MEET THE BAND

A 'POTTED HISTORY' OF US ALL!

Music Masters are doing awesome things thanks to the tireless efforts of each member. Get to know the people who lead Music Masters and reach out if you’ve got any questions regarding our events and activities.

JOHN ROBERTS

Lead Vocals/Guitar

MUSIC MASTERS are delighted to welcome John Roberts as our exciting new Lead Vocalist and front man.

John began playing guitar and singing in his early teens, which led him to persuing his musical talent with established Sheffield bands in the late 1970's.

He put his musical talents on the back burner in the mid 80's to persue a career as a professional actor, appearing in a host of stage shows in the UK and abroad. He has also appeared in numerous well known and much loved TV shows in the UK including Shameless, Emmerdale, Coronation St. Riot Women , taking major parts in those programmes as well as many other roles on tv over the past 38 years.

John's love of music never left him, and many of his favourite acting parts involved him playing guitar and singing.

When the opportunity arose to join Music Masters, John showed up at his audition with the band well prepared and wowed the guys in the band with his professionalism and vocal prowess, easily tackiling the lead vocal parts and also effortlessly contributing to Music Masters fabulous vocal harmony sound when not taking the lead vocal.

The band are so excited to be moving forward with a new chapter in their story and feel the addition of John to the band will give them that something extra.

DEREK BROWN

Bass Guitar & Vocals

Derek started playing at 11 years old in school bands such as Stevie and The Unknown, The Sherilees and Sunshine. Derek was also a member of the excellent Sheffield band Robert King's Symbol. He then went on to play bass with Sheffield guitar/vocal legend Frank White. It was whilst he was with Frank that he became one of Dave Berry’s Cruisers and also had an
opportunity to play with Joe Cocker.

From the early 90’s until recently Derek played in various bands with some great musicians and was invited to play bass with Warren Bennett, The Shadows keyboard player in his band The Vibrato's.

This involved working on Bruce Welch’s "Shadowmania" event and it fulfilled a boyhood dream to play on stage with Warren’s dad and long time Shadow's drummer, Brian Bennett. Derek was
also privileged to play bass for The Shadows bass player Mark Griffiths who is also a great lead guitarist.

PIP EMMERSON

Drums & Vocals

Pip is a very accomplished drummer and an incredible singer. He took up music at an early age coming from a large family of talented musicians.

After playing drums on the arms of his mum's settee with a pair of knitting needles, his mum and dad bought him his first drum kit when he was

11 years old.

After playing with a local Doncaster band Yvonne and the Castelle's at

13 years old, and going on to other local bands, Pip was offered the opportunity to turn professional at 21 years old with the already successful

Doncaster band, The Voices of P.G. Johnson. They were a terrific Vocal/Harmony/Instrumental band touring England, Scotland,
and Wales, appearing with a host of UK stars including Eric Delaney

(a boyhood hero of Pip's), Tiny Tim, Pickettywitch, Clodagh Rogers, and many more.

Pip developed a much sought after lead vocal voice, and the following years included summer seasons at Pontins Holiday Camps, performing with bands on board the P&O cruise ship Canberra, also performing alongside some of
the world’s top stars.

He also had a successful period as a solo singer.

Pip is delighted that the band

Music Masters has emerged, and is looking forward to
continuing success with these great musicians.

GRAHAME WOODS

Guitar/Vocals

Grahame started playing guitar at 11 years old, after being influenced by The Shadows. He began playing guitar in his first band ‘Tequila Sunrise’ when he was 14 years old.

He also became very proficient on the Bass Guitar, alternating between Lead and Bass guitar.

After a long spell touring the UK with the band ‘Harlequin’, Grahame has also performed as part of a duo, and also as a

very successful solo artiste.

As organizer for ‘The South Yorkshire Shadows Club’, Grahame still enjoys playing the music of ‘The Shadows’ after all this time, and is looking forward to sharing their music, and that of many other 50’s and 60’s stars, to generation’s old and new, as part of

Music Masters.

MICK LAYTON

Guitar/Vocals

Mick started playing Jazz Guitar when he was 11 years old, and was proficient enough to perform with his first group ‘The Roadrunners’. After playing in various bands from around Sheffield, Mick emigrated to Australia, where he became an early member of the chart topping band ‘The Mixtures’, famous for their catchy song

‘The Push Bike Song’.

Returning to the UK, Mick joined the band ‘Maureen and The Darren’s’, a cabaret style band performing with a host of international stars on the UK cabaret circuit. Mick then became a founder member of the highly respected Sheffield band, ‘The CFS Band’, again playing to packed houses up and down the country.

After a stint as a solo artiste, Mick returned to what he likes doing best, playing guitar in the Rock/Blues band ‘Rooster’.