Price of Motor Fuel
The price of motor fuel is hitting me for six. Just like some airlines, the only answer is a fuel surcharge in order to fulfil my engagements in various parts of the country. To make up for this, I'll donate a signed CD album to the society's raffle - hoping that it will increase the sale of raffle tickets. Alternatively, if a society could guarantee the sale of just 10 CD's by members it would just cover the cost of the increased cost of motor fuel. My CD's will give everlasting pleasure to those who buy them - and to me knowing that my motor fuel bill has been covered for one engagement.
Lyme Bay and Tesco
Like all the artistes who have been to the Lyme Bay Keyboard Experience at Seaton, Devon, I am most sad that the holiday resort is closing next January because the Tesco Supermarket chain has bought the site for a new development - they reckon every lttle (bit of ground) helps!
The October 2008 Lyme Bay Keyboard weekend will be the last one at Seaton there and it is sure to be rather special. Of all the fesival sites I have been to it one one the nicest, and ideal for anyone with a walking stick - all on the flat
Going to Sand Bay near Weston-Super-Mare in October 2009 will be a change. To replace the February 2009 Lyme Bay event there will be a Keyboard Komedy weekend in March 2009 at Babbacombe, Torquay - see details on the link below. New March 2009 event to replace Lyme Bay
The Rye Wurlitzer
It was a great pleasure to play the Rye Wurlitzer and meet up with Richard Moore who loves a bit of fun on stage. He dresses up as different charactors to suit the music being played. In my final number I played 'Music' by John Miles and combined it with my keyboards, which earned me a standing ovation. This is what he had to say in a mini write-up:-
"Ian performed very well yesterday to say that he had no time really to practise on the Wurlitzer but his combined arrangements were a first in the new setting and his finale piece - Music by John Miles was simply stunning - he will be returning no doubt one day."
The organ came to this country in 1925, around the same time as the Beer Wurlitzer and has all its percussion and effects.
Another Award
In 2007 I was again highly honoured to be nominated as one of Britain's top ten keyboard players
in the latest British Keyboard Awards. The nominations were based on players giving the most pleasure over the past year at keyboard concerts and festivals.
I sincerely thank the independant ORGANfax web site organiser, Alan Falkner, who produced the results. Many thanks to all those nominated me.
My Wish for 2008
My wish for 2007 did not come true - so here it is again.
It's to meet three personalities who have something in common with myself. They
all love music and they are all from Wales and are proud of it. There is no need to mention names -
you can see who they are from the photographs below.
However, I was delighted to meet the family of one of the stars mentioned above - see if you can spot any family resemblance from the photograph below and guess who it is.
New CD Album
The cover photograph of my latest album was was actually taken on the roof of a villa in Baglan, Port Talbot, that
was built for a bookmaker in the 1930's. Local residents gave it the name of 'Mugs Villa' because of the gambling aspect.
Here is an arial view of the villa showing the flat roof on which the photograph was taken. It was built in the art deco era and many cinemas were built around the same time with the same styling. In fact, art deco designs were reflected on the consoles of many cinema organs - organs that I would love play - if I ever had the chance.
Cabaret Stars
During 2007 I was delighted to appear with Kenny Lynch, who was incidentally was known for his recording of Up On The Roof, and Bobby Davro who now appears in BBC 1 TV's East Enders.
Keyklix in Holland - yet again
Our 2008 visit to Holland was a great success with two concerts
with delightful audiences. Richard and I had an opportunity to look around and see some
interesting sights before returning home. We had some fun dressing up, as you can see from the photograph above. In fact, it is always fun working with Richard who is not only a great player but has an uncanny gift of reading my mind and knows the notes I am going to play before I play them.
South Wales News
On the local music scene my keyboard pal, Aled Rees joins me every January for a New Year's concert at the Llanelli Electronic Organ Club. It's a show that I always look to because its rather special for me as it it my local organ society. This year's show was very well attended - as usual.
Organ1st Radio Podcast
Last November I was delighted to be featured on the new Organ1st Internet Radio programme
presented by Alan Ashton. It's different to all other podcasts because it has a slide show that runs with the sound track. The programme is changed on the first day of each month with some previous programmes still available.
To listen to my spot in the November edition, and to see my slide photographs
Click here
Music Magic at York
I must say I was delighted to play at the event organised by Andrew Nix and Tony Stace at York during the month of February. Andrew and Tony are always great to work with and they were a natural choice to start the series of the Keyboard Komedy Weekends at Torquay.
Titanic Floods My Lounge
I am fascinated by the story of the sinking of the Titanic and was delighted when my parents gave me a beautiful picture (right) of the ship sailing from England on its maiden voyage. However, disaster struck a few days after I put it on the wall of my lounge. While I was away playing the framed picture fell off the wall and struck a central heating pipe at floor level - the result was a burst pipe and a flooded lounge. So there we are, the Titanic going down flooded my lounge and ruined an electronic organ close by. Ironically the picture and its fame survived the impact, unlike the real Titanic, and is now a reminder that the jinx of the ship still exists today.
Lyme Bay
2008 Festivals
17th - 20th October 2008.
