BBC Three Counties Ian Stringer and Big George's bid for pop stardom has continued, as they cut their single with Tony Christie at a world famous studios. Ian writes .... I was warned that the weekend could be a tough one with lots of time devoted to the recording of our [future!] Number One smash "Amarillo" but I didn't think we would be playing football with Tony Christie at the Olympic Studios at 3.00am Sunday morning.  | | Stars are always smaller in real life! |
Friday was nothing short of amazing! The track was totally re-recorded at The Angel Studios, starting with the drums and having the brass, strings, guitar and a whole host of other sounds put down ready for Saturday's vocals. I was in my element all day, just watching, cracking the odd joke and nodding that this is a SMASH when required but it did take me back to when Big George and I were talking about the idea on the way to a Wycombe Wanderers game. What if I had not said anything? What if George hadn't pushed me to write the lyrics?  | | George, Tony and the production team |
It was these thoughts that caused me to smile from ear to ear all day long. We left the studio at about 8.00pm after a 11.00am start (I am informed that the technical boys were there until the early hours!) Saturday was a mixture of emotions. On the one hand I was still in the clouds because I knew that Tony Christie was recording mine and Big George's lyrics but on the other hand I was going to miss much of it because I had taken the decision to continue my reporting of Wycombe Wanderers because this is what I do, it's my job and I will remain professional throughout. Shame they lost though :-( After the match at Leyton Orient I raced (staying within the laws of course, I was in London, I had no chance of speeding even if I had wanted to) across the capital and to the Olympic Studios, hoping that my coverage of The Chairboys defeat hadn't caused me to miss my chance to join in the Sha La La Las! I got there just in time to see Tony Christie finishing his lyrics, he sounded great and to hear him using our words was utter crazyness. Wicked!!  | | Ian prepares to Sha La La La La! |
There was some crowd singing required which I was asked to take part in although it was pretty late by then, after a stinking curry which Tony's manager took us out for. And my voice was struggling a little because of the commentary earlier that day. But WOW, it was so much fun and it WILL be appearing on the track. I never thought my voice would appear on a UK Single, my Nan will be proud I am sure! Saturday night finished on Sunday in fact - at 5.00am!!!!! Tired and blurry eyed, we went back into the studio on Mothering Sunday. A big "Thank You" has to go to a very understanding Mrs Stringer who was celebrating her first ever Mothers' Day, only for me to leave her and our daughter to continue with this project. Some slight alterations were on the cards so we "Oversaw" them!!!!! Also, Big George put some more backing vocals down as well, he's such a ledge!  | | Ian watches the recording |
They are still finishing the track now. It is a winner. Although I don't have a release date yet! Somebody asked me this morning how I was coping with the rock and roll lifestyle! Rock and roll? I was only changing my daughter's nappy an hour ago! That's about as rock and roll as it gets! Here's a teaser - the lyrics by Big George and Ian Stringer All across the nation
You can taste the expectation
Finish what we started
ENGLAND the lion hearted Every single player (woe oh oh oh oh)
Holds our destiny (woe oh oh oh oh)
and they’ll all be heroes
on plasma screen TVs ENGLAND WIN THE WORLD CUP
Dig Deep, don’t come unstuck
ENGLAND WIN THE WORLD CUP
Stevie G score for me ENGLAND WIN THE WORLD CUP
40 years, who gives a “Oi”
ENGLAND WIN THE WORLD CUP
Beckham scores a penalty Every fan is singing
It’s a ROAR - ENGLAND’S winning
Let’s go down the local
Have a laugh and get all vocal we’re gonna cruise the group stage (woe oh oh oh oh)
Yes we’ll win all three (woe oh oh oh oh)
the last 16’s easy
‘cause we’ve got Wayne Rooney eeeeee ENGLAND WIN THE WORLD CUP
Michael Owen’s always good luck
ENGLAND WIN THE WORLD CUP
Sven’ll dance like old Nobby ENGLAND WIN THE WORLD CUP
40 years, who gives a “Oi”
ENGLAND WIN THE WORLD CUP
Then knight them all Your Majesty | 
