A credit to old Island Bay is McNamara's band.

Oh, the drums go bang and the cymbals clang
And the horns they blaze away
McCarthy pumps the old bassoon
While I the pipes do play

And Henessee Tennessee tootles the flute
And the music is somethin' grand
A credit to old Island Bay
Is McNamara's Band.




In 1969 Peter went out with the lady who ran this band. [See comments on my last post.]
As a youngster Peter had many one, possibly two, girlfriends for very brief periods. I actually had none, but I did admire many from afar. Hey, I was too busy for a girlfriend. I had homework that I sometimes did, a paper run for a while and lots of other things, like not doing my violin practice and getting into trouble. AND I was in those very prestigious 'G' classes at St. Pat's College. The teachers were so proud of me that they asked me to do UE (University Entrance) for two years, instead of one, just so that they could have me around!

Things are different now. Just recently I was interviewed by 'Love Wainuiomata' for my services to ANZAC Day, over many years, and my well known association with a local park.

Oops, sorry, they never got back and the interview was never used. I guess that anybody can play the Last Post at ANZAC Day. Hey, in the Nui, people are lining up for a turn!

NOT.

Actually, without somebody playing the Last Post, an ANZAC ceremony would sound a bit empty. I play it twice a year and, each time, spend a month getting my chops up. 'Chops' are what many brass players refer to as their lips and other facial parts that have to be fit to play the trumpet. 

Ah well, I have a girlfriend now. We've only been married for 41 years, so I'm still waiting to see if it is going to work out. [I used one of my grandad's old jokes there.]

I've also made friends with two young chaps named Harrison and Henry. Henry doesn't speak to me (it's an age thing) but Harrison calls me andad and my girlfriend andma. Harrison and I play in a band called Handandad. He sings and strums my guitar and I place the chords on the guitar. His singing is great, but his strumming still needs a bit of work.

Well, I'd better leave it there. I have to play at a school concert this evening and have to write out a bass part for one of the tunes that they've asked me to play double bass on. The string orchestra that I formed is playing too. I play second violin in that. I heard one of the first violinist calling me 'second' the other day. [A joke for Rob.]

Shower tutti [I spelt that wrong so that Rob would feel at home here.]