Showcase shines a light on the past, present and future of local music

---

Chance to add your name to the list of West London's greatest music acts

Anyone looking to add their name to the list of West London’s greatest music acts could get a step closer to their dream on October 25 when they get the chance to prove themselves at a showcase in Shepherds Bush.

The event, being held at the FM Bar, just off Uxbridge Road, from 9pm, will feature performances of reggae, soul and ska songs that reflect the history of black music in West London, before a series of current musicians and MCs take to the stage. Finally, an open mike session will give aspiring artists the opportunity to impress the crowd and secure advice and guidance for the future.

The showcase is being organised by Community Entertainment Enterprise (CEE), a non-profit organisation that helps to nurture local talent and to bring people of all ages together through music. CEE has won lottery funding to create a written and recorded history of black music in West London since the fifties, and is also taking part in Black History Month at Riverside Studios, providing an intermission music selection in the café-bar and in the cinema on October 19. CEE is hoping that the open mike session at the showcase will throw up new talent, which they can then mentor and promote at future events.

Says Budgie Campbell, founder of Community Entertainment Enterprise, “We’ve been promoting West London talent through workshops and showcases for over 20 years now, because we want to make sure they are not excluded from any opportunities that others might enjoy. As well as the Shepherds Bush showcase, we plan to hold weekly events at the Tudor Rose in Southall, so that people can hear the songs that have played such a big part in our history and can listen to the stars of tomorrow. A big thank you to Focus West and Brent Business Venture for sponsoring our work, and I’m looking forward to seeing lots of people at the FM Bar on the 25th.”

One of the artists that CEE has previously showcased is Sister Levi, a singer-songwriter of roots reggae and lovers rock. “Community Entertainment Enterprise have been absolutely brilliant about giving me the opportunity to perform my work and get myself recognised,” she says. “Thanks to Budgie I’ve performed on the BBC open air stage, in front of the Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, and in Acton Park – all lovely big events where a lot of people can come and hear your music. These showcases always have a mixture of older and younger performers and in that sense Community Entertainment Enterprise is helping to bring back the days of old, when everyone in the community met up and was entertained together.”

Another of the acts that CEE has showcased is Got 2 Remember, led by Niles Hailstones. Says Niles, “Got 2 Remember is a family-based group that I run with my son Nathan to promote father-son unity, and to make people aware of the culture and tradition behind modern music. Community Entertainment Enterprise has always been really supportive of what we do, and their events are an opportunity to meet people and demonstrate our work. Budgie is heavily involved in the community and in trying to get some exposure for local youth, so that allows us to make connections with young people and tell them about the responsibilities that go with writing and performing music.”

Eileen Murphy is manager of Focus West, the West London media support agency that is based at the Business Enterprise Centre in Shepherds Bush and which is sponsoring the showcase. Says Eileen: “We’re very proud to be sponsoring the showcase and want to wish all the performers well as they launch their careers in the music business. Here at Focus West, it’s our goal to nurture and support those involved in the media industries, so that they can thrive in a very competitive world. West London has a tremendous history of generating talented musicians and artists, but it’s also important that we invest in emerging performers in order for this legacy to continue. I really hope that as many people as possible attend the event and get involved.”