Alton Wahlberg Blog

A Truly Special Proposal....

With the recent launch of my new proposal package, I wanted to share this really special proposal gig I had the privilege of playing last week…

I was initially contacted by Dan, who was planning to propose to his partner and had the idea of popping the question in the place they first met - at a garden party near Cambridge. Little did Dan know, the original occupants of the house had since moved and the property was now occupied by new owners - and complete strangers to Dan! Undeterred, he took a chance and knocked on the door to introduce himself to the new owners and share his dream proposal ideas with them. They agreed to lend him the garden for a night so that he could carry out his plans!

The next task for Dan was to keep his partner occupied for the evening whilst he decorated the garden with candles, rose petals and allow some time for me to set up in the garden ready to surprise her by playing a very special song upon her arrival later on in the evening. Dan arranged for a friend to take his partner out for a meal at a near by pub whilst we set the scene and lit the hundred of candles ready for her arrival!

As the time of her arrival drew closer, she had absolutely no idea that on the way home, her friend was planning to drop her off at the house where the garden party took place all this years ago….

Confused, but also intrigued, she made her way her way down the candle lit drive to be met in the garden to the sounds of my acoustic version of ‘Grow old with You’… as she turned the corner and entered the garden she was met by Dan, who led her by the hand to a beautiful picnic blanket covered in candles and rose petals, as he went down on one knee and popped the question!

Of course she she said ‘yes’, then the newly engaged couple enjoyed a personal set of their favourite acoustic songs performed by yours truly as they sipped champagne and enjoyed some evening snacks under the stars in the beautiful candle lit garden… what a way to top off a truly unique and special proposal!

If you are planning a proposal, I’m always more than happy to work with you to make sure your night is as memorable as this one! The beauty of my set-up means I am fully portable and available to play any time, any where! So whether its a garden in Cambridge where you first met, or a landmark, venue, restaurant, beach or any place that has specific meaning to you… don’t hesitate to get in touch and allow me to supply the soundtrack to your perfect proposal!

Artist Development Photo Shoot

In this fast-paced digital world there is such an enormous glut of images being displayed on websites, social media, in the press and indeed everywhere we look, that it can be rather overwhelming for the consumer.
Users have to pick and choose from a whole host of quality content and images all vying for their attention.
Your images need to be good, they need to capture attention and they need to be right for you. If you’re reading this it’s probably because these pictures grabbed your attention.
As just one part of my Artist Development packages, I will come and do a photo shoot for you to help you capture images that you can use for social media, posters, flyers and any where else you can think of that will actually get people to stop and pay attention.

For more informatioin, check out the 'Artist Development' section of this website!

'MUSIC SUFFOLK' - What's it all about???

It's no secret - I've been a Suffolk singer-songwriter for a long time now. I've seen the good and the bad of the local music scene.

It all started almost 15 years ago, as I sat nervously waiting my turn to sing at my first ever open mic night - an old mans folk night where I was by far the youngest in the room. I’ll never forget the old boy who went on before me sang the most beautifully written, incredible song I’d ever heard - and wow could the fella sing as well! At the end of the night I plucked up the courage to talk to this dude to try and get some advice - he clearly knew what he was doing. It baffled me a little that this guy was playing here at the same gig as me, when he blatantly should have been selling out venues all over the place!

To cut a long story short, he actually wasn’t the kindest of blokes, rather a pretty bitter old grump, and when I asked if had any advice for a young budding musician he simply said - ‘forget it lad, unless you’re absolutely minted, it’s not what you know - it’s who you know’. I left feeling a little down, but genuinely didn’t believe him - as long as my music was good I’ve got a good a chance as any right? It’s not like I want to sell out Wembley stadium, I just want to get a few gigs and make a bit of money doing what I love.

Now I’ve been lucky enough to do this, but I’d be lying if I said throughout all my experiences there isn’t an element of truth in what that old boy said. What followed after that night was pretty much 15 years of rejections, 15 years of being snubbed and ignored at every awards ceremony, every competition, every talent show... you name it. The times I have been fortunate enough to get a slot at a decent festival it’s usually been tucked away in an acoustic tent at 1pm on a Sunday afternoon. The rare support slots I’ve played for anyone even remotely close to being half famous I’ve usually spent a whole day travelling somewhere only to open up as the first act playing to an empty room for free.

Without wanting to sound bitter, I’ve sat back and watched the same names in the same clicks get all the radio play, win all the awards, get all the recognition and usually after a little digging, you’ll find the manager knows the venue owner, or the lead guitarist’s girlfriend runs the radio show, or the singers Dad is on the judging panel and so on...

Not just this, but I’ve also experienced first hand the number of con artists preying on young musicians with a dream. I’ve seen artists literally chucking hundreds of pounds for websites that never get found, I’ve seen them pay thousands for studio time to record songs that never get heard - I’ve seen them pay ridiculous amounts to be a support act for an artist only to still play to an empty room....

I can’t help thing back to that old boy at the open mic 15 years ago.... ‘Unless you’re minted, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’.

Now being absolutely 100% honest, none of this ever bothered me. Not one bit! I never got in to this business to win awards, get recognition or make millions. But I have also seen so much incredible talent go to waste. I’ve seen musicians - especially young musicians, literally devastated by music politics - enough to simply give up all together.

For a while now I’ve had this crazy ambition to create a platform where all musicians have an equal chance to be seen, heard and booked! Not just musicians either, a place where anyone involved in the whole industry is welcome, from bands and artists to shops and tutors, to festivals organisers and even just music lovers. A place where there are no clicks, we are all equal and we all have the same opportunities to get gigs, sell music, discover new bands etc.

Now, with more than a little help and inspiration from my own brother at 'Keith Snowdon Web Design' and with a new found optimism I can proudly announce together we aim to make the dream reality with the official launch of a one-stop music hub designed specifically as a practical and affordable way to help and support anyone who cares about music in our local area. All are welcome, no longer do you need to spend thousands of pounds on new websites that don’t actually ever get found, no longer to you need to be in a click to get seen and heard...

Regardless of what I’ve done in my own music career, if this project helps anyone the industry what so ever, then of all the things I’ve done over the last 15 years, this will be my proudest achievement. I can’t wait to officially launch this platform this coming Friday.....