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Velvett Fogg
11-09-2008, 02:34 AM
Shirley Kent

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/sk1.jpg

Birmingham folk singer Shirley Kent began her career early,
singing in various clubs throughout the Midlands from the age of 15.
She had become a regular act at the Opposite Lock Club
in central Birmingham by the mid 1960's,
a venue that mainly featured jazz performers.
In 1966, she was selected to record two songs
for a charity record that was organized by
the Keele University Students Union and released under the title
The Master Singers And Shirley Kent Sing For Charec 67.
On the recordings she performed solo
with only her acoustic guitar as a backing.

By 1969, Shirley Kent had joined a Birmingham group
called The Ghost who were known as one of the earliest
"progressive" rock bands .
Although her "folk" style of playing was at odds
with the groups' hard format,
The Ghost released a single and album that has come to be regarded
as semi-legendary on the progressive scene.
However, after only a year with the group,
Kent left to resume a solo career which culminated
with the release of her acclaimed Fresh Out album
in 1975 with her using the alias of Virginia Tree.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/sk2.jpg

By the late 1970's, Shirley Kent had discontinued
her performing career but has since been involved
in the formation of various small independent record labels
and has written instructional books for singers and songwriters.
She still performs occasionally around Birmingham to this day..

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/1a805bbf.jpg

Here is the link to Shirley's web-site.

Shirley Kent (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=129698943)

Velvett Fogg
11-09-2008, 02:48 AM
I was introduced to Shirley by someone called John
who was a mutulal friend, and she called around my house,
with a view of myself writing songs for her,
but it didn't materialize.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/m_67bbd27092e5a42358db6fde582f0c77.jpg

However, I continued to see her when I could
perform at the

Opposite Lock (http://www.unsignedcity.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=363)

where she was the resident singer

However, Shirley and I are still in contact with one another
and are still friends to this day