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Daily aims to be instrumental in bid to create new musicians

A seaside resort’s “rich musical history” has formed the inspiration for a regional daily’s campaign to get more people on its patch playing instruments.

The Gazette, Blackpool, has launched its Give Us A Tune appeal with aim of raising cash and getting readers to donate their unused instruments to a new generation of musicians.

The campaign was launched in collaboration with the Blackpool Music Academy, a charity which offers would-be players the chance to learn an instrument at a subsidised rate.

The academy’s director John Shaw met with outgoing Gazette editor Jon Rhodes and deputy news editor Julia Bennett to discuss the idea of an appeal, after contacting the newspaper asking for its support.

Blackpool music

The campaign is being led by senior reporter Gareth Vickers, and aims to raise £20,000 to fund new classes as well as a target of 50 donated instruments for the school.

It was launched on Monday’s front page, pictured above, and has already won the backing of figures from the world of entertainment including Blackbool-born Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard and comedian Bobby Ball, who lives in the area.

Music journalist John Robb and former Stealers Wheel and Jethro Tull bassist Tony Williams, who current leads Blackpool Council’s opposition Tory group, have also added their support.

Jon Rhodes said: “Blackpool has its fair share of social problems, particularly those faced by young people in many of the town’s deprived areas.

“Blackpool also has a rich musical history that should be celebrated and directed towards a new generation.

“The stars of tomorrow are certainly out there – the tragedy is many of these young people will not have a clue it could be them.

“As any parent will tell you music tuition can cost a pretty penny , let alone the musical instruments themselves.

“So The Gazette is proud to join forces with Blackpool Music Academy to launch our Give Us A Tune appeal.

“We are looking to help raise cash to help set up a number of classes at the academy where would-be musicians of any age can learn to play an instrument at a much-reduced rate.

He added: “We are also asking readers to look in their lofts, garages and spare rooms and donate any unwanted instruments to the academy.

“These unused guitars, keyboards, drums and violins could be given a new lease of life and mean a new generation of players get the chance to fulfil their ambitions.

“Music can give an individual so much pleasure, help build confidence and is a skill that lasts a lifetime.”

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  • April 15, 2015 at 7:05 am
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    With such big support from Blackbool-born Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard and comedian Bobby Ball I’m sure this will be a major success. Then the paper can blow its own trumpet. Regards, Dave.

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  • April 16, 2015 at 2:21 pm
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    Good luck with that. There are few things in life more therapeutic than music. Playing guitar helped me retain my sanity during the barmier years of my journalistic career. Now I’m semi-retired, the guitar is an even bigger part of my life. I’ve even considered a new career as a busker….might be better-paid than journalism, come to think of it.

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