OMA’s 2024

Galahad was formed in Christchurch in early 1985 by original guitarist Roy Keyworth and the line-up was completed when Stu Nicholson joined as vocalist in July 1985. Rehearsing at Pokesdown and Burton Youth Clubs as well Holdenhurst Village Hall, our first ever show was at Somerford Community Centre on 31 August 1985 followed quickly by gigs at The Speckled Trout in New Milton, the legendary Pinecliffe in Southbourne and at The Britannia in Lower Parkstone.

They then played several hundred gigs throughout the rest of the 1980s and early 1990s at almost all of the venues in and around the local area before playing further afield as time went on.

Calvin is a professional performer/musician/songwriter who has performed at venues across the UK. Due to his own lived experience of mental health illness, diagnosed with Aspergers at age 7 alongside associated mental health disorders. Calvin continuously struggled at school with fitting in, behaviour issues, suffering from bullying and anxiety, this led to a severe episode of mental illness including self-harm and suicidal ideation.

Finding his love of music and performing arts and the support and positive mentoring he received from adults within the local performing arts scene, was a huge part of his recovery. He has now recently graduated with a First Class BAHons in Performing Arts from the London College of Music.
He has been awarded:
The Road to Recovery NHS Award
The Princess Diana Award
Finalist for the BBC Teen Star award (where he met Prince William and Prince Harry)

PJ Harvey is a highly acclaimed musician, composer, poet and songwriter from Dorset. You can read about her many awards and accomplishments as they are a matter of public record so we won’t include them here.
We are recognising her with this award, not because of her notable successes, but because Dorset has always remained at the heart of her work. Whether it be using soundscapes of Dorset in her creations or writing poetry in the Dorset dialect, it’s very clear that she has always remained true to her roots.
What we want to celebrate is the inspiration this brings to grassroots Dorset musicians, particularly the younger generation. That in this day and age of streaming music to the masses, as a songwriter and composer you should never be afraid to be experimental. To try new things and continue to discover where your voice and writing can take you.

This award then is for the often unseen or overlooked contribution to the music scene but one that we think is highly important to recognise and should indeed be celebrated.

“I started my first band when I was 17, somehow I’m now 61. Drifted from a punk band to a goth band onto greebo band. Then I wrote a song for a folk band called The Wreckers. Their singer said “no mate you need to sing it” and that was that. The start of Lady Winwoods Maggot. 31 years and multiple very talented musicians later and it’s still going.
I’ve made friends and lost friends while playing with Maggot. Our songs have been played at weddings and funerals. We’ve played birthdays and wakes. Played to 100s of people and to 4 people in a bar near goth legend Carl McCoys (Fields of the Nephilim) house not so long ago! It’s been a roller coaster but my wife, my current band mates and our loyal fans have kept me doing what I love doing. Music.”

Macko Grimmer, Bournemouth based singer, song writer, musician & dancer has been blazing his own trail with his grunge/rock inspired original music. Having ASD, ADHD, PTSD AND Visual impairment, he uses music as a way to push through adversity and send positivity out into the world. To uplift and show others that no matter what challenges they face, there is always hope and a way through.
Macko released ‘Are We Free?’ in July 2023 and has been meticulously working on new material, ready for recording, so watch this space……….

mackomusic.com

Joe was a Youth Worker for Bournemouth Youth Services for 26 years but sadly lost his job through government Cuts. Since 1983 he has organised the popular ‘Drumming For Life’ events where numerous young drummers get together and play The 4/4 Beat. He has raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Charities including Breast Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Youth Cancer and Macmillan Caring Locally. He is also a busy Ambassador for The Youth Cancer Trust and a Trustee for Absolute Music.
Since he retired from Poole College he has been repairing broken drumkits, polishing them up, tuning them and re skinning them and then giving them to local primary and senior Schools and has so far donated seven kits to six Schools enabling many children to have access to and learn a musical instrument.

DJ Pencil has been at the forefront of the UK Garage scene since its very early days. He spearheaded the scene on the south coast, running successful events for clubs like Slinky (Room 2 Switch), Slinky Balls , Ministry Of Sound, and many more events. He held one of the longest running UK Garage radio shows on Commercial Radio stations on Fire 107.6FM (10 years) and also produced a mash up mix for Ministry of Sound Radio as well.
He also has a number of syndicate radio shows broadcast across the Internet and radio stations. Currently DJ Pencil is working with the infamous Cut Up Boys (Radio 1, Ministry of Sound) on bass heavy Dance music productions, having countless releases on “Upcycle Records”, DJ Luck’s label “LUSH Records”, Captum Records, Trademark Trax, Bumping Underground Records, BWK Prejects label “Nine2 Recordings” and the Mighty 3000 Bass Records, They have had regular plays on BBC Radio 1, Kiss FM and Rinse FM. Currently you can hear their music being used on The Emirates FA Cup tv shows across the world.
DJ pencil also runs 3 record labels “Step2, Step2 Dark and Step2 Future with a focus on promoting new and undiscovered talent in the bass music scene, providing mentoring and help to new and budding producers.

Rainbow Lion Alex is a spiritual being living their human experience. They produce soothing sounds and cosmic beats with their dear Handpan Peter, as well as a variety of musical instruments such as the guitar, cajon and didgeridoo.
They use their unique talent and perspective to facilitate a musical accompaniment to Yoga, Pilates and Sound Healing retreats, interpreting each day as it comes through the handpan to provide a tailored, personal experience.
They also use their abilities to pass on their knowledge through tuition, as well as inspiring other artists to explore and adventure through the exciting world of handpan play.
Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, and suffering from both depression and anxiety, Alex is prone to feeling uncomfortable in a lot of social situations. Playing handpan has allowed Alex to commune with yogis and other like-minded people where they otherwise wouldn’t, allowing them to partake in self-care and healing practices such as gong baths, breathing exercises and group meditation.