I missed their show - I was playing in the Caboodle in Ridgway Street with Lydia and the Bedfords the following day, and I needed to pace myself, as you do when you are in your late 60s.
Once again the club got great feedback from the out-of-town bands. They love the old Savage Club Hall and, time and again, we are told: "Wish there was a club like this in Auckland or Wellington."
The Whanganui Musicians Club has earned a reputation for turning on a good crowd and the Savage Club hall is becoming a "must play" venue for the working bands from around the country.
This February, for club night, we are bringing you The Slacks, a fun four-piece from the 'Naki. Check out their song Big Aroha on YouTube.
They will be proceeded by an open mike for club members. Be early to get your name on the board, or even to get a seat these days - Friday, February 3; 7pm to 11pm, BYO before 9pm only.
This year promises to be an interesting one for the Musicians Club. At the end of last year we took over ownership of the halls from the Savage Club and we are coming to terms with the responsibility of maintaining an acre of heritage building, meeting all the compliance requirements and integrating all the different users.
Fortunately for us the Wanganui Rock and Roll Club has moved up the hill to our hall. This fits nicely into the Musicians Club vision of running this historic community venue as a centre for the performing arts.
On February 17 we are running another of our original song competitions. The club is putting up $1000 in prize money and we will be recording all the entrants as they perform in a competition open to any club member (membership $20).
This event is partially funded by a Whanganui District Council Creative Communities grant; more details on club night.
Last year Terry Sarten ran a few trial song-writing workshops, and the feedback was positive so we are planning to run some more this year. The club intends to continue bringing in new people to run workshops to help musicians learn, gain confidence and develop skills.
Our monthly club nights have proved very popular but they can get a bit rowdy and a tad "honky-tonky" for some serious musicians who want to be heard. Some have suggested running an acoustic night similar to that, which was run at Jolt last year, while another suggestion is something for the older musicians with a weekly practice during the day aimed at a Sunday concert for an older audience - stay posted for developments.
In April the club will be hosting Phil Garland's Farewell Tour, which will be of interest to songwriters and folk musicians.
Phil started out playing rock 'n roll and his band "The Playboys" were number one on the Coca Cola Hit Parade in 1962 with Little Band Of Gold. Phil then immersed himself in New Zealand folk music, touring Australia and Zealand, and this will be the last chance to hear this New Zealand living legend.
Finally, I thought I'd put a word in for the "Anything Goes Band" starting on February 21 and run by the Community Education Service.
Local brass band maestro Bruce Jellyman takes a random group of musicians of varying abilities and instruments and, over an eight-week semester, welds them into a performance ready band.
I took up playing an instrument late in life and was largely self-taught but there is nothing like playing with other musicians to help you gain confidence and I have found the "Anything Goes Band" a great way to continue learning as well as make new friends. Highly recommended.
*When Fred Frederikse is not building, he is a self-directed student of geography and traveller. In his spare time he is co-chair of the Whanganui Musicians Club
