George started playing brass aged 11 with the Shildon Town Band, taught by Ernie Bennett. After the band folded, George moved to Spennymoor Town Band where he met his greatly missed friend Tim Holmes.
George spent some time away from the North East both studying at the Royal Academy and working in London. During this time he played with the Hamwell Band on Solo Cornet and then later moved to Solo Horn.
After moving back to the North East, George joined the Amaco (Championship Section Band) as Solo Horn. It was from the Amaco Band that a ten piece ‘Premier Brass’ emerged, as did the composing and arranging talents of Alan Catherall. During this time, George enjoyed the best playing experiences of his career, playing alongside his fine collegues which included Robert Childs and Alan Morrison.
After a disagreement with the regime at Amaco, several players moved on to join Cockerton Prize Silver Band and for a number of years enjoyed a successful period under the Musical Director Graham Catherall.
George was asked to conduct Spennymoor Town Band and for many years George worked hard to establish both the Spennymoor Town Band and the Youth and Junior Sections. When, due to presences of work, George left Spennymoor they had a full and thriving Junior band and a youth membership of over 50 children.
After a spell of 15 years away from music, George is now proud to conduct Cockerton Band, which is a hardworking 2nd Section Band and socially ranked with the best in the world.
In his spare time, George is the band leader of a function band called “The MDO Little Big Band” and plays trumpet and backing vocals.
PS. Oh and one more thing, did I mention that I like a pint of lager?
