GARY BARLOW'S DIARY - August '99 last entry

Firstly, apologies that the August update is a little bit late. I've been travelling a lot lately (mostly Germany) and what with one thing and another I haven't had a chance to put pen to paper (not literally!).  

Anyway, August was the month for Roadshows. I ended up headlining a Red Dragon in Cardiff, Fox FM at Silverstone, GWR in Luton, Key 103's Mardi Gras in Manchester ( more about that fiasco later) and the Radio City Roadshow in Liverpool. I have to say that It was fantastic seeing so many familiar faces at the Roadshows - how do you always manage to get right to the front of the stage? It's impressive, I'll give you all that...  

I guess I should explain about the Mardi Gras in Manchester (much as I want to forget it), as my set was a complete disaster. The way the Roadshows work is that all the groups perform to backing tracks as there is no way that the event organisers can set up everyone's equipment so that you can play a fully live set as there is only 5 minutes changeover between artists. Anyway, to cut a long story short, for the first time ever, my backing track jumped and skipped all over the place because of a technical fault. Every time the track stopped, I tried to sing only to be interrupted by the sound technician trying to start the track again. This happened about 5 times and I have never been so embarrassed in my life. I apologise to all of you who made the effort to come and see me - what a nightmare!!!! Oh yeah, and cheers to all the newspapers who decided to make fun of me the next day saying that I can't sing live (nice!!!!!) If any journalists are in any doubt about my singing abilities they are welcome to come and see me for a one to one performance. Luckily, the City FM Roadshow which I did right afterwards was fantastic and the crowd were brilliant - there is a God!!  

In the middle of August I went off to film the video for 'For All That You Want' in Marlborough, England. I usually find shooting videos pretty boring but this one was top! The story is that a bunch of friends discover a deserted house whilst out on a walk that's full of old fairground equipment. We all start messing about with the equipment (what a hardship!) and then we stumble upon the Dodgem Cars. Apparently, I smile more in this video that in any other and I can tell you now that it's all down to the bumper cars. I love the Dodgems - in fact, the director couldn't keep me away from them - and all in all I had a brilliant day out which was a turn-up for the books.  

The other two exciting things that happened in August were going over to Amsterdam for a few days and the delivery of some new equipment for my studio at home. Firstly I'll talk about Amsterdam. I had to pick a place that I love so that the holiday programme could film me there. Well, it was tough choosing between Amsterdam and Venice, which are two of my favourite cities, but Amsterdam won the day. Basically when you watch 'Holiday Heaven', I'll be surprised if you see me doing anything other than eating because every corner that I turned led to one of my favourite restaurants (funny that!!). Mind you , the film crew made me cycle around the canals too and it was probably a good thing because I definitely needed the exercise. We love Amsterdam!!  

Lastly, but no means least, when I returned home, my new Euphonix studio equipment had arrive and I'm afraid to say that this event eclipsed everything else that happened during August. It is true to say that I was in seventh heaven as the new centre section for my mixing desk was being installed (sad, but true) and without sounding like a studio bore, I just love anything that enables me to produce better records. Luckily, my management company left me, undisturbed, for a few days so that I could familiarise myself with the new desk and as I hate reading instruction manuals, it probably takes me longer than average to bear.  

Anyhow, you'll be pleased to know that I have been inspired enough to write and demo six new songs already and as that's what this job is all about it can't be bad.  

In fact, If you don't mind, I've got a couple of hours spare now so I'll just nip back into the studio, but I'll come out again before my September update's due, I promise!! Actually, I'm going to have to, because with the release of 'For All That You Want' looming I'm going to have a lot of promo to do...

 You can read all the entries of the Diary here

GARY BARLOW'S DIARY - July '99

What a long month July has been - I seem to have done so much that I'm not quite sure where to begin...  

Anyway, I guess a good place to start is with The Party In The Park concert in Hyde Park. I just loved that concert! One hundred thousand people, thirty or more great bands and loads of sunshine. I had a really great time and managed to 'chat' to some of you afterwards when I did a live link to the Capital Radio Website.  

