By Andrew Clarke

Published at 11:05, Thursday, 16 August 2012

SUE Wickwar has turned Whitehaven town centre into her very own stage.

Sue Wickwar: In full voice on Whitehaven’s King Street

For last few months, shoppers in town have been able to enjoy impromptu live music from the talented singer/songwriter turned busker from Cleator.

But busking isn’t simply an enjoyable hobby for Sue, to pass a few hours and make a few quid from passers-by.

She’s quit her job as a driving instructor to go down a new road as a full-time self-employed musician and artist. And with her debut album on the way, she’s much in-demand in the local pubs and is loving her new career choice.

“It’s been going really well,” says Sue, speaking to The Whitehaven News during a Tuesday afternoon session on King Street. “The response from people has been great.

“I was working part-time as a driving instructor, part-time as a singer and part-time as a painter. I didn’t have time for it all so something had to give, so I left my job as a driving instructor, which I’d had for 17 years, to stick my neck out and give this a real go.”

Sue has been singing live since 2006. She has been a regular in The Brook pub at Cleator – where she still gigs monthly – and plays functions, weddings and even funerals in the local area. Her first introduction to the world of busking came only two years ago.

“I would go and visit friends in Liverpool and would busk while I was there essentially for my petrol money.

“I regularly busk at Liverpool One (the city’s main shopping complex), but you have to audition before they’ll register you and let you play. That was quite nerve-wracking!”

There’s no such barriers to playing in Whitehaven, although Copeland Council does adopt a ‘buskers’ code’ in which musicians are expected to play appropriately and respect their surroundings.

In terms of what Sue plays, her set-list is wide-ranging and varied, with a mix of covers and her own material.

“I have a wide spectrum, I play everything from the 50s right up to the present day, from Patsy Cline to Adele, with stuff from Carole King, The Beatles, Bob Dylan in between.

“I try to entertain and adapt what I’m playing to who’s passing by at that time, like I might play some Oasis if a group of lads are in the area.”

And Sue’s certainly caught people’s attention. She’s received a number of bookings from people who have seen her playing in the street, and during one session, she was approached by local musician and producer, Don Dean, which has led her into the studio to make her debut album.

“Don said he was on the look out for singers, and we’re now part-way through my first album. All original songs, it should be released in the coming months.”

The future looks good for Sue who, as well as performing on King Street, can be caught live in any number of town centre pubs, including The Wellington, The Vagabond, Billy McGrady’s and The Ship.

Her painting is going equally well. Her figurative artwork can be found on display – and for sale – at The Brook, while she’ll open her home, with her living room converted into a gallery, as part of the C-Art (Cumbrian Artists Open Studios) scheme from September 1.

To contact Sue telephone 07894645966.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk