A NEW CHALLENGE FOR 2018/19 - The New Fools

Greetings People,
After a break of 4 years its time to get blogging again, now settling down to life in the over 50's bracket I find myself ticking along doing the normal things, work, home, holidays etc. Although I seem to be at the local Doctors more frequent these days my passion is still strong with music. This is what drives me through the ups and downs of life.

Today I am a brass musician with a local brass band Littleport Brass, guitarist and singer for busy covers band The 142s and most recently a new challenge The New Fools (originals band from Cambridge).

THE NEW FOOLS

(originals band)

In March 2018 I received a call from singer/songwriter Tony J from Cambridge, he asked if I would be interested in playing guitar on his songs that needed recording. I thought this is a new challenge for me and took up the challenge. Together with 2 other guys The New Fools was formed. To date we have 3 recorded tracks and 4 in progress, an album to be completed by March 2019.

In October The New Fools had its first gig at The Wednesday Sessions held at The Brook Pub in Cambridge. A great night with an appreciative crowd getting into the bands music. The band has also played on 2 radio shows (Cambridge 105fm) Dave Hammonds (Smelly Flower Pot Show & Stagger fm (Indie Show). Our recording sessions are moving forward nicely and the most recent track "George & Adele" is available on youtube 

A NEW CHALLENGE - ROCK VOX CHOIR

ROCK VOX CHOIR

In 2013 I got involved with a brand new rock/pop choir based near Ely, Cambridgeshire. I had only sung in bands behind my guitar comfort blanket so this was a new challenge.

Rock Vox Choir started its life on the 1st September 2013 and has now over 40 members. The members are from all walks of life and are a fantastic talented group of people, I am very proud to be a part of this choir. The 1st anniversary has just been reached and a review of the past 12 months proved that with dedication, great leadership and teamwork something amazing can be achieved.

In 2014 Rock Vox Choir has performed at various local events, including local festivals/carnivals, charity events and weddings. The highlight for me has to be our involvement in Carfest South 2014, a charity event hosted by Chris Evans raising money for 'Children In Need'. 

For anyone who wishes to be part of this awesome choir all you need is Sunday night free and a desire to sing - www.rockvoxchoir.co.uk

1st Year Memories - below are memories of the first year and anniversary - enjoy

WEDDING RECEPTION NO1

Choir member Sammy invited the choir to sing as she walked into the wonderful Madingley Hall - super performance by the team in a gorgeous setting

E.A.C.H CHARITY EVENT - MILTON

Rock Vox Choir's first outdoor gig, not even the rain could stop us singing, we even did an impromptu version of the classic 'singing in the rain' - wicked

NESTFEST 2014

Rock Vox Choir performing at Lakenheath's NestFest 2014. The first time the choir had sung on a large outdoor stage. - superb

SOHAM CARNIVAL

A superb performance of 'I Know Where I've Been' sealed approval from the Carnival audience, singing between rock bands did not phase the team at all - excellent 

WEDDING RECEPTION NO2

An amazing afternoon/evening performing at this wedding in August. 

Rock Vox Choir members Simon & Jo Lambert invited the choir to entertain family and friends. Another cracking performance

CARFEST SOUTH 2014

An invite to this amazing charity event saw 25 choir members travelling to Hampshire, camping for 2 nights and performing twice a day for 3 days, all to raise money for "Children in need". It was 3 days of our choir walking around and flash mobbing to the crowds. An awesome 3 days of fun, singing, teamwork and friendship. Rock Vox Choir blossomed while being involved, I found the whole experience awesome, can't wait until 2015. Oh by the way, we have been invited back - yahoo 😄

FIRST ANNIVERSARY SEPTEMBER 1st 2014

REDUNDANCY - PART 2 (unemployed)

The time has passed quickly since I was first told that I wasn't required anymore. I have had 3 months where emotions have run high. Anger, sadness, worry, bitterness are all the negative things that have come out of this forced retirement phase of my life. Hang on a minute there has been some benefits as well, no boss to shout at you, no obnoxious customers to deal with, and no annoying work colleagues. 

Being unemployed is a strange concept to adjust to, if you are like me and have been working all your life then it is a difficult situation. My moods have been all over the place, I can't get into a routine because I don't want to get into a routine.

