So the final words of my last posting said that i’d hoped to get another one in before 2018! That wasn’t quite the intention, and it’s been far too long, but inspired by the posting of a friend’s blog yesterday, I’m getting back to doing this!
2016 was simply an amazing year, and very welcome, following on from 2015 which was, shall we say, not so good..but that’s the way of life, it ebbs and flows, and we take the bad to appreciate the good! Most notably was the introduction of Mat into my life. Having first met briefly through music, then latterly due to a chance meeting in Ipswich at Christmas 2015, we connected and bonded a few days later at a party over our shared experiences with Brain Tumours. Not a pleasant subject, having lost dear Tash to the disease and speaking to Mat as a sufferer of one himself, however, if ever there was proof of something great coming from a bad situation, then this was it! Ironically, and most poignantly, it was the presence of Paul Daniels in Ipswich that day that led to mine and Mat’s subsequent meeting, but no-one knew then, not even Paul, about his Brain Tumour. We were very moved and saddened by his death just a few weeks later, and he will always be our magic man, performing one last magical spell that day! This January we joined together to create ‘Mat’s Walk and Talk Challenge’, an incredible month long project to get people to join together to make friends, get fitter, and simultaneously raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity. A separate blog will be created for that, but to find out more visit the Just Giving or Facebook page. So far we have raised nearly £19,000!!
As well as watching Mat’s band ‘The Broadside Boys‘ go from strength to strength last year and supporting them on their journey, in turn Mat has been a huge support and help to me and Kev Walford as we embarked on our own musical journey too. We’ve done wonderful things so far: released two e.p’s ‘Acoustic Sessions‘ 1 & 2, supported Reg Meuros and Russell and Algar, opened the stage at Folk East, played Ipswich Music Day, Cambridge Folk Club and Folk Festival, Ely Folk in the Town, featured in a week long session on BBC Radio Suffolk with Stephen Foster, collaborated with Honey & The Bear ..as well as many many more wonderful gigs and projects that took us all over East Anglia. We finished the year with a fun performance at The Froize for NYE, returning to the venue of our first real gig while joining forces with Mat to create ‘The Max Hayfield Quartet’. Not only was it magical night of music and friendship, but it also marked the first anniversary together for me & Mat, a very special time for us.
Vocally Vintage still makes occasional appearances too, as does Chasing Storms with various different line ups, but the Jazz has taken a temporary back seat to the original Americana and Folk project with Kev. Stay up to date with mine and Kev’s progress on Facebook, or on the webpage.
So there was a very brief summary of 2016! I have no doubt that 2017 will be just as special, as we write new music, release Acoustic Sessions 3, as Mat embarks on his well deserved first National tour with Eric alongside Richard Digance, as more money is raised for The Brain Tumour Charity and yet more incredible friendships are forged along the way, thanks not only to the music, but the Walk & Talks, as they continue throughout the year.
I still have Kansas in my sights, and the red shoes will always be there and waiting in the wardrobe; but as for my running shoes…will they be dusted off for one last crack at a marathon next year? Better watch this space to find out!
Kelly x
The Road to Kansas 