Our secret gig still sells out after 20 years

This week saw Paul Jones and Friends play two sell out shows at G-Live Guildford, raising over £80,000 for charity.

The concert saw a host of stars perform, including Van Morisson, Andy Fairweather-Low, Eric Bibb, Colin Blunstone of The Zombies, Dave Kelly of The Blues Band, Lianne Carrol, Chantal McGregor, and 3 times UK Blues Award winner Mississippi Macdonald, and backed by top session players including Paddy Milner (keys, Tom Jones), Scott McKeon (Tom Jones) and Derek Nash (sax, Jools Holland, The Wonder of Stevie). The event was hosted by Manfred Mann and the Blues Band vocalist Paul Jones, who was often enticed into duetting with the artists with his incredible harmonica playing.

The secret gig has been organised by Tony Smith of Eclectic Live Music, and has raised over £400,000 over the years. “This year is the 20th anniversary of the concert initially conceived to save a funding shortfall at Cranleigh Arts Centre. We have gone on to support them and The Prostate Project – a cancer charity based at Royal Surrey County Hospital, after I was diagnosed 15 years ago. The event has helped fund charities projects including building the Stokes Urology centre, a mobile ‘Man Van’ testing programme, and now a prostate cancer vaccine research programme.

“My thanks to the fantastic artists for donating their time and producing a wonderful show every year, and to our loyal patrons who sell-out this show on the strength of a couple of emails!”

Chairman of The Prostate Project Martin Davies said: “This event is important in both reaching the right audience, and raising much needed funds. I know that many audience members have been prompted to get tested from this event, with dozens being caught early. This year we gave away the new Prostate Cancer PSA self testing kits to those that requested them, and we are very grateful for the positive response, and overflowing buckets at the end of the night!”

If you would like to be the first to know about this secret gig, or other Eclectic Live Music shows, do join Tony’s mailing list.

You can donate to the Prostate Project here.

Photo: Rob Blackham / Blackham Images