All About Maggie

Maggie Joddrell Britton is an international recording artist with Top 10 chart records in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Maggie’s songwriting talent, vocal expertise and dynamic live performances have taken her throughout Australia and around the world.

Among the highlights of her many international performances, particularly in the United Kingdom, was a Royal Command Performance at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London before members of the Royal Family.

From the beginning of her career as a regular performer on Brian Henderson’s Bandstand (Channel 9, Sydney, Australia), Maggie toured extensively throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Her first single, Come On Down, reached number one on the New Zealand charts and remained in the Top 10 for twelve weeks.

Bandstand’s Singing Sweethearts (Festival/Mushroom Spin, March 2001) includes two of Maggie’s hit singles, Morning Dew and I’m Into Looking For Someone To Love Me, and was available through record outlets nationwide.

Several more chart successes followed, including Morning Dew and Stop.

Two of these early singles were digitally remastered and released by Festival/Mushroom in 2001 to celebrate 50 years of the company’s success in Australia.

Bandstand’s Singing Sweethearts (Festival/Mushroom Spin, March 2001) includes two of Maggie’s hit singles, Morning Dew and I’m Into Looking For Someone To Love Me.

Later, Maggie signed with the major U.S. film and recording company United Artists and travelled to the United States to record. Along with the contract came a name change, and from then on she was known as Maggie Britton.

Her first single released on United Artists, Reuben James, written by Alex Harvey, became her first hit in the United Kingdom and other European countries. The song has since become a country music classic, covered by many well-known artists.

Maggie has shared the stage and appeared on television with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including:

The Bee Gees, Robin Gibb, Peter Sellers, Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell, The Mamas and the Papas, The Temptations, The Three Degrees, and the evergreen British star Max Bygraves, to mention just a few.

Her Royal Command Performance at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London before members of the British Royal Family ranks among the highlights of Maggie’s many international performances, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Maggie’s songwriting began in the mid-1970s with a song about her beloved horse, Gypsy.

Maggie is a successful international recording artist with Top 10 chart records in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Her songwriting talent, vocal expertise and dynamic live performances have taken her throughout Australia and around the world.

Maggie’s catalogue includes a considerable number of published works, along with many songs written in collaboration with other songwriters.

Maggie is a Full Writer Member of the Performing Rights Society (PRS).

The criteria for full membership are five commercial releases.

Maggie uses Logic Pro Studio to compose her songs.

Note: The quality of some of the following recordings reflects the method used to transfer them from vinyl records or, in some cases, cassette tapes.

Written for a proposed film on the life of J. M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan, The Boy Who Never Grows Old contains personal and private meaning, using Peter Pan as its central analogy.

Watching the River Thames flow past her window inspired Maggie to reflect on the remarkable sights along its journey to the sea and on how the oceans and rivers of the world are interconnected.

• B-side: Girl with the Laughing Eyes
• Maggie’s 1980 single, Good Ship Earth
• The Boy Who Never Grows Old (Mitchell/Britton/Mitchell) – performed by Maggie
• Bright Water (Maggie Britton)
• Whatever Happened to Josephine (Maggie Britton) – loosely autobiographical
• Honey Whatz That All About (Malveen/Britton/Merlini) – performed by Lesyah
• Make My Day (Malveen/Britton/Merlini) – performed by Lesyah
• Stop Messin With Me (Maggie Britton) – performed by female trio Chantel. “Here I am expressing my frustration with the music industry. At times I felt I was, metaphorically speaking, swimming through a sewer to get to my lifelong love, which is music.”
• Peeking Boogie (Beijing Boogie) (Maggie Britton) – performed by female trio Chantel. “In 1980, whilst musing on China, I was inspired to write my thoughts into a simple pop song. The intervening years have seen these random thoughts become reality.”
• Dreamtime Avenue (Scott & Britton) – performed by Jason Lee Scott. Written after Jason spoke about a trip to visit friends living in Dreamtime Avenue, Maryborough, Queensland.
• Good Old Days (Scott & Britton) – performed by Jason Lee Scott. Lyrics drawn from a conversation about family.
• It Starts With You and Me (Scott & Britton) – performed by Jason Lee Scott. Inspired by thoughts on harmonious co-existence.

