Singer Paul O’Brien is taking his music to the people even if they are self-isolating during the current coronavirus crisis.
He is offering to cheer people up – particularly those who are celebrating something special, but can’t get out, by serenading them from the doorstep.
For a small donation, Paul will come along to any address in Torbay and sing a song from a list of various artists, including The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, The Drifters, Cliff Richard, Nat King Cole, Harry Belafonte and some more modern numbers, without putting you or him at risk of infection.
The idea came as his regulars, care homes where he sings songs from the ’50s and ’60s began asking him to stay away for fear of spreading the virus.
“I realised that people can’t get out and about, have a sing-along, catch up and have a great time.”
Paul from Preston in Paignton was already in the process of setting up a kindness and caring project for the area when the virus struck.
Personal tragedy was rekindled by the recent death of broadcaster and TV personality, Caroline Flack who in some of her final writing used the hashtag #bekind which Paul will be using a version of b-kind for his website when it launches.
“I want to do something to help an atmosphere of being kind and caring,” he said “Via the website I want to be able to celebrate kindness wherever it is in the Bay and we will,” said Paul, a 69-year-old mortgage broker
By coincidence, it is the 50th anniversary of the Simon and Garfunkel song, Bridge Over Troubled Water a song all about overcoming adversity and Paul was going to assemble a choir to sing it en masse in the town centres of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham
“Everyone loved the idea, but coronavirus means that is delayed. But we will get back to it; everyone was so enthusiastic! Any money raised by serenading people in their own homes will go to help choir leaders keep going as work dries up for the next few weeks/months.
“I am a member of the Rowcroft Choir and can see first hand how difficult it is for the choir leaders who put so much effort into their singing communities. I hope with a little help they will be able to bounce back!”
To book your own mini gig Paul can be contacted via his email: paul@b-kind.co.uk
You can join us on our social media pages, follow us on Facebook or Twitter and keep up to date with whats going on in South Devon.
Got a news story, blog or press release that you’d like to share or want to advertise with us? Contact us
