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Profile of our band members.

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In total, there are 9 of us though we rarely have everyone available as we live such excting lives (or we're recovering).

To give you an idea of who we are we've written our own profile and selected an image we can live with. No Photoshop used in the making of these - honest.

These comments and images are based loosely on replies for a request from Pete to band members to say something about themselves. The Management cannot be held responsible for the pictures and hopes that no children or animals were harmed in the making of this page. Our latest group photo [Feb 2023]
Pete In the summer of 2014 Pete decided he wanted to play guitar with other like minded people who, like him were retired. He'd heard about the U3A (University of the Third Age) and despite it sounding like a hippy movement from the 70's, he made contact via their website so he could join their guitar group. They didn't have one. They did have a notice board to advertise new events so an advertisement went up to see if others wanted to set a group up. The rest is history as we now have other guitar and folk groups as well as this band - Don't Fret - off the back of the first U3A guitar group. Pete, generally organises everything except for the running of the practices, which he shares with Alan. Though, to be honest, everyone has a say in the sessions. He never thought it would grow as it has. Loves it all and hopes everyone feels the same. Every session leave him feeling great and appreciating that decision in 2014. Musical preferences:- country, folk, blues and classical. Plays the guitar, Cajun beat box and banjo (a little). He's currently also 'messin' with the harmonica as well for future songs. Harvest Moon in the future - if only.... "I've learnt so much from the good guys in the band and appreciate the way everyone pulls in the same direction."
	Alan Alan was the second member of the U3A Acoustic Guitar Group, to join Pete in 2014, though only by a few minutes. Alan completely ignored the U3A brief Pete had written: ‘Want to learn to play the guitar or wish to develop your guitar skills?’ and arrived at the first session with his guitar and a whole bunch of songs he wanted us to sing. We have been singing and playing ever since. It was through Alan’s encouragement that the group ventured out and began playing to audiences for charity or just for fun (theirs and ours we hope). This has been both rewarding and terrifying in equal measure and allows Alan to become Cliff or Buddy - well at least that's what he thinks.. Most of the time he's our lead singer with an easy voice that allows the rest of us to blend or harmonise with. He deputises for Pete on the rare occasions that he's absent and generally provides the skeleton of our practice sessions. Musical Preferences: pop songs or any song with a good melody
Annette Annette enjoys singing and playing a variety of instruments. She can play guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, recorder and piano but she likes trying to master new instruments so she says she plays a lot of things, though not very well. She loves to sing and play with other people, so to be part of Don't Fret, for her, is a joy. She comes from a Folk background but is enjoying revisiting the songs of her youth with Don't Fret. Currently she plays bass guitar for us, providing the tempo and bass elements in our performances. With her vocal range she adds a huge amount when harmonising with the predominantly male range of vocals within the band.
	Catherine Cath rang Pete in 2014 in response to an advert to learn to play the guitar. Arriving first on that initial practice session she had no idea what was in store. Twenty minutes later Alan arrived and after a short chat we all started playing and to her surprise, singing. Her face was a picture but she went along with it, never thinking that the group would grow as it did and she certainly didn't imagine that she would be performing within a year. Her confidence has grown enormously, from trembling knees to singing duets. Her guitar skills have developed as well, though she still finds some of the more difficult chords a challenge. With the help of the more experienced members of the band I know she will continue to develop her skills. Her musical tastes are 60's music and folk music. She says that "the main thing I have learnt is that the only thing that matters is to have fun. I am certainly having that."
Chris Chris has had a lifelong interest in folk music. He bought his first guitar over 50 years ago but only “dabbled” until he went to some evening classes in the 1980s and learned some finger picking. He then neglected the guitar for another 30 years or more till he found the U3A guitar group which he says he really enjoys. He's tried a few other instruments along the way including mandolin, hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, fiddle, tin whistle, tenor banjo, bouzouki & melodeon. Needless to say he feels he's spread himself thinly and thinks he doesn't excel with any instrument. He only started singing in public about six years ago when he helped set up a sea shanty group. Chris started a U3A Folk Music Group in January 2016, with his wife Sue which meets twice a month which is progressing successfully. He also plays with a small band associated with the shanty side and also for a ladies morris dance side based in a village near Nuneaton. Chris has a strong voice and good sense of a driving rhythm on the guitar.
	John John's always after perfection. Timing, links and knowing who's doing what are his mantra. John loves to harmonise or add the backing vocals to our songs. With a good vocal range he manages to blend with any of us. His guitar skills are now focussed on finger picking and general arpeggios after years of strumming. It's thanks to John that we and Guitar group 2 from the U3A, have such a good practice facility. As the group grew we were in danger of life loss in our houses. Now we have superb facilities. He is constantly amazed as to how much fun the sessions are and what can be achieved later in life if you give it a go.
Mark The baby in the band. At least in age, though he's been playing longer than all our ages combined. Started playing guitar in 1963 and played bass for many years in a variety of bands. For most of us our play list brings back memories from our youth, Mark keeps insisting his Dad told him about the songs we do. He joined our crew when he was looking for another rock band to join, but wasn't willing to travel. So glad he did. We're unsure as to whether he's a good judge of character because he says - "we're a great bunch who I think of as my mates, and so keen!" Plays guitar, bass guitar, double bass, piano and can knock a tune out of a saxophone. He loves all kinds of music - as he says to his sons when they mock his choices, "A good song's a good song's a good song!" Mark quietly gets on with making sure we have that extra layer with a sound rhythm driving our play or some superb picking that always seems to hit the right spot. He's always ready to step in if an outro, intro or instrumental riff needs adding. When he jams with Richard or David the rest of us just sit back and enjoy the resulting music whilst being envious of their skills.
	Richard Richard joined the band in 2015 but has been playing guitar since the early 1960’s when he was lead guitarist in a beat group based in York. He has played a variety of different styles since then including fretless bass in a blues band and rhythm guitar in a jazz dance band. He has also done a bit of folk guitar playing. He loves all styles and finds acoustic jazz and classical guitar particularly challenging but satisfying when it works out. He says "It has been a real pleasure to pass on some of my knowledge to contribute to the major improvements in Don’t Fret. I love coming to the sessions and when we do live performances I get the same buzz I did when I was a teenager!"
Sandra No longer the novice in the band after huge progress in a short period of time. Always prepared to try new things that stretch her abilities. An example to us all. It's easy for those teenagers but huge respect from all of us in the band for picking up the 'melody spoon' and making such a go of it. She loves a challenge and always wanted to play guitar. She "Discovered Lichfield U3A and a welcoming group of like minded folk. Joined the band and loves every minute of the guitar journey......" Musical preferences: Soul, Blues, Country, Classical Great to see how playing with the Band has improved her memory so much. It's rare now to find items left behind. In fact others are now taking on that mantle.