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Please note that the latest news does not always appear at the top of the page. Look out for regular updates during the current month. Dated items are now removed after the event during the month in which they appear. The version number changes with every update |
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What has happened to The Brand X Organ?
The Brand X website has been updated Perhaps those who have left comments on a discussion page on another website may like to look at the updated BRAND X website and see the latest news. It has to be said that it is surprising that no comments have been left on a website dedicated to the new instrument. Comments by the back door cannot be regarded as constructive when it is possible to have access to the official website. Constructive and sensible comments are very welcome in order to evaluate the interest in the new organ. Brand X website 05.07.10 |
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Coming shortly.....
New format for this website A new format with interactive features is planned for this website. It will have a menu to select different pages and links to other keyboard-organ related websites. Many of the older items on this version will be put into the archives to keep the website in order. The new system will also allow messages to be left on a special page for that purpose. Our magazine section will remain but will be updated later. We hope you will like the changes, which we hope will make you want to visit us more often. 01.07.10 |
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Keyboard Player on iTunes
A step forward for keyboard music  Ian King, who produces the Organ1st Internet radio programme and websites, has just put some of his own compositions on iTunes, which can be heard as a sample before deciding to downloaded them for 79p per track. Known as Ian Jeffrey King because of two other musicians on ITunes having the same name, his profile appears on Keyboard Players UK on which his website is listed as www.ijking.com and from which there are links to the iTunes website.
01.07.10 |
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Best selling recordings in June 2010
at Organ1st - MSS Studios The best selling recordings last month were:- 1...(CD) Phil Kelsall - Welcome To My World 2...(2CD) Klaus Wunderlich - Signature 3...(DVD) Nicholas Martin - At The Shrewsbury Wurlitzer 4...(2DVD) Brian Sharp Tribute Evening Souvenir DVD (also feat. Chris Powell, Brett Wales and Paul Carman) 5...(CD) John Mann - Folly Farm Wurlitzer 6...(CD) Nicholas Martin - 25 Years At The Kirk 7...(CD) David Last - The Cole Porter Songbook 8...(CD) Nigel Ogden - Plays Hammond (Celebrating 75 Years of the Hammond Organ) 9...(CD) The Mighty Wurlitzer - Gems of the Cinema Organ 10...(CD) Alan Haven - Haven For Sale / St. Elmo's Fire The above albums have been bought by many enthusiats who want to keep the best selling recordings in their record library. The list above may be helpful for others to do the same thing. Organ1st is said to be one of the world's biggest mail order firms with customers all over the globe. They pride themselves on a very prompt service. Their website is kept up to date with all the latest releases - often with audio clips. In addition to this, they have an Internet Radio Programme on which Alan Ashton plays a wide selection of keyboard music with lots of interesting chat. In this month's programme Alan feature some new players not heard before. Organ1st CD Shop for your postal and on-line shopping - including links to Organ1st Radio 01.07.10 |
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Best selling recordings in May 2010
at Organ1st - MSS Studios The following is left on for you to compare with the list above and to see the changes. 1...CD) Phil Kelsall - Welcome To My World 2...(CD) Alan Haven - Haven For Sale / St. Elmo's Fire 3...(CD) Richard Keeling - Close To You 4...(CD) Penny Weedon - Rustle of Spring 5...(CD) Alan Haven - Collectors Item 6...(DVD) Brett Wales - In Vision 7...(2CD) Klaus Wunderlich - Signature 8...(CD) Nigel Ogden - Plays Hammond (Celebrating 75 Years of the Hammond Organ) 9...(CD) Chris Anderson - The Evolution of Cool 10...(CD) David Last - The Cole Porter Songbook It would be great to have these CDs highlighted on an Internet radio programme and to hear the updates each month in a 'top of the pops' format. In fact, such a feature programme would score over the old TV format because the same tune need never be repeated due the number of tracks on each album. |
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"Your Organ Society" www.yourorgansociety.tk ---- Now on GOOGLE Following the tremendous success of the website made to highlight keyboard players in the UK www.keyboardplayersuk.tk another one has been made to highlight the websites that organ societies have made themselves - or through a community source. The new website also gives information for societies to build their own website free of charge. It can be simply done with a template on which you put on the details that you want others to see. The aim of the new website is to fill the gap created by other club directories. Other links on the website make it a 'one stop' for organ-keyboard enthusiasts who want to keep in touch with the UK keyboard scene without searching around the Internet, which can take time. 01.07.10 |
