Beth Prior’s ‘Little Acts of Kindness’ album release tour runs from 19th September, with the final gig taking place in her hometown of Shrewsbury on Saturday 24th September.
Beth’s debut studio album, ‘Little Acts of Kindness’, was released on 1st September following last year’s successful Crowdfunder campaign which exceeded the initial target of £5,000.00, raising over £7,000.00 in funds needed to complete the album.
Last New Year’s Eve an email arrived from Australia bringing the news to her partner, Giselle Louise Ryan (artist and designer), that her father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Beth continued to put the hours in at the studio to complete ‘Little Acts of Kindness’ and worked hard to fulfil the pledges from her Crowdfunder campaign, including a generous pledge from her partner’s father for Beth to record “a cover song of your choice”. When they received the devastating news that his condition was terminal, it was necessary that all work related to ‘Little Acts of Kindness’ be put on the back burner. In late March the couple flew to Melbourne following the news that Giselle’s father had slipped into a critical state. 24 hours later and straight off the plane, they were sat at his bedside.
“To meet and spend time with my future father-in-law was an honour, but what really struck the heartstrings was that I was able to deliver his Crowdfunder pledge in person, by his bedside, before he died. It was the hardest little act of kindness of my life.”
He died peacefully a short time later.
Beth’s work has touched the hearts of the community in Shropshire and beyond. As a dyslexic whose pitfalls lie heavily in organisation and punctuality she has become infamous and is known as ‘The Late Beth Prior’ amongst friends and colleagues, but well loved and revered by all who know her.
Beth’s homecoming gig will take place at Flaxivity, an indoor skate park and youth club at Shrewsbury’s Flaxmill Maltings, and promises to be a fun, community-driven event of “mystery, magic, bubbles, light shows and mayhem”. There will also be a showcase of work from local visual artists including the award-winning Giselle Louise Ryan, and ‘BBC Introducing in Shropshire’ will be broadcasting live from the event. Beth will be working in partnership with The Big Busk, hoping to bring the community together and raise funds for a cause close to her heart. “It’s beautiful to see such a tragic situation turn into something full of love, kindness and beauty. The Big Busk is dear to my heart and a cause I will always find time for.”
When a call was put out several years ago by The Big Busk organisers Karen Higgins and Annie Hambley, Beth was one of the very first to respond. “The first year we did the Big Busk, we put out a call to local musicians to join the event, not sure if anyone would get in touch, one of the first phone calls we had was from Beth.” Karen explained
“She basically said ‘tell me what you need me to do and I’ll do it’. We had never met her before and she didn’t know us, she was incredibly kind, contacting other musicians and rallying support. We have become good friends over the last few years and the title of her album ‘Little Acts of Kindness’ is perfect, we are delighted to be working with her again.”
All proceeds of the sale of the digital single ‘Little Acts of Kindness’ are to be donated to local homeless charity, The Ark, along with donations going to aid in the refugee crisis in
Lesbos where some of Beth’s close friends have been volunteering since early 2016.
“I feel this is so much more than just an album. The title track ‘Little Acts of Kindness’ has already touched the hearts of many and it seems everyone wants to get involved! I want to shine the light on the good in this world and the intention behind ‘Little Acts of Kindness’ is to encapsulate all that good stuff”
“Although there’s still a real acoustic integrity to the tracks, this album is adorned with phat undulating bass lines, brass sections and tight drum tracks. I’ve honestly never been more excited about my collaborations than I am with the ones on this album!”
Beth Prior will be performing at Flaxivity, Flaxmill Maltings in Shrewsbury on Saturday 24 September 2016 at 3pm.
Article by: Jenna Feasey
Shropshire Live is regulated by 