Meet the Band

Experience: Lyndsay has been performing for over 20 years in a variety of projects from choirs to live bands. Having found her voice in a Nottingham gospel choir, she progressed to singing both backing and lead vocals in bands mostly with a focus on soul / motown / disco / pop.  She has performed at venues ranging from local festivals to the Birmingham National Indoor Arena with an award winning artist at the Brit Asia Awards.

Musical Influences: Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake

Favourite Album: Thriller by Michael Jackson

Band member most likely to ...  take home some lost property after a gig

Experience: Janine loved to sing from an early age and learnt how to harmonise in her bedroom listening to Whitney Houston records.  She started writing her own songs at the age of 12 and has had experience in performing at various events, carnivals, clubs, both solo and with live bands. From providing backing vocals at the Brit Asia Music Awards to playing Motormouth Maybelle in the Nottingham Operatic Society’s rendition of the musical Hairspray.

Musical Influences: Whitney Houston, Mary J Blige, Faith Evans, Mariah Carey, Deborah Cox, Amy Winehouse, Adele and Beyonce.

Favourite Album: Whitney by Whitney Houston

Band member most likely to …  wear gorgeous but uncomfortable shoes.

Experience: Fiona trained as a classical musician before turning her vocals to Funk and Soul at 19. She was part of Nottingham’s Funky Way, a 14 piece line up before moving to London where she performed at high profile corporate events as a soloist for Saatchi and Saatchi, Hard Rock Cafe, The Marquee Club, Barclays, Pizza Express Jazz Club and the OXO Tower. She is also a violinist and pianist. 

Musical Influences: Carleen Anderson, Nina Simone, 

Favourite Album: Lucy Pearl by Lucy Pearl 

Band member most likely to ...  get lost getting to and from the venue.

Experience: Experience: Ashley joined the Army at 18 as a professional Trumpeter. He has travelled the world with his trumpet performing on live TV, at a royal wedding and at Live 8.  
Ashley works as a teacher and enjoys working with musicians and students in the Midlands.   

Musical Influences: Very eclectic mix from Mahler to Fat Boy Slim

Favourite Album: Anything Gordon Goodwin

Band member most likely to ... eat the cake (any cake!)

Experience: 10 years with Dance Stance (Atherstones finest ever band), even more years with the mighty Groovy Gang.

Musical Influences: The Crusaders, King Curtis, Maceo Parker and Kajagoogoo.

Favourite Album: Songs In The Key of Life by Stevie Wonder

Band member most likely to ... be in the bar or go walkabout up a mountain

Experience: Richard is the keeper of the keys to the ministry. Richard, classically trained, has over 20 years experience in function bands. He has travelled and played at some of the best pubs, clubs, hotels and venues this country has to offer and include Birmingham's ICC and the National Motorcycle Museum.

Musical Influences: Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Earth Wind and Fire, The Beatles, Elvis, Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole

Favourite Album: Off The Wall by Michael Jackson

Band member most likely to ...  be in a kebab shop at the end of a gig!

Experience: Jonathan trained at Birmingham Conservatoire and has played bass in a wide variety of venues across the country from working men’s clubs to theatres, the Jam House in Birmingham and Ronnie Scotts, in Pantomime for First Family Entertainments, for the CBSO and has been gigging since the age of 15 in a wide variety of original and function bands. When not getting into the groove with the Ministry of Soul Jonathan teaches music, media and photography.

Musical Influences: James Jamerson, Bernard Edwards, Marcus Miller, Deon Estus and John Taylor

Favourite Album: Rio by Duran Duran

Band member most likely to ... miss a turning on the way to a gig

Experience: Paul started playing the drums from an early age and has been regularly gigging since he was a teenager.  He has played with many different bands building up a magnitude of styles in his repertoire.  Paul has played in funk, soul, rock, blues, reggae, pop, disco and Motown bands over the years. There is nothing he enjoys more than laying down killer beats to get everyone up on their feet dancing.

Musical Influences: Mitch Mitchel, John Bonham, Will Calhoon, Neil Peart, Mike Portnoy, Stuart Copeland, Clyde Stubblefield, Jojo Mayer, Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, Ringo Star

Favourite album: Urban Species - Listen

Band member most likely to ….. be the first to arrive and last to leave

Experience: Has been playing guitar longer than he dares admit. Playing in various bands and range of venues from March of the Mods to the renowned Gliderdome at Boston.

Musical Influences: Link Wray, Wilco Johnson, Nile Rodgers, Prince Nelson Rodgers, Ronald Binge

Favourite album: Sign O The Times by Prince

Band member most likely to ….. get lost at venues