MUSICIANS from across the Chester, North Wales and North West live music scene have come together to produce an album during the coronavirus lockdown to raise much needed funds for a charity which supports nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Described as "a carefully crafted collection of contemporary classics with a few welcomed curve balls thrown in for good measure", the album entitled Covered:19, is the brainchild of Chester based musician and blogger Dan Schott and follows on from the recent launch of a cover version of Summer- The First Time with Startripper bandmate Vince Cory which set out to raise funds for The Cavell Nurses's Trust, a nationwide charity which helps nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants in times of need.

Dan, 44, who set up the popular blog and Twitter account Schottslist to highlight local music gigs and bands in the Chester area said: "Vince and I released our cover track in aid of the charity but then having seen various mates from the local music scene posting some mind-blowing tracks on social media as the lockdown continues, I decided to put a call out for tracks to make up an album and I have been staggered by the response. We now have a total of 22 tracks which include covers, some original songs and a poem."

Musicians from across the Chester, North Wales and North West live music scene have all given their time freely to lay down tracks for the album in their own homes during the lockdown with Dan taking on mixing and mastering duties from his home in Chester. The project has received backing and sponsorship from Wallasey based business The Safety Centre Ltd so that following the launch of the downloadable version, a CD of the album will be available soon.

Tracks have been recorded for the album by local bands and solo artists including Dan own's band Startripper, Guy Bengree, Tim Chapman, Paul"Winky"Williams, Will Riding, Jim Paul, David Watson, The There or Thereabouts Brigade, Jackson Williams, Edd Case, Andy Hignett, Dai Banjo, The Modern Society, Paul Michael and Vince Cory, Berni Lee, Pair Of Sixes, Sophie Wilson, The Last Clouds, Jonny Daniel and Katie Deyes, Steve Jones, and Jonny Sax. Artwork for the album cover has been specially designed by local artist Dai Owen.

Speaking about the motivation for the project, Dan said: "It's our way of giving something back and to say thank you to nurses and healthcare workers for the tireless work they do and to hopefully raise a few quid for The Cavell Nurses’ Trust, a charity which helps nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, both working and retired, when they’re suffering personal or financial hardship which is often due to illness, disability, older age and domestic abuse. They rely on amazing fundraisers, donors, members and sponsors to ensure nurses in need have somewhere to turn in their hour of need."

Full details of the artists and tracks featured on Covered:19 together with a link to the download can be found at www.schottslist.bandcamp.com