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Restyled Player Website www.keyboardplayersuk.tk ---- Now on GOOGLE The above website domain name, which points to www.spanglefish.com/keyboardplayersuk, has been restyled and improved with links to many other websites. The domain name makes it is easier to remember and quicker to use. Having your own domain name can be arranged through one of the registry websites, as we have done. The new Keyboard Player UK website is proving to be a big success with its objective of highlighting players own websites that are not listed in any other player directory. The lively letters page has had a response from Chris Powell, Matthew Bason and Alan Ashton. The website is subject to continual development and the latest pages look at some player's hobbies and another features players profiles. The large number of links to external websites will give it a high profile and it is now mentioned on Google and other search engines. It has been acknowledged that it compliments and fills a gap created by other directories for organ-keyboard players. 01.07.10 |
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GRAM-R-FONE Channel on YOUTUBE 'Let's go to the pictures' - new movies added The highly delightful series of videos on YOUTUBE has been extended during the past month to include more gems from years gone by to provide a contrast to what is seen on TV. One video shows what happens when a theatre pipe organ is played during an earthquake. Clues about the GRAM-R-FONE producer is given on the the first video of the series and many now know who it is, namely: Alan Ashton. Alan show his skills as a former projectionist at Granada Television with the knack of making still photographs move in a way rarely seen on any other production. GRAM-R-FONE 01.07.10 |
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The following items have been left on for the benefit of the many first time visitors we get every month |
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New Application For Apple - iPOD Touch, iPHONE and iPAD 
We have recieved advanced information about a new application (Apps) the Apple products mentioned above. It is known as
"EASY-CHORD" and is designed by Gil ARTIGUE and Guy LEONARD.
We have been informed that proud owners of these devices, can now download without forgetting to comment and note CONCEPT APPLICATION. The application allows the user to learn to recognize or easily use chords on keyboards and is useful for all musicians and music students. It should be noted that we have not tested this product and that anyone interested should get full details first. More detailed screen shots are shown on this link. 21.06.10 |
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Phil Kelsall gets MBE in Queen's Birthday Honours 
Congratulations to Phil Kelsall, resident organist at the Blackpool Tower Ballsoom, for being awarded the MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list.
.Phil has met many famous people throughout his career, however, his most memorable meeting was when he greeted the Queen at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom sometime ago - as seen in this photograph. No doubt he is looking forward to seeing her again to receive his award. The photograph shown here is included on Phil's website, a link to which is included on the new Keyboard Players UK website. It should be noted that some Internet player directories do not have links to player's own websites. 12.06.10 |
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Free websites available For Organ Societies and Players We have done a search on the Internet and have found that many free websites are offered for prospective users. Most offer a basic website in the hope that user will upgrade to an enhanced paid version. Some offer websites with advertisements to cover the free hosting costs. We highlight below two websites that have been used by others in the organ-keyboard world. We are doing this in order to help the organ societies and keyboard clubs who have not yet organised their own website - even although the secretary may have an email address. ....For Societies We have made two websites to show what a typical template can look like when used for an organ society or keyboard club, see: Your Organ Society Examples of websites already in use can be viewed via this link. Another example is the template adopted by Key Breaks as used by Chris Powell and Brett Wales for their special events. Our example is: Any Organ Club for you to see what can be done for your club. ....For Players A new directory is available to highlight the organ-keyboard players who have their own independent websites, which are NOT listed in the ORGANfax player directory. Although the players are listed on ORGANfax, there are now no links or connection to their websites as they were originally. The new website is hopefully helpful to all concerned. See: Keyboard Players UK The society templates, mentioned above, can also be used for player websites see an example ORGANfax webpages ORGANfax offer a page on their website for subscribers. The subscription cost is £25 per annum and is ideal for those who not the time or the inclination to make their own website. Subscribers are also given a link to their own website - if they have one. More details: ORGANfax. 07.06.10 |
