Kevin Dawson FSCTE AIfL

2nd Trombone

Banding History

Kevin started playing with Hammonds Junior Band at the age of 13, under Andrew McLaughlin, as a Trombone player. He then played briefly with Howarth Silver Band, moving onto Clifton & Lightcliffe band, under Jim Hickman, before joining the Band of the Blues & Royals (RHG/D) as a junior soldier at 17 years of age.

On completing his junior military training, at the Guards Depot in Pirbright, Kevin was posted to Knightsbridge Barracks in London where he completed his 6 months riding course before joining the mounted band. He served under Lt Col George Evans, and Major Keeling, having also completed 1 years study at Kneller Hall, the Royal Military School of Music. During his time at Kneller Hall Kevin married his wife Helen, in 1981, a Brighouse girl and daughter of Roy Ashton (who played for many years with Brighouse & Rastrick as a Baritone and Eb Bass player).

In 1984, Kevin transferred to the armoured regiment of the Blues and Royals, having always wanted service on Challenger tanks etc. This is where he was first introduced to communications, the main stay of his career today.

On his return to Knightsbridge barracks, Kevin also took the role as State Trumpeter on State occasions for Her Majesty the Queen, his last State Occasion was the State Opening of Parliament 1987, where he was the Queens personal State Trumpeter and rode along side her majesties carriage for the occasion.

Since leaving the Forces, in 1988/89, Kevin has played for the Yorkshire Bus Band, under John Hudson, and Elland Silver Band before taking a long absence from Banding due to work commitments. He joined Drighlington in 2008 and, whilst work still takes him away regularly, Kevin tries to make as many rehearsals and engagements as possible.

Professional

Assessment & Training Executive for the Confederation of Aerial Industries:

He is a Fellow of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers and an Associate of the Institute for learning.

His main role is teaching best engineering practices in the aerial and satellite industry, assessing member companies of his trade association, assessing NVQ candidates ,and also acts as technical advisor for ITV’s House of Horrors series and occasionally appears for the BBC’s Rogue Traders and Watch Dog programmes also as technical advisor for the aerial and satellite industry.

Family

Kevin lives with his wife, Helen, and has three boys Andrew, Matthew and Alexander.