Full Board Tariff only £135
The Lyme Bay Keyboard Music Festivals are now known as the The Lyme Bay Keyboard Experience
because it is totally different to all other festivals. Sadly the next one will be the last one as Tesco has bought the ground (as mentioned in the opposite column)
Deposits are £30 per person or £15 if you book ahead at the venue during one of the events.
You can book for either or both events by telephoning the venue: 01297 626800.
Group bookings of 35 and over have many additional benefits
The group booking telephone number is 0845 4504596 - just ask for Martin Jenkins
Please see links at the bottom of this page.
First Lyme Bay Video
I was delighted when John and Dennis Willcocks put a video of me on the YOUTUBE website.
It was taken at the Lyme Bay Experience last October and has now been viewed by a couple of thousand viewers.
More videos of me can be seen on the YOUTUBE website.
YOUTUBE videos
New Keyklix CD Album
I am delighted to say that Richard Bower and I have released our second Keyklix album. Copies are available by post from Organ1st/MSS studios - or at our concerts. We were delighted to receive our award at Lyme Bay last year for being Britain's most popular keyboard duo.
Many wonder if I have a hobby. Here's the answer - my Austin Healey Classic Motor Boat - which I am pleased to say has won a few awards.
Keyboard Enthusiasts Love Andy Oakley
Those who went to Barton Hall will remember Andy Oakley as once seen he is never forgotten.
From being entertainments manager at this famous venue, Andy has formed his own entertainments
company with Mick Brown - another established name in holiday entertainment.
Now known as M & A Entertainments, Mick and Andy are producing a series of special event
weekends which fills a gap since Barton Hall has been converted for children holiday
adventures.
See below for details of their keyboard Komedy weekend holiday breaks.
Keyboard Komedy Weekend
27th-30th March 2009
Due to popular demand M&A Entertainments will be organising another Keyboard Komedy weekend in 2009, but this time at the Trecarn Hotel, Babbacombe, Torquay. It is a larger hotel and aims
to make up for the loss of the February weekend at Lyme Bay, where Tesco have bought the site.
The weekend at the new venue will feature Britain's most humorous keyboard players, including
Andy Oakley and Keyklix, now known as the KEYKLIX KLAN. This weekend is totally different to all others because it also has a cabaret act each evening.
The half board tariff from Friday to Monday is excellent value for money.
Just click here for full details
Oldest Wurlitzer in the UK
I felt very privileged to play the oldest Wurlitzer pipe organ in the UK during the weekend of the February Lyme Bay Keyboard Experience at Seaton, Devon. The date was 9th February 2008 and the birthday of Robert Hope-Jones, the Wurlitzer creator who was born 149 years ago. The organ is located at the Congregational Church in the village of Beer, only two miles from Seaton. It was only an informal visit with Jean Martyn, Elizabeth Harrison, Chris Powell, Matthew Bason, myself and about 30 guests. The Church officials provided us all with tea and biscuits in the adjoining vestry to make it a delightful afternoon. The organ felt nice to play and sounded good - I am now looking forward to a return visit.
Just a word ot thanks..
I would like to thank all those who have sent me photographs and video recordings of my various shows. I particularly liked the recording done at the Hailsham Organ Club, which showed a close up of my hands on the keyboards throughout the show. They have a lovely venue at an old cinema and it is very pleasant playing there.
Some other societies also have some lovely stage settings and I always look forward to return visits.
It was a great pleasure to play the Rye Wurlitzer and meet up with Richard Moore who loves a bit of fun on stage. He dresses up as different charactors to suit the music being played. In my final number I played 'Music' by John Miles and combined it with my keyboards, which earned me a standing ovation. This is what he had to say in a mini write-up:-
The cover photograph of my latest album was was actually taken on the roof of a villa in Baglan, Port Talbot, that
was built for a bookmaker in the 1930's. 
Here is an arial view of the villa showing the flat roof on which the photograph was taken. It was built in the art deco era and many cinemas were built around the same time with the same styling. In fact, art deco designs were reflected on the consoles of many cinema organs - organs that I would love play - if I ever had the chance.
On the local music scene my keyboard pal, Aled Rees joins me every January for a New Year's concert at the Llanelli Electronic Organ Club. It's a show that I always look to because its rather special for me as it it my local organ society. This year's show was very well attended - as usual.
I am fascinated by the story of the sinking of the Titanic and was delighted when my parents gave me a beautiful picture (right) of the ship sailing from England on its maiden voyage. However, disaster struck a few days after I put it on the wall of my lounge. While I was away playing the framed picture fell off the wall and struck a central heating pipe at floor level - the result was a burst pipe and a flooded lounge. So there we are, the Titanic going down flooded my lounge and ruined an electronic organ close by. Ironically the picture and its fame survived the impact, unlike the real Titanic, and is now a reminder that the jinx of the ship still exists today.
I am delighted to say that Richard Bower and I have released our second Keyklix album. Copies are available by post from 
Those who went to Barton Hall will remember Andy Oakley as once seen he is never forgotten.
From being entertainments manager at this famous venue, Andy has formed his own entertainments
company with Mick Brown - another established name in holiday entertainment.