With Jon and Ben already waiting anxiously to hear if they have won Best Drummer and Bass Player at the British Blues Awards on September 10th, we speak to Derek about the Mustangs' nomination for Best Band.

 

Q: So Derek..the Mustangs have been nominated for Best Band...a surprise?

A. Yes, but of the nicest kind.  To be nominated tells us that what the band delivers, not the run of the mill traditional blues, is nevertheless appreciated by the blues fans we play to.  I think it may also be a sign that we are reaching a wider audience enthusiastic to hear something different. 

 

Q: What do you honestly think the chances of winning are?

A. Slim, but to be in with a chance is exciting!

 

Q: What do you think it is about the Mustangs that makes you one of the 'best bands'?

A. It's for those who voted for us to say.  Of course I think The Mustangs are fantastic, but more seriously I'd say it was the originality of the songs and the hooks around which they are built.  We have recorded some 60 original tracks and they are all distinctive, I don't think there are too many bands on the blues circuit that can make a similar claim.

 

Q: What would winning mean to you and the boys? 

A. When we recovered from the shock, one hell of a reason to celebrate the result of what must number in the order of 600 gigs over the last 8 years or so.  A sense of 'onward and upward'!

 

Q: Ben has said you will all be there as the winners are announced at Newark - will you be nervous?

A. Passing a brick I imagine.

 

Q: If you won, who would give the acceptance speech?

A. Those that know me would suggest I am never short of a word or simply 'opinionated' but I reckon for onceI would  be speechless.  

 

Q: Have you ever won anything before?

A. I've had my fair share of sporting success, but never ever thought for one instance that I might find myself associated with a music award. I would firmly attribute it to hanging onto the shirt tails of the other three band members who have more musical talent than I possess in the smallest extremities of their bodies!. For the avoidance of doubt, I of course, refer to their fingertips!

 

Q: It's been 10 years now since you and Adam formed the band. Could you ever have envisaged accolades such as this when you first started?

A. No (see previous answer)

 

Q: Were you and Adam upset at not being nominated for individual awards as Ben and Jon were?

A.  Devastated!

Q: Post Awards, can you shed any light on what the next projects for the band are?

A. World domination.  To take flying lessons, buy a plane and fly to all the festivals around the UK, Europe and the States, oh and of course break into the blues scene in China.  But in the short term, play bigger venues and continue having a great time!

 

Q:Finally, if you could make up a special award for within the band, what would it be and who would you give it to?

A. Adam.  It would be the Key Award - for letting me know what key we are playing in when my memory fails me, as it increasingly does.

 

Thanks Derek, good luck!