We are delighted to welcome Emily Maguire, along with Christian Dunham (Bass Player extraordinaire and husband), to our ‘Gig in the Garden’. Classically trained on piano, cello, recorder and flute, Emily was taught to read music when she was only 3 years old. By the time she was 12, she seemed destined to be a professional cellist.  Growing up with no TV and only classical music in the house, Emily was quite happy reading books and playing Bach, until … she discovered Bob Marley!  Given a guitar for her 21st birthday, Emily taught herself to play from his ‘Legend’ songbook.  Always passionate about poetry, song writing perfectly combined Emily’s love of words and music.

Since 2003, Emily has moved from the UK to living on a farm in Australia writing and recording songs, growing veggies, making goats cheese, collecting rainwater and dodging snakes and spiders in a shack made from recycled wood, tin and potato sacks to releasing 3 studio albums: ‘Stranger Place’ in 2004; ‘Keep Walking’ in 2008; and ‘Believer’ in 2010. Emily has opened for Paul Brady at the Royal Festival Hall and toured the UK with artists such as Don McLean, Glenn Tilbrook and, more recently, Dennis Locorriere (formerly with Dr Hook).  From playing to 20 people in a church hall in Bishop’s Stortford, Emily found herself on stage at the biggest concert venues in the country, including Somerset House, Saint David’s Hall in Cardiff, Birmingham Symphony Hall, the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, to name but a few, culminating in a sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall, as well as playing the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury – and the Rectory in Billericay! Throughout this, Emily was secretly coping with Bipolar Disorder, which she admitted to in October 2010.

“Full of vibrancy and blossoming with an abundance of talent and passion, music for the soul …” Maverick Magazine

Emily is a regular on Aled Jones’ Radio 2 show ‘Good Morning Sunday’ and her singles ’Keep Walking’ ’Lighthouse Man’ and ’I’d Rather Be’ have all been play listed on Radio 2. Emily writes songs with lyrics of great depth alongside moving and memorable tunes – we’re sure you’re going to enjoy another outstanding ‘Gig in the Garden’. Don’t forget your: Picnic; Drinks; Chairs and a Blanket!

Numbers are limited so be sure to book your tickets by contacting Paul on (01277 658055 or 8paul@billericaychurches.org or by sending a SAE to The Rectory, 40, Laindon Road, Billericay, CM12 9LD, with cheques made payable to Emmanuel DCC.  (Proceeds to ‘Just Care’ working with Orphans in Uganda).