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Wheel turns full circle for Andy Oakley 
When Andy Oakley first appeared at Pontin's Barton Hall Torquay in 1979 it was with a lady keyboard player where they had the name: 'Mahogany'. Andy later went on to become the entertainments manager before leaving to work as a freelance entertainer. Now. with Ian Griffin on keyboards, he is proving so popular that they have been engaged as a cabaret act for several special keyboard events, including a Key Break event with Brett Wales and Chris Powell and another in conjunction with a Brian Sharp holiday break. More details to follow.Andy's cabaret appearancess have made him a top entertainer in the West Country where, at one stage, he hosted his own local radio programme. With Ian there is a magical combination rarely seen with any other musical act, which has to be experienced to be appreciated. Their first appearance together was at the Crawley Keyboard Club where they had several standing ovations. The duo have not yet coined a name for their act - any suggestions? 07.06.10 |
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Life before Keyklix A look back in time The following video has returned to the GRAM-R-FONE channel on YOUTUBE and is highlighted here once again in order for you to see the man who created it. As previously mentioned, he made a brief appearance in the video when he went to interview the duo. See if you know who he is. What's in a name?....As a matter of interest, the Hammond organs featured in the above video have a tab called 'KEY CLICK'. The key click occured on the early Hammond organs as each key was struck - this was later filtered out. However, the sound produced was missed by so many enthusiasts that they bought it back with a tab of that name. It goes without saying that this feature gave rise to name KEYKLIX - as adopted by the Keyklix duo. 04.06.10 |
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News Release from M & A
Final Keyboard Komedy Weekend in 2011 
Due to the tremendous demand by keyboard enthusiasts and their friends, Mick Brown and Andy Oakley, the two former Pontin's managers, have decided to hold one more Keyboard Komedy weekend in March (25th-28th) 2011 at the Devonshire Hotel, Torquay.The eighth event in the series is to have a farewell party for all the loyal enthusiasts who have supported their comedy keyboard cabaret weekends since they were organised in conjunction with Cled Griffin in 2003 with the first event in 2004. Each event has been fully booked months before the actual date and certainly indicates how popular the format is. Letters have been sent to all the regular guests about the final event and priority will be given to them before bookings are accepted from others. Both Mick and Andy thought of winding up the series two years ago but continued due to the demand for more of the exclusive entertainment - matched by no other event with Andy's comedy genius. However, they have now decided that all good things must come an end and their weekends should now finish while they are still on top with a big party in 2011. The M & A weekends highlighted the talents of the Keyklix Klan Trio, which led to many appearances at organ societies in the UK, mainly for the anniversary and special events of the engager. What has made the Torquay weekends extra special is the comedy cabaret acts engaged by Andy, who has an eye for the best possible entertainment as a former Pointin's entertainment manager. Star Players who have appeared at the Keyboard Komedy weekends include: Jean Martyn, Brian Sharp, Andrew Nix, Tony Stace, Paul Carman, Mike Hall, Sarah Foley, Elizabeth Harrison, Ian Griffin and Richard Bower. Deposit for the final Keyboard Komedy weekend is only £10 per person and should be made payable to Daish’s Travel. Details are available on the M & A website. Mick can be contacted on Tel. No. 01803 315216 Further details: www.maentertainments.co.uk 24.05.10 |
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News Release from T & A Events
