Press Release: For September 20 2018
Eliot Kennedy is launching a new album by Joanne Heselden-Edwards in memory of her father, the philanthropist Jimi Heselden OBE.
The album, My Journey, is the result of a Yorkshire collaboration between the Leeds-based singer and the Sheffield-based Grammy award-winning songwriter and producer, Eliot Kennedy. One of the music industry’s biggest names, Kennedy has sold millions of records and penned hits for Aretha Franklin, Bryan Adams, Take That and The Spice Girls.
The pair has revived the legacy of ‘entertaining the troops’ after the two met in 2016 when they raised £60,000 for Help for Heroes in a charity concert, Hidden Wounds, with a Special Guest appearance by Gary Barlow.
This year, they staged the 2018 Party in the Park at Catterick for the Armed Forces and their families stationed at the garrison.
Joanne Heselden-Edwards’ second album features a single release, Jimmy Boy, inspired by her life with her father, Jimi.
Jimi Heselden, who died in 2010, gave millions to charity in his lifetime, with significant support to Help for Heroes after the former miner made his fortune when his Leeds-based firm Hesco Bastion developed the ‘blast wall’ basket during the first Gulf War. Since his invention, the bastion has protected soldiers around the world in every major conflict.
Daughter Joanne said: “I’m not trying to follow my dad’s footsteps because that’s impossible but I’d like to continue a part of my dad’s legacy. He was brought up on a council estate, and his family had no money, so when he made his fortune he gave a lot back, particularly to the Armed Forces.”
Joanne was 39 when her father died: “He was a big part of everyone’s lives. The Christmas before he died I was just singing in karaoke, and he said to me, you’ve missed your way Joanne. I believe things happen for a reason, and I just feel like my dad’s been there pushing me. I was meant to meet Eliot and do what I do.”
Shortly before meeting Joanne, Eliot had filmed at Camp Bastion with his friend and song-writing partner, Gary Barlow, for the 2013 ITV documentary Journey to Afghanistan.
Eliot said: “After experiencing first-hand the impact of the protective blast walls at Camp Bastion, and hearing Jo was a budding singer, it felt like we were meant to work together. With her second album, I’ve seen her grow into a unique artist.”
My Journey features original tracks written by Joanne with Eliot Kennedy and James Jayawardena at their Steelworks Studio in Sheffield.
“With this album I brought myself, family and my past and where I want to go into the music,” Joanne said. “It’s quite eclectic. I love 80s music so there’s a few up tempo tracks, and a Carpenters cover which suits the mellow in my voice. The name of the single is called Jimmy Boy. It’s about my life with my dad, so very emotional to write.”
Now in her mid-forties, Joanne hopes to inspire others after she shared a stage at the Hidden Wounds concert with her ‘childhood hero’ Gary Barlow.
“I wish I’d done it years ago, but I didn’t have the courage,” she said. “I just wish I’d listened to my dad and my own heart. Look at Jane MacDonald and Susan Boyle, they did it later in life, why shouldn’t I? I’ve been singing all my life and if I can do it I hope I inspire others to just follow their dream, it doesn’t matter what age you are.”
My Journey by Joanne Heselden-Edwards launches at The Foundry, Sheffield, on 20 September, there will be an exclusive evening performance from 7pm with media interviews throughout the day at the Foundry Studios, Sheffield.