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| − | Active FROM 1985, ''''' Head, Hands, and Feet'''' was a Hamilton musicians club.
| + | ''Head, Hands and Feet'' was a Hamilton musicians club, active between 1985 and 1995, founded by local musicians Ross Casci and Cushla McCreesh. At the time both were playing in a small jazz band, ''Treble Clef'', where Ross was the band leader and played saxophone, while Cushla was the singer. Feeling a lack of opportunities to hear their friend's bands play or to jam with local musicians, they organised a jam session with friends and fellow musicians. The first gig/jam was held at 'Chequers' in 1985, a small bar in Chartwell Square. In total, around 80 people attended the first 'jam', most of whom were musicians accompanied by their wives and partners. The second gig following one month later, where even greater numbers attended, and this was followed by further gigs. |
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| | + | A meeting was subsequently organised with musicians who had offered to help with the future gigs. Attending the first meeting were Ross Caski, Neil Reynolds, Paul Van Wering, Lawrence Arps, Simon McCreesh, Alex Deane, Phil Walsh and Cushla McCreesh, all of whom wanted to support the group/club idea, which included the opportunity to play for fellow musicians. The idea of a 'club' arose from this first meeting, with an aim to organise club gigs offering a professional platform (stage/equipment, etc.) for the enjoyment of their members and guests. The name ''Head, Hands and Feet'' was also chosen. ''Liam Ryan'' was chosen to be the ''Club President''. |
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| − | '''INFORMATION ABOUT H.H.F. MUSICIANS CLUB''' - '''HISTORY, and EVENTS.'''
| + | Regular (monthly) gigs were organised, which this included a photographer at every gig, good quality backline equipment, lighting and a professional PA. The names of bands who wanted to play for the club were presented at each committee meeting and discussed, and the next program was tentatively set. Each band or solo artist was called and they confirmed or declined the invitation to play. When a full program was ready for the gig, confirmation letters were written and sent, and lists of bands and their members' details were typed out ready for the M.C. and all the stage crew at the next gig. |
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| | + | At its height, the club had 500 formal members. |
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| − | H.H.F. was founded by Local musicians, ROSS CASCI (R.I.P.) and CUSHLA McCREESH.
| + | Venues used for gigs included [[Uncle Sams]], [[Top Of the River]], the University Sports Club Bar, [[Ruakura Club]], [[Zaks]], and the Hamilton Old Boys Club Rooms for their 2019 reunion. |
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| − | '''A Bit of background'''
| + | Sponsors of the club included [[Shearers Music Store]], [[Musicare]] and [[Scots Sound]]. |
| − | At the time both were playing in a small jazz band, "Treble Clef". Ross was the Band leader and he played Sax, Cushla was the singer. They were joined by (very talented - interchangeable) Bass, keyboard player, and Guitarist. Wayne Melville (Electric Bass) Craig Williams (Keyboard and upright Bass) Tony Crichton (Electric and Upright Bass) and last but definitely not least, Pit Ramsay (Guitar).
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| − | On the way to and from Gigs in Auckland, Ross and Cushla spent hours in the car, moaning about the lack of opportunities to hear their friend's bands and to have the opportunity to jam with local musicians.
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| − | Finally, Ross sent Cushla a letter, it said this; '''"Roses are Red, violets are blue, I feel like a jam, how about you?"'''
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| − | It may not have been his most creative piece of writing, but it was one of his best ideas.
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| − | '''WHERE TO BEGIN?'''
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| − | The first thing we wanted to do was to organise a Jam with friends and fellow musicians and see what happens.
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| − | So we did exactly that.
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| − | The first gig/jam was at 'Chequers' a small bar in Chartwell square.
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| − | We set up some borrowed, and some of the band's gear; keyboard, backline amps, full drum kit, P.A.(including mics, leads, etc,) and even a couple of lights I think. Anyway ... All the players needed to bring were their instruments, and maybe foot pedals.
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| − | We also set up paper and pens to ask; Did you enjoy tonight? Would you like to be called if we do this again?
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| − | if so,
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| − | Please leave your name and phone number.
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| − | We had about 80 people at the first 'jam', most were musicians accompanied by their wives and partners.
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| − | It was a fantastic night. Most people left their contact details for the next event.
