BOURNEMOUTH singer-songwriter Drew Allen is set to play at an award ceremony for the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr Ban Ki-moon at the Tipperary Peace Convention this Sunday. The annual event In Ireland will honour Mr Ban Ki-moon with the International Peace Award.

Previous recipients include Nelson Mandela, Sir Bob Geldof and Bill Clinton. Drew has been asked to perform the song, Peace Begins With A Smile.

The lyrics were written by Southampton songwriter and children's author Helen Bonney who is currently collaborating on a musical with two other award winning writers. Helen says of her song, Peace Begins With A Smile: "The song that Drew will be singing was written as a tribute to Malala Yousafzai who also won the International Peace Award in Tipperary the previous year. It reflects her feelings that education should be available to everyone, something denied to females in Pakistan and many other countries."

Drew has produced a new arrangement for Peace Begins With A Smile in a roots style for guitar and harp.

It's been a whirlwind year for Drew Allen after supporting James Blunt at the Bournemouth BIC in November and recently releasing his critically acclaimed live EP Live at the BIC - The Windsor Waltz.

we are delighted to announce that a live version of 'the deal' has been selected by bbc introducing south dj melita denning for airplay between 8:00 and 9:00 pm sat 17th january.

The EP was recorded at the BIC last November while, supporting James Blunt on his Moon Landing tour and has already received support from BBC Introducing.

“There's so much energy in these performances it's terrific. James Blunt's audience really got into the groove and this helped create an incredible dynamic” says Allen.

According to James Blunt: “There's something exciting about the music of Drew Allen. Sort of a cross between Neil Young and Jake Bugg with a great deal of honesty thrown into his lyrics.”

This summer sees Drew playing two slots at the Larmer Tree Festival and a welcome return to the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival. Playing live, Drew has performed for excited crowds at many festivals and shows including his memorable performance in front of 3,600 James Blunt fans at the BIC.

Drew started playing acoustic guitar at eight years old, learning tabs from Bob Dylan chord books and rocking out to Thin Lizzy and AC/DC. Drew released his debut album, Sydney Afternoon in 2013 and continues to be a popular fixture on the south coast live music circuit.

For more information visit www.drewallen.co.uk