Jon Philibert
Born in South London on October 26, 1948. Jon developed a passion for music at an early age after his father, Titch Philibert, a drummer in a leading British dance band orchestra of the 30s and 40s, had bought him a guitar - after much pestering by Jon! His first job in the music business was with Chappell & Co. Ltd. in 1965 and from there onward he worked as an administrator and A&R director for such major UK record labels as Pye and RCA Records and finally Carlin Music. Becoming restless working for other people and with a desire to develop his songwriting skills and to exploit his own material he formed the publishing company I Love Music Ltd (now ILM Music) in 1981 with Craig Baguley, the current editor of Country Music People Magazine and music industry veteran. Success was soon forthcoming with cuts on such Billboard charting artists as Bobby Bare, Carmol Taylor, Judy Lindsey and Jimmy Payne. In 1984 Tom Jones scored a US top ten with his song "I've Been Rained On Too", which became Jones' third most successful country single ever staying on Billboard’s Top Country Singles chart for an amazing twenty two weeks, Tom’s longest ever spell on the chart. The song has continued to be a much recorded country music staple, the latest version by UK country music veteran Charlie Landsborough. Jon makes occasional appearances as a performer and in 1996 he was part of a country writer showcase in London's fashionable West End, garnering excellent reviews although his heart continues to be in songwriting. In 2000 Jon achieved unusual success when his "Honky Tonk, Two Steppin', Beer Drinkin' Saturday Night" became a favourite in line dance clubs throughout the UK. In 2004 the album “Country Cuts” was released comprising material written by Jon and top UK songwriter Sue Bennett and recorded in Nashville by top Music City performers including Tim Raybon who tours and records with his brother Tim and Warner Brothers new star Lance Miller. One of the songs, “Sure Let’s Be Friends” won first place in the Wisconsin Song Festival in the Traditional Country category while another “I Knew” was placed third in the Modern Country section. Another of the songs “Like I Care” was recorded by indie artist Foxx and received much radio success throughout Europe. The album was so well received in the UK and the rest of the world that “Country Cuts #2” is currently being planned and will include tracks by Chalee Tennison and Kathy Chiavola. Jon is currently working on several other song projects with writers both in the UK and Nashville including collaboration with traditional country artist Larry Jackson who has cut three of Jon’s song previously on his highly regarded “Out Of The Blue” album. For some years Jon has been acting as a country music consultant for the UK licensing organisation, MCPS. He is also a noted country music journalist providing sleeve notes for both major and independent record companies and is well known as a record reviewer for country music periodicals both in the UK and US, but principally with Country Music People magazine, the most successful and longest running country music periodical outside the USA and Canada. Relaxing away from the music scene, Jon has a wide range of interests including movies, good food and drink, walking and travel
Sue Bennett
Sue's passion for country (even when it wasn't cool!) started early as her parents brought her up on a diet of Dolly, Kenny, Tammy, Don Williams and Johnny Cash! Sue's first 'real' song was 'Given Time', co-written with Lorna Flowers - recorded by the award winning British Country star, Sue James - which made number one on the European Independent Country Chart. She also contributed four tracks to the Nashville-recorded album by Blue Orchid, 'Slow Down for a While'. Her material written with Jon Philibert has recently been signed by a leading Nashville music publisher, as have other songs with Next Number One Music Publishing. Sue's songs with Graham Snow are also currently receiving a lot of interest from the Nashville majors, while US Stardust artist, Foxx, has recorded "Like I Care" for her new album. "Words" are part of Sue's soul. "Lyrics" her hear
|
