GRAHAM NOON
HORSHAM
About ODNT
Old Dogs New Trax Limited is a new company spearheaded by hit singer songwriter David Martin. As part of the Arnold Martin Morrow songwriting team, his songs have sold in excess of 30 million worldwide and among the hits include; Barry Manilow (Can’t Smile Without You) Number 1 in the USA, Guys and Dolls (There’s A Whole Lot Of Loving) Number 1 in the UK and no less than four songs recorded by the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley. David is delighted to have linked up with two new names to the songwriting world, Graham Noon and Ian Williams.
David Martin
''I am delighted to have discovered and introduce my two good friends Graham Noon and Ian Williams to you all. They are both talented singer/songwriters, Graham has played with an array of artists over the years; Geno Washington, Jimmy James, PP Arnold and Eighties band Blue Zoo. Graham also has his own busy working recording studio 'Eversfield Studio’ Recent years have seen his songwriting skills develop, the evidence of which, can be heard below. Ian Williams is what we term a 'late developer' in the world of music. A successful businessman, his obvious and natural singing and songwriting skills, have played second fiddle to his working life. Launching this site enables me therefore, to not only bring new songs of my own to the music business but to also introduce the special talents of Graham and Ian .. I hope our songs strike a chord and as a precurser to exploring our website I thought this little 'story behind the song', might inspire any new writers who log in.
Truth is, I had no idea that a card I was given from a close relative, would inspire me to write a song 'Cant Smile Without You'. A song that would eventually reach the Number 1 spot in the USA, as recorded by the legendary superstar Barry Manilow. Neither did I know that the song would be recorded and performed by a host of other artists including The Carpenters, Englebert Humperdink, Boyzone, Andy Williams, and would also feature in a stage production of the same name, starring Chesney Hawkes which toured the UK. The musical,“Can’t Smile Without You” featured Manilow songs, and was produced by theatrical impresario Bill Kenwright! The song has also been featured in a number of big feature length movies including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Hell Boy 2, Male Gigolo, Starsky and Hutch and is currently in the new Bruce Willis movie.
All of this happened via my own original recording of the song and the belief of my publisher at the time Arthur Braun, who worked for the Dick James Organisation. It was Arthur who took the song to Music Mogul Clive Davies, boss of Arista Records, and it was Clive who persuaded Barry Manilow to record it. All of this just goes to show, that any song we write may have such a potential fate and if we believe enough, then our dreams can come true. I hope you enjoy exploring ODNT and remember that from little acorns large trees can bloom and blossom and in the launch of this new Website, we believe we have some musical treasures waiting to be discovered."
Selection of Artists and song numbers attributed to the pen of DM:
HIT SONG SALES 30 MILLION WORLDWIDE
Elvis Presley... 4 songs
Cliff Richard… 2 songs
The Shadows … 2 songs
Barry Manilow.. . 1 song
David Essex… 2 songs
The Carpenters…1 song
BBC Choir … 1 song
Guys and Dolls... 10 songs
Butterscoth … 10 songs
Jack Jones … 1 song
Mamma Cass... 1 song
Sandy Shaw... 1 song
Englebert H … 1 song
Cilla Black … 1 song
Wayne Newton 1 song
Graham Noon
Music was always around the NooN household from an early age, Graham’s grandfather a choir master, composer and fellow member of the Royal College of organists. His great aunt Gladys a session violinist for the BBC in the 1930’s and his father a saxophonist. In his teens Graham developed his skills as a musician, keyboard player, playing at gigs from an early age with his father and various bands. Aged 19 the opportunity arose to support U2 at an outdoor festival (Knebworth). U2’s debut album BOY had just been released and Graham played to a 20,000 strong crowd. From that day on he knew music would be his focus in life.
Throughout the 1980’s Graham’s career flourished working with the likes of Chris Squire’s (YES), Andy ‘O’ from New Wave band BLUE ZOO, Enid Williams (Girl School) and Dave Parsons (Sham 69). At this time Graham also developed his production skills working in various studios as an engineer / producer. In 1985 a song writing partnership with Andy ‘0’ lead to a publishing contract with Warner Brothers Publishing. Throughout the 90’s Graham continued his musical career and also forged a new partnership with Akai Musical Instrument Co and in 1999 he became UK President of the Akai Corp.
In 2001 Graham set up Eversfield Recording Studios in Horsham West Sussex. It was at the studio that he met up with his ODNT partners Ian Williams and David Martin.
"Graham is delighted to announce the release of his new solo album NOON - 100 YEARS ON"
1. You're Worth It
2. Inevitable
3. I Can Wait for Love
4. 100 Years On
5. Love Won't Let Me Down
6. I Don't Wanna Fight
7. Hole in the Head
8. Searching
9. Your Love's Still Living in Me
10. Familiarity
11. The Story so Far
12. Thank You
www.noonmusic.co.uk
Buy on iTunes
Ian Williams
Ian is a successful business man, with Car Dealerships in Surrey and South London. He joined the Motor Industry in the mid-seventies after being sponsored by a Croydon Car Dealer who provided support and sponsorship, while he was a young Speedway Rider for Wimbledon Dons. A far cry from anything musical. Ian's racing career began at a very early age, with him joining Junior Grass Track at 12 which led to him becoming the British Junior Grass Track Champion at the age of 15.
A family man with 5 children and 3 grandchildren, Ian has always been a music lover and played guitar and keyboards in his bedroom as a young boy. Despite family encouragement, he never had the urge to sing or perform publicly. His two sons and three daughters all sing very well and it was while collecting one of them from a singing class in Brighton, that a new chapter in Ian’s life was to open. They needed to write a song as part of their home-work and Ian thought ; 'I might as well give it a go'.
So, as a ‘late starter, Ian ‘kinda’ stumbled into the music world by being inspired to write a song ‘A Little Like You’ for his late father who had died at a very young age. He sent a basic ‘cassette’ demo off to a music publisher who loved the song and Ian’s FIRST attempt at songwriting, amazingly, resulted in a publishing deal. Since then, fuelled with enthusiasm, Ian has taken his songwriting a little more seriously and has now a catalogue of ballads and love songs, based around his family and personal experiences, which he would like to share with you.
Ian was introduced to Graham Noon shortly after Ian’s 1st song was published in 2002. This has been a fruitful and very enjoyable relationship where he and Graham have not only become very good friends, but meeting up has enabled them to work together in providing professional arrangements and productions of Ian’s songs at Graham’s studio in West Sussex.
Ian is very proud and privileged to join Graham and the ‘Master’ Singer Songwriter David Martin, in their new Venture ‘Old Dogs New Trax’.
Belmont Garage
36 Station Road, Belmont
Sutton, Surrey SM2 6BS
Tel: 0208 6435451
Web: www.belmontgarage.com
Belmont Garage 2
Highview House
Epsom Downs, Surrey KT18 5QB
Tel: 01737 379555
Web: www.belmontusedcars.co.uk
OLD DOGS NEW TRAX’s tracks
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