Hi Folks,

Wifey has asked me to shamelessly promote Younger Son’s new music video, ‘Stand Up‘  ft  Cal B and I am happy to do so.

Musical Roots

I grew up in a musical household and music has been a very important part of my life for as long as I remember.  As a kid, I used to hear my Dad singing away in the bathroom. And the bedroom. The kitchen. In the car, pretty much anywhere and everywhere.  He was an opera singer and whilst I didn’t understand much of what he sang, I did enjoy it. He went on to perform in the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden taking a lead in La Traviata with The Market Street Players, which was undoubtedly the pinnacle of his career.  I must point out he wasn’t a professional singer. He was a fulltime  engineer and a part-time opera star. Given the choice, I know what he would have preferred. As it was he ended his days doing the circuit of talent competitions around Lancashire, winning several awards under the name Gordon Peterson.

My Grandfather was also fond of music. He had a good voice and would often break into song, both at home and when out. Which when you are small, could lead to all kinds of embarrassment. After he retired, he would occasionally attend the local old folks clubs. He would stand up and entertain the residents with the old classics they had all grown up with.  More often than not it was down the pub, fortified by a few pints of Camerons Strongarm, that his vocal talents would come into their own.  Breaking into song  seemed the most natural thing in the world to do.

Playing Music

I cannot live without music. Its constantly playing at home, or when I am driving.   Whilst I can hold a note, I am not a singer. I lack the confidence to stand up in front of an audience and sing. Moreover, my voice is a poor, thin, reedy affair.  I was never destined to be a singer.

Hence, my first musical aspirations came as a – wait for it – a trombone player in the school band.  The trombone is not a sexy instrument, but I enjoyed it. I was never very good at Jazz, but loved brass band, big band and orchestral pieces. Often in an orchestra, the trombones have little to do, other than count a million bars rest before playing a few notes to add color. Non the less, I loved being immersed in the huge sound the orchestra could make. It was good to know that we brass players in the ‘pots and pans’ department were a small, but crucial, part of the sound.

I wasn’t so keen on being a soloist.  I was obliged to stand up and play a few trombone feature pieces at school, for grade exams and when auditioning for the National Youth Orchestra and the European Youth Orchestra.  These solo’s tended to be an ordeal rather than anything to enjoy.  But, they were a necessary means to an end and fortunately, something I didn’t have to repeat too often.

Bass Rules

Wannabe Struts his stuff

From trombone I progressed to bass guitar. I like the bass. Not flashy like the lead guitars but, as with the trombone essential for the overall sound.  I am not the best player in the world, but am competent and I enjoy it. Surely that’s what counts.  I loved being on stage and again, it was being a part of the sound. Contributing to something bigger than yourself. I also enjoyed the camaraderie and acting like a big kid, drinking way too much and just having fun. I did eventually end up singing on stage, even taking on the front man role with the Camel Club. It isn’t something that comes naturally to me, but I learned to enjoy it and have fun doing so. Not sure the audiences always had that much fun, but in the main, we got by and we made music.

The Next Generation

No. 1 son in moody guitar mood

It seems some of the music genes may have been passed on. No 1 Son took up the guitar and is a very good player.  He has  been happy to noodle away on his own or play along to records, but over Christmas, he finally announced that he wanted to put a band together. I await with interest to see how that develops.  His preferred gendre is Death Metal. Yes, I know. He’ll probably grow out of it.

No 1 daughter followed her old Dad and tried the trombone and the bass guitar.  I have to say she was much better than me at both. Like me decades ago, she decided she hadn’t the time to devote to playing them. University does that to you, you know.  I gave up playing whilst at university and  it was years before I got back into it. My hope is that one day she too comes back to playing. I think she would be an awesome bassist in a rock band.

No 1 Daughter minus guitar

Rhythm and Scaredy Cats

Small daughter has tried a few instruments to date.  She loves banging away on the drums and has a great sense of rhythm.  She briefly tried the violin. That didn’t last long, thank goodness. If you have ever heard anyone learning the  violin, it can be painful. Screaming cats don’t get a look in.

Small doing her Phil Collins

Currently she is in school recorder mode. She tootles away, producing some nice tunes  and she enjoys playing. But I think, where she is going to really shine, is in singing.   She has a great little voice and loves singing. I was going to say and she loves hearing it. Her voice that is, and that’s true also, but she does love singing.  I sometimes listen to her in the car or at home, getting carried away in the moment, joining in and trying to harmonize with her.  No chance. I am instantly put straight back in my box.  So she has the Diva part down pat already.

Both Wifey and I love hearing her sing and she has even written some of her own lyrics. Some are surprisingly good. Its wonderful to see her being so confident  and long may it continue.

Cal B

Cal B

Which brings me nicely onto No 2 Son, Cal B.  He has been writing song  lyrics for a long time. It has been fascinating to see and hear how the lyrics have matured  as he has. From a stroppy teenager rebelling against anything, he is now living and working in Finland and is growing into a fine young man. Not to mention an accomplished musician.  In one gig a year or so ago,  he got up and performed in front of more people than I have ever played  in front of. Ever. In total  not in my entire musical career combined. That must have been awesome.

His preferred genre is Hip Hop. Not always my cup of tea, but I still admire the talent required to pull it off and pull it off well.

Stand Up

He and some friends have been spending time in the studio and laying down some tracks. ‘Stand Up’ is the first to get the video to accompany it and I have to say, I like it.  I hope you all like it too.  If so, please let him know by “liking’ it on You Tube or downloading it for your personal playlist off Spotify.  I think its great that he is pursuing something that is important to him and I am chuffed to bits that he is doing it so well. Please lend him your encouragement and who knows, one day he might be able to keep his dear old Mum and I in the style to which we would love to become accustomed to.

So without further ado, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Stand Up with Kieran Atticus featuring Cal B

Graham Wannabe Jan 20th 2020