http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?fid4ct=38627 Wed, 25 May 2011 04:58:05 EDT Wed, 25 May 2011 04:57:41 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss RapidFeeds v0.1 -- http://www.rapidfeeds.com www.markhussey.com admin@markhussey.com en http://www.markhussey.com/images/markhussey.jpg http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?fid4ct=38627 200 213 After sorting out my guitar pedal board I realised that I have not made a post to tell you about my Facebook page. Well, follow the link and enjoy the music and make sure you become a fan. Cheersmadeers http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=6180825 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=6180825 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:07:00 EDT It's been a little while since my last update as I've been modifying the website in my spare time. Back from France and enjoying being back home. So, we are back to business here with the weekends being gig heavy. Being back I'm opening up shop again and offering guitar lessons to all levels in all styles here at my home in banbury. Follow the link if you want to improve your skills or just get started on the axe. alternatively call 07917151115 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=6154733 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=6154733 Wed, 25 May 2011 04:49:00 EDT I've been hanging around playing guitar with a couple of acts in France for a little while. It's all been a lot of fun, and met quite a number of interesting characters. Best of all, I have been able to do loads of walking and have a had a lot of time to think up in the mountains. Despite the challenges of daily life and missing home, 'life is good'. Every day i learn something new http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5836620 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5836620 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:08:00 EDT As a result of all the bookings for weddings in recent times the Pussycats have have reformed a specialist act specifically for performances at weddings. The new re-formed and vamped act is called the 'Wedding Venue Band'. So if you are looking for a band for your wedding simply visit http://www.wedding-venue-band.co.uk All the classics are performed with a new edge including 60's, 70's, 80's. 90's, 00's and todays classics. Check it out Available in Oxfordshire, London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Northamptonshire and the south http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5807398 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5807398 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 06:39:00 EDT This will be the first white Christmas i can remember and suddenly you realise how rubbish the British are with a little snow. I know we don't have a great deal of snow on a regular basis but its not excuse really. The final gospel choir gig was sadly cancelled and I know of many musicians who have had their gigs cancel too. Oh well, perhaps the government will suggest the use of winter tyres in in the future if they want to keep the roads moving. I haven't even heard them mentioned so far. We only hear estimates of how much it costs the economy. I'm not convinced it costs the economy that much to be honest with you. The vast majority of things we buy from the shops at Christmas are imports rather than goods we manufacture here. We if we spend less this Christmas on lovely presses then less money will be filtered out the country. The cash you've saved in your bank is surely better for the economy no? Not to mention that most of the spending would have been on credit cards anyway that ultimately costs the country rather a lot of dough. Enjoy the snow :) http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5742747 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5742747 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 05:55:00 EDT As promised here is the link to get tickets to watch the Oxford Gospel Choir perform at Headington Girls School theatre http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ticketsoxford/? search=A+Christmas+Gift+-+Oxford+Gospel+Choir Should be a great night...Why not get tickets for both nights :) http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5728889 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5728889 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 04:52:00 EDT So we (Myself (guitars), Matt McDonough (drums) and Andy Tolman (bass)) begin our rehearsals with the Oxford Gospel Choir on Sat. Last year it was great fun and we have all been looking forward to the gigs on 17th and 18th of December. Check back shortly and I'll let you know where this performance is and how to get hold of tickets. Great music, choir and atmosphere. Worth keeping these dates free :) M http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5719637 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5719637 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:12:00 EDT Stepping a little out of my comfort zone it was a great pleasure to present the TopoftheOx unsigned band final in Camden Underworld on Sunday night. Ian Wallman, Kaya Burgess, John Michael-McKenzie and Tim Turan (the judges) listened to the performances of 7 guitar based bands to decide on the winner of a record deal. Sitting in on the 4 of them discussing the performances from the likes of Bicester rock band Serotonin, Scotland’s Kevin McGowan and Static action was agonising as they singled out the band of the evening. They decided on Ian Edwards, a singer songwriter with a unique voice and pop melodies a little like James Blunt. I wish all the bands the best of luck in the future as their was a great deal of talent flying around. Follow the link for more on Ian. Good luck Ian and I look forward to working with you on the album http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5691948 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5691948 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 09:35:00 EDT It’s amazing that on occasions individuals can make you feel like the centre of the world. Just last week we celebrated my birthday at a restaurant with just under a dozen friends. Some new, some old but all good people. Thanks to all who turned out and I hope that the happiness you gave me that night reflects back onto you. Thanks to all who year in and year out send me a card. It’s always the same few people. In stark contrast this week also turned the spotlight on to