Young people are Loud n Proud after getting back to work

Mar 16 2010 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

JOBLESS music lover Steve Smith is banging the drum for a respected charity after landing his dream gig.

Steve, 22, became the 200th person to find a job in the voluntary sector through the government’s Future Jobs Fund (FJF) – which helps people who’ve been unemployed for at least six months get back to work.

Musician Steve has been taken on by Paisley’s very own School of Rock, which is part of Buddie Tommy McGrory’s Loud n Proud music charity.

Steve, from Renfrew, said: “I started with the School in November, and so far it’s going incredibly well. I studied music at the University of the West of Scotland and left with a Performance Qualification.

“Since leaving though, I haven’t managed to get a job in my chosen field. All I’ve had are jobs serving in coffee shops.

“I got to know about this post, which is for around a year, through the Job Centre and it’s an opportunity for me to learn to become a music teacher.”

Steve, whose dad John was also a drummer, picked up his first set of drumsticks aged just 12.

He explained: “My dad was a huge influence on me, as was my music teacher Miss Brady. He played in resident groups and session bands all his life and I was just mesmerised by the whole thing.”

Talent

Despite musical talent running in the family, Steve wasn’t allowed a noisy drum kit in the house and would practice at drum clinics or after-school clubs.

It’s a passion that has never left Steve and he reckons he’s already improved since starting at the School of Rock, which is based above the Liberal Club in School Wynd.

He said: “Imagine doing something you love for a living, and multiply that by 10. My job here will involve teaching kids in a band situation and on a one-to-one basis.

“It was amazing to discover that I was the 200th person to land a job through the Future Jobs Fund. I owe them a lot.”

Tommy works with around 14 bands as well as the well-known Rock Orchestra through Loud n Proud, and last year he picked up a Provost’s Community Award in the Arts and Culture category for his dedication to young people and their music.

Tommy said: “We’ve managed to take on three workers thanks to the FJF, and that’s great news for us. We wouldn’t normally have been in a position to get guys like Steve on board.

“Our remit is to take young people and give them the skills that will allow them to go on and have a career in the industry.

“Steve was an excellent drummer before he came to us but he has already improved – that’s there for all to see.”

Erin Cairney, from Foxbar, in Paisley, landed a job at School of Rock through FJF organising everything from the office to rock concerts.

Erin, 21, said: “I always wanted to work in the music industry and landing a job like this is normally just the stuff of dreams.

“I’d been unemployed for around six months and there was nothing around that inspired me – then this came up.

“Working with Tommy is incredible. He’s so passionate about the School and that inevitably rubs off on you.”

Music technician Richard Gellatly didn’t for a minute believe he’d be working in such inspiring surroundings.

As well as producing music videos for budding artists, the talented 20-year-old from Paisley’s South End also plays guitar, accordion and keyboard.

Richard, who is another of Tommy’s FJF success stories, said: “I grew up listening to my dad Alan playing guitar and started myself at eight.

“The trouble is, dad was right-handed and I play with my left, but because his guitar was usually lying around I was constantly messing around with it.

“He then bought me a left-handed guitar and I couldn’t play it, because I’d never tried one before. It was so expensive though that he made me learn!”

Ambition

Richard’s ambition is to play live solo gigs and he reckons School of Rock can help him achieve that.

He added: “It’s an incredible set up and Tommy works wonders with everyone.”

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, Ann McKechin, visited the school to see it working at first hand.

Ann, who was brought up in Whitehaugh, in Paisley, said: “The FJF has proved really successful and Loud n Proud is a classic example of how it can work.

“We’ve put a lot of money into the scheme and it helps those aged 24 and under get back to work.

“It’s not like previous schemes. It’s a real job and they get paid a wage. They also get back their self respect.

“The experience being gathered by the three youngsters at Loud n Proud will hopefully stand them in good stead for the future.”