GEOFF ASHFORD. Although in British country music circles, the name of GEOFF ASHFORD has been best known as the writer of many of Tony Goodacre’s most popular original recorded songs, Geoff has been working as a professional musician since the mid sixties. As part of various bands or as a solo act, he performed on the Star Palast circuit in Germany, spent a season on Cunard’s ship, the Q.E.11, worked for over a year at the prestigious Ritz Ballroom in Manchester and worked in most of the well known cabaret and nightclubs, Batley Variety Club, The Lakeside and Jolly’s Nightspot, to name just a few. As a recording artiste he has held contracts with C.B.S, Decca, Warner Brothers, Sylvantone and many of the indie labels. In his capacity as a songwriter Geoff has had contracts with Shapiro Bernstein, April Music, A.T.V Music, E.M.I Music, Sony International and Sylvantone Music. During a five year period writing for I.L.M. Music, he wrote music for a low budget French speaking Canadian cartoon series which was later dubbed into English and featured heavily on the cartoon networks. It was Tony’s record producer, Bill Clarke, who introduced Geoff’s song writing talents to Tony in 1984. From the first batch of songs he received, Tony selected the song ‘Rags to Riches’ to enter into the prestigious ‘Isle of Wight International Song Writing Contest’. From over 1,000 entries, Geoff’s song won first prize as ‘Best Country Song’, and nearly all the country songs written by Geoff since then have been published by Tony’s music publishing company, Sylvantone Music. Geoff also worked all over Britain and in Holland with Tony as part of his duo, trio and band for several years. Now on this album, released early in 2017, they team up again for a new Geoff Ashford album on Tony’s Sylvantone Records label. Not only are all the songs written by Geoff between 1984 and 2016 on ‘The Sylvantone Years’ sung by Geoff, but he also plays all the musical backing and sings harmony vocals, apart from studio pedal steel guitar guest musicians Derek Thurlby (tracks 7, 16 & 24) & Malcolm McMaster (track 2). THE SONGS. As both Geoff Ashford and Tony Goodacre have now retired from life ‘on the road’, all these songs are available for current artistes and groups to perform and record, provided both writer and publisher are acknowledged. For more information, and details of availability of backing tracks, contact Geoff by e-mail on geoffashford@yahoo.com or Tony at tonygoodacre@hotmail.com 1. I Do Believe. A happy up-tempo song in the vein of the George Strait/Daniel O’Donnell hit ‘I Just Wanna Dance with You’ 2. Run Back to Me. A simple love song in the best traditional country mode, with Malcolm McMaster adding his pedal steel guitar in January 2017 on this track. Geoff’s original demo recording of this song was no.4 on the Soundclick chart in 2010. 3. Our Anniversary. The perfect song to dedicate to your loved one. In Irish waltz tempo, download to play and dance to this, or write to your local radio station as a request. If you are an active artiste, the perfect song to record or perform regularly – it will become one of your most requested songs. 4. What’s Right Tonight. A typical traditional cheating song with a shuffle tempo. 5. King of the Rodeo. A story song in Tex-Mex style 6. Two Glasses of Loneliness. We’ve all seen a man sitting on his own in a bar, looking into his glass of beer, and thinking of the man he used to be. 7. Cotton Candy World. A happy song, equally popular with both adults and children. Tony’s own version of the song can be seen on youtube. 8. The Door. A story song in waltz tempo about what someone keeps as a souvenir when his house is about to be pulled down for a new road development. It happens to a lot of people everywhere. 9. Atomic Wars. Perhaps pushing the boundaries of country music a little, but the lyrics will certainly make people think. After all, Geoff has the ability to be given a subject, and within a day or two, he has written a song about it. 10. The Artist. The story of a man who is torn between his love of painting in Paris and returning to Susie, his loved one in London. 11. Return of the Conquistador. A Tex-Mex influenced instrumental, on which Geoff shows his abilities on both keyboards and guitars. A track which could be used as background to news of events and station ID’s. Already used for the front and end of a TV documentary about the ex-pat pensioners who ride motorbikes and gather at the American bar in Benidorm. Apparently the local Spanish call them the silver conquistadors. 12. Sidewalks of Nashville. Nashville is probably full of songwriters who could identify with this song (or have written one themselves). Fortunately for Geoff, he didn’t have to experience this himself – he’d already made his name in pop music in Europe before he began writing country in 1984, and met Tony Goodacre. 13. Far, Far Away. A story song about Scottish soldiers going off to the Crimean war. 14. We Were Right. A cleverly composed story song. A couple get married, everyone said it wouldn’t last – but it did. True traditional country feel. 15. Little Brother. An elder brother gives some advice to his young brother – based on his own experience! A no.1 hit on the Onstage Folk music chart in 2015 16. Top of the List. Derek Thurlby adds his pedal steel guitar to this excellent traditional country track. Already voted ‘song of the month’ on the ‘Internet Country Show’ in the U.K. and a Number 1 hit on the ‘Our Stage’ internet web page. 17. Little Joe. Perhaps more ‘country blues’ than traditional country, but a good story song, with Geoff playing some great lead guitar. Reached No.2 on the Ourstage/MTV Southern Rock chart in August 2012. 18. Don’t Play Your Cheating Heart. Another traditional country song with a theme of lost love. Already proved a popular song on the dance floors for a slow tempo partner dance. 19. Boy to a Man. A story song which looks back at ‘the first time’ when the boy becomes a man. If you want to sing a song for your wife or partner, we wouldn’t recommend this one – try track 3 instead. The fade finish leaves the singer still thinking back to ‘the first time’. 20. Dancing on the Moon. It seemed right to add this song next to ‘Boy to a Man’ whilst in the reminiscing mood. This time we are with a gypsy girl in the valley by the stream. She describes love is like ‘Dancing on the Moon. 21. Say a Prayer for the Lonely Ones. A religious gospel flavoured song, which has already been used to illustrate Church Army work as part of a talk given by one of Tony’s friends at his church. 22. She Still has my Picture. The lyrics and melody of a traditional country song at their very best. 23. My Name is Billy. One of two songs originally recorded by Geoff and released on Tony’s award winning mixed artiste vinyl LP album ‘The Sylvantone Showcase’ in 1984. Produced by Bill Clarke, listen out for a little bit of Tchaikovsky, and who but a talented writer like Geoff could introduce Cleopatra into a country song, and get ‘round finding a rhyme for Marc Anthony? 24. Rags to Riches. The award winning song, also originally released on ‘The Sylvantone Showcase’ in 1984, which started the continued successful association and friendship between Geoff Ashford and Tony Goodacre. A no.1 on several online music charts over the years. Enjoy listening to your downloads, and thank you for your support. Geoff Ashford & Tony Goodacre. February 2017.