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| − | The following month we did the same thing again.
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| − | This time there were more people, and it was another fantastic night.
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| − | In no time at all;
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| − | we had gigs happening.
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| − | Bands and solo musicians wanting to play,
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| − | People helping with the setup, phone calls, carrying gear, mixing sound, etc.
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| − | Unfortunately, we didn't have photographers at those first gigs.
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| − | Before we knew what happened, we were having a meeting with musicians who had offered to help with the future gigs.
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| − | At that '''First meeting''' were ROSS CASCI (RIP), NEIL REYNOLDS, PAUL VAN WERING, LAWRENCE ARPS, SIMON McCREESH, ALEX DEANE, PHIL WALSH, and CUSHLA McCREESH all wanted to support the group/club idea, which included the opportunity to play for fellow musicians. Club gigs should offer a professional platform (stage/equipment, etc.) for the enjoyment of our members, and guests.
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| − | The idea of a 'CLUB' was born that night.
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| − | We needed a name for the new club, everyone made suggestions, then after a vote, the name '''' Head, Hands and Feet'''' was chosen.
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| − | Neil suggested he ask '''LIAM RYAN'' to be the ''' Club President'', which he did, Liam was the first and last president.
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| − | '''GIG DETAILS'''
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| − | The group discussed and agreed to, regular (monthly) professional Club gigs. this included
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| − | a photographer at every gig, good quality backline equipment, lighting, a professional PA provided, etc.
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| − | Each member of the group offered to help in the area that matched their interests and abilities.
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| − | '''Ross''' said he wasn't interested in the formal club idea. He claimed it was because he was so disinterested, that he slept through the first meeting. He was a founder of the fabulous Musicians club that existed in Hamilton for many happy years.
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| − | Following the resignations of the first committee, a larger committee was elected, he was a member of the second committee, sadly, I don't have access to information about that group. There is a photo of the second committee on the Heads, Hands, and Feet group page
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| − | '''Roles were formally created''';
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| − | '''Neil''' - Business manager, meeting potential sponsors, arranging details of Club venues, along with small donations from Bar management to our guest musicians, arranging formal club stationery, logo, artworks, etc.
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| − | '''Alex''' - Editor, and contributing writer to the Club newsletter, Also arranged Club Art/cartoons as he felt were needed.
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| − | The newsletter quickly blossomed into 8-pages of fun, informative articles, buy-sell and exchange, marketing future events, and lots of photos.
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| − | Alex also arranged the Photographer for the next gig. (information about Photographers is listed below.)
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| − | '''Phil''' - Club Accountant. I don't know much about accountancy, but I suspect the role speaks for itself. Phil was also the M.C. for the gigs.
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| − | ''' Paul, Simon, and Lawrence''' all offered to help with setting up and breaking down backline gear and front line (mic's, stands, etc.), setting up and running the P.A. (lent by Neil), setting up and breaking down the drum kit, (which was also lent by Neil.)
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| − | '''Cushla''' - secretary, i.e. communicating with bands on the program, making sure every band's information was correct, advising of the program for the night, and confirming with everyone before each gig. After each gig, thank you letters were sent to all musicians/bands who had played for the club. (This was the time before,' Personal Computers '.) Committee meetings were held once each month, minutes were taken and read, these are still held in the club records.
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| − | '''Monthly committee meetings:'''
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| − | '''Programs'''
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| − | Names of bands who wanted to play for the club were presented at each committee meeting and discussed, and the next program was tentatively set. Each band or solo artist was called and they confirmed or declined the invitation to play.
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| − | when a full program was ready for the gig, confirmation letters were written and sent, and lists of bands and their members' details typed out ready for the M.C. and all the stage crew at the next gig.
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| − | The '''newsletter''' was previewed, pictures and contributing text was discussed, and once the Editor was happy, it was sent to a printer.
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| − | Prior to Club gig, the big ''' notice board''' was prepared, with photos from the previous month's gig, notices, etc.
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| − | '''Drink Tickets''' for performing bands were printed.
