Neil Gits Sad …

I was as upset as anyone at hearing the news this week about the sudden passing of Gateway’s founding director Yvonne Williams. I joined the radio station before it got its full time licence when I was invited to host a soul show in the summer of 2007 and first met Yvonne then as I hosted programmes twice a year on a monthly licence. When we began broadcasts on 97.8FM permanently in September 2010, I started coming in weekly on a Monday and would invariably bump into her either in reception or the studio for a quick chat and catch up. She seemed to really enjoy what I do on air and gave me a totally free rein to play and do what I like with the show, making it far and away the most enjoyable experience I have ever had, in the most relaxing and friendly environment. Yvonne also had time for my young son Nathan who used to accompany me and encouraged him to “play” in the studios off-air, as a result of that I have a CD of him aged around 9 years old presenting a one -hour “programme” which he was thrilled to make !

Yvonne was brilliant with people, old or young, and we went through a lot between us in the eight and more years I knew her – the fire of course, health & family problems, a burglary and other minor issues, which she was happy to let me get off my chest in the time leading up to my show each week. Thanks to Yvonne and the other good folk around her I’ve met during my time here, I must be one of the very few people who actually looks forward to Mondays !

It won’t be the same this week coming into the station knowing she won’t be there to greet me, but not much stopped Yvonne doing what she loved doing and believed in and in that spirit …the show must go on .  You can hear this week’s show, which went out shortly before we all heard the sad news, on air right now, then it will return live on Monday at 7pm with I am sure a tune or two with Yvonne in mind. RIP

 

The Tunes
Mac Band – Roses Are Red
Rene & Angela – Save Your LoShalamar – I Owe You One
Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers – Bustin’ Loose
Diana Ross – My Old Piano
Aretha Franklin – Rock Steady
Charlie Wilson – Hey Lover
Peaches & Herb – I Need Your Love So Desperately
Calvin Brooks & Hari Parris – My Favourite Thing
Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgetting
Peggi Blu – Tender Moments
Stevie Wonder – Boogie On Reggae Woman
Harvey Mason – Till You Take My Love
Linda Williams – City Living
Gerald Albright – King Boulevard
52nd Street – Tell Me How It Feelsve For No:1
Sylvester – Dance (Disco Heat)
Kenya – Let Me (Tom Glide Rework)
The Ebonys – It’s Forever
Roy Ayers – You Send Me
Genobia Jeter – Things Got To Get Better
Soul II Soul – Back To Life
Brooklyn Soul Biscuits – Beautiful Day

This Month’s Gigs

Saturday 5th March
“The Soulbeat Sessions”
(Every first Saturday of the month)
The Clarendon Royal Hotel, Royal Pier Road, Gravesend, Kent
DJs: Terry Brown & guests
Free Entry ; 8pm – 1am

Saturday 5th March
“KTF Soul Club 6th Birthday Party”
Downstairs at The Old Regent Ballroom, Stanford Le Hope, SS17 0AQ
DJs: Dick Coombes & Sean Pumfrett
Tickets £6 in advance (inc free CD) or £8 on the door
7.30pm – 1.00 am
https://www.facebook.com/events/1695878584003985/

Saturday 5th March
(also 16th April/7th May/4th June)
“Movers & Shakers”
The Manor Hotel, Berwick Pond Road, Rainham, Essex, RM13 9EL
“Two Rooms Of Music: Club Classics, Funk & Soul, old & new”
DJs: Steve G & Robbie Collins plus guests
Tickets £5 ; Over 30s ; 8pm – 1.30am
(07910)758621 – www.skiddle.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/1725501844352255/

Friday 11th March
“Soul Reunited”
RUSS Club, Mawney Road, Romford, RM7 7HB
DJs: Tony Matthews, Roni O’Brien, Jazzbod
9pm – 2am ; £5 Entry
Tel (01708) 762743

Saturday 12th March
“Canvey Island Goldmine Reunion”
The Monico, Eastern Esplanade, Canvey Island, SS8 7DN
Original Goldmine DJs: Jeff Young, Snowboy, Bob Jones & Grumpy Brown
“Jazz-Funk, Soul, Rare Grooves – Genuine pre-1984 Goldmine Music!”
9pm – 3am www.wegottickets.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/128188574230405/

