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Friday the 17th March, This was a day I had been waiting for for a long time, last years Sunnyside was such a success I didn’t think it could be topped, but it was what a fantastic weekend with some wonderful people.

It all started Friday morning, we stayed at Pats to cut our journey in half and left at about 11.30, Pat said it would be a good idea if we borrowed her Tom Tom to make the trip easier. So after setting it to Northampton we spent the next half hour driving up and down Evesham high street, this women's voice kept telling me to turn round and go back, it was worse than a back seat driver, (more on our Tom Tom adventures later)

We finally arrived at the Hilton at about 2pm and met up with our good friends Madeline and Claire, we sat and chatted for a while and I made a big mistake and asked anyone if they fancied a coffee, I ordered five and did not get a lot of change from 20 quid ! ! !  (I should have had a word with Dave first) It was Dave we met up with next with his partner Claire, They grow them big up north as both of them were very tall, we had a chat with people coming in and  I think I saw Harry running off somewhere to organise something, that's the thing about these events if you are the organiser you are always concerned that everything is going to go well (and it always does) So well done to Harry all that hard work paid off again, we are all very grateful to you and Maureen.

It was off to our rooms to get ready for Friday night, and what a night it was, we arrived at the pub at about 7.30 to find Magic Daniel in full swing and the Bar Staff in Elvis W Tee Shirts ! didn’t anyone tell them this was a BILLY event, this was a very small room and I asked Daniel where the gig was taking place, expecting a big room at the back, He said no this is it, it was only big enough for about 30 people, but it did not matter as there was a great atmosphere. I set up my small p.a. next to Daniel and borrowed a speaker stand from Russ, we got an ok sound and after a couple of pints of Guinness (well it was Saint Patrick Day) I thought I had better get things going, the place was now packed, here is my list from who I can remember, as always let me know if I have missed you out. Harry, Maureen, Mags, John, Marie, Jean, Cathy,  Ken, Daniel, Pat, Barbara, George, Pete, Carol, Claire, Madelline, Pauline, Henry, Kevin, Doug, Marion, Vince, Dave, Claire, Russ, Bob, Sheila, and your truly. I started off by doing some songs from my 50's and 60's set that nobody had seen me do before, and finished off with some songs from Billy that seemed to go down well, next up was Russ or was It Dave, I was on my third Guinness by then ( well it was Saint Patrick’s Day )  and its a bit hazy, anyway Dave and Russ kept the crowd (does 30 make a crowd !) entertained with some great singing, We had a special guest with us it was the Legend Vince Eager, Russ and Dave did not recognise him at first and Russ asked me who the big bloke was, He said if he wants you to do anything just do it quick, I told them that it was Vince and I was hoping he would do a song for us later, and at about 10pm with a little help from the crowd he agreed to do just one song, He asked me if I had "The Wonder Of You" and as my brother Neil is an Elvis tribute I had a lot of Elvis tracks on me, The music started and Vince went straight in, "When No One Else Can Understand Me " with all the crowd singing " Wow Wow Wow Wow " it was magic, Thanks a Billyion Vince you made the night.

We carried on Drinking Dancing and Singing up until Midnight, Daniel put some Irish Music on and Cathy and I were doing a kind of Irish Jig.  (Well It Was Saint Patrick's Day) Hope you didn't get that on video Pat, The bar staff who were great all night said we could carry on if we wanted to but I think we were all done in and wanted to save some energy for the "main event" on Saturday, so it was back to the Hilton to get some beauty sleep.

 We woke early on Saturday morning as we did not want to miss out on the breakfast and lunch, about two hours apart, I was wishing I had not had that 5th pint of Guinness and had never heard of Saint Patrick as it did not go too well with the red wine, still nothing that a good fry up would not get rid of.

 Then it was back to our room and to get ready for the SUNNYSIDE, we were all getting exited as we were sure it was going to be a good one, we offered Claire and Madeline a lift and set Pats TOM TOM to the Sunnyside, it estimated that it was about 6 miles away and would take about 15 minutes. 45 minutes later we were driving around Northampton further away from the Sunnyside than we started, everyone thought this was hilarious and I told Pat I was going to chuck her B>>>>> Tom Tom out the window.

When we finally arrived the place was buzzing, Colin was setting up and doing sound checks, I knew now this was going to be a special night. 

 And what a night it was, I had helped Harry organise the line up and was a bit worried that every thing would run ok and on time, but I need not have worried as everything went like clockwork.

 I was pleased to see Tony Read in the audience Billy's long time manager and friend, we had a chat and it was great to see him as he has suffered from ill health recently.  

With the sound checks going on I took the opportunity to go and have a chat with various people, I also took round a Sunnyside poster that I had got all the singers to sign, I also got Jean and Marie to sign it as they had mysteriously got their pictures on it, they thought that I had put it on there but I think Harry was the culprit. It was worth doing as Cathy later won the poster in the auction and it raised £30 for the charity. I was introduced next to a bloke with a great haircut and found out that it was Jett Scream, he was really nice and overflowing with enthusiasm for Billy and Rock N Roll.

