Singer hits right notes for cancer charity disc
ASOUTHPORT singer who was diagnosed with testicular cancer is urging people to help him record a new album, with money going to a cancer charity.
Matthew Fearon has been busking and performing in Southport and around the country for nearly 20 years.
He sang the hit song Somewhere Only We Know for the iconic Bear and the Hare John Lewis advert in 2013. The song subsequently topped the charts.
The 36-year-old was diagnosed with testicular cancer two years ago. He now wants to record his best songs on an album to raise money for Baggy Trousers UK. A cancer charity based in the North West of England, it was founded by Jack Broadley in 2014, after going through his own experience of testicular cancer at the age of 21.
Matthew said: “I’ll be recording all my best covers from 18 years of performing, all on one album. I keep being asked if I have an up to date CD of the songs I sing in Southport.
“I am looking to raise £1,000 to help towards recording and production costs, copyright clearance etc.
“I would usually use funds from gigs and street performance for this, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the new restrictions in place it’s not currently possible.
“I will also be donating a percentage of the album sale profits to Baggy Trousers UK, a charity which gives support to men with testicular cancer. Hopefully there’s a reward which will interest you to donate. Thanks for supporting me.”
Matthew started off his musical career by busking in Southport aged 17. He has been busking ever since as well as performing around the country. It has been an impressive career, with some notable highlights.
He said: “I don’t handle attention that well so I prefer to stick to the busking, but featuring on the Christmas John Lewis advert The Bear And The Hare in 2013 was a highlight.
“Another highlight was working with Nick McCabe, the guitarist from one of my favourite bands The Verve when he featured on one of my own songs. These days I call him a friend.
The singer visited doctors two years ago where he heard his upsetting news.
He said: “I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in late 2018.
“The release of this album will coincide with the end of my second year on surveillance, and I would like to celebrate this by donating a share of the proceeds from the album sales to Baggy Trousers UK.”
Matthew’s version of the hit song Somewhere Only We Know was chosen to appear in John Lewis’ Christmas Day advert. 2013 after being hand-picked as the best by band Keane, who recorded the original version of the ballad.
Matthew, then 29-years-old, decided to enter the John Lewis Reworked competition after shoppers heard him busking and encouraged him to try his luck.
A cover version of the song, recorded by pop star Lily Allen for John Lewis’ Christmas Bear and Hare advert, subsequently topped the charts.
To donate to Matthew Fearon’s new album please visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/acousticcovers
For more details about the Baggy Trousers UK please visit: https://baggytrousersuk.org/check-your-nuts/