9 year old Amy J Bannister “throws down the sword” with

Martin Turners Wishbone Ash to raise funds for Cancer Research UK

Amy J Bannister who is a 9 year old avid Wishbone Ash fan has had a whirlwind experience within the music industry for someone of such a young age. She has met many of her guitar hero’s along the way including Martin Turner, Andy Powell, Laurie Wisefield, Chantel McGregor and Brian May of Queen just to name a few, all of which seem to have been impressed with her ability and confidence.

She started learning to play the guitar after asking for one for her seventh birthday, and at the ripe old age of 9 and a half, she released her first single, a cover of a song written and recorded by one of her favourite bands back in 1972 and featured on the amazing and highly acclaimed “Argus” album, by Wishbone Ash.

The song, “Throw Down The Sword” is an epic and moving song by the band and the lyrics written by Martin Turner nearly 40 years ago could easily have been penned with Cancer Research UK in mind. The relevance is somewhat uncanny and certainly reflects the emotions often associated with the disease.

Cancer affects most of the population is some way and Amy is no exception having already lost her Grandfather to the disease in 2006 and her other Grandfather is currently fighting 3 different strains of the disease. “….it was a natural choice” says Amy, “especially with several of my own family having had the illness”. She goes on to say “recording was a lot harder work than I thought but I also really enjoyed the process and can’t wait to do it again with another song at some point.”

Amy J’s charitable idea went on to inspire Martin Turner, the original founding member of Wishbone Ash, and his current line up to offer their unconditional support to add to her efforts in some way in helping such a worthwhile cause.

After lengthy discussions around how best to help it was decided that a “once in a lifetime, money can’t buy auction” (or in this case can buy) should be created. This would not only benefit the charity but also hopefully some of Martins long term dedicated fan base. All proceeds from the auction will then be added to the total raised by Amy J and presented to Cancer Research UK at one of the bands gigs. It is also planned that the auction winner will also receive the bundle of memorabilia and get to meet the band on the same evening.

Martin Turners Wishbone Ash, start their 2010 tour on the 20^th of January which will include the High Voltage Festival in London on the weekend of the 24^th and 25^th of July where crowds in the region of 25,000 are expected. This festival is a key part of the auction package put forward by Martin Turner and his team, further detail of which can be seen below with details of exactly how and when to bid on www.wishboneash.co.uk

The auction content is split into two bundles but comprises of the following:

• a pair of weekend VIP tickets to the High Voltage Festival held on 24/25 July 2010 at Victoria Park, London, where Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash will appear alongside a host of the biggest rock acts in the business such as ELP, ZZ Top, Foreigner, Uriah Heep, Asia, Steve Hackett, Focus, Argent, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Marillion, Heaven and Hell and many more yet to be announced. This is the pre-eminent event on the 2010 rock calendar. The VIP tickets on their own have a face value of £580, but as we can offer backstage passes and meet and greets with some of the bands, the level of access we are providing simply cannot be bought on the open market. Special thanks to Classic Rock and Mean Fiddler for supplying this prize.
• a pair of tickets and backstage passes to Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash’s concert at the Y Theatre, Leicester (where the proceeds of the auction will be presented to Cancer Research UK) on 13 March 2010. This will include access to the band before and after the show as well as the opportunity to watch the band’s sound-check. This level of access has not previously been offered.  
• The chance to visit Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash in the recording studio. This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to take a behind the scenes glimpse at how the modern, professional recording process really works. This is the very first time such access has been allowed, including access to the control room, live rooms, green room and studio lounges. Photo opportunities will also be included.
• A selection of historic original 1970’s vintage Wishbone Ash tour posters, signed by Martin Turner. These long out of print posters are now extremely rare and collectable. Plus rare vinyl pressings of classic Wishbone Ash albums.
• Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash merchandising – signed poster, mug, t-shirt, CD (exact list of items to be confirmed)

Remember, this is a once in a lifetime chance, please dig deep and help Amy J & Martin Turners Wishbone Ash to support the worthwhile charity in the process !

www.wishboneash.co.uk

         Cancer Research UK is a registered UK charity no: 1089464