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CHESNEY HAWKES - ACOUSTIC TOUR 2009

Born into a musical family (his father is the singer Chip Hawkes, formerly with the 1960s band The Tremeloes), Chesney Hawkes' own career began at 19, when he appeared as the title character in the film Buddy's Song alongside Roger Daltrey. In March 1991, he released his biggest single "The One And Only," from the film's soundtrack. Written By Nik Kershaw, the song was later featured in the opening credits of Doc Hollywood (1991), starring Michael J. Fox. The single spent five weeks at Number 1. It has become part of the soundtrack of a generation, and still features on radio playlists, compilations and in DJ sets everywhere.

Subsequent singles also charted, including What's Wrong With This Picture? , his 2002 collaboration with Adam Schlessinger of Fountains of Wayne,  Stay Away Baby Jane and his most recent release Another Fine Mess in 2006, which was a collaboration with Nik Kershaw  and saw the pairing return to the charts, 15 years after their first success.

Also the title song from his first album  for many years  Another Fine Mess  was released on the Sargent Poppy label, his own imprint. The culmination of three years' work, it was a collection of 16 songs, all co-written by Chesney except for one track, 'Come and Get it', a Chesney favourite which was written by Paul McCartney and recorded by Badfinger, reaching number 4 in 1970 and later by the hugely popular Jellyfish.

Brimming with talented collaborators, producers on the album include Charlton Pettus, acclaimed for his work with Tears for Fears, Nik Kershaw and Chris Nicolaides, fresh from his work on Mika's Platinum selling album, Life in Cartoon Motion. Co-writers on the album include Phil Thornally, Adam Schlesinger and, of course, Nik.

Chesney has also had success as a songwriter for other artists, including A1, Caprice, Tricky, Jennifer Paige, Hepburn, Tears for Fears and of course, Nik Kershaw.  He also often works with the comedian and best-selling author Tony Hawks, on songs that are available on MySpace.

In 2001 Chesney embarked on a 'mini' tour with his four piece band, which was initially intended to take in five dates. The word spread very quickly and universities, colleges and clubs all over the country were soon booking Chesney and the band. The 'mini' tour has now exceeded 600 dates and when added to Chesney's performances at many open air summer radio road shows, the combined 'live' audience to which he has performed during the period has now topped the 1 million mark.

Chesney has combined touring with appearing on Channel 4's Top Ten Teen Idols, CD:UK, London Tonight, VH1, Popworld, Question of Pop, Banzai, Loose Women, Matthew Wright Show, This Morning, BBC's The Cinema Show, Big Brother's Big Mouth, Celebrity Big Brother, The Graham Norton Show, Britain's Got Talent and Jonathan Ross on Radio 2. He has presented two shows for VH1/MTV and has taken part in a celebrity edition of The Weakest Link. Chesney took part in Channel 4's The Games emerging a medal winner and has appeared on the Granada/LWT show Hit Me Baby One More Time. He has also appeared on a Champion of Champions edition of The Games.

In 2008, Chesney starreded in a national tour of the new musical, Can't Smile Without You, featuring more than 40 of the songs of Barry Manilow.

Chesney's number 1 love and main priority is songwriting and producing, so if he's not performing he's in the studio working on songs for himself and others. He also organizes an annual songwriting retreat in Iceland called Songfusion.

This is a chance to spend an evening with Chesney Hawkes the songwriter, as he leads you through his musical journey, performing his own songs, his collaborations with other artists and a few of his personal favourites.

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