A fun side project produced two songs for Maggie and her band, The Royals. To complete the concept, the records were released on the Monarch label.

Charlie (Maggie Britton)
Written tongue-in-cheek, but when released, reviewers described it as “the cheekiest record of the year.”

All The Queen’s Men (Maggie Britton)
The idea for this lyric came from news coverage of Charles and Diana’s engagement, when Maggie felt his emotions were not entirely sincere.

Boys From Brazil (Maggie Britton)
Inspired by the discovery that Maggie had unknowingly purchased a former home of one of the Great Train Robbers.

Better Than Me (Britton/Mitchell & Mitchell) – performed by Zane Mitchell.
The song was later submitted for professional critique in the United States, with particularly positive comments about its strong melody, memorable structure and balance of conceptual and descriptive lyrics.

A Royal Command Performance at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London before members of the Royal Family remains one of the highlights of Maggie’s many international performances, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Discography

• Live at Lovestreet – 14-track live album (2016)
• Ditto – 12-track smooth jazz album, Oak Records (January 2011)
• Bandstand’s Singing Sweethearts – Festival/Mushroom Spin (March 2001), featuring Maggie’s hit singles Morning Dew and I’m Into Looking For Someone To Love Me
• The Best of Maggie Britton – Independent release (1993)
• Maggie Britton – Monarch Records UK (1980)

Maggie is recognised as a music producer who skilfully and patiently guides both the artist and the project. The resulting product is commercially viable and delivered within budget.

Production credits include awards for Best Producer 2002 and Best Album 2002, presented by the Recording Industry Association Queensland.

In her role as producer, Maggie demonstrates expertise in:

Planning • Organising • Scheduling • Problem Solving • Coordinating • Counselling • Resourcefulness • Budget Management • Communication Skills • Negotiation and Mediation Skills

Producer / Songwriter Credits: Commercial Releases

Honey (What’s That All About) – CD Single (2009)
Artist: Lesyah
Co-writer and Producer: Maggie Britton

Day In The Sun – 12-track CD Album (2010)
Artist: Lesyah
Co-writer and Executive Producer: Maggie Britton

• Give It Up
• I Survived You

From The Desert To The Sea – Award-Winning CD Album (2002)
Artist: Jason Lee Scott
Co-writer and Producer: Maggie Britton

• Dreamtime Avenue
• Open Your Heart

Drive Me Crazy – Released June 2002
Artist: Fumitaka Fuchigami
Co-writer and Producer: Maggie Britton

Cindy-Leigh Boske, from the album Heaven’s Eyes. Maggie produced the album and co-wrote the following songs:

• Merry Go Round – CD Single (2006)
  Artist: Cindy-Leigh Boske
  Co-writer and Producer: Maggie Britton
• Just You and Me – Award-Winning CD Single (2004)
  Artist: Cindy-Leigh Boske
  Co-writer and Producer: Maggie Britton

Other Production Credits

• Michaela Ponting – I Will Wait For You
• Brooke Dee Lyndsay
• XZEL – Singer/Songwriter, Rap/Hip Hop (6 original tracks, 2004–2005)
• Shaun Pryor – Eight-year-old Australian boy soprano. In Your Imagination (CD Single, 2003)
• Leesa Harpur – New Zealand actress (Xena: Warrior Princess) and singer. Three tracks on a CD album released through Universal Music (January 2002).

Interested in talking to Maggie about producing your music? Get in touch to discuss your project.

Mentoring

An important aspect of Maggie’s professional life is the career development of young singers / songwriters and others aiming for a successful future in the Music / Entertainment Industry and the Media.

Maggie shares her ‘knowledge and practical experience in the music industry’, by coaching, co-ordinating and producing projects for Australian and International artists. A detailed prospectus of professional services is available on request.

