Classic Guitars, Amps & Effects For Hire

Back in 2018, a 13-year-old girl from the North East steps out onto the America's Got Talent stage, shy, uncertain, and a bit nervous.  She composes herself, nods the backing track in, and then launches into the most blistering rendition of Otis Redding's Hard To Handle that you're ever likely to hear.  A standing ovation from judges and audience, and Simon Cowell's astonished three-word assessment: "Bloody hell, Courtney!"  Just amazing.  If for some reason you've never seen it, watch Courtney's AGT Audition, now!  If it doesn't blow you away, you're unusual ;-).

Roll forward to 2025, and Courtney, now 21, launches her debut album Little Miss Jagged with three intimate gigs, in London, Birmingham and Manchester. The first, at The Waiting Room in London, is one of those few "I was there" moments I can make any claim to.  Courtney's producer and co-writer Kevin Rowe was on the set to make a guest appearance for one song, and needed an acoustic.  Band guitarist Orlando Avalon is a left-handed player.  A quick search, a click, and a booking later, this 2006 Gibson Hummingbird joined Kevin on stage, on the night, for Wild Things, a song co-written with Courtney.  And just through that lucky chain of events, I got to see Courtney, Kevin and the band in action. 

Honestly, this rarely happens.  But when it does, you can see why it makes front page news.  A real moment to be there, and an honour to have the Hummingbird joining Courtney, Kevin and the band on stage.  And I've got to say, much as I loved the Hummingbird  being there, it was Courtney's vocals, Orlando's fretwork, and the band's perfect timing and delivery that had me from the start.  Once again, just blown away!