those people, and there are too many, who are unwilling to help those in need when they can in fact effortlessly help. I have re-discovered so called professionals who are more interested in towing the party line and ticking boxes to keep them on track for promotion rather than doing a good deed. It seems those in charge, and who have the power to tick a box with a more positive outcome fail even in the knowladge that they positively change the lives of many. When faced with the humane, or humanistic approach while looking doen at the forms verses the strictly professional choice they opt for the so called professional approach. At the end of the day it comes down to a matter of will. Those who want to help, and those who possess that 'will' are always rewarded. Firstly in their hearts and then in observing the outcomes of their humanity. This observation no doubt is rendered in a great bodily feeling. Those who lack the will to help, turn their heads. I wish them peace in their hearts. In my opinion, for what it is worth the lack of will is synonymous with cowardice. Good luck with your promotion http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5631186 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5631186 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 18:24:00 EDT I’ve been speaking to a number of school teachers recently with regards to GCSE grades. Actually, nothing to do with music but still I thought it was interesting and shocking. One head teacher showed results that indicated about a 2 % increase in the schools GCSE pass grades (A-C grades) year upon year with it now topping 50%. While this was said in a very positive way perhaps this should be put in perspective to the parents who are going to be sending their children to schools showing such increases. Since results have been improving nationally for 21 years in a row there would be a nation percentage increase to which these teachers should be comparing their schools performance against. Thus a 2-5 % increase every year could actually be a reduction in performance relative to the national rate of increase. Heads should not be boasting about these things and thus misleading parents. OK, this is where is gets funny. After visiting a slightly better performing school, a indicated their GCSE maths pass rate (A-C again) was 70%. “Wow” I said. This seemed much more like it. However, i then went on to ask what pass percentage was required to qualify for a C grade. The teacher looked to the floor and said “yes, 30%”. I was shocked and replied “Are you telling me that 70% of your students are capable of getting more than 30% in a maths exam?” Embarrassed, she replied “Yes”. I put this to some students. These students were equally shocked but for different reasons and this is where is gets really funny. One student said that she sat the lower maths paper where you required 80% just to get a C grade (which is the maximum grade you can get in the lower paper). Therefore she was rather upset that I, and I am sure many others, suggest that it must be easy to get 80% in the lower paper. The student and some others were unable to understand that 30% in the normal paper was equivalent to 80% in the lower paper. What’s funny but bitterly disappointing is that this fact is the most basic of mathematical problems itself and the concept could not be grasped. Actually even some adults could not when I put it to them. They said words to the effect of “My Son/daughter got 80 % in maths. In my opinion, 30% for a C grade is far too low. The old O level, pre-GCSE, required 60% and above for a C grade and was a considerably harder exam, not to dissimilar from today’s A level. Why the government and teachers alike should boast about pass grades with this knowledge is beyond me. I even hear some teachers saying exams are not getting easier. Come on! OK, good results may translate directly or indirectly into increased votes in an election but it’s now getting silly. People should understand that there is an ability divide between people and always will be. If you are to grade someone’s ability, you should not rubbish the efforts of the gifted by offering higher grades to students that cannot even answer a third of the questions correctly. This is, in the end, also misleading to employers and ultimately bad for the economy. If someone is not academically bright, accept it and promote apprenticeships in the work place. It’s thus a little pointless offering grades to vocational exams and this should be honestly reviewed. A ask any defensive readers to sit back and think for a moment. Should a pass be offered for any exam whereby a student cannot even get half the answers correctly? Finally, I’d just like to add a few comments made from a lecturer at a respected university who has taught for over 20 years. He said the university made a decision to drop the word ‘chemistry’ from their biology degrees as it scared people off the course and people would avoid modules with this word. Biologists need to embrace chemistry rather than be scared of it. He added that every year they had to lower the level such that students could cope. He blamed the fall in the standard of A levels. http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5597079 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5597079 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:01:00 EDT OK, time for a rant. For me, political correctness is becoming increasingly frustrating every year. Watching the news just the other night I was astounded to hear the news presenter implying that Swedish people were being racist because they oppose to certain changes that Muslims are trying to enforce in their country. And i mean enforce. In my opinion, for what that is worth, everyone should have the right to express themselves regardless of their beliefs such that we are seen to be open. It is for this reason that many of the migrants flee places like Iraq to take up residence in a more prosperous and just land. In their countries of origin the oppression stems religious dogma that thankfully the west have moved on from. Lands like Sweden are prosperous because of the foundations laid and built from western belief systems. Muslims too often smilingly isolate themselves by trying to take their culture to other countries rather than integrate fully into the established frameworks that accepted them. What frustrates me is that I see the Swedes in this case protesting peacefully, expressing their frustration in a thoughtful way while the housed Muslim are kicking