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| − | '''SPONSORS:'''
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| − | '''SHEARERS MUSIC STORE''' has always been a very generous sponsor of club events and of Waikato musicians. (Thank you David)
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| − | '''MUSICARE''' sound systems were regularly lent to the club for gigs, etc. (Thank you, Neil)
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| − | '''SCOTS SOUND''' sound systems and technicians to use them kindly lent to the club when needed. (Thank you Scott)
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| − | '''CLUB VENUES'''
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| − | Chequers (first gig 1985)
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| − | Uncle Sams
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| − | Top Of the River
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| − | University sports club Bar
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| − | Ruakura Club
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| − | Camp by the airport - darn can't remember the name.
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| − | Zaks nightclub Te Rapa.
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| − | Hamilton Old Boys Club Rooms (2019 reunion)
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| − | '''OTHER CLUB EVENTS'''
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| − | '''"FOLDING AND STUFFING EVENINGS"'''
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| − | Ingredients:
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| − | Wine, nibbles, refreshments, occasional fireworks, newsletters, pre-paid envelopes, address labels, and thankfully, a bunch of willing helpers. We sat around the table compiling the newsletters, then folding them, then stuffing them in envelopes, and finally adding the address stickers. Special thanks to Neils's awesome new equipment for Musicare, a P.C. - Wow!
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| − | Special thanks to the many helpers who made the newsletter possible.
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| − | '''SEMINARS'''
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| − | We held a very successful '''songwriters Seminar''', photos can be seen on HHF page.
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| − | There was a great '''Musicians Union meeting''' at Top of the River, photos on HHF page.
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| − | '''
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| − | FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY'''
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| − | Check out the photos, many of the young ones there are now in the bands of today.
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| − | Children sang "Happy Birthday Jesus"
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| − | Children singing on T.V. Telethon.
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| − | Visit the Facebook Group page - ''' Head, Hands, and Feet - Musicians club (Hamilton NZ)'''
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| − | There are photos on the page that will show you most of the events, and all the gigs.
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| − | They are awesome - enjoy.
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| − | '''GENERAL INFO'''
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| − | At its most popular, we had '''500 formal members''. (All the details are in the club records.)
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| − | There was a fabulous '''H.H.F. gig''' at the university sports club rooms, Chris Thompson was the special guest.
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| − | '''H.H.F. Reunion''' at the Ruakura Club Rooms, was a wonderful night. Photos on H.H.F. Facebook page.
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| − | The most recent '''' H.H.F. Reunion'''' was held at the Hamilton old boys Rugby club. Photos on the H.H.F. Facebook page.
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| − | (I have to check the details to confirm the dates of these events - Sorry, It's been a big few years.)
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| − | '''BIG THANKS'''
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| − | Thank you to all the fabulous musicians who played for the club,
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| − | we hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed hearing you play.
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| − | To all the wonderful friends who helped with newsletters 'folding and stuffing', etc.
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| − | We couldn't have done it without you.
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| − | Thank you to all the people who helped out with setting up and breaking down equipment at the gigs.
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| − | Thank you to all the musicians who provided gear (amps, speakers, drums, etc)
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| − | More to come....
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| − | Photographers; Tim Bamford.
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| − | '''Inspired by H.H.F.'''
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| − | The Hamilton Blues Society was founded in 1995.
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| − | As of 2022, it is still holding group meetings at Biddy Mulligans Bar, Hood St., Hamilton.
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| − | Search Hamilton Blues Society for group information.
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A meeting was subsequently organised with musicians who had offered to help with the future gigs. Attending the first meeting were Ross Caski, Neil Reynolds, Paul Van Wering, Lawrence Arps, Simon McCreesh, Alex Deane, Phil Walsh and Cushla McCreesh, all of whom wanted to support the group/club idea, which included the opportunity to play for fellow musicians. The idea of a 'club' arose from this first meeting, with an aim to organise club gigs offering a professional platform (stage/equipment, etc.) for the enjoyment of their members and guests. The name Head, Hands and Feet was also chosen. Liam Ryan was chosen to be the Club President.
Regular (monthly) gigs were organised, which this included a photographer at every gig, good quality backline equipment, lighting and a professional PA. The names of bands who wanted to play for the club were presented at each committee meeting and discussed, and the next program was tentatively set. Each band or solo artist was called and they confirmed or declined the invitation to play. When a full program was ready for the gig, confirmation letters were written and sent, and lists of bands and their members' details were typed out ready for the M.C. and all the stage crew at the next gig.
