Stepping Up

Stepping Up is a highly charged outfit geared to make your wedding  party/event a complete musical success.

Amanda Lyon is the stunning vocalist who front’s this band with an exceptional voice that is without doubt one that can match many of her contemporaries on the global stage. She, along with a slick and ‘tight-knit’ band of professional players who have collectively performed with artists such as; Sam Brown, Camille O’Sullivan, Julia Fordham, John Martyn, Rosanne Cash, Tam White and Bonnie Raitt to name a few, provide a chemistry that ensures that Stepping Up will still have you dancing a few days after.

Stepping Up has a balanced set of material combining great classics from the Motown era by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder, …….to more modern and current artists such as Joss Stone,  KT Tunstalliy Beverly Knight and  Alicia Keys. 

Stepping Up can also offer you some low-key ‘pre-party’ dinner/cocktail music in a piano/vocal duo/trio format to suit the mood. Personal song requests will always be accommodated if possible and, if required as a prelude to your main evening’s event.

The Band:

Amanda Lyon is an Aberdeenshire girl with a voice to match many on the global stage, Amanda has pursued a vocal career which has seen her tour, co-write and record with artists such as: Ray Wilson, (ex Genesis vocalist), ‘Runrig’, ‘The Kane Gang’ and ‘Horse’. She has performed in Theatre/TV and has her own solo album, ‘One Chance’. Amanda is blessed with a voice that can make any song her own.

Foss Paterson is a much admired and talented keyboardist who has performed, toured and recorded with a wide range of artists from; John Martyn and Julia Fordham to,……. Rosanne Cash and Bonnie Raitt. Foss has been active as a writer/arranger for BBC Scotland on many programmes for many years and has composed numerous soundtracks for the ‘History’ and ‘Discovery’ channels.

Neil Warden is much in demand due to his signature ‘funky/soul/blues’ guitar style. He has recently been performing in the ‘West End’ show, ‘The Dark Angel’ with Irish chanteuse, Camille O’Sullivan. Neil has also performed at many international Jazz and Blues festivals with Scottish blues legend, Tam White and ex ‘Bad Company/King Crimson’ bassist, Boz Burrell. He’s also featured heavily on Tam’s last 4 CDs.

Jim Drummond is the driving force of the band and as a drummer has been involved in many projects including 5 albums with the AOR rock band ‘Strangeways’ which opened for many names like; Meatloaf, Bryan Adams and Glen Hughes. He has performed with ‘Fish’, ‘Horse’ , ‘Hue and Cry and Donnie Munro as well as being a lasting member of the Musicians Union workshop band.
He regularly gigs Glasgow with a variety of other artists.  

John Need  is the other half of the engine room and as a bassist has played with many top bands in Scotland touring the UK. As a composer his music has been regularly heard through TV and radio. He’s also a highly regarded photographer but at his most comfortable on stage.

"Trust us. We know what you like and we know you’ll like it"