You’ve gotta have Heart

Jul 31 2007 by Peter Elson, Liverpool Daily Post

“His age isn’t a problem as these songs are better sung by a guy who looks experienced. We’ll have him dressed very smartly in handmade clothes.

“I want Asa to appeal to everyone. We know that young women will go for him, so the songs have got to be a little dangerous and a little clever. Older women want to mother him.

“The whole thing has got to fit and his solid family background helps. I don’t take anyone short term, they must have longevity.”

Asa has paid his dues.

The second eldest of carpenter Peter and Jacquie Murphy’s seven children, Asa grew up in Walton, working as a Liverpool WH Smith shop assistant and a careworker, literally wiping up after the terminally incontinent.

Fulfilment of his singing ambitions began when a client at his wife’s hairdressing salon heard a tape of him and invited him to perform at his Southport restaurant. Other bookings followed.

“Once, only two people turned up, besides my soundman Kenny Harris and myself. The owner said go ahead and I greeted this couple.

“One said, ‘We Czechoslavakian. No speak English’, they loved the show. I should have sung Czech the Knife.

“It’s taken me nine years to become an overnight success.”

Tony says: “I told Asa to come to London and we’d dump him in a club with people talking and see what happened.

“We just stood in wonderment at Asa’s impact. His phrasing and style is a one off and so different. It’s reminiscent, but not an impersonation, of Frank Sinatra and I worked very closely with Frank’s manager.

“Then I recorded Asa with just a piano. Burt Bacharach’s manager has the tapes and the clue is that he knows that there is nothing like this done already.

“This boy is charismatic, an undiscovered major talent, who doesn’t need much coaching. Everything he does is very natural and just flows out.

“I have to think about music suitable for TV and film themes. There aren’t many managers in this world who could put him into LA to meet Art Ford, the biggest music industry pitcher.

“That’s why I want the right music and the whole package. Art will be blown away.”

peter.elson@dailypost.co.uk

Showbusiness stalwart

STARTING life as an accountant, Tony Nunn’s career in showbusiness management ranges right across British entertainment.

From helping produce the absurd hit, Nice One Cyril, to handling serious actors such as Susan George and Simon McCorkindale. His wife, singer Valerie Masters, duetted with Barbra Streisand on her film Yentl’s soundtrack. His current roster includes the Chinese violin and dancing sensation Ching, a possible opening act for the Beijing Olympics, and Steve Murray, who recorded the Children in Need single Child of Love.

Since the 1960s, Tony managed Stanley Baxter, now 81, who recently refused £3m to act in a Harry Potter film.

“Asa will be my last big project and I’m determined he will succeed. He can sing operatic arias, but not yet. We’re hoping he’ll appear at the Summer Pops.”

Asa will launch Liverpool’s Capital of Culture song, Born to Dream, at the Philharmonic Hall next March.

Tony is keen that Asa remains available on Merseyside, though, tel: 01403 871200.