For late news Click here Web Log - Updated January 2010
TV Personality
at New Year fancy dress ball
When providing the music for an annual fancy dress ball I was delighted to meet Ruth Madoc who made a name for herself in the TV comedy series, Hi De Hi. Ruth was one of the judges and I enjoyed having a chat with her after seeing her so many times on one of my TV favourite comedy shows.
Sand Bay X Factor
October 2010
A different version of the talent X Factor started off at the Lyme Bay Leisure Resort in 2008 - the year it was bought by Tesco for development. At the new venue, the Sand Bay Leisure Resort, the Keyboard X Factor will include other talent with my keyboard backing. It's all for fun with great prizes for the winners. Click on the following link for all the details:-
www.sandbayxfactor.co.uk
BBC Radio Wales
Album of the week
I was absolutely delighted when programme presenter, Chris Needs (pictured above), selected one of my CDs for album of the week for his late night show on BBC Radio Wales. Chris is also an organist-keyboard player and therefore appreciates music that can be produced with ten fingers and two feet.
The programme featuring late night easy listening music is on weekday nights from 10pm to midnight and can also be heard anytime on line on the BBC Iplayer. Link to programme
Personalities from Wales
As I mentioned before, I have had the pleasure of meeting the family of one star and having my photograph taken with them as you will see below:-
I will leave it to you to guess the star's name - it is one of the following:-
Highlights of 2008 and 2009
Along with Jean Martyn, Elizabeth Harrison, Chris Powell, Richard Bower and journalist Alan Ashton, I was asked to list five of my most memorable events for 2008 in
Keyboardnews.com.
In 2009 the event that stands out most in my mind is the trip to Southern Ireland with a team of local singers for a cabaret competition with Irish teams. We returned as winners and a photograph of me holding the trophy can be seen on my photo gallery via the link below:- My website extension with photo gallery.
Another event in 2009 that I will never forget is the Brian Sharp's turkey and tinsel weekend at Bournemouth. It was the weekend when I lost the only key of a vehicle loaned to me while mine was being serviced. Crossed wires at the AA resulted in them sending someone to Eastbourne instead of Parkstone (just outside Bournemoth) to tow me back to the hotel. Eventually they came to where I was at 3:00am in the morning, and when I got back to the hotel at 4:00am I found I was locked out. The crunch came when I had the bill for a replacement lock and key - it was almost £200!
Rhine Cruise
In December 2008 I had the pleasure of being on a 3 day Rhine cruise with my Keyklix pal, Richard Bower and also Daniel Watt. The guests were all from Holland except for John Jackaman and his wife who sent along the above photograph. The visits to the German Christmas markets made the event very seasonal. My friends in the UK would have loved the party atmosphere with the music the three of us provided.
A more relaxed X-Factor
The October 2008 Lyme Bay Keyboard Experience stands out in my mind for two reasons. It was the last keyboard festival at the Seaton leisure resort because the Tesco Supermarket chain has bought the site, and it featured a rather different type of talent X-Factor.
In addition to the keyboard player contestants there was a singer session which was judged in a humorous fashion by Andy Oakley, the former Pontin's Barton Hall entertainments manager. I had the pleasure for playing for all the singers, including the winner, Rhiannon Evans who had a standing ovation when she sang in the grand finale on the last evening.
Rhiannon's father was so thrilled with the reaction of the audience that he made a website the following day. It includes three clips from a CD ablum she has since made with my ochestral backing. If you would like to hear her voice then just go to her website. Rhiannon's new website
Up On The Roof
I am so pleased that a fellow countryman has bought the villa where the cover photograph
of my latest album was taken. Built for a bookmaker in the 1930's, local residents gave it the name of 'Mugs Villa' because of the gambling connection.
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.
In case you are wondering who has bought this dream villa - it's Paul Potts, the winner of Britain's Got Talent. I am looking forward to giving Paul a copy of my album and wish him the best of luck for his new home with its magnificent music room.
The sad news is that the previous owner, who I knew very well, suddenly passed away just a few weeks after selling the villa to Paul.
Lyme Bay and Tesco
Like all the artistes who have been to the Lyme Bay Keyboard Experience at Seaton, Devon, I was most sad to see the holiday resort closing in January 2008 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 was the last one at Seaton there and was rather special as I mentioned above. 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
Moving to Sand Bay near Weston-Super-Mare in October 2009 was a change - it means easier travelling for many people as it is just off the M5 motorway,
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.
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
The 2008 and 2009 visits to Holland were 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
Last show at Llanelli in 2009
On the local music scene my keyboard pal, Aled Rees, used to join me every January for a New Year's concert at the Llanelli Electronic Organ Society. It's a show that I always looked forward to because it's my local organ society. Sadly, last year was the final concert organised by the society because the Chairman/Secretary was retiring and no-one was prepared to take their place.
On the bright side we have shows at the Cardiff and Cardigan Societies as you will see from my list of engagements:- My extension website with engagements.
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.
Return Visit
The return visit in October 2008 (the weekend of the final Lyme Bay Keyboard Experience) was very special because it was the inaugural concert for the Friends of Beer Wurlitzer (FOB). Richard Bower was there instead of Matthew who was playing at a wedding. It was rather fun towards the end because Richard joined me with his Yamaha Tyros to create the missing percussion sounds to make the organ sound as it did when it was installed at the Walsall Picture House in 1925.
The afternoon ended with tea and biscuits in the adjoining hall for the capacity crowd of 200 who packed the Church. A total of over £1,000 was raised for the fund to refurbish the organ and restore it to its original specification.
Organ1st Radio Podcast
I was pleased to be featured in the second Organ1st Internet Radio programme
presented by Alan Ashton in conjunction with Ian King who runs the MSS Studio in North Wales.
The podcast is different to all others because it has a slide show that runs along with the sound track. The programme is changed on the first day of each month with previous programmes still available.
To listen to my spot in the programme, 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. I wish them the best of luck with their own special events.
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.
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.
You may be interested in my new boat website
Click to view
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
19th-22nd March 2010
Due to popular demand M&A Entertainments will be organising another Keyboard Komedy weekend in 2010, but this time at the Sevonshire Hotel, Torquay. It is a larger hotel and is recomended by Andy Oakley who has held other events there..
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
Sand Bay Keyboard Cabaret Weekend
15th - 18th October 2010
This will be rather a special event as it is the 30th anniversary of organ-keyboard festivals in the UK. Special guests have been lined up and I will be playing for the X Factor feature, which is additional to the main programme. You can see all the details by clicking on the following link:-
When providing the music for an annual fancy dress ball I was delighted to meet Ruth Madoc who made a name for herself in the TV comedy series, Hi De Hi. Ruth was one of the judges and I enjoyed having a chat with her after seeing her so many times on one of my TV favourite comedy shows.
I am so pleased that a fellow countryman has bought the villa where the cover photograph
of my latest album was taken. Built for a bookmaker in the 1930's, local residents gave it the name of 'Mugs Villa' because of the gambling connection.
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.
In case you are wondering who has bought this dream villa - it's Paul Potts, the winner of Britain's Got Talent. I am looking forward to giving Paul a copy of my album and wish him the best of luck for his new home with its magnificent music room.
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:-
On the local music scene my keyboard pal, Aled Rees, used to join me every January for a New Year's concert at the Llanelli Electronic Organ Society. It's a show that I always looked forward to because it's my local organ society. Sadly, last year was the final concert organised by the society because the Chairman/Secretary was retiring and no-one was prepared to take their place.
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.