Life, Faith and Music (Part 2) By Gavin M. Cox.
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| 1984 was a turning point in my life as I decided to be baptised in water, it was around that time that I also had a deep and powerful experience of God, which Pentecostal people call the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, it was real and amazing, I still look back and think, wow. |
| It was at that time that suddenly my piano, song writing and love of music exploded. I found I could play the piano with both hands and write copious songs all without any formal training. I wrote over 20 songs that year, which I still have in a big folder of all my songs written to date. |
| By the age of 18 I had converted my bedroom into a mini studio where I had a multi-track recorder and tape master, so I soon learned how to programme drums, layer vocals and construct music in a more 'professional' manner. Later I bought my first music computer, electronic keyboard and sound-bank where I had endless fun writing and recording songs. |
| I first learned the guitar when I was away at uni for the first time at the age of 18. [Camborne School of Mines (CSM), Camborne, Cornwall]. I saw a Spanish guitar in a shop window for £25 and thought I could make my student grant stretch (no loans in those days!). So I bought that old guitar, had a series of lessons and joined a gospel group with the rather esoteric name of 'Habakkuk Five'. |
Me at 18ish looking thoughtfully over Cornish cliff tops |
Me all done up properly with my colleagues at the CSM graduation ball |
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| I played guitar and sang and became well known for my choir boy harmonies. We were very much up-tempo and were popular in the local Wesley Methodist churches of the area who were open to something a bit more modern and in letting the dear young folks express themselves. I became used to playing in front of hundreds, which took the edge off my nerves. I graduated from CSM and left Cornwall in 1991 with a Higher National Diploma of Engineering and a CSM Diploma of Mineral Processing. |
| Continue on to Part 3 of 5… |
