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McCartney praises musician's songs after intimate gig

James FellNorth West
Brian Roberts Sir Paul McCartney sits in font of a black piano and is holding an acoustic guitar. He is surrounded by nine students who all have their arms around one another.Brian Roberts
Sir Paul McCartney told Rhodes she had "great songs and a great voice"

A singer-songwriter has described the moment Sir Paul McCartney told her she had "great songs" after she performed in front the former Beatle.

Emily Rhodes, from Kirkham, recently completed a songwriting and performance degree at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), where she was selected for a one-to-one songwriting session with the former Beatle.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, she said: "He seemed to really enjoy it and said I had great songs and a great voice."

"I mean, that's an all right compliment, isn't it?" she added.

Emily Rhodes One main screen has a dark red background with Emily Rhodes written on it in a beige-coloured, joined up front. Two smaller screens sit either side of it showing Emily Rhodes in front of a microphone. Lights are overhead, and there's a small figure of someone performing on stage and holding a guitar.Emily Rhodes
Peter Kay asked Rhodes to perform at his show after seeing videos of her playing music

Rhodes has been performing across the North West since she was 14, starting out as a busker before playing venues including Preston's Ferret and Blackpool's Bootleg Social.

"I've been very lucky to have quite a lot of opportunities over the past few years working on some really cool events," she said.

Rhodes funded her LIPA degree by working as a production assistant on Peter Kay's tour.

A job that led to her performing her new single in front of about15,000 people at one of the comedian's shows.

Kay offered her the chance to perform after seeing videos of her playing.

Rhodes said that Kay told her "we need to get you on one of the shows."

Rhodes said Kay asked her which venue she wanted to perform in to which she said The O2.

"He said, 'no, absolutely, we'll make it happen'," she added.

Emily Rhodes Emily Rhodes stands on stage holding a black acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone. On the stage are purple balloons and a purple set of stairs. A large screen is in the background displaying Emily Rhodes written in joined-up font against a dark red background.Emily Rhodes
She performed her latest single during the sell-out show at the London arena

She went on to perform her latest single, Famous To Me, during a sell-out show at the London arena.

"It still doesn't feel real at all," she said.

Rhodes said both experiences had given her confidence as she looks to build her own music career.

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