When I left Kloof High School, I did the obligatory year in the army and then studied for a B.Com at Natal University, (While studying I probably spent a little too much time surfing, playing squash at Kloof Country and Rugby for Pinetown Rugby Club). However, I completed my degree, and joined WesBank where I had an interesting and varied career for the next 34 Years!
After a few years in various offices in Durban, I was transferred to Head Office in Johannesburg where my career took a winding path through a number of interesting fields including Systems Development, Strategic Planning, Market Research, Product Development, Marketing, and Internet Development.
I took early retirement in 2008 and returned to Durban to pursue my love for music and songwriting as part of my retirement venture. I put together a small home studio from where I now write, record, and publish my music… still hoping to land a hit one day!! One of my goals is to assist budding songwriters to record their original songs or contribute original music as input to video productions or other applications.
The music business It’s a very tough market to crack, especially if you’re not exceptionally talented, but it’s something I thoroughly enjoy, and I have gained a lot of practical know-how in the ins and outs of writing, producing and publishing music and marketing it via the web. I write mainly pop ballads but have a go at all sorts of different genres as the need arises.
I upload completed songs to www.reverbnation.com/huntly for initial exposure and then try to pitch them to established artists or for use in film or other applications.
If I have no luck with placing the songs, I publish some of my own recordings and market them via CDBaby.com, and digital distribution to Spotify, Itunes, and dozens of other streaming channels.
It’s a perpetual, but enjoyable work in progress, and I am happy that my songs are different, interesting, and easy listening pop songs. Some of my old class-mates even buy them!
I have definitely learned over the years that doing something you love and are passionate about matters. I encourage the current Kloof High Students to follow your dreams and try as far as possible to enjoy what you do.
Regards
Huntly – Class of 1969
