YOUNGSTER TO GO ON TOUR
HIS first love was music, and Joseph Flanagan has never let his disabilities get in the way of his biggest passion.
The ten-year-old is blind and has a condition called Leber’s congenital amaurosis.
Joseph is also autistic. But that doesn’t stop him doing what he loves most – playing his keyboard and guitar.
During lockdown at his home in Marske he decided to put his amazing skills to fitting use, ‘penning’ a self-isolation song, before adding a catchy tune to the words.
The video of his song has now been shared more than 6,000 times.
The uplifting tune is about looking forward to life getting back to normal after the coronavirus pandemic is over.
At the end he urges people to “stay home and save lives”.
His mum Stacey Recseg, 32, said: “We were sitting one day, thinking what can we do today?
“He’s always on his keyboard and guitar and I said to him, why don’t you write a song?
“I helped him with the first line and he just went off to his room.”
When Joseph finished putting together this song, he came back and showed his mum who was so impressed she shared it with family and friends on Facebook.
“His grandma said, You have got to put that out there,’ so I set it to public,” said Stacey.
And it has certainly not gone unnoticed
“It’s amazing, I had a lady from New Zealand get in touch about it, someone in Tenerife, Ireland,” said his proud mum.
Joseph learns everything by ear, and can pick up melodies just by listening to songs.
He attends Kirkleatham Hall School and Stacey said the staff there have helped nurture his amazing natural talents.
“He’s always been into music. With his disabilities, it’s his outlet,” she said.
“He’s always coming up with tunes and strumming songs.
“But that was the first time he has put words to a song.”
Among those to notice Joseph’s natural abilities was Stoke musician Kieran Pestridge.
Kieran himself overcame adversity to follow his dreams of a career in music.
Cerebral palsy prevented him from walking unaided until the age of 17 when he had a life-changing operation.
He took up guitar and after playing in indie bands for several years he now has his own School of Rock tribute band called Teachers Pet.
And the Jack Black look-alike has now invited Joseph and his family to one of the tour dates in Bradford in 2021.
Joseph will join the front man on stage to play ‘Self-isolation’ as well as some additional tracks.
Kieran told the Sunday Sun he was “blown away” by Joseph’s video.
“Joseph has fabulous music and songwriting skills,” he said.
“He’s obviously got obstacles but he knows where the notes are and his songwriting skills are better than some people I know who have been writing songs for 30-odd years.
“He’s also a great little character and has a lot of passion for his music.
“He’s just a child but to write a song about what is going on, when he can only go on what people are telling him, is quite amazing.”
Joseph’s aunt has set up a Facebook page where he can be seen playing a selection of songs including Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and Walk Me Home by Pink.