This week’s news and gossip is dedicated to Trayc Naylor [Pictured above] who passed away recently, Trayc was a former SMILER team member who took many of the brilliant photos used in the early editions of SMILER magazine and was still an active member and huge fan of Rod’s. She will be greatly missed but will remain in our hearts forever.
Swing Fever in The 10 Most Anticipated Albums of 2024 list
The week started with Swing Fever making the 10 most anticipated albums of 2024 list by Ultimate Classic Rock
Rod Stewart With Jools Holland, ‘Swing Fever’
Rod Stewart is in his swing era. On Feb. 23, he’ll release Swing Fever, a collaborative album with Jools Holland featuring 13 covers of big band classics. “For as long as I live I’m always gonna be a rock star, which I’m proud of, you know, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Stewart assured fans while speaking to Rolling Stone in 2023. “But I just love singing these songs, it’s like heaven for me to sing these songs.
Happy Birthday Sir Rod
On Wednesday Rod celebrated his 79th birthday
Penny posted this great photo with the song Better Together and Sean posted a photo of Rod stood under a lamp shade!!
And captioned it ‘Happy bday dad I love you so much,‘
Wolfie’s Whisky posted this photo..
captioning it Let’s raise a Wolfie’s to our founder, the original Rascal and chief mischief maker Rod Stewart on his birthday – Happy Birthday, young sir!
And this superb photo was posted by Kenney Jones
who wrote.. A day late in posting (🤦🏻♂️) but I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to @sirrodstewart for yesterday!
Hope it was a great one!
Penny also posted her amazing birthday present to the man who has everything ..a build it yourself 1940’s train cabin complete with moving backgrounds..It looks perfect with Rod’s limited edition SMILER logo statue!
What was Rod doing on his birthday..Well in the morning he was messaging SMILER, To find out what about dont miss issue 103 of SMILER Magazine coming soon!
This week’s Rod Art
This week we feature the work of Davy Jae a British cartoonist and illustrator who did this great early 80’s Rod
Davy told SMILER “This piece I did was produced using ink, inkwash and acrylic along with digital colour application, I did fit or my Dad for Christmas, as he was a huge Rod Stewart fan”.
Wolfie’s at theThe Ritz
Rhythm of My Heart
Rod’s letting you lot in on why The Ritz is the perfect home for Wolfie’s new cocktail…
“What can I say about The Ritz – it’s such a special place for me, due to its opulence and feeling of nostalgia. One of the few places you can dress up to the tits and not feel out of place.
I frequently dine with my wife in their glorious dinning room, as it’s so gushingly romantic and perfect for important celebrations. That’s why I’m so flattered that The Ritz has chosen to work with me on a bespoke Wolfie’s cocktail, a dream come true! I am back in there for dinner on Burn’s Night and can’t wait to raise a glass of Wolfie’s.
While Penny and I sat with head mixologist Michele for a pre-dinner drink in The Rivoli Bar, we shared our thoughts on how to create the perfect mix. He’s one of the best bartenders in the world and I am just delighted with his creativity – it’s a gorgeous drink to look at and, with just a touch of theatre, an experience to enjoy.
We thought there was no better moment in time to mark my new cocktail, than Scotland’s celebration of its national bard, Burn’s Night. Sláinte!”
The Rhythm of My Heart cocktail will be available at The Ritz until the 31st of January. Go get your paws on it, quick.
Radio 2 Piano Room
A month of Piano Room performances return to BBC Radio 2 for February featuring 20 artists singing live accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra from London’s BBC Maida Vale studios.
Vernon Kay announced the feature during his mid-morning show on Wednesday.
He said: “Playing a wide variety of songs by so many different artists, from a variety of decades and genres, on my show is one of the many joys of presenting mid mornings on Radio 2 , so I can’t wait to meet and welcome some of them to perform for a whole month in the Piano Room at the Maida Vale studios.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says, “Since Vernon launched his new mid-morning show on Radio 2 in May last year, he has become a firm favourite with listeners, brightening up their days with his warm and funny show, which remains the country’s most listened to radio programme.
“Following his incredible achievement of raising over £6m for BBC Children in Need by completing his ULTRA Ultramarathon Challenge, I know he can’t wait for this next amazing line-up for Piano Room month.”
Here’s who’s playing live:
Monday 29 January: Bruce Hornsby, performing a Don Henley cover version
Tuesday 30 January: Beverley Knight, performing a Radiohead cover version
Wednesday 31 January: The Libertines, performing a Love cover version
Thursday 1 February: PP Arnold, performing a Miley Cyrus cover version
Friday 2 February: Gabrielle, performing a Lionel Richie cover version
Monday 5 February: Anastacia, performing a Whitesnake cover version
Tuesday 6 February: Olivia Dean, performing a Leonard Cohen cover version
Wednesday 7 February: Johnny Marr, performing an Iggy Pop cover version
Thursday 8 February: Shaznay, performing a No Doubt cover version
Friday 9 February: Rick Astley, performing an Olivia Rodrigo cover version
Monday 12 February: Texas, performing a Charles and Eddie cover version
Tuesday 13 February: Jalen Ngonda, performing a Beach Boys cover version
Wednesday 14 February: Valentine’s Day Special with Lisa Stansfield, performing a Lou Rawls cover version
Thursday 15 February: Crowded House, performing a Petula Clark cover version
Friday 16 February: Jess Glynne, performing a Fleetwood Mac cover version
Monday 19 February: Paloma Faith, performing a Tracy Chapman cover version
Tuesday 20 February: Delta Goodrem featuring special guest Gary Barlow, performing a Take That cover version
Wednesday 21 February: Elbow, performing a Louis Armstrong cover version
Thursday 22 February: Rod Stewart with Jools Holland, performing a Billie Holiday cover version
Friday 23 February: Artist to be announced at a later date
And Finally..
Over at Glasgow Celtic Supporters page Sean Martin posted this gem last week..
And captioned it Celtics selected VAR panel !
See you next week..