Blackburn musician signs to Amy Winehouse record label

12:07pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

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UNIVERSAL Records is home to Eminem, Amy Winehouse, Take That and now... The Salvation Army's International Staff Band. And the only female member is from Blackburn.

THE ‘Sally Army’ is often associated with elderly people like Harold Bishop, the oldest resident in the TV soap opera Neighbours.

But that is all about to change.

The band now shares a record label with the best of chart-toppers, including Amy Winehouse, Duffy and The Killers, after signing a new £1 million record deal.

Nicola Redhead has played the cornet every day since she was seven and is regarded as one of the best in the world.

She plays for Blackburn Salvation Army and its International Staff Band, made up of the cream of musicians from every region.

The 39-year-old teacher is the only woman in the ISB, so how does she cope in what is traditionally a man’s domain?

“I am very much in a man’s world.” says Nicola, who grew up in the Witton Park area of Blackburn.

“There are some women in the Salvation Army these days but not so many in the bands.

"The Army is wrongly stereotyped, I think.

"It’s not what people assume it is — just for old men or all about religion. It’s a lot of fun.”

Nicola, who teaches music at a school in Bolton, said: “I don’t find it an issue that I am the only woman.

"I pull my weight, although it would be nice if we had a few more.

"I hope with the new CD we can reach more women to audition for us.

"They will love it. We go all over the world performing, it's amazing. Last summer I was in Boston.”

Nicola’s talent is about to be recognised on a whole new level this Christmas with the release of the band’s seasonal CD, that this year has been given a brand new image.

The album, released on November 24, contains a version of You’ll Never Walk Alone, with guest vocals by Lesley Garrett, and Make Me a Channel of Your Peace with Aled Jones.

Entitled Together, it also features a collection of secular and religious tracks from Nessun Dorma, You Raise Me Up and Going Home (the Hovis theme) to the Christmas favourite In The Bleak Midwinter.

Universal are reported to be delighted to have signed “the world’s ultimate buskers”.

It is hoped that this year the high-profile financial backing might help boost sales at this crucial time of year.

With its more mainstream sound it should appeal to a more widespread audience.

Nicola hopes to attract more people, and women in particular, to the Salvation Army Nicola, who is playing with ISB for her ninth year, added: “My parents were Salvation Army Officers in Blackburn and that is how I got into it.

"And I am so glad they got me involved. I feel music can offer a deeper emotional experience.”