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Sam Fender kitted out for brass band session

Easington Colliery Brass Band Sam Fender and Peter Lawson smile for the camera. Fender has short, light brown hair and is wearing a navy and red band uniform. Mr lawson is bald and is wearing glasses.Easington Colliery Brass Band
Sam Fender was given an Easington Colliery brass band uniform to wear during recording

Members of a brass band have been reliving their brush with pop stardom after teaming up with Sam Fender to record a track inspired by his grandparents.

Easington Colliery Band features on the song Remember My Name on the North Shields-born musician's latest album, People Watching.

Band secretary Peter Lawson said the singer was a "down-to-earth lad" who got so emotional hearing them rehearse that he asked if he could sing the piece along with the band.

"He was given one of the band's concert uniforms and he wore the uniform all day," Mr Lawson said.

The music video features Dave Johns - from I, Daniel Blake - playing an elderly man caring for his wife as her health fails.

Fender has said it is a love song dedicated to his late grandparents.

Mr Lawson told BBC Radio Tees: "The band was just thrilled to be part of the whole thing."

'Emotional' Sam Fender teams up with Easington Brass Band

The band received the call in March 2023 and recorded near Morpeth in April that year.

Mr Lawson said: "I think we've been celebrating since we got asked to do it.

"We're on cloud nine all the time."

Easington Colliery Brass Band Dozens of brass band members are sitting in a U-shape with their instruments and smiling at the camera. Sam Fender, also in the red and navy band uniform, sits at the front alongside Peter Lawson.Easington Colliery Brass Band
Mr Lawson said the band were "on cloud nine"

Mr Lawson has been part of the brass band for 55 years, having joined when he was 11 years old.

The group includes musicians from Stockton-on-Tees and Seaham, but it sometimes proves difficult to recruit new members.

"We're trying to bring the youth through all the time," Mr Lawson said.

"It's a great thing to be part of. I've enjoyed every minute of it."

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