The keyboard calls at Coffs Men’s Shed

COFFS Harbour Men’s Shed music coordinator Vern McAlpine has been conducting an audit on the Shed’s numerous bands.

While he has found most of the members happily pumping out their music, one of the bands is in keen need of a keyboard or saxophone player.

They are confident of finding the required member and until they do the band plays on as a flourishing sideline for the busy workshop, where many of the men are involved in woodworking, metalwork, or tinkering with engines.

The Shed’s Music Room hosts a diverse, rotating lineup of three structured bands and two casual jam sessions.

The musicians are of varying abilities.

“You can be a part of the Shed’s music group if you are a seasoned performer or a less experienced player,” Mr McAlpine told News Of The Area.

“You don’t have to have previous experience playing as part of a group – although it does make things much easier.”

There are three Shed Bands currently rehearsing on site, in preparation for the occasional gig to raise money for the Shed.

Working through the week, the Monday Shed Band is a relatively small group that concentrates on playing country music – mainly from the 50s and 60s, “songs by the likes of Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Marty Robbins and Johnny Cash,” Mr McAlpine said.

The group wants to remain small as a good fit for gigs at confined venues.

While close to capacity, it is the Tuesday Shed Band that is hoping to acquire a keyboard player or saxophonist.

“We have our own keyboard set up – just waiting for a player to come along and play each Tuesday morning – 9:00 – 12:00,” Mr McAlpine said.

Having played gigs for various community groups/clubs and at a range of retirement homes/villages around Coffs for several years now, they play ‘easy listening’/country rock music mainly from the 60s and 70s, plus a sprinkling from the 1980s such as instrumentals by the Shadows plus songs by John Denver, Elvis Presley, Kris Kristofferson, Roy Orbison, Neil Diamond, The Eagles and Credence Clearwater Revival, to name a few.

The Friday Shed Band is at capacity and includes some very capable musicians.

They concentrate mainly on Australian rock and roll and have been doing gigs for the Shed for several years.

Two other ‘open jam groups’ meet on either Wednesday afternoons (easy listening, rock and blues) or Thursday mornings (70s rock and roll).

There is room in these groups for one or two additional members, Mr McAlpine said.

“Wednesday morning is a timeslot also reserved for newcomers (given that the two existing ‘jam groups’ are close to full up), as well as a timeslot that can be booked by music members for additional practice time,” he said.

“There are afternoon timeslots also available (12:30 – 2:00pm) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for small group jam sessions.”

A cup of tea and a chat await anyone looking to learn more about the various music groups at the Shed.

“Drop in to the shed at the far eastern end of Howard Street on a Tuesday morning for a chat,” he said.

By Andrea FERRARI