30/07/2026
Hi Everyone! 🎧 ***Album Announcement #1*** 🎧
Delighted to be able to finally inform you that a title, design and cover art have been finalised for the Charity Album in memory of Graham Paul Kendrick to be released in time for Christmas!
For those who don't know - Graham was a hugely popular and talented singer/songwriter from Christchurch, Dorset who wrote and performed over 900 songs throughout the course of his life!
I had the privilege and joy of working alongside him to produce this music over the final 8 years of his life and together, we'd planned a 10th Anniversary "Best Of" compilation originally intended for release in 2027.
Graham was a passionate Pro-European Campaigner, reflected in many of his songs - he never missed a March and like many of us here, Brexit broke his heart. He wanted back in!
Sadly, Graham passed away last year, at the age of 73 leaving many unfinished projects and ideas never to be fully fleshed out.
Happily, he left an epic treasure trove of songs which I'm in the process of whittling down to a Double Album's worth!
Here are the details so far:
The title, something I'd discussed with Graham when we decided on a 10th Anniversary Compilation, will be "Today I'm Here" - a reference to his song, "Today I'm Here, Tomorrow I'm Gone".
Obviously, only using the first part of the song's title is intentional and in keeping with preserving the work and legacy of this amazing singer songwriter. There was simply no other choice!
The artwork comes from a series of photos I took of Graham in 2024 in Christchurch, others of which will be featured in the digital booklet which will accompany the final product.
The release date will be Monday November 16th 2026 - with plenty of time to get orders in before the Christmas rush.
This will be a digital only release, for a number of reasons.
Firstly, to keep costs to a minimum. 100% of profits from this album will be going to a series of charities selected by his sister, Rosalind Smith which meant a lot to Graham and manufacturing a large run of physical CDs simply isn't in keeping with that.
A smaller run of CDs is considerably more expensive and would defeat the object.
Secondly, CD's are now heritage media. You can't even buy a car with a CD player these days and fewer and fewer people want the clutter that comes with them - let alone have anything to play them on.
Finally, the digital option means the album can be downloaded quickly, easily and stored simultaneously on a number of devices at once - even burned to a CD if really necessary, for those who like to preserve "the old ways" - haha!
Of course, it would be wonderful to have a vinyl option, but come on - now we're just being silly!
The focus is on raising as much as possible for charities Graham loved, getting his final 8 years worth of wonderful music out there and giving people the opportunity to hear many previously unreleased gems from this truly wonderful man.
There will be 24 tracks - each stripped back to mixing stage, then remastered so they sound better than Graham ever got to hear them, but no less than they deserve!
A mix of full band, acoustic, quirky and frankly, downright nonsense songs to touch the heart, raise a smile and ignite a little righteous anger in all who listen!
Later this Autumn, I'll arrange purchase links using an "event" here on Facebook and a suitable online platform to distribute, again with minimum cost.
The album will be accompanied by a beautiful "digital booklet" and be priced at £14.95 - a good deal for a double album!
I hope you all enjoy it and we can raise some money for the kind of things Graham really cared about - mainly, other people!
He was that kind of guy!
Best, BC x
