SINGER, songwriter and guitarist Craig Jack Lewis Coe, who has wandered across continents as a professional musician for the last 17 years, was the perfect choice as the guest entertainer when Tuesday Rostrum celebrated ‘Christmas in July’.
From his first offering, a breezy rendition of ‘Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head’, in honour of the welcome rain that fell that day, to his final encore, he charmed, entertained , amused and delighted his audience. Not only an extremely talented singer and versatile musician, Craig has a sunny stage presence, a great sense of humour and an incredibly warm and relaxed rapport with his audience.
His extensive and varied repertoire included a wide selection of music, ranging from much-loved ballads that showcased his beautiful voice to a lively medley of rock ‘n roll that had Tuesday Rostrum members up and dancing. What was unusual about his show was that he had no computer or backing tracks, simply relying on an acoustic guitar, his talent as a singer – and his integrity as a solo artist.
His ability to play almost any request that came his way was truly amazing. Whether it was a song by Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, John Denver or almost any other big hit maker you could mention, Craig was usually able to oblige the requester. He also played one of his original songs, a romantic ballad that was very well received. His five-star lunchtime performance went far too quickly and ended with well-deserved sustained applause.
It has been a few years since the Tuesday Rostrum committee first decided to lighten things up a bit halfway through the year, with a guest entertainer and a laid-back Christmas in July celebration. This idea has always been a resounding success, with Craig’s wonderful performance continuing the tradition of first class entertainment on the menu at the July luncheon meeting.