Published: November 23, 2009 01:40 pm      

London musician wins dream Beatles trip

Laurel County native Chris Smallwood was happily flying across the Atlantic Ocean Nov. 19. Tucked in his seat with fiancee Nicki Belsante beside him, he’s probably listening to music. And on that iPod? Without a doubt, The Beatles.

Smallwood, 23, is headed to Liverpool, England, to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see all of the highlights of Beatles fame.

“We’re going to see Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields and Eleanor Rigby’s grave, all of the Beatles’ childhood homes,” Smallwood said. “I think we’ll also go to the church where Lennon and McCartney first met.”

The tribute trip is Smallwood’s prize for winning the 2009 Abbey Road on the River Beatles singing competition. His four-night stay will include accommodations at the Hard Days Night Hotel, a $300 shopping spree, and an opportunity to perform at the Cavern Club, the stage on which the Beatles launched their career.

Smallwood heard about the contest from London friend Jane Sparkman, who told him about Louisville’s Abbey Road on the River, the world’s largest Beatles tribute festival.

“It’s a solid weekend of Beatles cover bands and tribute bands,” he said. “It’s the closest thing to the real thing for Beatles nuts, so it was very cool.”

A talent contest was part of the fun and Smallwood, a University of Louisville master’s of music student, decided to compete. Choosing “The Long and Winding Road” as his piece, he rehearsed for about four days before taking to the stage with his keyboard.

“I have so much experience playing and singing, it was probably one of the times I wasn’t nervous, which I think helped me,” he said.

In the end, against about 100 other musicians and three rounds of competition, Smallwood was named the winner.

It will be his second time to the United Kingdom.

Smallwood said he’s been a Beatles fan since he was a kid.

“My parents listened to it a lot,” he said. “I’ve been listening since I was really, really young.”

His favorite Beatle is “definitely Paul,” he said.

“I think he’s one of the best living song writers, for one,” he said. “I love that he can play bass, guitar, piano and be involved in the orchestration of all his tunes.”

Smallwood went so far as to liken McCartney to this century’s Beethoven or Haydn.

“He’s our guy for this time,” he said.

Smallwood and Belsante will head to Scotland after their stop in Liverpool.

“I told my fiancee I would make her try haggis for Thanksgiving,” he joked. “It’s going to be fun.”

Smallwood will perform in London at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at First Christian Church. He will mostly play Christmas carols, a few classical pieces and, possibly, some Beatles hits. The concert is free.

Staff writer Tara Kaprowy can be reached by e-mail at tkaprowy@sentinel-echo.com.