year? “Gabrielle, of course. What a legend.”
