Welcome to Birchy.net

From the dance halls of the North West of England, to the floodlights of some of the Worlds largest stages, Paul Birchall has mapped an incredible career in the music industry. He has traveled the World numerous times, entertaining audiences with both live performances, and with his writing & production skills. This sites hopes to give you an insight into one of the country's most highly acclaimed keyboard players and producers.

Biography


Paul Birchall was born and raised in a small market town in the North West of England and started playing keyboards and guitar at the age of 13. With influences such as Keith Emmerson (The Nice / Emmerson Lake & Palmer) and late Beatles recordings, he was performing live by the age of 15 caught in the midst of a progressive revolution.

Much of his apprenticeship with served playing 'Beat Music' in northern dance bands, where he fine tuned many of the rudimentary principles of live performance. He moved on, to play five summers seasons at Clacton holiday camp, where in the early 60's, a young drummer named Ringo also started his career.

By 1980, he was performing with the Gary Boyle Band (following Boyle's jazz-rock fusion band Isotope and performances with Dusty Springfield and Julie Driscoll). He toured and recorded with Boyle throughout the 80's, in addition to fine tuning his own projects, and experimenting with recording and producing.

In 1986, Paul worked with Hollywood Records artist, Mark Bell in the group 'Shaboom'. Shaboom grew as the demand for the scene increased, and Mark Bell created the Shaboom record Label.

During this same period, Paul co-wrote the track 'Sweet Sensation' for Marshall Jefferson, and performed a US tour with Taka Boom (notable as Chakakan's sister).

With the rise of the Manchester scene in the late 80's / early 90's, Britain made way for The Manchester People, better known as 'M-People' fronted by Heather Small. From 1991 to 1999, Paul played live keyboards to millions of fans at sold-out gigs Worldwide. He also featured on many of the recordings, and recorded in his own studio in the North West.

Since '99, Paul has written two songs for Candi Statton's new album Steppin' Out, in addition to co-producing it with K-Klass. He is also working on a new project with K-Klass to be released later this year.

Last year saw co-writing & co-production for the new Snake Davis album 'Hysteria', and Paul has also toured with The Snake Davis Band.

He is once again touring with Heather Small on her solo tour, and has just finished co-writing and producing the album 'Souled & Healed' with Jim Diamond for release in January '05.

For the latest information as it happens, please see the news page.



Keith Emmerson


Gary Boyle


In L.A. with Mark Bell


M-People


With Candi Statton


With Snake & Jim