*Memories of an Old Dance Band* 

I started playing drums with a dance band when I was 15 years old. This being the Ireland of the 1950s many of the rural halls that we played in had no electricity and were very basic to say the least. In halls that had no electricity the amplifier was operated by the 12 volt battery of the hired car that had conveyed the band to the venue. This often lead to disastrous but mostly hilarious results. However to me it was all a great adventure and I have many fond memories of those days. I dedicate this recitation to any musician who ever squeezed into a car and travelled many miles of bad roads to get to a gig.