The standard of playing and songwriting is truly outstanding. It really gives me great hope for the future of the music business.
Mike Roberts
Budding rock groups from Warwickshire are preparing to hit the road on tour – with the royal approval of a former chart King.
The Teenage Kicks under-18s band tour is a project organised by Red Kyte, Warwickshire County Council’s Music Service’s house rock band, who are led by ex-King keyboard player Mike Roberts.
Red Kyte successfully applied to Warwickshire’s Youth Opportunities Fund for a grant of £5,895 to run a series of four gigs at professional gig venues with technical support.
After a successful debut at the Escape Bar in Coventry last week, Mike Roberts is preparing four bands for another headline event at Kelly’s in Leamington Spa on Sunday May 11.
The Coventry gig represented a homecoming for Mike, who scored a number two hit with King’s Love and Pride in 1985.
Talking about the latest acts working with the County Music Service, Mike said: “I've never seen a better collection of young bands. The standard of playing and songwriting is truly outstanding. It really gives me great hope for the future of the music business.”
Red Kyte also have young Eric Clapton in their ranks. Lead guitarist Jack Blackman, aged 16, recently stood in with The Blues Band, featuring BBC Radio 2 presenter and blues maestro Paul Jones at Cox's Yard in Stratford-upon-Avon. Paul introduced Jack to the audience by saying: “I recorded this song in 1967. The guitarist then was Eric Clapton.... no pressure Jack.” The young slowhand’s performance earned him an invite to guest with the band again at the Upton-on-Severn Blues Festival later in the year.
The next opportunity to see Teenage Kicks Under 18s band tour is on Sunday May 11 from 4pm until 7pm at Kelly's in Leamington Spa, admission £3. The groups appearing at the Kelly's gig are Purple Shuriken, The Caution, First Kill and Red Kyte.
The following gigs are on Sunday May 25 in Rugby at a venue to be confirmed, and at Warwick Racecourse on Sunday June 29.
For more information visit the Myspace pages on www.myspace.com/Red Kyte or www.musicforlife.net
The ‘Youth Opportunity Fund’ is a DCSF initiative operated through Warwickshire County Council’s Children, Young People and Families Directorate. The aim of the Youth Opportunity Fund is to involve young people, especially those who are hard to reach, in identifying positive activities and things to do.