If you want to work then it is a time for trawling the internet, reading the papers and contacting the recruitment agencies. This is great for passing the time but really isn't what you really want to do with your life. I have found that job hunting is like fishing, waiting patiently for a nibble before you have to go for the big catch - an interview, OMG this has to be one of the hardest things to do, I had 2 interviews, a 2nd interview in the space of 5 days. My head was in a mess with learning different company profiles and products in prep for the sessions. Unemployment puts you into a situation where you have to get a job to keep the money coming in so the 1st job that is offered has to be considered even if you are not really interested. This is a whole different aspect of job hunting compared to looking for a job when employed.

My job searching proved to be non-fruitful through January and I became down and despondent, it is very difficult to keep a smiley face and bat away the negativity when you are trying your hardest and the results are nil. In February I had a sudden surge as 2 recruitment agencies came up trumps with interviews. My world suddenly came alight again and it was good to be active. Although the interviews I attended were not successful I came out feeling satisfied that I had done my best, a good motivational stimulus. After another week of interviews I finally got a call back and was offered the job. It was a bit surreal if I am honest, being previously made redundant and rejected from interviews over the past 3 months had made me unsure of myself and I lost faith in being employed again (my heart goes out to all long term unemployed) I had to keep checking that the suited chap in the interview had actually said the words "congratulations you have got the job".

After the tense wait for the written confirmation it was time to say goodbye to being unemployed. My view of work has changed over the last 4 months, I can't wait to get into it and start moaning. I took work for granted and thought it would always be there, what a fool I was.

I am now Sales Executive for Deanta, a company manufacturing internal solid oak doors in Cambridgeshire. I have been there for just over a week and am now looking forward to the future.

Thanks for taking time to read this blog, I hope all you unemployed who want to work find it soon, keep trying and keep focused - all the best

Keeny

PLAYING A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT - You are never too old!

Playing a musical instrument for me is one of the most rewarding pastimes I know, whether you are playing: piano, guitar, drums, trumpet, violin or triangle, to make music is awesome. From playing at Wembley Stadium to sitting in your bedroom amounts to the same thing, music in my view covers all requirements. I have to admit that I learnt to play at a young age, reading music went hand in hand with learning the trumpet so I would say it is easier to start young. Adults lead busy lives and finding time to play 3 chords or a scale every day for 10 minutes can often be difficult. However all musicians would confess that you never stop learning, there is always someone who knows a bit more than you or something new.




As adults we can find ourselves learning alone which can have motivation issues.together with "I have no time" adds up to a non-starting scenario, we have all been there!. It is not all doom and gloom for us adults who want to learn, there are Tutors and courses to engage, if money is an issue then ask around, friends are a good source, or use Twitter or Facebook to get your message out that you want to learn. Another source for tuition which is a massive help, and free is YouTube, hundreds of tuition vids for you to learn from, don't you just love today's technology?

The most important element to this is to persevere, it is hard work to start with I will admit but once you have got over the initial making a sound and have a routine then you should be hooked. The other way to keep the interest is to join a music group. My early brass playing days were immersed in the local brass band, I felt a part of a team, interacted with seasoned players and fresh starters, today I am still part of the same band, I have made great friends and learnt so much about music and myself.



I was 18 when I started to teach myself guitar, 32 years on and I am still playing, learning everyday and meeting new people. My new project The 142's Band involves playing Guitar with 2 great guys, another new era has started and my music journey continues - awesome

If you are thinking about it now then please think about this: if you are having a bitch of a day and you can take yourself away from it by immersing yourself in music by playing an instrument then it must be worth giving it more than a thought.

Cheers
Keeny

REDUNDANCY - HOW DO WE COPE?

Redundancy is a word that is a long way from our lips when employed. When someone says "I've just been made redundant" we have a reaction which is to show empathy and positivity without really understanding what it means. Yes we know it means you have no job, however there is more to understand. A feeling of being unwanted, low self-esteem, useless and no control of your own life. This sounds heavy but "hey" have you been there? The problem that I am facing is that I need to provide for my family and I need to have a reason for getting up in the morning. I need to work. Unfortunately I have no redundancy money so self funding is the only way to live, I am lucky that my lovely wife brings in her salary however savings can only go so far and with debt and living expenses the deadline looms.
So what have I done so far in a month? Well I have had my head buried online, registered with recruitment agencies and browsed the papers. Applied for about 20 jobs, some well paid, some not so well paid, a few rejections and a few pending decision for interviews. The days seem to go twice as quick when unemployed, also my tolerance for people moning about their job seems to be none existent, a symptom of redundancy I expect.
January has now gone and it is the start of another month, what will Feb bring? Keep your fingers crossed for a result this month, I wish all of you looking for a job the best of luck, if you have any comments please feel free.
Cheers Keeny