Listen to the inspiring story of Bap's sister Marian Bunton and her “dry year” to raise funds for Marie Curie. Marian's interview with Vinny Hurrell will be transmitted on the show tonight some time between 10 and 11 pm. Click here to listen live. Click here if you'd like to donate to Marie Curie via Marian’s challenge. Brenda's recent interview with Vinny Hurrell was on the Stephen Nolan show on BBC Radio Ulster this morning. Listen Again (from 1hr 09)
BAP TRIBUTE EP FEATURED ON BBC RADIO ULSTER23/11/2017 Ralph McLean featured RAVING FOR BAP on his show on BBC Radio Ulster last night, including with an interview with Brian Bell. The EP is already raising funds for Marie Curie, as is the “dry year” 2017 challenge by Bap’s sister Marian Bunton. Listen Again is available till 22 Dec 2017 (From 5 min 20) LINKS: To pre-order 10” vinyl To download To donate (via Raving For Bap) To donate (via Marian’s challenge) From Irish News: Bap Kennedy's sister Marian nears the end of 'dry' year to raise funds for hospice21/11/2017 Where would you start to commemorate a musical genius and raise money for the hospice where he died? Marian Bunton, brother of Bap Kennedy, started by saying no to alcohol. Here, she tells Gail Bell, why she has no intention of falling off the wagon The Raving Beauties who, together with the band Dreaming Spires, release a hospice fundraising EP this week in memory of the late Bap Kennedy. A VERY personal, very 'dry', year-long quest to raise money for Belfast's Marie Curie Hospice is nearing completion for Marian Bunton, who gave up alcohol in January "out of respect and love" for her much-loved brother, the late Belfast singer-songwriter, Bap Kennedy. Martin 'Bap' Kennedy (54) passed away at the hospice on November 1 last year, following a short, bravely fought battled with pancreatic cancer. And, in a two-pronged challenge to range money for the "amazing" hospice where he spent his final days surrounded by his wife and family, the end of Marian's crusade coincides with the beginning of a new one: the release of a new tribute EP to mark the first anniversary of the singer's death. Raving For Bap is being officially released on Friday and is a collaboration between long-time friend Brian Bell of Brighton-based The Raving Beauties and Oxford band The Dreaming Spires, with multi-instrumentalist Joe Bennett handling production duties. The record, which includes five songs from Bap's solo career, as well as his years as frontman for Energy Orchard, is being released on the Farm Music label – although, the collaborators decided at the start that they didn't simply want to do 'straight' covers. "The Raving Beauties and Dreaming Spires had done a couple of gigs together and we became friendly," Brian explains. "Originally, we talked about recording some joint new material, but Bap had been on my mind so much since he passed away, that the idea of a tribute EP came about and all the guys from the band were keen to get involved. "We didn't want to just do 'straight' covers of Bap's original arrangements, so tried to choose songs that would showcase his wonderful song craft and melodic flair, but in a very different way." The tribute EP – all profits from sales will go to the hospice – has been warmly endorsed by Bap's widow, Brenda, who described the resulting sound as "cool, 60s American West Coast" which would have been "loved" by her late husband. Those sentiments have been echoed by Marian who says she will always be grateful to the Marie Curie nurses in Belfast for the "warmth and respect" they showed her brother while in their care. "The dedication of the nurses, doctors and staff can never be repaid," she says. "It's a privilege to join forces to raise funds for Marie Curie with The Raving Beauties and I love their take on Bap's music." Her own, unusual fundraising initiative started on NewYear's Day and – by her own agreement – officially ends at midnight on December 31. That means no glass of wine with Christmas lunch and avoidance of her favourite Friday night tipple – a vodka and diet coke – at every festive get-together. "I won't say it has been an easy challenge, but Bap gave up alcohol for 12 years, so I thought I could at least last without it for 12 months," says the 54 year-old who always enjoyed being "Irish twins" with Bap – for six weeks of each year they were both the same age. "I wanted to do it for him – I hope he would be proud of me – and also to raise funds for the hospice and the amazing care he received there. After he died, I thought, 'What can I do?' and came up with this idea. I set myself an initial target of £2,000, but I have reached more than £2,500 to date and hopefully that will increase before the end of the year." Describing herself as a "moderate" drinker, she says the most difficult part of her self-imposed sobriety was a family party in January – to celebrate her father's 80th birthday. "It was the first family occasion without Bap and I was still grieving – I still am – and did so without the crutch of alcohol. I was also just a few weeks into my challenge, so I would say that event was the most difficult. My mum and dad were delighted, though, because I was able to drive them home." Any unexpected highs? "Losing two and-a-half stone was definitely a bonus and I can honestly say I have never felt fitter. My dad was an athletics coach and we all used to run – I have done two Belfast marathons and one in Dublin – so giving up alcohol has made me think about running again. "The funny thing is, everyone keeps asking me if I'm looking forward to my first drink, but I don't know if I even want one now. Bap didn't want it and didn't need it – he was a fantastic character without it – and I'm starting to feel that maybe I don't need it now either." By Gail Bell Read on IrishNews.com As reported by Belfast Telegraph. The music of Belfast singer-songwriter Bap Kennedy is being celebrated with a new release in aid of charity. Bap passed away last November aged 54 after a short battle with cancer. The release of Raving For Bap by The Raving Beauties marks the first anniversary of his death. The five-track EP, featuring cover art by Kenny McKendry and sleeve notes from music journalist Stuart Bailie, will be available on limited edition 10in vinyl and on digital download. All profits will go to Belfast's Marie Curie Hospice. The record includes songs from Bap's solo career as well as his years as frontman for Energy Orchard and is being released on the Farm Music label. The project is a collaboration between Brighton-based Belfast expat Brian Bell and Oxford/Sussex band The Dreaming Spires, with multi-instrumentalist Joe Bennett handling production duties. Bap's sister Marian Bunton began fundraising for the Marie Curie Hospice in his memory at the beginning of 2017 by taking on the challenge of abstaining from alcohol for a whole year. Proceeds from Raving For Bap will be added to the £2,000-plus Marian has already collected, and further fundraisers are being planned for the new year. She said: "I will be always grateful to the Marie Curie nurses in Belfast for the warmth and respect they showed my brother whilst in their care. "The dedication of the nurses, doctors and staff can never be repaid. "It's a privilege to join forces to raise funds for Marie Curie with The Raving Beauties and I love their take on Bap's music. "Bap wants his music to live on and Raving For Bap will certainly help do that." The musician's widow Brenda is delighted with the record. "I'd like to say a big thanks to Brian and The Raving Beauties for making this tribute EP and for helping to raise funds for the Marie Curie Hospice," she said. Mr Bell has been working on the tribute for the past year. He explained: "They are all Bap's songs which we tried to reframe in a different way. There is a Sixties vibe and lots of guitar jingling and harmonies, but we hope we stayed faithful to the spirit of the songs and melodies." - Stephanie Bell To order the limited edition 10in vinyl version of 'Raving for Bap' EP go to https://goo.gl/f4cd3r Click here to read on BelfastTelegraph.co.uk Archives
October 2018
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