He usually has them rolling in the aisles - but comedian Roy “Chubby” Brown today told how he wants to make people cry with his latest venture.
The Teesside comedian was at the Zoe’s Place baby hospice in Normanby to officially launch the CD of a song he’s composed and plays the piano on. And with all the proceeds going to Zoe’s Place, Roy, 70, hopes it will raise a hefty sum for a cause he has taken to his heart since his first visit there in January.
Inspired by what he had seen on an emotional guided tour of the hospice, Chubby went home to North Yorkshire and that night composed a hauntingly beautiful tune on his piano, before subsequently adding some poignant lyrics.
He then teamed up with producer John Taylor at Mirage Studios in Marske to record an instrumental version, on which Chubby plays piano, and a vocal version with Doncaster singer Sarah Wise, who used to live in Saltburn. Sarah was chosen by Chubby from one of five potential singers “because she had a lovely voice and sounded as if she could tell a story.”
Speaking of his hopes for the CD, Chubby said at today’s launch: “What’s the use of ‘celebrity’ if you can’t help people out?
Katie Lunn
Roy 'Chubby' Brown with Rachel Willmore
“I was thinking about the staff, how these girls spend all day with these children, loving and caring for them, then go home to their own families, and then maybe return the next day and somebody says ‘we lost a baby last night.’ How must they feel? I know I couldn’t do it.
“I hope the song breaks everybody’s hearts but at the same time, I hope it sells because if it does, it’s financial support for something we all care about.”
A keen musician, Roy started his career as a drummer before switching to comedy. He also plays other instruments, including the banjo, ukelele and piano, and has written more than 100 songs over the years, including “Ladybird” recorded by Nolan sister, Bernie Nolan. He even had a top three hit himself back in 1995 with a pardoy version of the Smokie hit, Livin’ Next Door To Alice.
But he hopes his latest tune - simply entitled Zoe’s Place - will shock people in a different way from his outrageous comedy.
The single
He said: “When people hear it, they’re going to go ‘get away’, codswallop, no way.’ But this gives me more pleasure than telling mucky jokes because it’s forever, isn’t it? Once you’ve done it, it’s on vinyl, it’s forever.
“Also, people tell me it’s as nice as anything in Frozen but I wouldn’t know - I go to Iceland.”
Copies of the CD, at £5 each, are available from Zoe’s Place reception. They can also be posted out from the hospice, call 01642 457985, but with P&P added. Zoe’s Place is also keen to hear from local businesses willing to stock and sell copies.
And later this month, the CD will be on sale at a sell-out charity night, also for Zoe’s Place, in Eston Labour Club on April 28.
Words and music: Roy Chubby Brown
Birds fly, clouds rain
Hearts break, cause pain
Eyes glow, colours fade from your face
Love’s deep words tell
Close friends know well
Daydreams dry tears
It’s another day
Chorus: There’s an empty chair
Memories for those who care
Your face lights up the day
To help us find a way
Since we cried out
Kind talk, no doubt
Soft touch, held in our mother’s arms
Chorus
But the strands of time are washed away
They leave footprints, rays of hope
You will understand it’s not meant to be
Believing hands will cope
Chorus
Time heals, buds bloom
Some stare, memories room
Why tell of loneliness
The story’s told
Chorus
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