‘What Are you Doing New Years Eve’ was written by American songwriter Frank Loesser in 1947 ‘I think I must have first heard the Lena Horne’s 1966 version as my Mum played a lot of her music when I was little.’ explained Emma.

‘I’m stablemates with Chris Wyze and the Tellers as we are both signed for distribution with ‘Select-O-Hits’ in Memphis. I was in Tennessee for a few days in September 2025 when Chris Wyze tracked me down and asked me to co-write and sing a duet with him on his Christmas track ‘Hearts Blue Christmas’. We recorded the song at Royal Studios in Memphis with the Hi Rhythm Section.’

‘At the end of the recording session, producer Boo Mitchell said, ‘We have an hour left’ at which Chris turned to me and said ‘Do you want to do anything?’ I’ve previously recorded with pianist Charles Hodges, also of the Hi Rhythm Section, on my record ‘Memphis Calling’. We have a good friendship and work well together, I asked Charles if he knew the song ‘What are you doing New Years Eve’?

‘Charles strolled to the Grand Piano that has been in the same position at Royal studio for decades – goodness knows how many iconic songs that piano has featured on! Anyway, he started playing it so beautifully.’

‘Charles and I spent about ten minutes getting a key to suit me and having a run through, when Charles called drummer Steve Potts “Hey Steve get in here!” He played some lovely light drums and then we taped it!’

Link to You Tube video of the recording of ‘What Are You Doing New Years Eve?’ by Emma Wilson, Charles Hodges and Steve Potts at Royal Studios, Memphis TN.

Next up live for Emma is on Saturday 28th November 2026 with her superb band bringing a night of Rhythm and Blues to Guisborough Cricket Club with an opening set from the fabulous Blues Man of Aycliffe Gary Grainger.

The club includes a bar, free parking, table seating,

doors at 7pm music 8pm til 10:30pm

Pay £12 on the door (No ticket required)

*Disabled access is up 15 steps as unfortunately the lift is out of order.

Guisborough Cricket Club, Rectory Lane, Guisborough TS14 7DQ

For more information contact the official website >>> www.emmawilson.co

or Facebook/Instagram  emmawilsonmusicuk

Alikivi   November 2026