Witney Guitar Club 'Twelve Days Of Fretmas' #3 - Meet Tony
We asked the 12 Guitarists from the Performance Group of Witney Guitar Club some questions. Here's their response ...
Day #3 of 'The 12 Days of Fretmas'.
Meet Witney Guitar Club Member - Tony - who has been with the Guitar Club since it began, in 2024.
What Instruments Do You Play?
6 &12 string guitars and bass guitar
What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?
What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?
Probably Steely Dan in Rome for my 60th birthday. Set in a beautiful amphitheatre just outside the capital.
Which is the best gig you've ever played?
Just after forming my first band about 25 years ago. We were hired to play at a wedding party in a large converted barn. It was the first time we’d had a female lead vocalist (who happened to be the young landlady of our local pub). We were very well received, and we were chuffed to bits with our overall sound/balance. It was really tight and I was delighted. We went on to play a number of years afterwards. I’d always wanted to be in a good professional band.
Which is the worse gig you've ever played?
Whilst playing with another band at an outdoor ‘beer festival’, the sound engineer was too drunk to sort out the sound. This was followed by a drunken ‘dancer’ who collapsed into one of the vocal mic’s. She eventually recovered, started dancing again and finally collapsed onto some PA speakers. The band carried on as usual……just like they do in the movies.
Which has been your best Witney Guitar Club gig so far?
One of the first times we played as WGC was at a summer beer festival in the grounds of the local church. I thought we sounded good, it was fun, and the audience enjoyed it as much as we did. The beer was good too. Oh - and nobody fell over.
Which artist/band/genre(s) do you like to listen to?
Good question! My favourites range from The Beatles of course, to Steely Dan, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, & The Eagles. I particularly like funk, and some jazz piano/fusion stuff. I appreciate a good song/melody. I’ve always loved singing harmonies too.
What music styles do you like to play?
Another good question! What I’d like to play is some of the jazz funk mentioned above, but I think that’s beyond me. I enjoy playing acoustic guitar again. I like learning to finger pick and enjoy finding new chords that sound better than the standard ones. James Taylor would be my ‘go to’ singer songwriter hero.
What is your favourite Witney Guitar Club song that we play?
There are quite a few. 'Higher We Aspire' (Seth Lakeman), 'Prism in Jeans' (Richard Hawley), 'Sunshine on Leith' (The Proclaimers), 'Waiting On A Sunny Day' (Bruce Springsteen), and Angel/When Somebody Loved Me (Sarah McLachlan - Conroy Arrangement).
What do you like most about The Witney Guitar Club?
Easy - the fun, friendship, playing acoustic guitar & not having to carry lots of gear! Learning new songs. Singing with others in harmony together with cajon and bass player brings it all together.
What tips would you tell your younger self, just starting out to play?
What tips would you tell your younger self, just starting out to play?
You must practice. Keep at it. Learn scales. Get a decent guitar ( and teacher if possible). Although don’t get too ‘hung up’ on different famous makes. Listen to lots of different kinds of music, join a band and make sure you’re always listening to yourself and the others carefully.
Tell us something about yourself that people may not know
If I had my time again, I would have wanted to be a professional musician (or a footballer!) I just wanted to play in a good, tight, professional band. Playing and singing well with others is so uplifting. After occasional bad days, I always leave a Witney Guitar Club session feeling much better afterwards.
How will you be spending Christmas?
How will you be spending Christmas?
Joyfully with our Daughter, Son in Law, and two grandsons at their home. There’ll be plenty of music for sure.
Want to join us?
Make a New Year's resolution to start playing your guitar again and start 2026 with some FUN!
