A real sense of COMMUNITY...

[John Boulden]

Just got back from a two week Christmas break and catching up on all the news.
I saw Derek's posting about what we wish for in the New Year and rather than hi-jack his thread I wanted to put down a few thoughts of my own.

Towards the end of last year I managed to get out and about to visit other clubs. Bruce Hayden, the founder of our club - and two lovely new mates (Ken and Mike) persuaded me to visit an open mike night in one of their local pubs. It is run by Tony who I recognised immediately as a visitor to our club. He knew all of us, and of course, we had to sing for our supper. We have had several wonderful evenings there since and it is a great example of the sheer fun and cameraderie that prevails when you make music your friend. It is a perfect example of how the Shadows Club system works and the fun you can have...

Over the past two years, I have made so many wonderful friends. Mostly players but some not. Our club in Surrey attracts a large audience of about 80-100 people every month and many of them have become friends too. As MC I get to rail at them and take the p--- out of the players with age-old gags and comments, but everyone seems to like it and we have a real laugh.

In particular though, visiting other clubs puts you in touch with another batch of friends. Mostly men of a certain age, like me, but some ladies too. The standard of play in the places I have visited has been very high but its good to see that every club welcomes and encourages beginners and newcomers.

I have been amazed at how many of us get round to local clubs and what a great feeling of community those meetings foster. I make a special note of some of my new friends, Derek and Ken, all the gang from the Shadders band from Waterlooville (especially John who travels up from afar to play rhythm for our band) and my oldest friend Terry (who taught me to play a hundred years ago) all of whom travel so far to be with us every month. You don't get this kind of commitment in the WI!

I think there must be a special something about musicians relationships that goes beyond ordinary friendships. Maybe its because we know how each of us have laboured over the years to play the music that shaped our teenage years. We share the same nerves when we have to perform in front of an audience who already know how each note in the number you have selected should be played...and yet I find everyone is so ready to laugh and take the rise out of each other in the most cordial fashion. We all have more or less the same history and its so much fun to swap stories and anecdotes. Not to mention the glee that we share when we have nailed a new number and played it well! It really is so special to part of all this, I feel really fortunate.

Can't end this without mentioning my other friends - Chris, Eric, Bob, Steve and Brian - the Silver shadows - backbone of our club - and all the regulars at Surrey. Bob, Alan, Geoff, Dave, Roger, John and especially big John C who brings his whole street along so he gets more applause than everybody else. Apologies if I have missed anyone but I am getting old now...

To all of you and to all the new friends I shall make this year I say thank you very much for being there. I look forward to getting back in the saddle, Strat over the back and visiting you all again. Thanks for making this a real community that I have enjoyed being part of so much.

Happy New Year to you all.


John Boulden













Apart from running our own Surrey Shads Club at Hersham in Surrey, I managed to

[ShadsDrums]

John, what a magnificent, heart-felt note. I have to say that, in my own travels around the various Shadows Clubs we've attended, both as individuals and as a band, we've had nothing but warmth and friendliness too. Long may it all continue. The magic. The music. The songs. The fun.

I'd like to add a special thanks to Tony Rodrigues and his wife Penny. Tony attends club meetings in a wheel chair, and takes the most delightful photos of us all at work. He is at almost every club we go to - absolutely amazing!

Lastly, I'd like to add mine and CIndy's thanks to all in the music community who make our lives richer and who will continue to make our lives richer over the coming months and years.

Best wishes to you all.

Chris (and CIndy)

[Bluesnote]

Its such a pity that us up here in Scotland dont have a few clubs to visit and keep up the Shads music in the same way as our Southern cousins.
I know there are many people like myself up here that started in that era and still play guitar and still play that music too. Even one club in the Edingburgh area and one in the Glasgow area would be great. I suppose if its not started soon, it never will be due to our ages. We wont be here forever.
I feel quite envious of you guys down there
Its a good thing that this site is here, keeps it alive in some way for us I suppose

[ShadsDrums]

Hugh, why not start one up there!?

[Bluesnote]

It needs quite a bit of support from others too, I dont think Í could manage it myself nor indeed would want to. I'm not the worlds greatest organiser or leader for that matter But if there were enough keen musicians out there, I would go all out to help get it started. I could possibly even get a venue for it

[OLDEREK]

Dear John Boulden..............How lovely of you to class me as your friend. .......John it's always a pleasure to visit the Surrey Club, and the main reason is you, the way you look after every performer no matter what they do or how they perform is such a comfort, in fact if I had to cut down on all the clubs I play at, Surrey would still be top of my list............Thanks for just being you !!..........