The Long Eaton 'Singing Plumber' on tour in memory of mum

51-year-old musician, Kev Crane, from Long Eaton, is on a tour to raise money for charity in memory of his Mum.

Dubbed the ‘singing plumber’, Kev’s extraordinary story has seen him land a record contract and sign a deal with a Hollywood film maker, after being discovered working on a plumbing job in the home of a music producer. 

Kev’s tour holds extra personal significance, as he takes the opportunity to celebrate his mother’s life, after she died in December 2023, and honour her wishes by raising funds for research into kidney disease.  

Kev’s grandad, uncle, aunt and mother all had polycystic kidney disease (PKD) before they sadly passed away. The disease has had a devastating impact. 

Kev says: “Mum found out she had polycystic kidney disease when she was 40 years old. She was fortunate she did not require dialysis because she received a transplant when she was 60, but it was such a long-drawn-out disease which she lived with until her passing at 77 years old. 

“She really looked after her transplanted kidney. She stopped drinking and would exercise regularly, but the over last couple of years she started to go downhill. Most of her time was spent in hospital or at the doctors. 

“My sister and I stayed with Mum in hospital for five days and never left her side before she passed away. She was nearly unable to speak by the end, but we had enough time to talk about everything we wanted to. One of her wishes was for me to support Kidney Research UK – as she did in life. 

“We had a very close relationship. She was our rock, and I was heartbroken when she passed away. It has been difficult, but having this tour to focus on has been helpful. I have to do this for her.” 

Kev’s life has been a rollercoaster since he was employed for a plumbing job at the home of Paul Conneally, owner of New Reality Records, in 2021. After being overheard singing in the bathroom, the two chatted about their shared passion for music, listening to songs which Kev had self-produced during the coronavirus pandemic, after a 25-year hiatus from performing. 

When Paul released Kev’s music through his record label, Kev’s story was picked up by screenwriters in Hollywood who were fascinated by his journey – from giving up on a childhood dream to getting a second chance to fulfill becoming a musician.

Kev flew to Los Angeles to meet screenwriter and producer, Billy Ray – famous for films including The Hunger Games and Captain Phillips – and sold the rights to his life story to Billy Ray and award-winning writer and director, Stacy Sherman. A script has now been written by British sitcom and film writers, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais – famous for The Likely Lads, Porridge and Auf Weidersehen Pet. 

The story of Kev’s amazing rise to fame went viral and, as well as being featured on Erewash Sound, he has appeared on media across the UK and USA, including the BBC, ITV This Morning, the Washington Post and The Drew Barrymore Show. 

Kev says: “It is bonkers really. You can’t quite believe that it’s happening to you. It feels surreal to be working with the creators of all these films and TV shows which I’ve watched over the years. To appear in so many publications and on so many high-profile shows has been bizarre.” 

He began the ‘Boom Boom Boom Tour' in mid-May 2024 which continues through the Summer and into the Autumn, featuring original songs and well as some 80s classics.  His first performance was in Long Eaton in a small venue where his Mum's wake was held, and somewhere she watched him perform in the 90s. That debut tour event was a huge success with lots of demand for tickets, so much so that Kev wishes he had booked a larger venue.

Kev is donating 20% of the profits from the tour to Kidney Research UK, as the charity strives to improve the lives of people living with kidney disease. 

With two dates to go on his tour, the penultimate appearance will be at The Soldiers & Sailors Club on Tamworth Road in Sawley on Saturday 28th September 2024 from 8:30pm running until 10:30pm.  Tickets are available from the EventBrite website by clicking here.