Builder turned singer and the Hollies front man kick off tour (From Surrey Comet)

Banstead builder turned singer and the Hollies front man kick off tour

6:00pm Friday 1st February 2013 in Leisure

A builder turned singer is excited to be kicking off a tour as special guest to the Hollies front man.

Michael Armstrong, a father from Banstead, will be joining Peter Howarth, longtime singer and guitarist for Cliff Richard, at Epsom Playhouse on February 16.

Armstrong landed a record deal while he was completing kitchen work in the Kingswood home of Lisa Davies who signed him up to her Upbeat Synergy label in 2011.

His first lucky break came earlier the same year during a holiday in Florida where he stumbled across auditions for American Idol and went on to win a heat.

Now with a debut EP already out Armstrong is looking forward to performing a selection of well-known songs and telling his own musical story on tour with Howarth.

Earlier this year he told the Epsom Guardian: "The building industry has been good to me, but it’s not what I enjoy because my passion is music.

"I have waited a long time for this and have paid my dues. It’s better late than never."

Howarth's Unplugged tour will feature solo arrangements of hit songs by The Hollies, Cliff Richard and Roy Orbison as well as some of his own compositions.

One of his performances inspired the idea for the Justice Collective’s Hillsborough tribute, a cover of Hollies’ hit ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,’ which was Christmas No. 1 in 2012.

Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright had invited Howarth to perform it at numberous events including the Blues’ post FA Cup party at London’s Grosvenor Hotel in 2009.

Peter Howarth Unplugged with special guest Michael Armstrong; Epsom Playhouse, Ashley Road, Epsom; February 16; 8pm; prices from £12.50; call 01372 742555/742227; visit www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk.