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John McGough
appreciates the support of Kenderdine
Electrical Cook St Auckland City Latest News & Gig Guide
Thats right, my last
newsletter said Talofa after a neat 12 days making
music in Samoa last March with the Devine Word
Youth Band. In June, I was off to China thanks to
the fantastic team at the China Travel Service and
Singapore Airlines. This was an amazing travel
experience and the way the China Travel Service
arranged everything, in comfort, is highly
recommend! I am very fortunate to be working with
them to help promote the wonders of China. We took
a small number of travel professionals to
experience the culture, wonderful food,
adventures, history and people of the Beijing
area. Oh and its a shoppers heavan as well, as
many of our group found out! Such is the knowledge of
the China Travel Service we were taken to a more
secluded part of the Great Wall of China and on
the day were pretty much the only ones there. The
experience of standing on part of the 6500km wall
was quite eerie, just the 9 of us. It was then
that I thought a bit of Kiwi was needed to mix
with Chinese culture, so I played "Pokarekare Ana"
unaccompanied as it filtered through the hills and
valleys on top of one of the few structures in the
world that can be seen from space! Breathtaking! If any of you are
interested in experiencing this amazing country
drop me a message and I can provide some
information. China Travel Service make it so
affordable to. You would be surprised.
 Speaking of unaccompanied, a friend of mine brought to my attention that I was featured on a recent TV3 News item as a Rugby World Cup flash back. They featured the "Lone Trumpeter" some 24 years ago at the final and when I advised them that it was me, TV3 news reporter Shaun Summerfield was quick to pick up on the story. He wanted a return performance of "Now is the Hour" in the new Eden Park. Although this time there were a few thousand less, not to mention the 300 million television audience that watched the telelcast back then. TV3 did a lovely job of the story mixing my job from 1987 to my job today. In the interview it mentioned the fact that All Black reserve Albert Anderson came across my involvement as being a bit lame at the time. I then went on to say that the wonderful thing about music is that there is no retirement age. I said I could play "Now is the Hour" just as well today as I did at 23! I doubted Alberts rugby skills were as sharp. That bit got left on the cutting room floor but I believe its very true. To play and entertain alongside people of all ages is fantastic. If you would like to view the clip it can be seen on TV3 on Demand. Click on the news and in the search area type John McGough. The media coverage has been pretty good for the first part of the year. A nice newspaper story about my adventures in Samoa has been published and when I looked at the TV3 on Demand website I saw another story I was unaware was out there. Prior to the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton I was emailed by one of their journalists to ask what I would play at the Royal reception if I was the DJ. Thinking many DJ's would have been approached to make the story I sent a quick list off. Little did I know it was all about my set list. I would have given it more thought if I had known I was the only one they approached. This was a light hearted story and I suggested that as I play trumpet I would probably start with "Tequila" so they could kick things off with a couple of shots. Among my song list I suggested "Party Rock Anthem" (they love anthems) "Whos that Chick" dedicated to the day William first set eyes on Kate on the catwalk modelling and thought to finish, "Who The F*#k is Alice" as a good close to the night. The English love that song and I could just see Prince Charles banging that one out! Good fun. The Bruce Mason Centre on Auckland's North Shore hosted the New Zealand Brass Band Championships last July and I was thrilled to be a part of the Marlborough District Brass. The culture of this band it quite unique. Not new, but runs on good old fashioned banding values and it would appear to be working. They are an extremly happy band directed by Kevin Moseley. Being in a smaller town they really have that family environment. The young ones in the band (I believe the youngest was 9) are really included. Band is made fun for them but they are also required to stand up and be counted and respect their older colleagues in the band. This small town band features well in the results most years, competing in the premier A grade section. Again they came away with a third placing. Special mention must go to David Moseley who at only 23 (I think) lead the band as Principal Cornet for the first time. David did his job supurbly and also secured a 2nd placing in the New Zealand Amateur Cornet Championship. Well done Kevin for putting your faith in these amazing young players and again producing a great result. Like the mighty Crusaders it was the famous Woolston Band from Christchurch that took the title for the third year running. Although this year must have been particularly difficuilt. How do they do that? I think it's called pride! The Trusts Waitakere Brass host their "Jazz Mania" concert again in November at the Trust Stadium. Always a big night on the calender this will sell out. I have been invited to feature along with English trombonist Brett Baker. Brett is a stunning soloist and Principal trombone of the World famous Black Dyke Band. Be in quick for this one, which includes dancing after the show. It is with great sadness that I learnt of the recent passing of Doug Aston. Doug was one of this country's funniest comics. Though not perhaps known by many reading this article, Doug's humour was watched every week in every kiwi's home as part of the team that brought you the Billy T James Show. I worked with Doug dozens of times when just starting out in the industry in the old time music hall shows. Most time's Doug was the crowd favourite and it always intrigued me how nervous he would get before he went on. He did an act as a drunk and it was hillarious. I watched it so many times and laughed out loud every time I saw him. It baffled me that we all knew he was going to be such a crowd pleaser, but he still paced up and down before he went on. Shows the professionalism of this man and that he was there to mean business, no matter how funny he was along the way. I have picked up many tips from entertainers I have worked with over the last nearly 30 years, and I remember a few from him, that I still adopt today. Still lots of dates available up until Christmas so lets chat about your function, venue or entertainment plans. You will notice from my gig guide below, I am off to host the Federation of Australasian Brass Band contest at the Twin Towns Resort and Casino on the sunny Gold Coast of Australia in October. Many New Zealand musicians, that have competed there, have told me what a wonderful venue and well run contest this is. I am excited to experience it myself soon. Being from an entertainment family I am very proud of my Nephew Dylan Gutierrez who has been dancing with the professional Joffrey Ballet Company in Chicago. Dylan studied under his mother, my sister, Andrea Gutierrez at the Los Angeles Ballet Academy and the Royal Ballet School in London. Dylan has recently been offered a lead role in their latest production of Don Quixote. Isnt it fantastic to see what these young people are achieving. Until next time look after yourselves, drop me a line, tell me your news and take care. John McGough
James
Morrison
in Concert. Seen here with compere John McGough.
Fri
30th Mercury Bay
Club Whitianga Fri
20th Redoubt Bar
Te Awamutu Sat
21st Rotary
Convention Orewa Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skilful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives" Will A Foster LIVE MUSICIAN COMPERE DISC JOCKEY |
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© 2010 John McGough trumpetguy.co.nz |
