Paolo Nutini will stage a one-off concert in Paisley

Jul 5 2010 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

PAOLO Nutini is coming home to perform an exclusive gig at the very venue he was discovered at seven years ago when he was still at school.

The Paisley Daily Express can reveal the soul sensation will be back on home soil for an exclusive gig next month.

He will take to the stage at the Town Hall on Tuesday, August 17 for a Radio 2 In Concert exclusive.

And it could be an emotional return.

For Paolo was just 15 and still a pupil at St Andrew’s Academy when he headed along to Paisley Town Hall to enjoy the homecoming event for Fame Academy winner David Sneddon.

And because David was running late for his civic reception Paolo got a chance to get up on stage and sing... and the rest is pretty much history.

That all happened back in January 2003 and now the Buddie is returning to his roots to hold his own one-off gig which will be recorded and broadcast on Thursday, August 19.

There were around 600 people packed into the town hall to welcome singer-songwriter David home in the fateful day that Paolo’s life changed forever.

Back in 2003 Clyde 1 DJ Gavin Pearson organised an impromptu talent contest to pass the time because David was delayed, and bold Paolo hopped up on the stage wearing his school uniform.

Incredibly, it was the first time young Paolo, now 23, had ever let anyone hear him belt out a song.

The crowd – especially the young girls – loved him and his potential was spotted by Brendan Moon, a music promoter who just happened to be in the audience and is now Nutini’s manager.

Paolo has previously reflected on that day not so much as being his big break, but definitely a great start, adding: “Maybe if I hadn’t gone there I’d be working in the chip shop, but maybe I’d have met Brendan the next day somewhere else. Don’t get me wrong, though, big up to David Sneddon for being late.”

Since then Paolo’s success has been stellar – his first album These Streets sold more than a million copies, follow-up Sunny Side Up went to No1 in the charts and he is in constant demand to play live gigs and festivals across the globe.

He has just recently won a coveted Ivor Novello Award for Sunny Side Up, named album of the year, and was named the Style Icon of the Year at the fifth Scottish Fashion Awards.

Paolo will be in town today to launch Paisley’s version of the Glee Club – the hit American show which inspires teenager’s to realise their dreams.

The club was set up by musician Craig White in a bid to help local kids develop their music skills and Paolo is backing the move.

Craig, 37, started playing the organ when he was just eight years old and has been in various bands over the years.

He was working as a coach driver until October last year, when he caught an episode of Glee Club on Channel 4.

Craig has set up his music group at a former recording studio in Abercorn Street, Paisley, and is working with his partner Hannah-Rose McLennan.

Hannah-Rose, also from Paisley, is a qualified music teacher and went to both St John Ogilvie Primary and St Andrew’s Academy with Paolo.

She explained: “I met Paolo in Paisley recently and told him about the music school. He said he might be able to bring his band along and do a few numbers for us at our official opening.

“Then I got a call from him the next day.”

Craig’s project is currently called White’s Academy of Music but the children who go along to their sessions will be asked to help come up with a new name.

He said: “I’ve loved music since I was a child and, by the time I was a teenager, I knew I wanted to do it as a career. I began teaching keyboards to kids in the area and, over the years, I toured and performed all over but it’s a difficult industry and that’s why I had to work as a driver.

“My main aim was to get back into music full-time and then Glee Club arrived on our screens. Straight away, my three daughters loved it. I asked them if they and their friends would be interested in having their own club and, when they all said yes, I decided it would be great to start one in the area.

“If we can recreate even a tiny bit of the buzz from the show, then it will be a great success.”

New arrangements for classic and new songs will be created and taught to members and the goal is to have enough members to develop a few choirs and stage an annual concert.

Hannah-Rose said: “I will be leading the group and taking smaller groups for voice development.”

The Glee Club will be staged at weekends, with music lessons being held during the week.

l Ticket details for Paolo’s show are expected to be announced today.