police cars and behaving in an outrageous manner resembling tantrums. This same outrageous behavior is what they tried to escape from wen it was directed towards them. I am not here saying that Islam is any worse or better than Christianity although I'll save that argument for another day. It's also sad that one should have to qualify these statements in today's age. Why people choose to be politically correct and thus ignorant by saying Islam is a peaceful religion is beyond belief. From the very earliest days the profit spread the religion by acting as a warlord and it continues to this very day. This is not to say that there are no peaceful Muslims, but the religion certainly not. Tolerance is important but there is no place for ignorance and political correctness in these cases. I hope that the British media in future become more balanced and drop their fear of being accused of prejudice. The fear in my opinion is actually a fear of a backlash from the same people they are defending. The truth is, we have sadly become victims of this fear. Time to stand on your feet and think. I don't know how you can be so surprised with the gains made by far right parties when those who are supposed to be impartial attack the victims. May I just add at this stage, I am not a far right wing nutter but someone who likes to see openness and honesty. http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5546416 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5546416 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 09:52:00 EDT Have just returned from Finland and although I really didnt get to see the sights I had a great time. The finish people are lovely and the band were totally cookoo bananna. It was really enjoyable to play with Mutsik (I think i spelt it right) and I'm looking forward to more in the future. Thanks Finland, I'll see you again soon :) http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5534918 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5534918 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 07:02:00 EDT With just a little spare time on my hands I’ll be offering a limited number of guitar lessons for anyone interested in an intensive crash course. If you’re interested in enhancing your skills in any particular genre drop me an email on my contact form from my webpage and we’ll see if we can fit you in. Just for the record, I’ll only be accepting students who are dedicated to practising hard before each follow up lesson. It’s in every ones interest. Lessons will be at my Oxford residence so unless you are close or can travel spare me repeating this on the phone or by email. www.markhussey.com http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5497153 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5497153 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:29:00 EDT Well, I'm looking forward to a week of gigs out in Finland in September which is officially the furthest north I will have ever been. I'm sure it is going to be good fun and I hear the band are a good bunch of guys. Got a few tunes to learn so I better get on the case now. The rest of my time this month will be trying to get to grips with the fact I've lost ten thousand pounds as I was sold a faulty car. I'll be working on a case though don't you worry. http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5451216 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5451216 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:56:00 EDT Following a gig last night I was on route home having a complete nightmare trying to get on the M25. I ended up following various lorries I figured would be trying to do the same thing from the diversion. So doing my usual thing I tuned into talk sport (my favourite late night chat show and they dont actually talk about sport much thank god). One caller ended up on the phone for about 40 minutes explaining why she 'knew' god existed. During this time she insisted the evidence for god was clear. She went on to explain 2 very funny points. Her first argument consisted of her antithesis for evolution. She said we somthing long the lines of "We can clone a cow, but we can't make the original cow". She kept on banging on about the 'original cow' over and over again. Great evidence luv. So moving on to her explination of the origin of the universe. She said there was no evidence supporting the big band theory. Now, although I have a DPhil in biochemistry and not physics I am aware of a great deal of evidence supporting this theory. So what was her argument? She came from the school of thought that insists the world is only 5000 years old. Where I will always have respect for peoples opinions and it is always interesting to here their evidence you have to ask yourself where these wallies originate from themselves. She said that if the big bang happened then why dont we see it all the time. Ha ha. The DJ then brought me to tears with his response. He said "Well the big band doesnt just go round going bang bang bang bang bang bang bang all over the place" I'd just like to say a big thank you to this DJ for keeping me awake on the road trip home whoever you are (I'm terrible with names). No doubt, I'll end up writing more about the underlying reasons for peoples propensity to disregard good quality evidence for conspiracy and often poor quality science with an agenda. http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5425982 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5425982 Sun, 08 Aug 2010 05:15:00 EDT Having just integrated the RSS feed, I've been told I should keep you folks up to date on what I'm doing with myself or a reasonable regular basis. Please do subscribe if you happen to be interested in reading what I'm getting up to. I'll try to update once a week or so and hope I can keep you interest as you read. There is only so much you can say about working as a session, live and dep guitarist but I will share a few rather funny stories in the near future including the story of one band leader known to enjoy rubbing a triangle of cheddar cheese in his bum crack. I'll probably share some of my thoughts on the mind, behavior, hypnosis, NLP and well. Cheers guys and don't forget, if you you are looking for or have the need for a guitarist get in contact at www.markhussey.com, www.pro-session-guitarist.co.uk or email admin@markhussey.com http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5419381 http://feeds.rapidfeeds.com/?iid4ct=5419381 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:29:00 EDT