Me, my guitar and a bar stool (From Swindon Advertiser)

Me, my guitar and a bar stool

12:04pm Thursday 18th February 2010 in

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SAY the name Chesney Hawkes and there is probably one song that immediately jumps in to your head.

And despite his 1991 hit single, The One and Only, achieving cult status amongst students, the singer insists he isn’t a one hit wonder – and is striding out on his own to prove it.

“Usually I have the band with me but this time around it’s just me, my guitar and a barstool,” said Chesney.

“It’s quite a new thing for me so I’m excited and really looking forward to it, but a bit apprehensive about it at the same time.”

But there will be at least one familiar face in the crowd when he takes to the stage at The 12 Bar this weekend as his cousin Mandy lives in the town.

“It’s always nice to see her smiley face there,” he said.

“I’ve played in Swindon quite a few times over the years and it gives me a chance to have a bit of a catch-up with the family too.”

Fans can expect to hear songs from the Buddy Song era (the film which launched his famous single), songs from his new album, Another Fine Mess, as well as plenty of others.

“There are so many different songs I want to play it’s hard to choose between them,” he said.

“I end up playing a different set every night as I keep changing the songs I perform.

“It keeps it fresh though and is great fun.”

Chesney’s career received a massive boost in 2001 when he was asked to take part in a mini-tour around the country’s universities.

“I was reluctant to do it to be completely honest,” he said.

“I just thought that none of the people there would remember who I was, or care, and it would be a disaster.

“Then I was greeted by 3,000 screaming students and was totally blown away by the response.

“It was totally unexpected but a wonderful feeling. The One and Only has a become a bit of a cult song amongst students and I can’t thank them enough for that.

“I’ve been adopted by the student fraternities of the country and they have made me feel very welcome.”

When he’s not touring alone or bringing down the house with his performances at Pontins and Butlins camps around the country, Chesney is busy with his day job - writing songs for other people.

And his nose will be back at the grindstone as soon as he finishes this acoustic tour.

“I do a lot of work with new bands and there are lots of deadlines looming and I’m being told off from all angles,” he laughed.

“Then I’ll be working on material for a new album. So watch this space.”

To find out more about Chesney, or to buy his album, log on to www.chesneyhawkes. co.uk. -