Summer Special Event Mill Rythe July 16th – 19th 2010 A fantastic line up has been announced for the forthcoming festival at the Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island near Portsmouth. The event, organised by T&A Events in conjunction with Swift Music, will include top performances from Chris Powell, Mark Thompson, David Thomas, Chris Stanbury, Maggie Swift, Colin Ford and, of course, Tony Stace and Andrew Nix. The Saturday evening will feature the sensational Nick Ross Orchestra (back by popular demand) plus a spectacular show from Chiho Sunamoto. With concerts, dancing, demonstrations, fun and a wide selection of great food, the weekend promises to be a festival like no other. For information on how to book please visit www.tandaevents.co.uk 24.05.10 |
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Anniversary Event 30 years since it all started 
The date to note is 15th-18th October 2010 and the venue: The Sand Bay Leisure Resort, near Weston-super-Mare, which is just off the M5 motorway. The resort has recently been refurbished and has won an award by the travel industry for being one of the best in the UK.The cost for the HB weekend is only £149 and it includes a sherry reception to mark the occasion. The varied programme will include the Ian Griffin X Factor - based on his appearance as Musical Director on HTV (Wales) in a programme called 'Friday Night Live' when a panel of celebrities judged talent from Wales. At the Sand Bay version one of the judges will be Scott Paige, Group Entertainment Manager for Martyn's Leisure Resorts. With the very best of keyboard cabaret entertainment celebrating 30 years of organ-keyboard festivals in the UK., it has been acknowledged as the best value for money of all organ-keyboard events currently advertised. The programme features concerts by star players, dancing, master classes, advice on playing, hand card craft for non-players, new products with sessions by leading dealers, exhibitions, sheet music and keyboard books snooker, swimming in the in-door heated swimming pool and much more. The comfortable accommodation includes televison and free refreshment facilities. The restaurant includes a choice of meals served to your own table. And it's so easy to arrange a booking - just telephone the Sand Bay Leisure Resort booking office: 0845 88 00 211 (local rate). Group bookings are available at special rates. Have a look at the Sand Bay Keyboard Cabaret website for more information. Updated 24.05.10 |
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A Christmas Gift! Turkey & Tinsel Cabaret Weekend 2010 3rd December 2010 The Sherbourne Hotel - Dorset With The Keyklix Klan 
Why not take your nearest and dearest for a Christmas warm-up to the
long awaited Turkey and Tinsel weekend break with The Keyklix Klan - probably the most entertaining keyboard based trio in the world. If there is anything better we would like to know about it. The weekend is only £159 HB. The telephone number of the booking hotline is:- 0845 880 0211NOTE Don't be disappointed - booking are coming in fast More about the Keyklixklan Updated 1.5.10 |
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Improved Slideshow
on Organ1st Radio  
Organ1st Radio have improved the slide show that you can watch while listening to the programme - pictured left is just one example. The graphics and photographs are produced by Ian King of MSS Studios while the programme is presented by Alan Ashton. Past shows are still available on the Organ1st website and included in the April version is an interview with the late Klaus Wunderlich which is a clip from a full length version, also also included on the website. Mentioned in the May edition is the 30th anniversary of UK organ-keyboard festivals. You can find out who plays the signature tune mentioned on the illustrated slide by clicking on the link below and listening to the show. Link to Organ1st Radio 09.05.10 |
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Missing Directory Links
and free websites for Organ-Keyboard Players and Organ Societies Following comments from various sources, we have made an additional website to list websites that organ-keyboard players have either made themselves or have been made for them by a third party, other than Organfax. The players listed are included in the Organfax directory but their websites are not mentioned - hence this new directory to highlight them. We think that popular players like Nicholas Martin. Phil Kelsall and others deserve to have their websites made known to enthusiasts. It should be noted that the new website is under construction and is therefore not complete. Details are also given of other various directories with additional information on making your own free website. The free DIY website information may also be useful for organ society officials who would like to build their own websites. We hasten to add that the free website information given on the new website mentioned below is in the public domain and can be seen by entering "Free websites" in the Google search box. KEYBOARD PLAYER (UK) WEBSITES NOTE The information given in this new website cannot be regarded as exclusive as it was given in the original Organfax directory created in 1999. It should also be noted that Organfax was given the option of restoring the missing links to benefit all concerned. 3.5.10 |
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John Mann - Return visit to Folly Farm 1st May 2010 
