From Kiddie Kit to Christmas Classic: Colin’s Wytch Hazel Journey
In 1997, our 6-year-old asked for a drum kit. Some 26 years later, his band (Wytch Hazel) plays across Europe with a worldwide fan base and several highly acclaimed albums…and this month he has released a brilliant new Christmas single. Here are some highlights of his Wytch Hazel journey from the perspective of an immensely proud dad:
Colin’s older sister had started piano lessons, and we asked if he might like to learn an instrument, too. “Can I have a drum kit?” wasn’t what we expected! As musicians, we knew he would need a good sense of rhythm – but at 6 years old? We couldn’t afford much, so we bought a beginner book and an Argos kids’ drum kit. It was really only a toy, but it had the bass, snare and cymbal (“doink”) for him to try.
Reluctant Home Tutoring
Like my father, I’m not a great believer in teaching instruments to your own kids. Dad supported my musical learning any way he could, always making time to play alongside me and answer questions. But he paid for a tutor.
For Colin, there wasn’t a choice. He was too young to be taken on by a teacher, and too young to read the book. There was no YouTube back then, either! So, we sat with him and his “drum kit” (cheap plastic toy) and read the book to him. We showed him how to play the exercises and explained how to count as he played. Piano, recorder or guitar would have been easier for us, but we did our best.
God’s Timing? From Plastic to Percussion Plus
We soon discovered that we had underestimated our little boy. Quickly learning the early exercises, he showed clear understanding and a remarkably strong sense of rhythm. As musical parents, I’m not why we hadn’t spotted this earlier! The toy kit was obviously inadequate. But unfortunately, we couldn’t afford much more for our budding drummer.
Sometimes, God, or life, or the Universe, has a great sense of timing. The same week, I received an unexpected tax rebate. The plastic toy went back to Argos (remember that 16-day satisfaction guarantee?) and we bought a half-size Percussion Plus kit which was just small enough for him.
From Junior Band to Solo Star: A Father’s Pride
Soon afterwards, we moved from Manchester to Morecambe. We had new jobs, and could afford Colin’s first drum teacher, Bernie Kelly. Bernie was reluctant to take on such a young pupil – until he heard him play! As well as teaching him, he lent him his drum magazines, and talked to him about all sorts of music and his own drumming experiences. This instilled a deep musical enthusiasm in Colin, laying important foundations for what was to come. We will always be grateful for Bernie’s kindness to our little lad.
As the years passed, Colin progressed to a full-size Pearl Export rock kit (British racing green – really smart!) and his musical interests and opportunities widened. He learnt drum notation with a tutor in school. This meant he could play drum kit for Morecambe Brass Band’s junior band – and he progressed almost immediately to the senior band. I had the joy of joining him on the non-kit percussion (timpani, glockenspiel, tubular bells, marching bass, etc.) for rehearsals and concerts together. I particularly remember being the world’s proudest spare-stick-guy for his superb drum solo (lasting several minutes) at the Platform Theatre when he was still in his early teens. Happy memories.
Colin moved to a private drum teacher, who would eventually take him all the way to Grade VIII. He also took some piano lessons. And then, one day…
“Can I Have An Electric Guitar?”
Concerned that a third instrument was too much, we had nonetheless learned our lesson from 6-year-old Colin. After an appropriate amount of parental resistance (!) we caved in. He had an inexpensive guitar and amplifier for Christmas from Promenade Music in Morecambe. He took a few lessons with a local teacher, but the formal route wasn’t for him. This was the instrument he would teach himself.
We often had to remind Colin (cajole, nag, threaten) to practise piano and drums. With the guitar, however…he couldn’t put it down. Homework, mealtimes, bedtimes, personal hygiene – he woud have sacrificed them all in favour of the guitar if we had let him. Boys often spend their teenage years in their bedrooms. With Colin we didn’t worry, because we could hear the guitar – constantly!
Gigs, Gear, and the ‘Dad Taxi’ Chronicles
Colin’s growing musical passion became increasingly collaborative: he played in the church music group, the school band and a number of groups and ensembles (indie, jazz, heavy metal). Increasingly he wrote his own songs. I remember lugging a lot of gear around to rehearsals and pub gigs (including lights and a smoke machine!) in “Dad’s taxi” (and Mum’s.) Eventually he had driving lessons, and we bought him a van (with eye-watering insurance premiums!) for his 18th birthday. This gave him more independence and enabled his degree studies in Music Practice at UCLAN.
Rising Stars: Wytch Hazel’s Growing Legacy
After his early experimentation with Lake Of Fire and in Eliminator, Colin formed his current band, Wytch Hazel. Surrounded by talented musicians (nice people, too) he honed his songwriting skills even further. Today, he continues to write unforgettable lyrics and melodic hooks, nurturing his playing and management skills as the creative genius and driving force behind Wytch Hazel. You don’t need me to tell you about them: it’s splashed all over the pages of their fans’ social media and explored in fine detail in articles and interviews in the likes of Classic Rock magazine and others. Wytch Hazel‘s unique style and approach have won them many accolades and helped build a strong fan base, particularly in the band’s Fan Club. Make sure you check out their charity Christmas single and their website (designed by Colin, built by Dad!)
The Joy of Seeing Them Soar: A Parent’s Perspective
As parents, you just want your kids to do well…and, if possible, better than you. As a retired music teacher, I’m delighted that both my experienced educator daughter and my creative musician son have easily surpassed my achievements. We are immensely proud of them both. They have their own children now, so perhaps one day, they will experience this pride and joy, too. And, like us, they’ve both chosen to live their lives as Christians. We couldn’t ask for more.
Colin has easily more musical intelligence and creativity than me. I can still give him a run for his money at the piano – for now at least – though I suspect he is catching up rapidly! Would he have found his way to the guitar, drums, songwriting and Wytch Hazel even if we hadn’t encouraged him at 6 years old? I suspect he might. His passion for writing, recording, performing and self-improving is all-consuming; I can’t imagine a version of him without it.
Perhaps, one day, your young child might ask for a musical instrument? I encourage you to think twice before saying no. You never know where it might lead!
- Do you believe in serendipity or divine intervention? Have you had an experience where the universe seemed to align in favour of a dream or goal?
- Have you ever had to learn a new skill or hobby in order to support or connect with your child’s interests?
- Do you think every child has a hidden talent or passion waiting to be discovered?