Coronavirus pandemic provides Corby musician inspiration for Clap For Our Carers charity fundraiser

The Corby artist has used the Thursday night show of support for key workers to form a family band
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Life in lockdown has inspired one Corby family to instead of banging pots and pans or clapping to show their support for key workers with a Thursday night one-song gig outside their Oakley Vale home.

Paul Balmer, his wife Judy Caine and their son Karl have formed 'Paul Balmer and the Isolationists', and the musical family trio have turned their talents from classic show tunes to original numbers.

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Mr Balmer, who is a video producer and author of Haynes rock hardware manuals, has been rehearsing with son Karl, 15, on drums, and wife Judy providing bass or flute when required.

He said: "We were clapping but then I thought, what can we do? We can play music. So that's what we did.

"We started with classics like You'll Never Walk Alone and Smile. On VE Day we did We'll Meet Again. The songs have been chosen for the Clap For Our Carers to celebrate the steadfastness of the NHS

"We are asking for donations to go to the NHS Charities Together fund. We would like to raise £1,000. It's a drop in the ocean but it feels better than doing nothing."

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Mr Balmer, 69, who can also play the banjo, lute and sitar as well as baroque, classical, electric, bass, 12-string,and resonator guitars and drums, has gigged in an African clearing and a 1,000-seater stadium concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Judy Caine, Karl Balmer and Paul Balmer ready for their weekly concertJudy Caine, Karl Balmer and Paul Balmer ready for their weekly concert
Judy Caine, Karl Balmer and Paul Balmer ready for their weekly concert

Not content with covering musical standards, Mr Balmer has put pen to paper writing a protest song about the Covid-19 pandemic called Coronavirus Blues.

He said: "I'm very angry about the whole situation. It's awful that more than 300 NHS workers have died from coronavirus. It's been poorly handled. I spend a lot of time boxing for the NHS.

"The PPE situation is awful. They were warned this could happen and it's left us in a very weak position.

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"I've written it all in my song: 'You took down our defences, Ignored all the warnings, Wrecked our NHS, Saving taxes for your pals, One day you gonna pay Your Coronavirus dues

We got coronavirus blues'."

Mr Balmer and his family will continue with their Thursday night fundraiser until Clap For Our Carers comes to an end.

He added:" It's been lovely to play music with Judy and Karl. I never thought I would end up playing in a band with them. We've been so fortunate with the weather.

"It's been a great way to keep in touch with our neighbours, to talk to them and make contact and it makes them smile.

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"We're keeping live music going and we are halfway to our target which is going straight to the NHS."

To donate to the NHS Charities Together please click here.

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