Album is all about charity

CD cover

A GROUP of talented musicians have banded together to record an album for charity in memory of a dear friend.

But the project has not been without its stumbling blocks.

Guitarist and vocalist Stevie Ellis is virtually house-bound with agoraphobia — an anxiety-related fear of open spaces.

So it meant he had to record his part at his Springhead home, then send a copy to the studio where his seven fellow band members filled in around his recording.

The album is now complete, under the name of “Out and About,” in honour of Stevie’s mammoth effort to leave his home and sit on the doorstep for a quick photograph for the cover.

“It was the first time I had been out for two years,” explained Stevie. “It’s very rare I go out because I get panic attacks.”

The inspiration for the album was one of Stevie’s friends, Kevin Owen, who died within weeks of being diagnosed with lung cancer. He was well known locally as the Mayor of Oldham’s chauffeur during the 1990s.

“I had known him since school,” said Stevie.

“He was diagnosed with terminal cancer and didn’t want chemotherapy, so he was looked after by Macmillan nurses.”

Kevin, who lived in Uppermill, died four years ago at the age of 55.

The sight of two of the nurses shedding tears at his funeral touched Stevie and the memory stayed with him long after.

“Kevin had lent me £200 to have a guitar fixed, but I never got round to it, so I thought I would give the money to Macmillan instead,” explained Stevie. “Another friend, John Kirkham, suggested we use it to make more money.” So the pair drafted in six fellow-musicians to record an album to sell in aid of the charity.

“It took us months to pull it all together, but everyone gave their time for free. The whole thing came to £300 instead of the £1,500 it should have been,” said Stevie.

“If we sell them all, we will make £2,000, but I’m hoping we can have more made to make about £5,000 for Macmillan.”

The musicians, Graham Cooke, Cliff Woodworth, Steve Pocock, John Tapp, Paddy Gaffney, John Buckle, Stevie and John have an average age of 55 and have all played around Oldham for many years, mainly for charity gigs.

Stevie (60), who had surgery for bladder cancer several years ago after being given just four weeks to live without the operation, said: “They are all top-class musicians — you won’t get better.”

His vocals and guitar are accompanied by the violin, flute, harmonica, mandolin and more guitars on the album. Stevie described its 10 tracks as “roots music.”

“It’s everything from jazz and rock ’n’ roll to folk and country,” he said.

“Out and About,” priced £5, is available from the Oldham Chronicle in Union Street; Premier Superstore, Carr House Road, Springhead; the 3Cs Club, Henshaw Street, Oldham; and from all good stores. All proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support.