PRIME Initiative

Mervin Thomas was only seven when the drumming bug hit him. He was at a Salvation Army meeting with his family in Barbados about to listen to a steel band at the local bus station. The kettle drummer had not turned up and, despite his tender age, Mervin was invited to fill his place. He recalls, “The audience loved me - and they showed it. I had to be carried back home with all the money they gave me.”

Mervin emigrated to Britain when he was only 15. He moved up to Tyneside a few years later to work in a variety of clubs and pubs as the resident drummer and performed with a 10 piece band. It wasn’t always easy. For 30 years he earned a precarious living. Now, in his early 50s, he wants to concentrate on writing music and lyrics. He explained: “It’s not that I’m too old to be running around with bands any longer, it’s just that I want to focus on what I enjoy most and hopefully make a decent living from it”

Mervin was referred to PRIME’s partner, In Biz, by his local Jobcentre and while he was going through their two day start-up course his adviser tipped him off about the possibility of a PRIME loan. Now Mervin is able to purchase a computer hardware and software package, including a keyboard, to allow him to start producing his own songs for sale.

“Making music is all I have ever wanted. I love it. Give me a couple of pencils and a few glasses or some cans and I can keep a pub entertained all night. Hopefully, now I will have the chance to convert that gift into a money earner.”