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Being in a band and trying to run things well, sometimes things don't run quite as smoothly as one would like! Holidays for example, need careful planning or else you only have half a band available.

Luckily there are various 'good buddies' of mine who are able to step in and 'dep' for us. /these guys are worth their weight in gold! Gary Bentley (drums), Adi House (drums), Steve Marshall (bass) and Mark Tanner (bass) and Patrick Hogan (bass). Many thanks to these guys for their hard work learning the pad and their sharp-ended talents.

Mid 2014 was a dificult time as I was admitted into hospital for treatment to a blocked coronary artery and Richard New went under the surgeon's knife for a triple bypass. While Richard was convalescing, and as Paul (baritone sax) had given up and left, we faced the dilemma of just having a single trumpet for our brass section played by Ken. John Skates who had played with me in the Chordets had depped on drums for us during August. When I found out he could also play trumpet, I was certain he would do a good job. So while Richard went into hospital, John joined Ken on trumpet and Uptown Traffic had 2 trumpet players!

John, not only a very talented drummer but also now a very talented trumpet player, fitted in with the rest of the guys as though he'd always been there. The band was a happy band once again. Richard gently re-introduced himself into the band during the last few weeks of 2014 and we asked John to join us as a full time band member. John was delighted and he has made a terrific contribution to the sound of Uptown Traffic

During 2015 Kate Sloan and myself met up with Paul Braginton from Final Decision. Neither of us had seen Paul since the 70's.

One of the reasons for the reunion was that I had written a book about our young band Final Decision and I dedicated this to Paul who had suffered a stroke some time ago. Due to the floods around Thatcham in 2007, he had lost all of his keep-sakes from the early days.

We were the last remaining members iof the old band and we decided to re-record Thinking which was Final Decisions single.

In 2016 Graham Hayes who had been second trumpet player in uptown Traffic and had left back in 2012 died of liver cancer.

In 2016 Keith Guster had the aweful news that he had prostate cancer and a forthcoming operation put him out of action for a time. Calling upon another old buddy, Dave Todd kindly agreed to take over drums in Keith's absence. Thankfully Keith made a full recovery

Jed Waters Uptown Traffic's bass player suddenly lift after suffering a family tragedy and Mark Tanner took up the position on bass.

The Covid pandemic  of 2020 meant that all gigs were cancelled amidst a very uncertain future, not just for Uptown Traffic but for everyone on the planet. During the months of stagnation that followed I revamped the studio with a 32 channel desk, new screens and I rationalised equipment that was not being used.

It was a shock phone call in June 2022 which relayed the sad news that
Ken Saunders, Uptown Traffic's trumpet player had died suddenly. He had not been well for some time and it had greatly affected the number of gigs we could do and lots had to be cancelled. Ken had worked tirelessly for the band securing work and liaising with our bookers. His loss was a great blow to everyone and it cast doubt on the band's future once again.

But after a month or so Martin called with the news that a local trumpet player Andy Townsend would stand in for Ken for now. Andy was a good player and I had met him while making videos at Cheam School as Andy was a teacher.

The following year another blow to the band, Martin Dixon suffered a heart attack which put him and the band out of action again for a number of months.

Uptown Traffic did 3 more gigs and after Andy Townsend the replacement trumpet player suddenly left, inevitably the band called it a day.

So this brings me right up to the present day. Musical work and also film work is still continuing in many forms and I have volunteered to help out at Kennet Radio after Kathy Sloan and myself were interviewed by Tony Wimbush (Tony Christian) about Final Decision's early days.

My career changed during 2007. After 23 years at Quantel Ltd and 7 at Newbury College, and then ungratefully being made redundant from both institutions, I set myself up with my own business 'Dysongs'. I could now be master of my own destiny instead of relying on a job in these companies that were managed by doubtfully competent people and who made decisions about my life that I had no influence over.

Working for myself is something I should have done years ago as I now pursue a career with all of the real skills I have. Maybe many others have felt that their career could be improved by working for themselves but have not had the courage to jump!

I would say 'DO IT' because believe me I am not looking back!

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Thinking 2015