6 pm had soon come round and the place was buzzing, first to hit the stage was Jett, who I had not seen perform before, he put in a lively set starting with a song I had not heard any tribute sing before "Don’t Jump" a great performance and a great start to the show.

Next on was Russ Dee, Russ is a genuinely nice guy who always does Billy proud, he said he had wanted to do " Type A Letter " but thought I was doing it, I told him I was not and lent him my backing track and he finished off a sincere set with it, well done Russ.

 A special mention now to my good friend Daniel he always supports Billy and played some great Rock N Roll music all night, not many people knew this but Daniel has a really good voice and he treated us to his version of the Eden Kane classic "Well I Ask You" Well done Daniel and not forgetting Malcolm. ! ! !

 Next on was another northerner Dave Jay, I had not met Dave before but had spoken to him on the Phone to sort out his set list, He performed a good mixture of 60's songs including a couple of Searchers numbers that went down really well with their biggest fan (Cecellia) and also included one of my favourite Billy B Sides "King For Tonight" nice one Dave.

 I watched about ten minutes of Roger and Tracback's set but had to go and get ready, I have since seen the rest on video. Well done Roger, Doug and Dave some nice memories of the sixties.  

I went upstairs to get ready and twenty minutes later walked into the function room, it was one of a few magic moments that I have experienced while performing my Billy tribute, you can skip this bit if you like but I thought I would put it in as it was so special to me. 

A warm glow came over me and I was sure this was going to be another very special night, I wanted to try and recreate the night in December 1982 and had got my keyboard player Ritchie Brookes to make me a backing track of " Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow "  I had given him the original and told him I wanted it exactly the same, and when I started singing over the intro La La La La La La La La and everyone started swaying their arms and singing along it was a moment to treasure, next I sung " We Were Meant For Each Other" for my long suffering wife Chris (Who Has Still Not Made Me Get A PROPER Job)

I also asked Ritchie if he would make a couple of songs from the " Sound Of Fury " LP as I love this album and thought they would go down well, I sung " My Advise " and "Turn My Back On You"  next was " I Will " for Moya in N/Z and Claire,  next was my favourite song of Billy's " I'm Hurting All Over " I think this song shows Billys voice at it's best.

You meet some wonderful people out there and no one  better than our best friend Pat, I sung her fav Billy song just for her " It's Only Make Believe "  Thanks Pat your the greatest. I was going to finish my spot with " I Love How You Love Me" but Chris and Pat were shouting out to me to do " Sleepless Nights " I didn’t mind as this is another one of my favs, I finished the song and was on a high, what fantastic people Billy's fans are. We came now to the auction and raffle, which lasted about half an hour and raised I think about £350

 I had a chat with Chis Eley and Linda at the bar (this guy is a walking encyclopaedia of music)

 Next on was a lovely guy Geoff Howlett, Geoff is one of those laid back types who takes it all in his stride and nothing seems to bother him, He put in a terrific set the highlight I think for most was his version of 24 Hours From Tulsa, well done Geoff and his lovely wife Judith. 

Next was a surprise guest singer and because her older sister Laura could not perform because of throat problems her younger sister Emily took her place and what an amazing talent, she sung three songs effortlessly without a sign of nerves, well done Emily. If you could have seen Kevin's face he was grinning from ear to ear with pride.

To finish the night was another hero of mine Colin Paul and his BrILLYiant band The Persuaders, it has to be mentioned that Colin worked tirelessly on everyone's sound all night, if you have never done this, it is a very stressful job but Colin took it all in his stride, well done Colin you done a great job.

 The band hit the stage and what an amazing one and a half hours it was, Colin went through his vast repertoire of Elvis, Billy and Rock N Roll songs, getting the crowd to there feet and rocking the night away BrILLYant.

I was really chuffed when Colin asked me to get up and do a couple of songs with him, it was an honour thanks Colin and thanks to the band.

Colin had sung his last song but the crowd wanted more, they were clapping and stamping their feet shouting  " WE  WANT BILLY WE WANT BILLY" it was amazing

Colin started singing " Nobody’s Child " and everyone joined in for the chorus (Magic) talking of Magic Daniel handed me my tambourine and I started bashing away at it to what turned out to be Colins last song "Fools Errand" he then called Russ and I up to sing along with them, what a great finish to an amazing night.

Thanks to everyone who organised and supported Sunnyside 2006.

 After saying our goodbyes to everyone it was back to the Hilton, after a good night’s kip, we set off for home with the memories of the last two nights still ringing in our heads. Against my better judgement I set Pats Tom Tom to home, We then drove past the Hilton another six times trying to get away from Northampton, it was then I decided to give up on technology and turn it off and use good old fashioned maps, which have served us well for hundreds of years.

Well that’s all for now, thanks to everyone who made Sunnyside 2006 so special and here's to Sunnyside 2007.

 This is my account of Sunnyside 2006 if I have forgotten anyone please let me know and I will adjust later.

  Furiously Yours

Rob Dee x x x and Chris x