John Mann's second visit to Folly Farm in Pembtokeshire, West Wales, saw the release of his new CD highlighting the
Wurlitzer organ that was once installed at the Gaumont, Manchester and later at the Granada Studios tour complex. The Folly Farm family leisure and adventure complex can be compared with the Thursford Museum in Norfolk and the once famous Turners Merry-go-round, Northampton, that closed in July 2004 - both homes of Wurlitzer pipe organs from cinema installations. John's new album costs only £5 (postage extra) and further details can be obtained from his website 1.5.10 |
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Special Events
with Carillon For full details of Carillon events you are invited to visit the Carillon festival website. 1.6.10 |
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Klaus Wunderlich New CD with some new tunes 
A brand new recording from the pen of Klaus Wunderlich has now been released and as you can see it has shot to number one in the above listing. It features his own compositions, including some never recorded before, under the title 'Signature'.Abridged sleeve notes by Alan Ashton can be seen on our Memorabilia4u2 website. Alan probably knows more about the recordings of Klaus Wunderlich than anyone else, having written about them in his discography publication. . When Alan presented his organ programme on BBC Radio Manchester, he interviewed Klaus Wunderlich during one of his visits to the UK. The recording of the interview can be found on the Organ1st website. A track from this CD can be heard on the June Organ1st radio programme. 01.05.10 |
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ORGANfax Radio Returns after a long rest ORGANfax Radio returns to their reorganised website. The radio slot was originally put on the Internet by the late Margaret Falkner before the website came under the control of the present consortium. The new monthly radio programme is jointly presented by Chris Powell and Brett Wales. The Klaus Wunderlich spot, with someone doing an impression of the famous organist, cannot be regarded as compliment as perhaps intended. 01.05.10 |
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Wersi - the end or a new beginning? New owners take over name After financial problems, it has been reported that the Wersi brand name has been taken over by a music shop in Kolne. It is alleged that they are likely to import keyboards to be badged with the Wersi logo. This news was first posted on 28th March 2010. More details can be found on the following website which once had close connections with the Wersi name. Incidentally the website has its own Wersi focused radio podcast. www.jazzhooves.com 1.4.10 |
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Brand X Organ Launched at Keyboard Cavacade - Pontin's Pakefield April 2010 
The electronic organ designed and built by Ian Griffin was officially launched at the 25th anniversary of Keyboard Cavalcade festivals held at Pontin's Pakefield.The instrument created much of interest and is likely to be considered as the most innovative product produced in the UK for quite some time. It has yet to be give an official name - any suggestions? Brand X website Volcanic Ash Hits Pakefield Missing players Several players were unable to travel to Pakefield by air due to flying problems caused by the Iceland volcanic ash. Programme changes were made to enable the event to carry on and to provide entertainment on the 25th anniversary of Keyboard Calvalcade week-long organ-keyboard festivals. It has been reported that the Pontin's Pakefield site is due for a big refurbishment. It is already acknowledged as the flagship of the Pontin's holiday empire. Comments on the loss of the Blackpool Pontin's site, and the replacement for KC, are mentioned lower down this page. Keyboard Komedy Weekend Will it return next year? The March keyboard comedy weekend was another tremendous success with all guests wanting another event next year. Keyboard entertainment was provided by Brian Sharp, Paul Carman and The Keyklix Klan - Andy Oakley, Ian Griffin and Richard Bower. This was supplemented by three cabaret acts to give a variation to the keyboard theme. Andy Oakley was the evening host and compere and king pin of the weekend. Paul Carman showed how versatile he is and conducted a fun filled Sunday morning session having Ian Griffin to play for a singer, text a message to a member of the audience and talk to someone beside him - all at the same time. Paul also told the audience about his new teaching system - as highlighted elsewhere on this webpage. The weekend was organised by M&A Entertainments in conjunction with Cled Griffin. Mick Brown (of M&A) said he would be writing to all guests about possible future events after being told by all present that they would like another similar event next year. www.maentertainments.co.uk 1.5.10 |
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21st Anniversary at WOW Tribute to founders 
