Contemporary Music
The Contemporary Music Group was set up in September 2013 and meets in WHITBURN CRICKET CLUB on the last Monday of the month (when the calendar allows us).
The group is an active vibrant group that aims to Learn, Laugh and Live and we certainly do that!
Each session has a theme – playing records eg people’s names /places/colours etc. members email their favourite tunes and suggestions to Adam Walter. DJ Adam coordinates the proceedings and brings to the group a variety of artists and their music plus some history behind the development of the tunes. The session includes a selection of new releases where we vote "a hit/or a miss" in true Juke Box Jury style as well an increasingly competitive quiz!
Members often have the group enthralled sharing their personal knowledge, memories and stories of records and concerts they have attended. We cover a wide range of interest across most musical genres and the collective expertise is extensive! This can include pop/rock/jazz/blues/classical influences etc and a lot of researched information into the artists, their lives and their messages.
We always have a break for tea and it has been said that we provide the best biscuits!
In October 2014 some members participated in a much enjoyed tour of the American "Deep South" exploring the musical influences of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans! Those members have then been able to bring their increased knowledge and experience to the group.
Over the years the group has had Theatre trips to see the JERSEY BOYS (the FOUR SEASONS story), SUNNY AFTERNOON (the KINKS story), GLENN MILLER STORY (with TOMMY STEELE) and in March 2020 the MANFREDS at the Customs House. The musicianship was stunning, the lead singer PAUL JONES (then 78!) simply brilliant - Do Wah Diddy etc !!!!
2017 was a vintage year with some memorable sessions. In the March we had a highly successful VINYL EVENING when RICHIE and MAREK from RPM in Newcastle gave us a talk on running a music shop, the vinyl revival and then valued the records that group members had brought along. In the June the lovely FAYE TOZER, the lead singer of STEPS, talked about her career, her musical influences and a forthcoming sold out Arena tour. All this before her TV STRICTLY fame in 2018 (we hope at some point to have her back).This was followed by an ELVIS afternoon on the 16th August (40th Anniversary of his passing) where on a bright sunny day we had a full dance floor enjoying some of his biggest
hits!
In September 2018 the whole group went on a very successful highly memorable three day trip to LIVERPOOL. Staying at the famous Adelphi hotel and with sunny skies throughout, the group enjoyed everything BEATLES - a museum trip, a talk, a tour (with a group picture at STRAWBERRY FIELDS) culminating with a FERRY ON THE MERSEY.
In 2019 we enjoyed a talk in June by TREVOR SEWELL (Music in Sunderland) and in October group member and former journalist MAUREEN COZENS regaled us with a stunning recollection of the famous artists she met during her times in the BAILEY organisation. In March 2020 we held a Desert Island Discs afternoon with the eloquent charming JEFF BROWN from BBC LOOK NORTH.
In August 2021 Adam toured the Abbey Road studios as part of their 90th celebrations week. An unique experience it was first time visitors had ever been allowed in - the holy grail of seeing where the Beatles and all the worlds greatest musicians have created and recorded their music. He has shared that experience with the group and explained why it was so special.
Throughout 2020/1 pandemic period Group Leader ADAM sent out regular newsletters with a podcast quiz eg TV themes/Movie themes/Summer tunes etc. These were very well received and helped keep the group connected. Just before Christmas 2020 a selection of tunes from JUNIOR CHOICE days (Puff the Magic Dragon etc) proved to be extremely popular. Further podcasts have included the story of Eurovision and number one records. They stirred many memories and stories of days gone by. As life slowly started to move on and the monthly sessions at Whitburn returned, the last podcast no 40 was sent out on the 1st September 2021.
Since then the group has grown to over 50 members. Whitburn Cricket Club has had a complete refurbishment with new furnishings, bar, kitchen and a brilliant built in ceiling bluetooth sound system. All the music is now controlled on Adam's phone.
The group enjoyed an outing at the end of November 2023 with lunch at the SUNDERLAND FIRE ENGINE before going to see SISTER ACT at the SUNDERLAND EMPIRE. A good afternoon was had by all. The group CHRISTMAS PARTY in early DECEMBER saw ADAM revive his DJing skills not seen since before the pandemic. The opening bars of The ROLLING STONES classic BROWN SUGAR ensured a full dancefloor thanks to a brilliant story recalled by member Sue Masters that connected the record with her student days. Oh the memories!
If you would like to join the CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP and have a genuine interest please email ADAM WALTER (group leader)