Dad’s ability to improvise and compose beautiful melodies on the fly has always amazed me.
Tonight, I gave him four random notes as a starting point.
Although his dementia is getting worse, moments like this bring him back to me.
Lots of exciting things have happened since dad's magical improvisation went viral. To keep things in one place, and for posterity, here's a thread.
Then Good Morning Britain came a-calling.
I was so nervous, I slept for a grand total of zero hours the night before the interview.
Dad left Piers Morgan speechless. This was deemed newsworthy.
I agreed wholeheartedly with this.
Naturally, CBS News wanted a slice of the action.
Then things started to get weird.
Really weird.
I had an idea.
I also seemed to have become dad’s accidental agent.
By this stage, I was delirious with nervous exhaustion.
Naturally, I managed to sneak one of Crowborough’s giraffes into shot.
Yes, BBC Breakfast. I had seen it a few times.
Then, incredibly, and totally out of the blue, I discovered that I once had a godmother.
I know, right?!? Social media is MENTAL.
A week later, @bbcpaddy wrote a lovely piece about dad in the Radio Times. This really moved me.
Currently, the @BBCPhilharmonic are recording their parts. It is due to be broadcast on Radio 4’s Broadcasting House on the 25th October.
Tomorrow, a camera crew will be visiting dad for something OH MY GOD SO EXCITING.
I will be adding to this thread in due course.
Oh, hello @theipaper.
Charity single, here we come.
Dad and I filmed a little something for BBC Breakfast last week. It will be on air tomorrow at 6:20 and 8:40 on BBC1. I think it’s going to be quite lovely.
Dad found this deeply moving.
Here’s the piece in its entirety. I think I’ve got something in my eye.
*sets alarm*
The world premiere of Four Notes - Paul’s Tune featuring the @BBCPhilharmonic will be broadcast on R4 tomorrow at 9am followed by a live chat with dad, me and @bbcpaddy.
I’ll also be talking to BBC Breakfast at 7:20 before I set off for dad’s house.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON
Today has been the most special of days for both me and for dad. I can’t put into words how moved we are by this.
Please. Someone. Pinch me.
We are aiming to release Four Notes - Paul’s Tune on all major streaming platforms on Sunday 1st November. With dad’s blessing, proceeds will be split 50/50 between @alzheimerssoc and @MusicforDemUK.
Four Notes - Paul’s Tune
Featuring a very special surprise for dad, here is the full BBC Breakfast news item from this morning. It made me cry.
Priorities.
A Times headline I can get behind.
I can’t believe I’m writing this, and I’m genuinely feeling really bloody emotional, but Four Notes - Paul’s Tune is now available to buy, download or stream on all major online platforms.
Proceeds will be split 50/50 between @alzheimerssoc and @MusicforDemUK.
Please RT.
With artwork by my wonderful wife @LadyAliHarvey - the four stars coming out of the darkness are in the same position as the four notes on a stave - and administrative (and emotional!) support from Anne at @AccorderMusic, this release truly has been a labour of love.
I honestly don’t know what’s real and what isn’t anymore.
Dad is number one on both Amazon and iTunes and I have tears rolling down my cheeks.
A message from dad.
Dad answers the phone.
“Hello?”
“Dad, it’s me. You’re not going to believe this, but you were on Gogglebox last night.”
“What’s Gogglebox?”
“Err, it’s a tv programme where you watch people watching tv.”
“You what?”
“Never mind.”
Oh, hello The Observer.
Seven days ago, @bbcpaddy played the @BBCPhilharmonic’s recording of dad’s improvisation on Radio 4 for the first time.
A week later, this.
What a week it has been.
Shock, pride, gratitude; I am overwhelmed with emotion.
@SirTomhunter, your extraordinary generosity will improve the quality of life of countless people living with dementia in the U.K.
On behalf of dad and myself, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
Capturing the reactions of the two representatives of the charities - @arlenephillips and @Grace_Meadows_ - here’s the whole BBC Breakfast item.
Christ, what a rollercoaster.
If, a fortnight ago, you had told me that dad and I would soon be on This Morning talking about his chart-topping single and making Holly Willoughby cry in the process, I would have suggested that you sought professional help.
Hello Magazine and Daily Mail. This is my life now.
*spits out coffee*
Paul Routledge, I can’t find you on Twitter, but if you happen to see this, dad has asked me to thank you on his behalf. He is deeply touched by your kind words. mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
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