“FRANK WAPPAT MADE MY DREAM COME TRUE”
It was back in 1978 that Frank Wappat won the Sunday Sun’s “Jack O Clubs Command Show Award”. By that time he had produced, recorded and broadcast 600 local musicians, vocalists, comedians, vocal groups and poets.
Thirty years later he is still achieving even greater events. In 2006 a young Lancashire girl 10 year old Mary Ann Wooton won an award for her keyboard playing. (Piano and Organ) Her grandfather a regular listener to Frank Wappat Music (Broadcast every Sunday Evening from BBC Radio’s Newcastle and York) told her mother to contact Frank Wappat as he did so much for aspiring musicians and singers.
Her mother did just that – and Frank arranged a Radio Interview with Mary Ann.
During the interview Frank said to Mary Ann – “I Understand that you do a lot of charity work”
Mary Ann replied “Yes, I feel that my gift in playing is God given, and so it is only right that I should give back as much as I can!”
Frank was touched greatly by her reply – “What is your life’s greatest ambition?” he asked her.
“To play the mighty Wurlitzer Organ at the Tower Ballroom Blackpool” she replied.
With the help of the Tower Ballroom Management and Tower Organist John Bowdler Frank was able to arrange for Mary Ann’s dream to come true and at his own expense together with his wife Susan he came to Blackpool Tower to present Mary Ann to the packed Ballroom. (BBC Radio Lancashire were invited but failed to even send a reporter to cover this young Lancashire Lasses special occasion.
Mary Ann told everyone “This was truly an amazing experience - Frank Wappat made my dream come true”
Mary still continues to play the Piano and Organ and since her “Dream came True” has won many other musical awards – a credit indeed for such a young gifted and talented musician. Good Luck for the future Mary Ann
Colin Emerson