I also spent a bit of time in Cologne, Germany when I presented and performed on their version of Top Of The Pops. I love going to Cologne as one of my favourite restaurants in the world is situated there (you know how I love my food), and I always try and take the time to pay a visit. The Leek soup is one of my all time favourites!! I don't know whether I'm supposed to keep this a secret but the chef actually gave me the recipe the last time I went there, so watch out Gordon Ramsay I'm comin' atcha!!  

Towards the tail end of July I actually managed to spend quite a bit of time at home and I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed that. I've spent a lot of time mucking about with the rowing boat on the lake (except that Jess keeps trying to bite off the paddles on the oars) and I have been able to see a lot more of my little nephew Lewis. Actually, he was christened at the beginning of July and I am now officially his godfather - not quite sure if my brother knows what he's letting himself and Lewis in for but there you go! My Dad's bought some peacocks to add to the animal farm and I'm now woken up at the crack of dawn to them screeching... cheers Dad!  

Of course, July 5th saw the launch of my Website and what a success it's been. I can sit for hours reading your messages, so thank you for those.  

I've also been spending time in my studio and I'm about to upgrade the desk so I'm really excited about the arrival of the new equipment. I'll try not to sound like a studio bore but I will have to refer to the arrival of the equipment in my August update. Sorry Folks, but this is a big event for me!  

For those of you who've been asking Dawn is fine but she's been busy working for most of July which means that I'm winning the suntan competition (for once!!).  

We've also decided on the new single and it's called 'For All That You Want' and it'll be out at the end of September. I've already performed it at some of the Roadshows I've been doing and I'd love to know what you think if you've had a chance to hear it. I'll be shooting the video soon so again I'll give you more information about this in next month's update.  

I have managed to meet up with Mike Hrano too and we've started recording the next Fanclub CD already - I hate the sound of my own voice but as long as you don't mind listening to me I'll keep rambling on (and on and on)!!!!  

Well, I'm writing this whilst I'm doing promotion in Finland and as I'm just being called into the TV studio, I'd better finish up.  

A big thank you to all of you who have bought 'Stronger' and for coming along to support me when I've been out 'doing my thing' - I really appreciate it.  

Anyhow, here's to a repeat of all the great weather we've been having for August - you watch it'll start raining now I've said that!! 

 You can read all the entries of the Diary here

GARY BARLOW'S DIARY - June '99

This has been a really busy month. It started off with the filming of my Channel 4 Special with Andi Peters - I had great fun doing this but it was a rush as they had to transmit it less than a week after filming finished. Anyway it's on air again on Sunday 13th July so if you didn't catch it at the beginning of June watch out for the repeat. My favourite filmpiece however was for GMTV as it took place at the Jordan Garage. It's a shame really as you won't have got to see what a fantastic time we had at Jordan but we ended up spending virtually the whole day there and Eddie Jordan himself escorted me around and let me into a few of his secrets. Secretly, I was hoping that he'd take me on as his new driver as Damon Hill had announced his retirement the day before I got there but for some reason Eddie wasn't forthcoming with the invitation... odd that!!  

Anyway, I also made a couple of trips to Germany and Italy during June and it was good to see some familiar faces amongst the European fans. I had a great time performing at Festival Bar in Italy but the moment was spoiled as The Sun newspaper decided to print a picture of me with The Cartoons with a really unfair and nasty caption. I wouldn't mind, but when the picture was taken with The Cartoons we were all mucking about and having a good laugh (you only have to look at my double chin in the picture to see what I mean!). Anyway, I asked the photographer to send me a copy of the pic and the next thing I know it's being reported that I threw a tantrum and didn't want anyone to see the picture. Cheeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrssssssss!!!!!!!!!  

Anyhow, at least The Jordan Team had a successful time at The French Grand Prix and to put things in perspective, there are only two weeks to go until the British Grand Prix... remember Eddie I'm still available if you're one driver short ! 

 You can read all the entries of the Diary here