Artists Mentored:

Lesyah Singer/songwriter (refer Biography Lesyah Oak Records)

Vanessa Quai – Winner of: ‘Nile Children’s Festival’, Egypt 2002.‘Golden Star’’ Romania 2004.Romanian Television RTV ‘Golden Stag’ International Festival for Pop Music 2005. Vanessa is the highest selling Pacific artist in the Pacific region. (Singer/Songwriter)

Jason Lee Scott – Ambassador for National Youth Week with Scandalous and the Super Jesus April 2002 Eclipse in the Outback 2002 Big Day Out (Gold Coast / Sydney / Melbourne) 2002 Feature artist ‘Moomba Festival’ Melbourne and the ‘Port Fairy Folk Festival’ Finalist nominee ‘Deadly Awards’ (Singer/Songwriter/Musician)

Leigh Sleightholme – International Touring Company ‘We Will Rock You’ 2005 (Singer/Songwriter/Musician/Dancer/Actor) Currently in group ‘Boys in the Band’ 2011.

Kristina Doyle – Top 50 Australian Idol 2006 (Singer/Songwriter/Musician)

Mandy Mauloni – Seven News (presenter) Seven Network Queensland 2005, The Television Consultancy Co, (Producer) London 2006

Leela McMullen – Graduated AMDA New York, May 2006 (Singer/Actress)

Simone Dew – Lead Singer with the Australian Army Band – current (Singer/Musician)

Roxanne Dew – Lead Singer with the Australian Air Force Band – current (Singer/Musician)

From 1995 until 2000, Maggie was Co-Director of the South Pacific International Song Contest Pty Ltd. The company was responsible for staging the prestigious South Pacific International Music Awards, a pre-release awards event and hit predictor show casing the best young talent from the world’s music industry. Taking place annually and involving a variety of events presented over a five- day period.

The South Pacific International Music Awards ‘Gala Concert’ was a televised presentation hosted by Maggie Britton, broadcast in Australia on the NBN network and internationally in twelve (12) Countries.

Dignitaries including the Mayor of Gold Coast City attended the ‘Gala’ presentation as well as Ambassadors or Consuls of the countries represented, along with industry movers and shakers.

Events

The ‘Media Launch and Welcome’ by the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau,

‘Meet the Stars’ presented in a cabaret setting was much enjoyed particularly by those members of the public who got the opportunity to meet in person and speak with stars from their country of origin.

‘Up Close and Personal’ a presentation of famous songwriters performing the hit songs they had written for big name recording artists,

‘Songwriters Seminars’

‘Mayoral Cocktail Party’, attended by Dignitaries, sponsors, special guests and visiting international media, hosted by the Mayor at the Gold Coast City Art Gallery.

Sponsors

Dreamworld, Mercure Resorts, Gold Coast City Council, the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA), the Performing Rights Association (PRS) and the British Academy, British Airways, Festival Mushroom Records along with the South Pacific Trade Commission and others sponsored the event.

Awards

1. Recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation in 2005, given by His Excellency Major- General Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia  for her work coordinating the Thai/Burma Railway Expedition. (Refer to Events page for details)

2. Awarded the ‘Vietnam Logistics & Support Medal’ in 1988 for her tour of duty entertaining the troops at the time of the ‘Tet Offensive’ 1968 during the Vietnam War. (Add pic of medals here) Maggie is an ‘Honorary Lieutenant’ in the Australian Army.

The first entertainer invited to join the Vietnam Memorial Association 2004. The memorial is located at the Australian Defence Force training facility, Canungra, Queensland.

Maggie has raised many thousands of dollars for Legacy through her Gala concerts.

3. In 1981 the Royal Navy (RN), adopted Maggie Britton, the only other recipient of this rare honour being Dame Vera Lynn.  The adoption affords Maggie several interesting privileges. Permission to park in the forecourt of Admiralty House, London is one that is very useful and appreciated.  Invited to join manoeuvres with the fleet in the English Channel aboard HMS Arrow and transferring via breeches buoy under full steam to HMS Norfolk remains a treasured experience for Maggie.

