Celebrating 21 years in show business, Welsh singer and entertainer Mike Doyle is dedicating his debut single – an official charity record in support of blind organisations in Wales - to the memory of a blind Welsh journalist who first set him and on the road to stardom. 
 
'What Colour is the Wind', officially released on December 7th is an emotional Celtic tinged ballad about a young blind girl asking her father about the appearance of the visual world.
 
Recorded at the Ty Cerdd studios in the Wales Millennium Centre, all proceeds from sales of the record will be go to support blind charities, led by Cardiff Institute for the Blind, delivering services to visually impaired people in Wales and across the UK.
It has been hailed by rugby legend, Gareth Edwards, President of CIB as: “An incredible and heartwarming song” and by Stuart Cable as “a great song with a great lyric that goes hand in hand with the charity.”

One of the first beneficiaries of the project is 10 year old Shyane Anstee from Barry, who was blind from birth with Septo Optic Dysplasia, and who has now received a laptop computer equipped with special software to help her studies.  

The song was written and originally recorded by British folk and country singer Charlie Landsborough, who took it to number one in Ireland in 1994. Wrexham-born Landsborough has signed over his normal rights to the single for Mike Doyle's charity recording.  
 
Mike Doyle - who first found fame winning the BBCs Opportunity Knocks in 1988 - said: "What Colour tugs on the heartstrings of audiences like no other song I have ever known. It is moving and life re-affirming and inspires great affection from so many people, and not just those whose families have been touched by sight-loss."  
 
Mike Doyle was discovered by the late Derek Wayland, a Welsh journalist who wrote for The Stage newspaper.
 
"This record is dedicated to a man who never saw me perform as he was blind, but he heard my voice and wrote about me in The Stage.  Derek Wayland encouraged me to make the move into the big wide world of London show business.  I hope this record will generate much needed funds to charities including Cardiff Institute for the Blind who help and support people with sight problems." Said Mike Doyle.
 
Welsh Rugby legend Gareth Edwards, President of Cardiff Institute for the Blind said:
 
"I have known Mike for many years and his warmth and spirit as well as immense talent as a superb singer and entertainer has endeared him to his fans all over the World.  This shines through in this song and I hope that What Colour Is the Wind will bring him to the attention of an even wider record-buying public.  I would encourage people to dip into their pockets and buy this great record for Wales, and help us as we raise much needed funds enabling us to deliver support services to visually impaired people in our country."
 
Mike Doyle has performed in three Royal variety performances and a private audience for the Queen and Royal Family.  As well as starring his own show throughout the World, he has starred in the West End and in touring productions of shows including Grease and most recently the play Bouncers.
 
All production costs for the record have been met by a business partnership of Cardiff restaurateur and entrepreneur Giovanni Malacrino of Gios restaurants and Avnish Goyal of Hallmark Healthcare.
 
What Colour is the Wind is available from iTunes, Amazon, Spillers Records, and CIB at www.cardiffinstitutefortheblind.co.uk.  Price £3.50 plus p&p.