North-East Media & PR specialist, Peter Mann, was recently afforded the trip of a lifetime when travelling to New York City to work alongside legendary music manager, Vicky Hamilton.
Peter, from Durham, has worked in PR for a number of years, primarily with Newcastle Legends but in recent times has spread his wings and taken on clients of his own.
Having worked with numerous local acts such as The Longsands, Twister and Scream of Sirens whilst regularly supplying content for the local press and most recently, Sage Gateshead, as well Boxing News, Glasgow Eyes and other outlets further afield, Peter has found himself working alongside Vicky Hamilton, Bumblefoot, Lea Williams and more.
So how did a once a lifetime opportunity come about and what happened when Peter reached the big apple?
“It was all down to the power of social media, a little bit of luck, and my receiving a copy of the first edition of Vicky’s incredible life story, ‘Appetite for Dysfunction,’ in November last year,” explained Peter.
“I got that at the Bumblefoot gig I PR’d at Trillians in Newcastle, we exchanged a few messages and it kind of went from there.
“After interviewing Vicky several times, and her clients (Love Past Blue, Matt Adey and Damian Sage) over a five month period I was suddenly taken aback when she messaged asking if I’d come to New York and be by her side for the launch of the second edition.
“I just had to try and do it and it’s thanks to people like Steve Wraith and David McCaffrey that I was able to do so.”
Earlier this month Peter took flight to New York, via Manchester and Dublin, to be there for what was initially tow gigs, the Vicky Hamilton Showcase at The Cutting Room on the Thursday and a solo performance from Matt at the Bowery Electric on the Saturday.
Whilst there he also took in a trip to Sterling Sound with Vicky and Love Past Blue, a Guns N’ Roses exhibition and can now also be seen, alongside new-found friends, on the balcony of Madison Square Gardens for the Guns N’ Roses Not In This Lifetime gig the night before heading home.
“The whole experience was just amazing and I honestly didn’t want to come home,” continued Peter.
“Everyone in the States have become friends for life and my, our hosts, Antonio and Sole Reyes, were fantastic.
“Love Past Blue have become like family to me, the band is going places and I’m honoured to be part of the ride and both they, Damian, and Matt, gave fantastic performances at the Showcase.
“Getting the chance to see Guns N’ Roses live was just the icing and I know that, overall, the trip has opened doors for me and I’ll continue doing what I can for them.”
Peter is aiming to release a mini-book of his New York trip, alongside another publication around his music interviews over the years, through David McCaffrey’s publishing company, Britain’s Next Bestseller, in time for Christmas.
Updates on Peter’s work and progression can be found via Peter Mann – Media & PR – https://www.facebook.com/petermannmedia (Facebook), @petermannwriter https://twitter.com/petermannwriter (Twitter), or www.insidemann.co.uk (website) whilst you can purchase signed copies of Vicky Hamilton’s ‘Appetite for Dysfunction’ from www.vickyhamilton.com.
To read more about this trip of a lifetime get your December issues of Northern Insight and NE Online Magazine, out in time for Xmas….