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RE; KEVIN CROCKFORD ON WOMEN, DYKE, RUMOURS ETC.

To all on the Brass Band list,

Firstly, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Kevin Crockford, some of
you will know me, probably some won't.
I have subscribed to this mailing list, firstly out of curiosity as to what
people are saying and secondly because I applaud any media activity that
helps to keep brass band matters factual, and in the open, thus dispelling
unfounded, dangerous rumours.
I have read with great interest, recent discussions evolving myself, my
colleagues, and Black Dyke Band.
Some points raised surprised me with accounts that were very near the truth
and some unfortunately, way off the mark.
With regards to myself and Ladies in bands, I have to be honest, when a Lady
was first introduced as a full time member of Black Dyke, I was disappointed
and a tadge upset that 162 years of tradition had ended.
The discussions about the ' lads ' not being able to swear and watch rude
videos etc. on the band bus really is utter nonsense, however, having
dedicated 13 years of my life to Black Dyke, it did come as a bit of a
shock.
Nobody that has been involved in an institution ( such as Dyke ) for a long
time likes changes.
After talking at length with my friends and colleagues though, we all
agreed, that this change was inevitable and we had to accept it and progress
forward, which brings me to the real problem.
Black Dyke playing standards have always been exceptionally high, and
everyone has their own opinions as to what is expected of us all. Opinions
about fellow players in your own band are obviously very personal and
everyone should have that right to voice their opinions, especially when it
comes to the playing standard of your own band.
Sadly though, my own opinions of certain players not being up to the
required level met with disagreement from James Watson and Bob Childs, and I
know Bob will deny it, but he did concur with me about these players when we
talked on the steps of the royal academy. ( remember Bob ?.)
We all have reservations as to what the ' management ' of our bands get up
to, but we put up with what we don't like and accept it, providing the
playing standards are what we expect.
When any of us disagree with ' management ' objectives, we have a choice, '
put up, or get out ', hence, the reason myself and my friend Lee Rigg were
invited to leave Black Dyke. This also includes some more of my colleagues
who have resigned since.
Myself and my friends, ' genuinely ' do not have a problem with Ladies in
bands, but at this top level, we do expect them to be good enough, and of
course that applies exactly the same to the men.
Incidentally, I have booked all the deputy players for Black Dyke for the
past 6 years, and have engaged many Lady players, most of whom have
performed admirably.
As for the other discussions in these postings, the money missing at Black
Dyke saga, well, I believe this to be hogwash, and as far as payments to
PLAYERS
goes, that is their business, but believe me it's not a great deal no matter
what chair you sit on.
As for the connections with the lottery application, well now, ' that's VERY
interesting '.
Having said all this, I do send my best wishes to Black Dyke for a continued
future.
There is one more topic which concerns me greatly, As you know myself and
Lee now have the honour of playing for Faireys, and upon my invitation to
join, I did ask what the situation was with John Doyle, their former Soprano
player, and I was assured that John was on a three month trial and all was
not working out, and whether I signed or not, he would have been moving on
anyway. I also don't condone ' good ' players being asked to leave, purely
to get another in.
Lastly ( thank goodness  I hear some saying ) I have read through some of
your archive postings and would just like to say, All of you ' top band '
knockers out there, please try and understand, we do a very difficult job,
sometimes under extreme pressures, therefore, yes, notes get knocked over,
yes, dynamics go over the top sometimes, and yes, we are all human, ( ok Edy
?!! ) I suppose, one can try too hard.
Thank-you for taking the time to read this and Thank-you to the hundreds of
people who have contacted me with their good wishes and support.

Lets keep this hobby of ours a hobby.

KEVIN CROCKFORD.


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