*
banner

Drive time for Shepherd Group

The Shepherd Group Band could well hit the big time with their latest foray into the pop world — thanks to Formula 1...

Shepherd Group
 

The Shepherd Group Band have ventured into the world of pop by recording a track with Alistair Griffin, who first became famous through his appearances on the BBC television show Fame Academy 2 in 2003.

Just Drive

For the past four years, the York based singer-songwriter has had new songs burning a hole in his pocket, before thanks to ‘Just Drive’, a song which sound-tracked the BBC’s Formula 1 montage at the end of the 2010 season hit the headlines.

Radio DJ, Chris Evans declared himself a major fan and played it on his Radio 2 Breakfast Show and as a result the single charted in the Top 40.

I’m delighted to be working with the team at Marie Curie Cancer Care and the band, and raising money to help the organisation provide more free care to people with terminal cancer and other illnesses in our regionAlistair Griffin

Exclusive version

Alistair and the York based band have recorded an exclusive version of ‘Just Drive’ (Where There’s Muck There’s Brass), available on iTunes with the proceeds going to the Marie Curie charity.

Alistair told 4BR: "We were looking at how we could help raise more money and the saying, ‘where there’s muck there’s brass’ landed in my head. A week later, we had scored the parts and I’d recorded with the Shepherd band."

Yorkshire related

He added: "This is the third year that I’ve worked with Marie Curie Cancer Care, and I’ve come up with a whole heap of Yorkshire-related ideas.

I’m delighted to be working with the team at Marie Curie Cancer Care and the band, and raising money to help the organisation provide more free care to people with terminal cancer and other illnesses in our region."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Youth Champs

Birmingham hosts National Youth Championships

March 28 • If you are anywhere near Birmingham today, get along and enjoy plenty of fantastic brass band performers.


Withington

Withington returns to Grimethorpe

March 28 • Allan Withington will lead Grimethorpe Colliery at the British Open and Albert Hall National Final, as contesting connection with Carlton Main comes to an end.


Adams

Trombone stars add to Adams artist line-up

March 28 • Tom Challinor and Jonathan Pippen have become Adams Artists.


Welcome

Warm welcome for Lawson at Welsh champion

March 28 • It's a been a long journey to get to his first rehearsal for Kyle Lawson at Cory — and its straight into concert action too.


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 5 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Chinnor Silver

March 27 • We are a friendly progressive 1st Section band who need a couple of seats filled.. Bb BASS and PERCUSSIONIST are on our wanted list so if you are looking for a new banding challenge get in contact. We rehearse on Wednesdays and have good realistic diary.


Newport Borough Brass Band

March 27 • After a respectable 4th place in the 2nd Section at the Welsh Area Contest, we are looking for FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable) 1st BARITONE, 2ND TROMBONE and Bb BASS players to come and join us on our journey under the baton of Martin McHale BEM.


East London Brass

March 27 • PERCUSSION - ELB are the look out for a percussionist to complement our existing section. We have a sensible diary of contests and concerts and are ambitious to keep progressing as a band.


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd