Hi

Just over a year now since I became a member of this marvellous group of like minded souls.

Learning to play this unique instrument has certainly been a tonic for my soul!

I am 64 years young, retired, enjoy volunteering at my local Library and reside in the West Midlands….the Misty Lands…North Birmingham to be precise..an area with a rich musical heritage, the genesis of bands of all styles…Black Sabbath…Led Zeppelin …ELO…UB40….and of course our own excellent Matt Stead who resides in Gloucestershire the home of the Ukulele!

Only up the road from me Robert Plant began his working life digging up the high street in West Bromwich!

I was born in Shipley in the West Riding of Yorkshire and lived for some of my childhood in Bingley before my parents moved down to the Midlands. In essence I have always thought of myself as a Yorkshire man…there is no other county like it. I visit as often as I can. Though after travelling down to see Matt in Gloucestershire I have to say this is now my second favourite county…sorry Matt.

Musical tastes range from pop, rock, jazz…blues..artists such as Slim Harpo, Muddy Waters….not too much classical I have to admit, classical is much more my wife’s taste.

As a teen my first exposure to music was Glam and I am well into Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, David Bowie, Sparks. Now getting more into the Beatles thanks to Matt’s stunning arrangements.

I’m a huge fan of Blue Note Jazz, Be Bop…Lee Morgan, Art Blakey, The Jazz Messengers. And of course Led Zeppelin. And now a wide range of Ukulele artists …Lester T Web…Logan Wilson..Danielle Ate The Sandwich to name a few. One group I have recently discovered, The Carolina Chocolate Drops are well worth a listen to. I also enjoy reading…anything….drawing, chess and board games.

I have also recently started playing football again….Walking Football to be precise…a slower game for those 50 and over and have been since 1970 and continue to be a fan of West Bromwich Albion….and I can tell you that has been and still is tough!

So happy to be a part of this sharing community

Cheers everyone

Anthony