Guest Post: Cherry Morello, Vintage Singer

Hey all! Today's guest post comes from Cherry Morello, a very talented vintage singer! Check it out!

My name is Cherry Morello and I am a vintage singer, specialising in the old-time classics from the '20s, '30s, '40s, '50s and '60s. I am based in the East of England, but available for weddings and events all over the UK. I am inspired by old Hollywood glamour, from big ballads to seductive burlesque, swing classics to sultry jazz standards, with songs by Marilyn Monroe, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Jane Russell, Nina Simone, and many more from the golden era of music. My vibrant and elegant set is perfect for making a beautiful wedding, vintage or otherwise, as special as it deserves to be. I work closely with my clients to make sure they have the music they want for their special day.

I have been singing and performing for over 20 years, in various guises, from indie-pop bands to rock bands, acoustic guitar bands to disco funk bands, and although music has always been a passion, I found it hard to find my musical niche. I have a very eclectic taste in music (more so as my other half is also a fellow muso with altogether different tastes!), but I have always loved listening to the old time classics and jazz standards. Marilyn Monroe, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone are my idols. It was whilst sitting at home, listening to Nina one weekend that I realised that this was the music I wanted to make. It is music I love to listen to and that always makes it more fun to sing.

The seeds of the idea sown, I then took to looking for backing tracks, choosing a set list, researching the market and working out what I needed to do to get started as a business. Finding good quality backing tracks was probably the hardest and most important part of the process. Whilst I will always try and add any requested songs to the set, I refuse to use bad quality backing tracks. Luckily, I happened upon a few sites with tracks played on real instruments (rather than synthesized), and I have managed to put together a lovely, mixed set which currently stands at 79 songs, but is being extended all the time. I then bought myself some beautiful dresses (all in the name of art, of course!), took some photos and made myself a website, Facebook page and Twitter page (never underestimate the power of social media!). I finally had a name and an identity. Cherry Morello was born and ready to hit the circuit.

I scoured the internet and made contact with as many vintage wedding, vintage events, burlesque events, clubs, venues and blogs as I could find. I introduced myself to the entertainment circuit and, I have to say, the response I got was overwhelming. There were a lot of vintage and wedding fairs in the early days, something I still really enjoy doing, not only for advertising, but because you meet so many lovely people, which quickly led to bookings and now repeat bookings. I have also sung at burlesque events, Great Gatsby 20’s/30’s events, fashion fairs, various private parties and various charity events. Each one has been different and that is why I love what I do.

I have had some amazing feedback from the fabulous clients I’ve worked with, which is probably the best part of my job. Knowing that you have, in some small way, contributed to making someone’s event fun and special, is a wonderful feeling and something I treasure. It is great to work closely with clients to put together the set they want, along the way often introducing me to new vintage songs that I may not have known before but have completely fallen in love with.

Anyway, that’s me! There is more information available at my website www.cherrymorello.co.uk; along with samples of my work, a full set list, contact details, news and links to some of the lovely people I have had the pleasure of working with along the way. I have been lucky enough to be able to sing the songs I love, build up a small business and bring joy to lots of amazing people. I don’t think it gets much better than that.

If you are looking for a great vintage singer for your wedding, please head over to www.cherrymorello.co.uk and get in touch. Whatever your budget, wherever you are I will help to make your day as special as it deserves to be.

Cherry Morello