I started playing the organ at age 9 - my father owned a T500 Hammond which was his pride and joy.
I started to show an interest in music and Dad agreed to teach me. He taught me all he knew and within a year he had arranged private tuition with my first teacher Ray Fox.
At age 11 my Dad asked me what I would like for my birthday. I said I would like to play a concert,
Dad arranged it and I played my first 2 hour concert to friends and family - about 100 people.
I loved every minute!
Aged 13 I was now having weekly lessons with Andrew Gilbert, looking back it was a wonderful move by my Mum & Dad to have Andrew as my teacher,
he taught me so much in those three years i was with him & I loved learning.
I started entering competitions in 1986, after winning the local YAMAHA event held in Worthing I was asked to compete in the National competition, which was held at The Library Theatre Solihull.
Playing the Yamaha HS8, I won £125! which, at that age, was like winning the Lottery.
I then entered the Wersi competition, winning the local event.
At that time, we didn't know but the competition was going to go further, a week after winning I received a call from Aura Sounds Purley, to ask if I would compete in the Wersi European finals to be held at FRANKFURT -
all expenses paid for me and Dad.
We went over and WON a Wersi Prisma organ.
When we got home Dad built it and that's the setup I used, with a Technics KN800 for the next three years.
At age 18 I purchased my YAMAHA HX-1, I have been playing this wonderful instrument since 1991, it has been very good to me, the build quality & sound I think is still amazing.
I was proud to receive the Trophy for the first ever Keyboard/Organist of the Year 2003-4 this is a 2 yearly award,
I was so happy to receive it again for 2005-6.
After receiving the trophy for the second time the organisers called it a day for this award.
In May 2001 I married Louise, we have 4 boys, Charlie, Matthew, William & Lee.
Louise ran a busy cake shop in Catterick Village for 12 years and now runs a very busy fruitcake business.
Website: www.theyorkshirefruitcakecompany.co.uk
Email: theyorkshirefruitcakecompany@btinternet.com
I travel with these wonderful cakes for my audience to purchase at all my concerts!
I am still travelling around the UK performing at clubs and societies and now organise midweek/weekend festival events "Tony Stace & Friends" with the assistance of my family.