Rene Woollard
René M. J. Woollard (born July 3, 1984) is a British session musician.
Career
Woollard's first work was with the Sugababes in 2003, where he made his first television appearance on Top of The Pops whilst performing their number 1 single "Hole in The Head". This was closely followed by promotional work with Abs Breen (Ex 5ive) with whom he supported Beyoncé Knowles on her UK leg of the "Dangerously in Love" tour.
In 2004 he began his own band. During this time he wrote and recorded with producers Rick Barraclough, Steve Lironi and Simon Goggerly. Woollard decided to leave the band and return to the session scene. Shortly after this he signed his first publishing deal with MCS.
The year 2006 saw him back on the road, this time with Irish singer/songwriter Luan Parle.
For the first quarter of 2007 René put down his guitar and began working under Rick Barraclough in Metropolis studios, London for De' Angelis Records as a Pro Tools engineer. By the summer he found himself as guitarist/backing vocalist for Sophie Ellis Bextor promoting her album "Trip The light Fantastic". They played various concerts and festivals around the UK and Europe and finished the year by supporting Take That on their "Beautiful World" tour.
Although Woollard continues to perform with Sophie Ellis Bextor, in 2008 he also became part of the backing band for actor/singer Richard Fleeshman. In February they embarked on the "Neon" tour, named after his début album and in the summer they were honored to be invited by Sir Elton John to join him on his stadium tour. Later that year, Sir Elton asked them back on the UK part of his Red Piano Tour.
He toured with Cheryl Cole throughout the spring/summer of 2010 beginning with a support/special guest on the Black Eyed Peas "The End" tour of UK and Europe. This was followed by various performances with Sophie Ellis Bextor including a tour of eastern Europe. He also begun playing guitar for Tinchy Stryder in the same year.
2011 began with Jessie J and her 'Stand Up' tour, followed by a 34 night theatre tour with Olly Murs throughout the UK and Ireland. He concluded the year playing guitar for The Saturdays on their first Arena tour.
Throughout 2012 Woollard promoted the debut single for Little Mix across the UK with an acoustic arrangement of the song written by TMS. This was included on the Deluxe Edition of their album DNA along with an acoustic cover of "We Are Young" by FUN.
Little Mix embarked on their "DNA" tour in early 2013 and included Woollard in their band lineup.
Other Live Credits: Lemar - IOM Bay Festival, Travis McCoy - Radio 1 live lounge, Tinchy Stryder - 3rd Strike Album Launch, Jay Sean - Various acoustic performances, Cher Lloyd - UK radio tour/Promotion of "With Your Love"
Music videos
Woollard can be seen playing guitar in Mutya Buena's "Just A Little Bit" (2007) and playing bass guitar (as well as flicking popcorn at Cheryl Cole) in Girls Aloud's "The Promise" (2008).