Music lovers are looking to raise £50,000 to help keep the doors of a Llanelli music school open. They have kick-started an online fundraiser to save Cadno and Llanelli Music School, which has been part of the town for 15 years, following plans by Alun Rees, 65, to retire.
Members from Motorhead, Stereophonics and Alice Cooper’s band have all been through its doors over the decades. Now, Brandon and Hollie Kemeny want to offer a lasting legacy to the town by keeping the music store going.
The landmark is due to shut up shop in July. The couple, who have raised hundreds of pounds in support of the venture, are customers of the shop and want to see it keep going.
They said: “We believe that together we can save Cadno and Llanelli Music School. Many will have heard that Alun Rees is retiring. For over 15 years he has cultivated a hub of community and culture. He has supported numerous bands and musicians and made space for new musicians to perform and explore music for themselves.
“We believe our community would suffer from the loss of such an asset and we are excited at the prospect of continuing and expanding the legacy Alun leaves behind. However, we don’t have any money. We need to raise money to purchase both Cadno and Llanelli Music School.”
Hollie has financial experience and Brandon has experience running other people’s businesses. Current business owner Alun, who started off his working career at 16 in Duport Steel as an apprentice electrician, following its closure in 1980 followed his passion for music and became a guitar player.
Alun, who is originally from north Gower and is married to Michele, 61, said his son Jonathan, 28, and his daughter Neesha, 32, had their own careers and were not in a position to take on the store. But Brandon and Hollie are looking to offer the store a future.
They said: “We have lots of ideas of things we’d like to do: expand our online presence, showcase the students' musical development, team up with Ymlaen and other community groups, engage adults in learning instruments, use music to improve people’s wellbeing in the community and make Cadno a local hang out to name a few! We are also open to suggestions from you.
“Over the years there have been many local musicians who have gone on to do big things. We would love to see more people succeed nationally and internationally with their music. We recognise that Covid has hindered this but we have emerged and are hopeful we can rebuild momentum.
“We want to see beginner musicians and veterans alike empowered and equipped to play quality music while surrounded by a supportive community in our town and beyond. Thanks to Alun, Cadno has and, we hope, will continue to achieve this for years to come while Alun gets to be our biggest cheerleader and enjoy a well-earned retirement.”
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