Tony Takes A Final Bow

 'The End of an Era'

I am now officially announcing that I will close my agency, after 46 years of continuous trading, on March 31st, 2014.

During this long period, I have been pleased (and sometimes frustrated), to represent the interests of many outstanding entertainments. Notables include Lena Martel (a whole story on its own), The Drifters, Berni Flint (absolutely lovely), Wayne Fontana, Russell Watson (a whole book on him), Herman's Hermits, Fresh Aire (THE best Artiste I have ever looked after), Al Martino, Peter Grant, The Rockin' Berries, The Bachelors etc, and for the best part of 30 years, both Mike Pender's Searchers and The Merseybeats.

During this time, I was also elected by my peers as the President of the Entertainment Agents of Great Britain, (when the Association, and being its President, actually meant something!)

I have been fortunate to have travelled the world, looking after my artistes and, all-in-all, have had a very 'interesting' time to relate to my grand-daughters.

Now it's time to go, but not far away! Although I will no longer trade as an Entertainment Agent from March 31st onwards, I will still be involved with Entertainment (how could I not be? - apart from my lovely and long-suffering wife Barbara, our family and Ice Hockey, Entertainment has been my whole life since being a Mecca Ballroom Disc Jockey at 17 years of age).

From this April 1 onwards, I will concentrate on my work as an Event Manager and Tour Manager with various projects, including working with Jasper Carrott, Bev Bevan, Trevor Burton and Geoff Turton on Jasper's Touring Show, 'Stand Up And Rock', acting as company manager for the 'Rat-Pack Vegas Spectacular' Touring-Show, and stage-managing various outside events, including Status Quo at Burghley House in August. It's just that I will not be an agent, or personal representation company any longer after March 31st!

Both The Merseybeats and Mike Pender's Searchers have elected to look after themselves after that date and will not be appointing a new agent to handle their affairs! Details of how people can contact Tony Crane and Mike Pender direct will be widely circulated leading up to March 31st.

~ Tony Sherwood