During choir practice, you can sometimes hear uncontrolled laughter in the tenor section. You could safely bet that choir member Ray Jones is the guilty one. His comical turn of phrase and wicked sense of humour always present.
Choir Member Ray Jones
He is the proverbial Joker in the Pack. Every group has one. Every group is better off for having one.
An indispensable purveyor of laughter. A constant, cheeky, wide smile on his face.
Ray Jones comes from Carrog, a small rural village in Denbighshire, north Wales.
He moved away from his birthplace for family and occupational reasons. He has never forgotten his roots. His home is still called ‘Carrog.’
He is an outdoor man. Always at one with nature. His main interests are fishing, shooting, beating with working dogs and crown green bowling.
During the fishing season he spends most of his time on the Brenig reservoir. The beauty and tranquillity of the area allowing Ray to reflect on so many of his interests.
Choir Member Ray Jones in a bit of trouble
Ray Jones and his Nickname
Ray, known with affection, as ‘Tatws’ (potatoes). However, how he acquired the nickname is not well-known.
In his younger days he was a keen darts player, playing often in the local Denbigh league. With a good checkout finish Ray would respond with a resounding, celebratory ‘tatws.’
The name has stuck with him ever since.
Now, you know, it’s pretty obvious!
Ray Jones Musical Interests
Of course, one of his main indoor interests is singing. Choir member Ray has lined up with the first tenors of Denbigh Male Voice Choir for twenty years. He regards crooner Matt Monro, ‘the singing bus driver,’ as one of his all-time favourites.
Later dubbed ‘The Man With The Golden Voice,’ Monro achieved international success and stardom.
Ray’s main musical interest is choral singing. Especially male voice choirs. He describes the collective sound as ‘out of this world.’
He is an admirer of ‘Cantorion Colin Jones’ (Colin Jones Singers) and the more recently assembled Only Men Aloud who won the BBC ‘Last Choir Standing’ competition in 2008.
Ray lives only a short distance from St Asaph Cathedral, which is his favourite venue. The Choir’s 25th Anniversary Gala Concert was there in November 2013.
It was a night to remember and Ray recalls:
“Most of all, I like to see people enjoying themselves when they listen to our choir. You couldn’t get any better than that.”
Ray also likes singing at small chapel venues. The welcome and the response is always warm and congenial.
Ray enjoys the camaraderie and jollity experienced as a choir member. Travelling as a choir member always provides fond memories. A trip to Biebertal, Germany is one such example.
Ray Jones Causing Mayhem !
On that occasion Ray caused mayhem and merriment in equal measures. Disguised as a ‘cleaner’ in a curly wig and cleaning utensils. Ray knocked and entered a fellow choristers bedroom.
Ray pulled off the illusion with style and considerable humour.
Humour is important in Ray’s life – “I enjoy seeing and hearing people laugh.”
While Ray is around, one is certain that laughter is never far away.
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