Farewell Rich McMahon

    Not so long ago, at a packed Tump Club in Coventry, I was honoured to be invited to co-compere a Farewell Concert celebrating the Life of the (then) recently departed Rod Felton. Rod was a musician and writer greatly loved and admired, not only in his home town, but far and wide, Home and Abroad. That evening was a poignant mix of joy and sadness. I can remember singing one of Rod's most-loved songs, “Curly,” accompanied by Dave Parr and Arnie, with all of Rod's family in amongst a huge audience. It was for all of us, an emotional experience.

    Rod enjoyed a “ long innings” and was still performing well into his 70's. Rich McMahon was not much older than my son when he died,in May 2015 but it was evident from seeing him in person, and checking out his music online, that here was a talented, charismatic figure from that same Felton mould. It all seemed so sad when I heard of Rich's sudden death. Compounded, for me, by the fact that I was at a very low point myself, having just suffered personal bereavement-not once,but twice.

   Rich was born in Coventry and later lived in Brum, but North Warwickshire was very much on the periphery of his activities. Nevertheless, he had begun to develop an interest in clubs like ours. Those of us who had caught but a glimpse of him were only too pleased to honour one of our own last night, and to say goodbye properly, like we did with Roddie. It just seemed the right thing to do.

   Last night was so good, I don't know where to start. I'm sorry that a few performers missed it through illness or other commitments, and I'm sorry that we could not fit everyone who wanted to play into a jam-packed running order. With the good folk of Nuneaton institutionalised into expecting Folk entertainment at The Crown on the First Wednesday only, it was always going to be a bit of a gamble trying to cajole them into turning out two nights in a month. So although the crowd was decent, I was a tiny bit disappointed that the room wasn't full.

The banners of the three North Warwickshire Folk Clubs, together on stage

   But that is the only negative. The rest was fantastic. I was immensely proud of everything else we did together. The singing was as ever, tremendous. In numbers as diverse as “Jolly Boys” and the Finale, John Richard's “Shine On.”  Roared out with a mixture of defiance and pride that must have blown Rich's hat off, wherever he was. Three local Clubs, coming together to do good, raise funds for Charity, have a good time and acknowledge the contribution of one of the Good Guys. Phil (Atherstone) and Malc (Bedworth) had been in with me on this project from the start:I cannot praise their contribution highly enough. As performers, as comperes, and helping out with publicity and sound on the night.

     We were joined last night by Rich's widow Maggie and his sister, Sam. It was lovely to meet them in person. We were introduced to SIFA Fireside before starting, and then Nunc kicked off with “ When I Get To The Border “ and “ After The Goldrush.”

Nunc

  Dave Webb gave us a couple of recitations featuring Albert being eaten and Sam having a wobbler over his musket. Webby had learned them in the trenches of The Boer War, apparently. Bob Brooker stepped up with his Bouzouki for two rousing numbers, and then Katherine Fear, solo, and without Daisybell, gave us a couple of lovely songs with her Uke.  Managing the trailing spaghetti of leads masterfully, given her claim that she is amongst the most unco-ordinated performers on the circuit. 

    Band On The Rum made their debut-a Shanty crew from North of the A5. Accomplished, loud, and nice chaps. Lovely to hear “Donkey Riding" again. We'll get them back to The Crown asap.

Band On The Rum

   Finger In The Jar, AFC's residents, treated us to three songs, including a brave adaptation of an Incredible String Band number. It was about all the colours packed into a painting box, and having seen what Steve packs into his pipe I bet he has seen all of them? 

Finger in The Jar

     John Kearney put in a spellbinding shift that won him deserved applause. John has been proper poorly recently, and was nervous about doing a Rich McMahon song. But he had got Maggie's full blessing beforehand, and he did it proud. He followed it with one I'd written, “Tiny Lights” and you could have heard a pin drop. ( I would say that, wouldn't I?) Then he finished with “Jolly Boys” and the room relaxed, rolled up their sleeves and had a knees-up. 
    KC Jones were as accomplished as usual, delivering three cleverly arranged songs and nicely weighted vocals. Including one about Poaching, and one of Peter Griffin's favourites. I think Mum won the whisky, so a good night all round for them?   Malc and Gill (Bedworth FC Residents/Hosts) completed an epic first half, and got the audience singing with the Blue Cockade.  Which always looks rude, whenever I type it.

     Already well behind schedule, after the briefest of intervals, we hurtled through a raffle which, thanks to donations, had some fabulous prizes. THREE boxes of chocolates: FREE tickets to Bedworth Folk Festival, CD's, t-shirts and a bottle of whisky! Thanks to that and the efforts of the ticket sellers, we were able to hand on £242 to Rich's favourite charity.

   Brian Phillips then gave us two and a half songs, whilst Dave Parr very generously sacrificed his own floor spot to join us in giving Mac Awe on Tour a better run at an already truncated set to finish off the evening. 
    The Mac Awe is a very fluid beast, ( a “loose collective”, based around earlier BPS Big Bands ) At various times, the line up last night comprised myself, Dave Parr, Brian Phillips, John Kearney, Malc Gurnham (on his Size isn't Everything bass Uke). Filled out with guest appearances from Jon Harrington and Max Wright-cajoled back up in front of an audience after a long time out of the saddle. With the additional support of Phil Benson, driving the mixer, from behind a speaker the size of a mini-bus, and adding to the harmonies! 

   Late running, we managed only five of the numbers planned, with the highlight being a seamless segue of Robert Johnson and Lennon/McCartney in “If I had Possession/You Can't do That.” ( Kind of weird-but it seems to work! ) Had we done “ Black Velvet Band” a little more quickly, (I have never sung it in waltz time before) we might have squeezed another in, but all too soon, with the bar staff run off their feet and the taxis revving up outside, it was Finale Time.

Max makes a guest appearance with Mac Awe  during Black Velvet Band

    Malc Gurnham wound up the bellows, and with a volume that could break windows,he led The Company in John Richard's inspiring and anthemic “ Shine On.” Nothing so satisfying as finishing a momentous evening with the lungs wide open and the light fittings shaking. What they made of it downstairs or in the Bus Station, I cannot think. It must have registered on the Richter Scale. 

    Thanks are due to Julian,Sam and Nell at The Crown, for going that extra mile with getting the room ready yesterday and offering Mac Awe a room to rehearse in: to Malc Gurnham and Phil Benson for all their support, moral, technical and audio:to my wife and Niece for roadie duties and flogging and then folding all those raffle tickets: to all those who generously supplied prizes: to our audience for their singing: and to each and every performer.

     If you enjoyed last night, or were disappointed to have missed it, or if you came all the way over from Brum-next Wednesday we meet at the same venue to do it all again. It is the usual First Of The Month Nuneaton Folk Club. Marking our first twelve months at the venue. No guest as such-just a bit of a party, with a procession of bands and singers. With a slightly different line-up. but still featuring many of those you have come to know and love. Why not join us again?

KC Jones

Jon Harrington

John Kearney