Saturday 12th March
“Shuffle !!”
Coco Latino, Military Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 9LG
“Steaming Funk, Cool Jazz, Crossover Fusion,
Latin Rhythms, Afro Beats & Samba Kandi”
9pm – 1.00am ; Free Entry
DJ Lee Aitch
https://www.facebook.com/events/743034632495340/

Saturday 12th March
“Soul By The Sea”
(Every Second Saturday)
The Divers Arms, Central Parade, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5JQ
DJs: Tom G Edgar , Peter Hayes , Tommy Boy
Guest DJ: James JJ Williams
7.00pm – 1.00am ; Free Entry !
https://www.facebook.com/events/1692151301003360/

Friday 18th March
(every third Friday)
“Soulful Seduction ”
Woodmans Arms, Thundersley, Essex, SS7 3TA
“Soul, Funk, Disco, Weekender & Club Anthems !”
DJs: Bully & MJ plus guest DJ
8.00pm – 1.00am ; Free Entry

Friday 18th March
The Grey Lady Music Lounge, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5TW
(Every 3rd Friday of the month)
“Rare Soul Night”
DJs: John Browne, Tracey Shaw plus guests
7.30 – 1.30 am ; Tickets £5 on the door ; Tel (01892) 544700

Saturday 19th March
(Every 3rd Saturday of the month)
“Super Soul Saturday”
The Cricketers, Moulsham Street, CM2 0JT Chelmsford
DJ: Paul Eve & Hugsta plus guest DJ
“The Very Best In Soul, Jazz-Funk, Boogie & Old School RnB”
7.30pm – Midnight – Free Entry

Saturday 19th March
“Soul By The Jetty – Spring Special!”
The Lobster Smack, Haven Road, Canvey Island, SS8 0NR
DJs: Jonny Layton, Mark Messent, Brian Kelly, Ian Holmes
Special Guest: Original Canvey Boy : Steve Brown
“Jazz, Funk, Soul, Nu-Jazz, Soulful House & more”
“Keeping The Goldmine Spirit Alive on Canvey Island”
https://www.facebook.com/events/1666955413557017/

Friday 25th March
“The Long Good Friday – Part 3”
Essex Sports Village, Purfleet Road, Aveley, RM15 4DT
“Two Rooms Of Soul & More…”
6pm – 2am ;
Tickets £10
Stomp DJ Team
www.stompradio.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/204462933234360/

Saturday 26th March
“The 8th Annual Frog March”
The George II, High Street, Hornchurch, RM12 4UW
“Soul All Dayer in memory of legendary DJ Froggy”
Three rooms of tunes – Main Room, House Room &
A special Vinyl Room !
1pm – 2am ; Free Admission
https://www.facebook.com/events/795910353871618/

 

Weekenders:

Friday 4th – Sunday 6th March
“SFA 2016 – The Soul Family Affair !”
Searles Holiday Resort, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 5BB
Two Rooms: 1) Nu Soul, Boogie, Soulful House, Jazz-Funk
2) Motown, Jazz, Northern, Reggae, Modern Classics
DJs include: Martin Collins, Tony Fernandez, Ian Reading
Brian Kelly, Chris Brown & Les Knott
More info at www.soulfamilyaffair.co.uk or :
https://www.facebook.com/events/809156585838237/

Friday 25th March – Monday 28th March (Easter!)
“The Claremont Soul Weekend”
Claremont Pier, Lowestoft, NR33 0BS
“Four Rooms of Soulful Classics, RnB, Jazz-Funk & House”
**Beggar & Co – Live Set ! **
DJs including:
Greg Edwards, James Anthony, Phil Baker & Stretch Taylor
More details from :
https://www.facebook.com/events/509227909255483/

Do you know of any soulful, jazzy, funky gigs taking place in 2016 ? Let me know the details whether you are a DJ or a punter and I can spread the word to fellow “Old Gits” in this space !

E-mail: [email protected] or send a text message to (01268)833978
The Old Gits Soul Show is on Gateway 97.8 in Basildon & East Thurrock and also around the world via www.gateway978.com from 7pm – 9pm every Monday – plus you can catch it again Saturday evening from 5pm – 7pm