Richard Docherty

Singer/Songwriter/Musician I love to play the Guitar & this is where my passion for music originated from. I love to sing. When I’m on stage I feel very confident & I seem to take on a different persona. I enjoy writing my own music as I feel that it is a great way to express myself. I am also Lead Vocalist in a North-East Rock band called Minnikin, I am a hard-working, genuine, talented individual. I enjoy new challenges & learning new skills. My passion for music started with playing the Guitar, when I was 9, I attended The Princes Trust Sound Live course when I was 18 & discovered that I could sing. I have had a lot of support from the Princes Trust over the past few years. I became a Volunteer for The Princes Trust & have represented them at various events. I have met HRH Prince Charles twice & participated in a group that sang Happy Birthday to him. I have been interviewed by June Sarpong for T4 & the Princes Trust. I was also nominated for The Princes Trust Young Achievers Award.

EXPERIENCE April 2008 = Live and Unsigned 2008 Newcastle Regional Final @ The Journal Tyne Theatre, Newcastle. I competed against 17 other Finalists to win a place @ The National Grand Final. I performed a song called ‘DEVIL IN ME’ with no backing track, just me & my Guitar. They chose the Top 6 Best Acts of the night, & I was chosen as The North-East Regional Stars in My Eyes Best Solo Act 2008. Out of the Top 6 Acts, only 1 Band & 1 Solo act was chosen to represent the North-East. I was the only Solo Act chosen to represent the North-East @ The Live and Unsigned National Grand Final which is to be held @ Fairfield Halls, Croydon, on Saturday 28th June @ 4pm March 2008 = Live and Unsigned 2008 Newcastle Semi-Final @ The Journal Tyne Theatre, Newcastle. I competed against 16 Semi-Final Acts to win a place in The Regional Final. I performed a song that I wrote called ‘DYING FRIEND’ along with my Guitar & a backing track. I was 1 of 8 Solo Acts chosen to go through to the Regional Final. January 2008 = Live and Unsigned 2008 Newcastle Audition My 1st ever Solo Audition @ The Journal Tyne Theatre, Newcastle. I sang ‘DYING FRIEND’, unplugged & with my Guitar in front of 4 Judges. I was called back & told I was being put through to the Newcastle Regional Semi-Finals 2004 = Nominated for the Princes Trust Young Achievers Award This was held @ Tall Trees, Yarm I was nominated for this award but I did not win it. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. 2003 = Interviewed by June Sarpong for T4 I was interviewed by June Sarpong for T4 & the Princes Trust at Fashion Rocks. My interview was shown on T4 during an interview with Blue at Fashion Rocks. During Blue’s interview they said I was great guitarist & to watch out for me in the future. 2003 = Joined Minnikin as Lead Vocalist Minnikin are a North-East based Rock band. We have just recently played at the Chaos on the Coast festival at Whitburn Lodge. We also came 4th in The Evening Chronicle Battle of the Bands 2008. PRINCES TRUST ACHIEVEMENTS February 2008 = The Princes Trust Hub4Music programme This was held @ The Sage, Gateshead. I was asked by The Princes Trust to spend the day with young people participating on their Hub4Music programme. During the day I gave a speech to young people about how The Princes Trust had helped me to change my life around. 2003 = Fashion Rocks I attended the 1st ever Fashion Rocks concert @ The Royal Albert Hall, London I was there as a Guest / Representative of The Princes Trust. I spent time in The Royal Room before the concert & spoke to HRH Prince Charles, confidently about what being a member of The Princes Trust had done for me. 2002 = Skill City - Manchester I was asked to attend this Sound Live Exhibition as a Princes Trust Volunteer. I taught Guitar workshops to young people & I was introduced HRH Prince Charles. I also participated in a group that sang Happy Birthday to HRH Prince Charles. 2002 = Montreal Jazz Festival - Switzerland I was asked by The Princes Trust if I would be part of their group attending this event. I participated in various Music Workshops. I thoroughly enjoyed myself in this environment. 2002 = Sound Live Course 2 I was asked to return to this course as a Sound Technician Volunteer for The Princes Trust. This was held at Otterburn Hall, Northumberland. I accepted this offer & enjoyed my new role. 2001 Sound Live Course 1 Sound Live is a 1 week Music Residential & Personal Development Programme for 18-24 year olds. It is aimed at young people who are interested in music and have a basic ability to play an instrument or to sing. The course involves learning from industry professionals, creating music and improving confidence and motivation. My singing voice was 1st discovered on this course. At the end of the week, we showcased and performed at a live event.

I have been competing in the North-East Regional Stages of The Live and Unsigned 2008 competition I have just been awarded the North-East Regional Stars in My Eyes Best Solo Act Trophy. This was awarded to me at The Live and Unsigned Newcastle Regional Final. I was also chosen to represent the North-East at The Live and Unsigned National Grand Final this is to be held @ Fairfield Halls, Croydon, Surrey on Saturday 28th June 2008. I am 1 performance away from winning the entire competition & being named as the UK’s Live and Unsigned Best Solo Act 2008 & winning a 20,000 recording contract with Future Music.

Music & Artist that influence me range from Jimi Hendrix - Stone Sour Eric Clapton Guns’n’Roses Metallica - Stevie Vai Nickleback - Joe Satriani Journey Hinder U2 Thin Lizzy Ozzy Osbourne Dream Theatre Velvet Revolver Bob Marley - UB40. I am not really a fan of Dance / Hardcore music because I feel as if it all sounds the same. I am not a great fan of Indie for the same reason. I like clever music that is different & that has an edge.

I have a small collection of Guitars which range from Acoustic - Electric & Bass. My favourites are my custom built Ibanez Jem & my Ibanez A.E Electro Acoustic, which I use for everything.