Last updated 09:15, Saturday, 19 April 2008

As the Blue Rhythm Band became more and more popular, the bookings came in fast and furious.

Great names: The Empress Rhythm Aces, pictured in 1942

Village halls were packed out and I was enjoying being among great musicians such as Fred Postlethwaite and Ray Bragg.

Nothing could curb my enthusiasm to work three or four nights a week. Not even having to get up at 6am on cold, winter mornings to cycle the five miles to work at the mine.

I can recall how each village hall had its own atmosphere. You could close your eyes and knew you were in Bootle Village Hall, Egremont Market Hall or the Victory Hall at Broughton in Furness.

One thing they all had in common though was – the piano was ALWAYS out of tune.

Lamplugh Village Hall had no electricity and gas and oil lamps were used instead.

The stage being quite high meant that it was very hot for us, nearly burning the top of our heads.

After four hours we were sweating profusely and the acoustics were so bad the sound just seemed to drop on the floor.

If it hadn’t been for the tattie pot suppers and the fantastic food at half time you could have lost weight.

The heat didn’t stop the audience having a great time. They were fantastic and were never off the floor dancing the Dashing White Sergeant, The Lancers and the Six Reel.

Our popularity grew and I began to feel quite famous (a dangerous thing to happen).

We’d never had a bad night playing, except for one.

We were booked for a pony club dance in the Scawfell Hotel, at Seascale. Nothing to worry about we thought, so it came as a shock when no one got up for the first dance – and that continued until 1am. Then came the last waltz and the floor was full and we were asked to play for another hour.

We were completely devastated and disillusioned but we did hear some time later that other bands had similar experiences, but it stopped us becoming too complacent.

Occasionally there were Saturday nights when we had no bookings so I used to head for the Empress Ballroom in Duke Street, Whitehaven, to meet up with friends. It was always a fantastic night and the resident band, The Empress Rhythm Aces, featured some of the greatest musicians in our area.

I can remember Jackie Tonkin (trumpet), Charlie Wright (bass), Henry Walker (drums) Frankie Divine (sax), John McNamara (sax), Ronnie Dixon (trombone), Tommy Geen (trumpet) Les Rimmer (alto sax) and one of the greatest pianists, Tim Belford.

I know I’ve missed some so if anyone can remember them, let me know.