David Stanley, the chairman of Wessex Organ World, presented commemoration plaques to the three members of the Keyklix Klan in memory of Eric and Marjorie White who founded the society twenty one years ago. The entertainment provided by Andy Oakley, Ian Griffin and Richard Bower made it an occasion that will long be remembered by all the members and guests who attended the special event. The Klan provided a mixture of keyboard music and laughter in a show that delighted everyone. It was a refreshing change to the usual monthly concert presented by this well organised society. Andy Oakley, the leader of the Klan showed what a versatile performer he really is - more outstanding than anything seen on television. It may be true to say that he is the West Country's best kept secret as far as entertainment in concerned. This summer he is starring at the Babbacombe Theatre in Torbay as can be seen on the poster shown here. Websites of the month The website of Nicholas Martin has been voted website of the month by a group of enthusiasts who pass comments on to us. We would like to have your thoughts and comments for future selections - in future we will highlight a keyboard related website every month. This month we provide the link to Nicholas Martin Regretably, there is no link to this website from Organfax, who only have links to their subscribers. We would also like to mention the website of the Weyhill Organ Society - a website that highlights a society where most those attending are not organ-keyboard players - just music enthusiasts. You can read more about this society in our Magazine Section 01.05.10 |
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In memory of Arnold Loxam Much loved organist The following YOUTUBE video is posted in memory of Dr Arnold Loxam who died a few days ago at the age of 94. We know no better way of remembering this popular cinema organ player. |
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Chris Powell at the Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer Chris has just returned from a tour of Australia and New Zealand where he played at 10 different venues. Click to view |
Brett Wales at the Wersi Louvre He has just bought one! Click to view |
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Blackpool Report From Alan Ashton 
"For many years the Sun Lounge at the end of North Pier Blackpool was the venue for organ music played by Raymond Wallbank. Sadly he passed away recently after a long illness. He was a popular figure in Blackpool and the nearby town of Lytham St Annes where he also had a music shop. He made a couple of LP recordings which still turn up from time to time on EBay. I once went to interview and he told me that the salt air played havoc with the electrical contacts on the WurliTzer electronic organs that he favoured. Even worse was the state of his dressing room behind the stage. Many of the floorboards had huge slits in them and you could see the waves crashing around down below. I couldn't wait to get out of there! If you take the residency of the other famous Blackpool organist, Reginald Dixon, I think Raymond would be a close second."
It's said that Raymond had a very big send of with a horse drawn hearse. The Church service, at which several Blackpool organists played, was nearly 2 hours long! See the GRAM-R-FONE channel on YOUTUBE for more about this player. 01.03.10 |
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Memorabilia Website is a big success.
For organ-keyboard enthusiasts The new memorabilia website put on the Internet for organ-keyboard enthusiasts is a tremendous success. It features memorabilia collected over the years by journalist and broadcaster, Alan Ashton. The idea is to offer the now unwanted memorabilia to enthusiasts who may appreciate a bargain. Click on the link below to visit the website and see what Alan has to offer and to see what has been sold so far. www.memorabilia4u2.co.cc --- Details of memorabilia for sale 01.03.10 |
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Improve your playing with the help of Paul Carman and Co. As many enthusiasts now know, Paul Carman and Mike Hall have got together and have constructed a website to help home organists with their playing. Full details of the service is given on the website, which has video tuition samples. Paul has been engaged for this month's Keyboard Komedy weekend at the Torquay mentioned below and also for the Sand Bay Keyboard Cabaret weekend in October when he will tell guests more about the tuition offered to those who want to improve their playing. It is interesting to note that the service has been endorsed by many professional players. www.keyplay4u.co.uk 01.03.10 |
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Two new websites for 2010 with a video content Two new keyboard related websites have been added to the Internet for those who had a new laptop computer for Christmas. One has around an hour of YOUTUBE video clips of the October Sand Bay keyboard Experience, put on-line by Dennis and John Willcocks. Grouped together it makes easy viewing. The other has photographs of the guests who took part in the Sand Bay X-Factor. Both websites give a glimpse of concerts of the event. Next year (15th-18th October) Sand Bay will host the 30th anniversary of British Home Organ-Keyboard Festivals. The booking hotline number is 0845 88 00 211 (local rate). Sand Bay Keyboard Cabaret Weekends Sand Bay X-Factor 01.01.10 |
