BUSINESS RETURNS TO RECORD NUMBERS.
2024 produced numbers close to the days when I was resident at The Springs Garden Restaurant over twenty years ago. I entertained thousands there over a period of ten years. Shows ran between one and four nights a week most months. This is the first year where revenue numbers have come close to those glory days.
It would appear I am not alone. When I talk to other well established entertainers in the industry, they too are enjoying a new lease of life when it comes to the demand on their brand of entertainment.
The diverse range of gigs I get still really astounds me. I can’t believe that I am still called upon to entertain such a wide age demographic. I have been invited to play at 21st birthdays to lifestyle villages this year and everything in between. From MC work to full on live shows and of course sounding those trumpet calls at the gallop and harness races.
When I think back on the entertainment year there have been many highlights. Some that come to mind are the huge crowds and atmosphere at Ellerslie over the summer, setting the scene to kick off a Black Seeds gig. Being featured on a Love Racing story, being included on the bill at the Hamilton Workingmen’s Club and Henderson RSA. These two clubs sustain excellent crowd numbers because they continue to provide entertainment for their patrons, MC work for Readers Digest and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. There is no doubt though the two biggest highlights of the year were performing live at the CarolBrass factory in Taiwan as well as being a part of the spectacular performances laid down this year at the National Brass Band Championships by the NBS Nelson City Brass. This small town band were placed runners up to the New Zealand A Grade National Champions and we did it right here in my home town of Auckland.
I have always been inspired by going out and listening to live music or following it online. Seeing entertainers like Mick Peck, Kane Steves, Andre Vegas, Brendan Dugan, Taisha with Thomas Stowers, Andrew Hutton Band, Dennis Marsh as well as Chris Powley. All blown me away this year live. I come home and feel my professionalism grows by watching people like these perform live. I was delighted to see Frankie Stevens and Jackie Clark pick up the Variety Artists Clubs prestigious Benny Awards this year. I am such a fan of those two and you inspire me to work harder to get closer to achieving goals like that.
I feel proud when I see the work of young musicians making the most of their opportunities. The amazing Andrea Lisa, doing incredible things worldwide. Drax Project and recording engineer Dan Cosgrove who produced an incredibly slick album for the talented Kayla Rose. Not to mention Dan’s tribute bands selling out venues as Kiss and ACDC. Andrew Yorkstone a New Zealand brass player being honoured for his solo work in the UK and Luke Spence performing regularly with one of the world’s most epic English brass bands the Brighouse & Rastrick band.
These are just some of the people that inspire me every day and play a part in making sure I produce the BEST show for your special night.
So, what a year it has been. Thank you so many of you that choose to have the TRUMPETGUY play, sing, MC and DJ your events.
Huge shout out to CarolBrass and EDWARDS Sound for supporting me so much this year and thank you to you, for being my friend, and enjoying my music.
At the risk of stealing someone’s tag line…..I’m lovin it!
Have a safe and happy Christmas. Let’s do it all again next year.
John McGough