Charlie Landsborough often cut a lonely figure in his decades-long struggle to become a full-time musician.
But for his next UK tour he’ll have plenty of people around.
That’s because the singer is launching a contest to find new acts to open his shows.
The 71-year-old isn’t looking for the latest country star to step into his cowboy boots, though he’s hunting for the best local choirs.
“For each of my 20 tour dates we’re looking for local choral groups to enter by recording one of my songs,” he explains.
“It’ll be really interesting for me to hear interpretations of my own music. The overall winning choir will receive £1,000.”
Charity will also benefit, with the £25 entry fee for each choir going to Children in Need.
Charlie’s just back from a five-week tour of Australia, starting in Queensland and working his way down to Tasmania.
That’s a lot of travelling but he remains thankful to finally be making a living from music after years of knockbacks.
“I did a variety of jobs before finally going full-time and I wasn’t particularly good at any of them! I was a navvy, a postman, a teacher, you name it.
“But the goal was always music. I didn’t want to be famous, I just wanted to be a working musician.
“The breakthrough came after yet another knockback. I was 53 by then and thought it just wasn’t going to happen, but I decided not to give up.
“I called Irish TV station RTE and asked if they’d put me on. They said they’d been trying to contact me for a month to have me play! I went over and did two songs. A fortnight later, I was top of the Irish charts.”
Entry forms and further information can be found at charlielandsborough.com. Entries must be submitted by July 31.
Charlie’s Scottish dates are Glenrothes (October 18) and Motherwell (October 19).
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