UDDINGSTON singer Brenda Cochrane was getting rave reviews as Mama Morton in the West End production of Chicago when she heard the news that her father Joe had died.
Returning to Scotland, the former teacher and missionary was discussing her life and career with her friend Elaine C Smith who suggested her story should have a wider audience.
As a result the two woman penned Just for Joe, in tribute to Brenda's father, looking back on her life from 'doing a turn' as a child at New Year through missionary work in Canada and teaching in the United Arab Emirates to finally appearing on the West End stage.
The first half of the show is set 'backstage' as Brenda prepares for a performance.
She tells and sings of the highs and lows of her career, the music which has been important to her and the people who have influenced her, chief amongst whom was, of course, Joe.
However, Brenda admits that she did all she could to avoid becoming a professional singer.
She said: "I used to sing as a child but as I got older I didn't want to do the clubs so I actually moved to Edinburgh and trained as a teacher.
"But the singing was always there and eventually I got back into it.
"To be honest it was never about the fame or the money all I wanted to do was make my dad proud."
The second half sees Brenda perform her 'In Concert Show' with her big band singing all the classics from big ballads to country and she will also perform songs from her recent album 'Home'.
Brenda performs Just for Joe at the King's Theatre, Glasgow, on Friday, April 9, and Saturday, April 10, at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Tickets costing £12–£22 are available from the box office on 08448 717 648 or
www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow.
