USA comes to Heywood

Steve Foley - Songwriter and Record Producer

When Amy Foley had a pacemaker fitted, it meant that her chances of a kidney and pancreas transplant ended, because of the trauma risk to her heart. Amy is an end-stage renal patient which means Amy is a terminally-ill kidney dialysis patient at Hope Hospital satellite dialysis unit in Rochdale.

Amy's husband and full-time carer, Steve Foley, inspired by his wife's courage and patients in similar circumstances, has come out of retirement to write, record and produce an album of original soul influence songs to raise funds for charities.

The album SoulFest will be on sale at SoulFest NorthWest Show on Saturday 1 October at Heywood Civic Centre. The purpose of the album and series of events is to raise funds for charities close to their hearts. The charities to benefit are Cancer Research UK, British Kidney Patients Association and Help Musicians.

SoulFest NorthWest Show features Mississippi Soul Man, Born in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, The Mississippi Soulman, Malcolm McBride age 51 has been singing and entertaining people from all over the world for many years. He started singing Gospel from a very young age which led him to performing with his family in the McBride Gospel Choir.

Malcolm McBride will be in good local company with Middleton Pop Stars Academy students, the award winning children's showbiz development programme headed by Anne Marshall plus local emerging soul singer Miss H and Manchester legends Dougie James Soul Train collectively creating a memorable night in Heywood.

The album was recorded at Gracieland Studio, Rochdale (owned by Lisa Stansfield) and sees Steve reunited with Steve Boyce-Buckley who got his start as a sound engineer at Steve Foley's Smile Studio in the 1970's-80's.

Smile Studios was in Whalley Range, opened in 1975 where Steve produced over 300 records and recorded many upcoming bands & artistes.

The album features 14 new songs plus 4 remastered tracks Foley produced in the 1970s including two never-released tracks by the late Paul Young of Sad Café/Mike & the Mechanics fame.