Soul singer-songwriter and Gold Badge recipient Heather Small has joined the PRS Members’ Fund as a new patron of the charity.
Heather Small is a soul singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the lead singer of the band M People.
She joined her first group, Hot House, while she was still a teenager and after a chance meeting with Manchester DJ Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, M People was established.
Heather Small and her distinctive voice helped to sell over 10 million albums worldwide with the group M People with hit songs such as “Moving On Up”, “One Night In Heaven” and “Search for the Hero”.
Heather performed on the “Perfect Day” record alongside a wide range of artists, including Tom Jones and Lou Reed. The song was the official Children in Need charity release and it sold over a million copies.
As a solo artist, Heather released her debut album Proud and a single of the same name which became her signature song and a worldwide hit.
After some time off Heather resumed her music career with her second solo album, Close to a Miracle and toured the UK with a setlist of her solo tracks, M People songs and some jazz covers. She also took Chaka Khan’s place alongside Anastacia and Lulu for the second Here Come the Girls.
In October 2010, she was rewarded with the Ivors Academy Gold Badge Award in recognition of her contribution to music.
Heather Small celebrated 25 years of singing in 2018.
Besides continuing her musical career, Heather is also active in supporting several charities and she’s the music Ambassador for the Rio Ferdinand Foundation for the campaign ‘United Against Racism’.
Kim Appleby, PRS Members’ Fund trustee, said: “Do you ever ask yourself ‘What have you done today to make you feel proud?’ Well, today I am incredibly proud to be introducing my dear friend Heather Small as one of our new Patrons. Her strength, tenacity and dedication to giving back to the songwriting community will be an invaluable asset over the coming years. We, the PRS Members’ Fund, are delighted to have you on board. Welcome to our family.”
On her appointment, Heather said: “It is my great pleasure to accept the position of Patron for the PRS Members’ Fund. I was approached by Kim and she kindly informed me of the good work that is being done by the organisation. I understand that more than ever this work is much needed and appreciated. Working on behalf of my music creating family in any capacity would be a true honour.”
