Songsmith pilot: in 2004 Phil McCauley and I visited Gerard Kenny at his home to talk about a proposed TV show (working title: Songsmith)that we were developing about the ordinary working practices of songwriters who have written great hit songs. To do for song writing what ‘Grand Designs’ has done for Architecture. I wanted Gerard to present the show and interview each guest hit songwriter. Gerard was great, he understood about all the technical language of songwriting plus he have a pleasant, easy, manner about him to ensure getting the most out of every encounter. As a hit making songwriter himself he innately understood the process and allowed the potential conversations to take place amongst peers. Gerard had written songs for Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Perry Como, Jack Jones, Marion Montgomery, Sacha Distel, James Last and Shirley Bassey, not to mention the TV show Minder’s theme ‘I could be so good for you’ with Dennis Waterman. At the end of all this we decided to record Gerard talking about the background to his hit “New York, New York (So Good They Named It Twice)” as a sample to show to TV companies from whom we were seeking a commission. I am told that this made it all the way to the New York offices of Sony Music before being declined. I still think it is a great idea….