Backing Vocalist

DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS!

Kim is the backing singer in the 7-piece live house band for the UK version of the hit TV gameshow "Don't Forget the Lyrics". Hosted by the very popular Shane Richie, the first series aired on Sky One from May through August 2008 and was their highest rating show during this period. The "Celebrity Special" at Christmas time featured Gareth Gates, Cerys Matthews (from 'Catatonia') and David Gest as contestants. The successful follow-up series is being broadcast on Sky throughout this year - check your TV guide for details.

Here's what the band's Musical Director, Jess Bailey (Spandau Ballet, Randy Crawford, Simply Red, Alison Moyet, Corinne Bailey Rae etc), had to say about working with Kim on these series: "...Kim had the very difficult task of being all voices to all people and in all styles...she has a flawless ear and a wonderful sense of harmony...we were able to make one or two voices sound like many more..."

Click here to view some of Kim's backing vocal highlights from the first series.

 

Backing vocals, vocal harmonies and blend are Kim’s specialty areas and passion. Ever since she was a little girl Kim was always picking out the harmonies before ever bothering with a melody. Kim's mum claims she found Kim singing harmonies along to ads and songs when she was only 3 years old!

Here are some of the diverse artists that Kim has had the good fortune to work with in various capacities:

Michael Jackson
    • Björk (backing choir on “Oceania", “Medulla” album)

Björk
    • Michael McDonald (Live backing vocals: “Top of the Pops” BBC2, Royal Albert Hall, Mermaid Theatre, BBC Radio 2)

Michael McDonald

Natalie Cole
    • Michael Bolton (TV backing vocals- “Brian Conley Show” ITV, Choir Director - Brisbane Entertainment Centre)

Michael Bolton
    • Rick Astley (Live backing vocals and Choir Director - Shepherd's Bush Empire, London)

Rick Astley

Puff Daddy
    • Neil Diamond (Sole live backing vocalist - American Embassy, Dublin, Ireland)

Neil Diamond
    • Lulu (Live backing vocals - Michael McDonald concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London)

Lulu
    • Hamish Stuart - Average White Band (Live backing vocals - Michael McDonald concert at the Royal Albert Hall and Mermaid Theatre, London)

Hamish Stuart
Shane Richie
Gareth Gates
Cerys Matthews
David Gest
    • Thelma Houston (Live backing vocals - Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast, Australia)
Thelma Houston
    • Barry Manilow (Choir Director - Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Australia)
Barry Manilow
    • Brian Conley (Studio backing vocals - album "Let The Good Times Roll")
Brian Conley
    • Westlife (Choir Director - no.1 hit "Queen of my Heart")

Westlife
    • Maria Lawson (Sole studio backing vocalist for UK "X Factor" finalist 2005 on her debut single "Sleepwalking")

Maria Lawson
    • Michelle McManus (Sole studio backing vocalist for UK "Pop Idol" Winner 2003, unreleased track "Everything Changes")

Michelle McManus
    • Jo O'Meara (Sole studio backing vocalist for S Club 7 singer on unreleased track "Learn To Love Again")

Jo O'Meara
    • Uriah Heep (Live backing vocals and flute on live recordings “Acoustically Driven” and “The Magician’s Birthday Party” - CD's and DVD's )

Uriah Heep

also ...

    • Danny Seward (from the ITV hit series "Where The Heart Is") Sole studio backing vocalist on album "Where My Heart Is"
    • Pat Kane of “Hue & Cry” fame and the BBC Big Band (Live backing vocals - BBC Radio 2)
    • Nicki French (“Total Eclipse of the Heart”) Live backing vocals
    • "Suspiciously Elvis" Live backing vocals

and for the Aussies ...

Here's what the industry professionals are saying about Kim's abilities as a backing vocalist:

"Recently when asked about Kim, I said that she's the one person you'll want on a gig. Vocal ability that others wished they were blessed with, incredible sensitivity, phenomenal technique, great working personality, the one you want around if you’re in charge, where you lack, she'll pick up...", TONY WALTHERS.
(Backing vocalist / Fixer: “Love Actually”, “Shrek 2”, Will Young, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Toto, Pet Shop Boys, Sting, Frankie Valli, Robert Palmer, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams etc)
Tony Walthers

"I have had the pleasure of working with Kim on a number of different projects, from hard rock and soft acoustic tracks with Uriah Heep, to dance/funk styles with various artists, and also very straight musical show type material. I have always been amazed at Kim's ability to cope effortlessly with whatever I've thrown at her! She has a great feel for all styles, excellent pitching, is never late, and is also a fine musician, being able to sight read efficiently when needed. Oh, and she happens to have a great sounding voice too!! Kim is definitely one of the best out there.", PIP WILLIAMS.
(Producer: Status Quo, Shirley Bassey, The Moody Blues, Kiki Dee, Elton John, Uriah Heep, Jim Diamond, Doctor Feelgood, Bucks Fizz, Elkie Brooks, Barbara Dickson, Nightwish etc)

Clips

Click here to see Kim in action singing backing vocals with Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole and Uriah Heep ...

Kim singing BV's with Natalie Cole

The Singer

Magazine Article

"The Singer" magazine featured an article written by Kim called "Backing Up" which discusses the ins-and-outs of being a backing vocalist.

"Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your article on backing singing. You managed to include the right balance of practical advice with anecdote and really made clear the role of the backing singer - how important and undervalued it is - without labouring the point. Thank you very much for doing it.", ANTONIA COULING (Editor - "The Singer").

You can email Kim to request a copy of the article.