4. Awarded ‘Best Album’ and ‘Producer of the Year’ for the album  ‘From The Desert To The Sea’ Maggie pictured here with the artist Jason Lee Scott.

Affiliations

Former committee member (2002) of the Music Managers Forum (MMF).

The (MMF) has some five hundred members who in turn represent the majority of Australian recording artists. The objective of the organisation is to raise the professional standards of music management. The (MMF) undertakes representations to government and others on matters affecting members’ obligations, rights or interests.

Maggie is a ‘Full Writer Member’ of the Performing Rights Society (PRS). The criteria for full membership is five (5) commercial releases.

Member of the Board of Directors, of FIDOF’s, ‘Professional Child Artists Foundation’. Fellow Board members include; Mr Paul Chiaravalle (Walt Disney Productions), Mr David Stark (Songlink International) and Mr Mickey Rooney (Actor).

Member of the international judging panels:

5. ‘Voice of Asia’ Pop Music Festival. (Kazahstan)
Governor of Almaty, Mr Viktor Krapounov Kazakhstan & Maggie Britton

6. ‘Golden Star’  (Romania)
Mrs Figen Cakmak (Turkey) Mr Adrian Nastasse Prime Minister of Romania and Maggie Britton (Australia) with young winner

7. ‘Nile International Children’s Festival’  (Egypt)
Mme Susan Mubarak ‘Festival Patron’ & Maggie Britton

8. The South Pacific International Music Awards ‘Gala Concert’ was a televised presentation hosted by Maggie Britton, broadcast in Australia on the NBN network and internationally in twelve (12) Countries.

Among Australian events adjudicated is the Queensland Recording Industry Association Annual Awards, judging the ‘Vocal Performance and Song of the year’ categories.

Honorary Board Member of the International Children’s Song Festival “Golden Magnolia”, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and “The 5^th Synthesis International Talent Festival (SITF)” for Teenagers and Adults in Los Angeles.

Projects

2004
Planned, organized and scheduled the USA tour June 2004 for Rockabilly band the ‘Flamin Locos’

2000
From 1995 until 2000, Maggie was Co-Director of the South Pacific International Song Contest Pty Ltd. The company was responsible for staging the prestigious South Pacific International Music Awards, a pre-release awards event and hit predictor show casing the best young talent from the world’s music industry. Taking place annually and involving a variety of events presented over a five- day period.

Dignitaries including the Mayor of Gold Coast City attended the ‘Gala’ presentation as well as Ambassadors or Consuls of the countries represented, along with industry movers and shakers.

Events

The ‘Media Launch and Welcome’ by the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau,

‘Meet the Stars’ presented in a cabaret setting was much enjoyed particularly by those members of the public who got the opportunity to meet in person and speak with stars from their country of origin.

‘Up Close and Personal’ a presentation of famous songwriters performing the hit songs they had written for big name recording artists,

‘Songwriters Seminars’

‘Mayoral Cocktail Party’, attended by Dignitaries, sponsors, special guests and visiting international media, hosted by the Mayor at the Gold Coast City Art Gallery.

Sponsors

Dreamworld, Mercure Resorts, Gold Coast City Council, the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA), the Performing Rights Association (PRS) and the British Academy, British Airways, Festival Mushroom Records along with the South Pacific Trade Commission and others sponsored the event.

From 1995 until 2000, Maggie was Co-Director of the South Pacific International Song Contest Pty Ltd. The company was responsible for staging the prestigious South Pacific International Music Awards, a pre-release awards event and hit predictor show casing the best young talent from the world’s music industry. Taking place annually and involving a variety of events presented over a five- day period.

The South Pacific International Music Awards ‘Gala Concert’ was a televised presentation hosted by Maggie Britton, broadcast in Australia on the NBN network and internationally in twelve (12) Countries.

Dignitaries including the Mayor of Gold Coast City attended the ‘Gala’ presentation as well as Ambassadors or Consuls of the countries represented, along with industry movers and shakers.