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Another Website - with a different interest for those who attend festivals Sheila Bower is making a name for herself at keyboard festivals with her greeting card classes. Many guests attend her classes to make hand made greeting cards while their partners attend keyboard master-classes or a showcase. Sheila tells us that she has received many hand made Christmas cards from lots of people (now her friends) who have joined her handcraft classes during the past year - some of these cards can now be seen on her website. Sheila was delighted to have a male guest at her class at Sand Bay - proving that her class is not just for ladies. www.sheilascards.tk 01.03.10 |
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2010 - The Festival Year like no other Treble Anniversaries The year 2010 will be like no other when it comes to home electronic organ and keyboard festivals. Topping the list will be Cled & Ian Griffin's event at Sand Bay, Weston-super-Mare, which is the 30th Anniversary of organ-keyboard festivals in the UK. The first one was at Pontin's Barton Hall, Torquay, in December 1980. Keyboard Cavalcade - Sceptre Promotions, celebrated their 25th Anniversary of weeklong organ-keyboard festivals in April - the first one was at Caister in May 1985. Byron Jones will be celebrated his 25th Anniversary of his 'Music For All' weekends at the same venue where they started in Easter 1985 at The Sand Bay Leisure Resort. The 30th Anniversary at Sand Bay will have a cabaret element to make it refreshingly different to all previous events. Updated 1.5.10 |
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Money talks at Blackpool Pontin's Keyboard Cavalcade's Northern venue site closes ... and a replacement is found The Pontin's Blackpool site was left to run down resulting in the site being sold for a housing development. The venue combined many shows with the Blackpool Tower Ballroom with its famous Wurlitzer theatre organ. The Blackpool Gazette reports: "While other Pontin's sites have boomed this summer, with visitor number up by as much as 20 per cent, they were down eight per cent in Blackpool. Pontin's chief executive Ian Smith reportedly bemoaned a lack of investment in Blackpool over the last 10 to 15 years. Landowner and Blackpool Tower boss Trevor Hemmings's Northern Trust company (who apparently own the freehold) wants to build houses on the prime site." It is a fact that multi millionare Trevor Hemmings, now in his 70's and ranked at 46 on the Sunday Times rich list with a wealth of £700 million, controlled the Pontin's empire since the 1960's after selling it and buying it back to sell it a second time to a consortium in March 2008 for £46 million. Before then he sold several Pontin's sites for housing developments. It was Trevor Hemmings, who Cled Griffin contacted in 1979, leading to Pontin's first electronic organ festival at their Torquay Barton Hall venue in December 1980. The Norbreck Hotel at Blackpool is the alternative selected by Grant Neal. The hotel can cater for up to 800 guests. We understand it has been refurbished since the last organ-keyboard event was held there. Report in Blackpool Gazette dated 11.9.09 How the festivals started The Story of Barton Hall Updated 1.5.10 |
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Favourites at Sand Bay ... and they are looking forward to 2010 The following video was recorded at Lyme Bay, which is now replaced by Sand Bay - owned by the same leisure holiday group - Martyn's Leisure Holidays. The new October weekend at Sand Bay is ideal for those who prefer a long weekend of keyboard/electronic organ music. |
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Forthcoming Special Events and Concerts Details of all forthcoming concerts and special events can be found through the following links:- Organfax monthly concert listing ORGANfax club directory If your society does not have its own website and presence on the Internet, then ORGANfax will be pleased to make one for you - please enquire via the contact link:- Contact ORGANfax NOTE... The modernised Organfax website, introduced this year, allows players and organ society and clubs to update their own website. This can easily be done with no specialised knowledge. If you are a secretary or a concert organiser it is worth you looking into this. Regretably, Organfax only link to website of their subscribers, unlike the original Organfax format which linked to the websites of all players and organ societies. This leaves a big gap in this means of communication. A more open policy would be of more benefit to the organ-keyboard world. Revised 1.5.10 |
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