My first blog :-)

Hello and welcome to my personal blog !

My name is Claire Simone, and I am what I lovingly refer to as a "struggling artist", so to speak LOL.
By that I mean someone who is trying to make my way in the music industry.

I decided to start writing a blog to tell my story so far and keep a kind of diary of events and happenings in my life for anyone who may be interested in reading it.
I do have a website and I am a member of so many networking sites such as myspace, I have actually lost count now..but it is all in the name of shameless self promotion. I intend to use this blog to share my experiences behind the scenes of what is my "internet persona".

I could start by telling you how cut throat, soul destroying, door slamming, back stabbing and emotionally draining this music industry is, and how you need to grow the biggest pair of balls ever to go the distance..well I kind of just did lol, nevertheless I LOVE what I do :-) . I am going to tell you my story so far in chapters starting from the beginning, and you can make your own mind up !

CHAPTER ONE-The karaoke Queen

Some people may think that by sharing this particular episode about Karaoke, I will be commiting a cardinal sin in the music world, but this is a true account of how I entered music, and I intend to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth !!!
My experiences have brought me to where I am now, and taught me everything I know.
I could tell you I was the daughter of a Great Blues singer, brought up surrounded by music and musicians, but I wasn't.
I do however owe alot to my step dad, who took me to see BB King when I was 13, and introduced me to bands such as Fleetwood Mac. I would spend much of my time in my bedroom singing along to Michael Jackson, and Heart, I believe these artists actually taught me how to sing.

I have been singing professionally for about 15 years, not counting the serenades to my mates during our cider drinking, fag smoking years of high school where I would spout songs from Disney films much to my friends delight..ignoring the comments about what a great voice I had, I just liked to be centre of attention really. I never took it too seriously, mainly because I had been denied entry into the school choir, which I assumed was because I wasn't a very good singer, when in actually fact my mum told me years later, was because I was "a bit out of control", so my teacher had told her in parents evening.

My first actual vocal outing was at a Karaoke night at my regular establishment ( boozer). I even remember the song I sang, it was "Black Velvet" by Alana Miles, I was 18 and rather intoxicated. My friend had been nagging me to get up and sing for weeks, so one night when I was suitably merry I thought sod it, and so began my career as a singer, that very moment.
After I had finished the song the whole pub errupted into cheering and banging the tables shouting for more..I remember going bright red and feeling astounded from all the attention. The Karaoke compere asked me if I wanted so sing another song and after a minute of thought I said..UUmmm ok, after that there was no stopping me !

I became a regular at karaoke nights, enjoying the great responses I would receive, and growing in confidence, but at this time not considering becomming a professional singer at all. Then I met a man who offered me the opportunity to run karaoke nights myself, and during this time I learned ALOT..including how to deal with very drunk punters LOL. Seriously though, with the vast catalogue of songs available to sing I made my way through hundreds of songs, in all styles, from 4 non blondes to Kate Bush. I quickly began to find my own voice and play with arrangements of classic songs and as my friend would say " sing them my own way ".

My time travelling around pubs, clubs and hotels with karaoke was certainly a fun, if not crazy time. I sometimes miss my red van with the blocked out back windows which meant I was constantly stopped by the police late at night asking where I had been, I'm not sure what they thought I had in the back lol.

I spent two and a half years as a karaoke compere before venturing out as a soloist, and moving into bands, but I shall continue my story in my next blog..

I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog, and hope you will visit for the next installment

Please feel free to comment, would love to hear from you

Claire xx