I’m often told my playing makes people cry. I think this is a good thing. In an age where many of us are numb to an environment in which we’re bombarded with stimulation, having the ability to stop people in their tracks with my music can feel liberating and empowering. With music, I can help people slow down and take a few moments out from their day to pause, listen, hear and watch. And maybe feel. Escape. Music is therapeutic. It’s healing. It feeds the soul.
This was my experience last Friday. I was invited to play for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day activities at Sainsbury’s Local in the idyllic town of Holmfirth. I started working there part time in January. It’s a great little supermarket with a lovely team of staff who have welcomed me as one of their own. Although it’s been a steep learning curve, I derive immense pleasure from being able to help customers and I love taking a few moments to engage with them if they have time. The shop gets busy very quickly and by the same token, the quiet lulls in traffic are blissful oases to catch my breath during my shift.
I decided I’d use this opportunity to test out a few pieces I’ve been learning to gauge audience reaction. They went down well so they’re keepers and are coming soon to Soundcloud or a similar platform. Apart from a 30 minute break, I was “on duty” from 11-5. It was a long shift. I had a bit of a slump at 3.30 and HAD to sample just a little bit of the shop’s incredibly appetising array of chocolate. I plumped for 2 bunny shaped goodies which gave me a much needed bouncy boost of energy. I rarely eat very sweet chocolate preferring small amounts of the extra dark stuff. I discussed the merits of veganism with one of my students this week and we both concurred that vegan is all very well but sometimes, you just need a bacon sandwich.
I was delighted and relieved at the positive public reactions on Friday. I didn’t know what to expect and there were some magic moments. One man told me his daughter would be disappointed to have missed my playing. He told me he was Welsh and did I happen to have Calon Lân? As chance would have it. Off we both went, me sing-playing along without a worry in the world. It was reminiscent of carefree times in chapel.
I’ve included a couple of video clips if you want a clearer idea of events on the day. There’s another clip of me playing the theme from Love Story. “For Comic Relief?” I hear you ask. Well, yes. I decided this year that I’m going to play music I love and enjoy playing at promotional events. I mean, if I’m enjoying myself, there’s more chance my audience will, right? Yes, I play all the standard wedding music, the Ed Sheerans and Twilights, the Disneys and the Yourses. Is that the music I listen to at home? No it isn’t, and the customer is king so for weddings, if it can be played on the harp and I can get paid, I’ll play it!
Some of my lovely Aqualadies came to support which was fantastic. I’m surprised they recognised me in my ruddy disguise. A colleague told me I looked like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. “Nice!” I thought to myself. She then reminded me what Julia’s job was in the movie. Anyway I’ve checked and her wig was blonde, so no resemblance whatsoever. Phew. I tried wearing the nose but that together with the wig was a step too far. I’d asked my photographer friend John Steel if he’d come down to take a few of his fab photos, which he did in his own unique quirky invisible giant photographer style. Soon after John turned up, I was pleasantly surprised that Allan and Grant, the men behind ace wedding fayre organisers Wedding Fayres Yorkshire made a special guest appearance. I reckon the three of them were after a bit of pie.
I was touched by the support everyone showed and I have some great content for my website and social media for a while. After the tot up, there was £107 in my box. That definitely made me laugh!
