10 million views for harmonica player

A MUSICIAN who has helped people deal with the lockdown blues by giving harmonica lessons has proved an internet smash.

Liam Ward, from Macclesfield, has spent the Covid pandemic creating and uploading free videos onto YouTube.

And with help from the lessons his YouTube channel has now passed 10million views and 100,000 subscribers.

This has earned Liam, a former Henbury High School pupil, a Silver Play Button award.

He said: “I found myself stuck at home and reasoned that people might need something to keep them occupied - especially at such a tough time.

”I’m usually out gigging several times a week so videos would be a sporadic thing. From March onwards, the events and festivals were being cancelled one after another.

“Posting videos was the only way I could keep myself busy at home, and I’m so glad I did it.”

Since lockdown began Liam has posted up to four new harmonica videos a week including lessons, reviews and a children’s course.

His work was briefly thwarted in June when his computer broke but a crowdfunding campaign set up to help buy new equipment reached over £3,500 in a matter of days.

He said: “I’ve now been able to invest in better equipment and I want to give something back to all the kind people who helped make it happen.”

Liam is not the first harmonica player to come from Macclesfield and create a large following. Famous blues musician John Mayall was born in the town.

Alongside Eric Clapton, Mayall went on to be a huge part of the 1960s British blues revival.

Liam added: “It’s nice to have that connection, which I never knew existed when I was a kid.

“He’s a legend so I’d be happy with being the second biggest blues harp player from Macc.

“I’d love to interview him one day.”

Liam says he will keep posting videos as long as they continue to prove popular. Visit www.youtube.com/ learntheharmonica.