Today’s speaker was Stuart Atkins, a past M.C. at the Batley Variety Club. Stuart was standing in for his wife, Patti Gold, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, and has been advised by her doctors to refrain from professional engagements for the foreseeable future. He gave us a very entertaining presentation, entitled The Great American Songbook, both verbally, vocally, and musically, of the works of American composers Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Hoagie Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, Sammy Caan, Rodgers and Hart, and Burt Bacharach. He emphasised the importance for these composers of writing music and songs that would be repeatedly broadcast, so as to gain the maximum income from performance rights.
This was a presentation that resonated well with the audience, being comprised of music with melodies and lyrics to which we could all relate.
He completed his presentation by playing a longer selection of music by George Gershwin, adding his thoughts that the Great American Songbook will never be complete, as it is being enhanced by new works on a regular basis.
A vote of thanks was given by the secretary, and the meeting closed at 11.55.