Neil Blake: The Man Behind Strawberry Music

Strawberry Music Ltd evolved from my original keyboard software business, Style Disk Warehouse, which I had spent many years establishing and developing.

Having built up a strong reputation within the keyboard music industry, I was approached by Tech-Note International, a major distributor of software, books and accessories, primarily for Technics keyboard owners, although they also catered for other leading keyboard brands.

At the time, Tech-Note was looking to concentrate its efforts on musical accessories, audio equipment and other projects. As a result, they wanted to find someone suitable to take over the keyboard software side of their business, freeing up their time and resources to pursue these new ventures.

Fortunately, my name was at the top of their list of potential candidates, and a meeting was arranged. Things progressed from there, and I subsequently decided to rebrand my existing business to reflect its expanded activities and the opportunities that lay ahead. Strawberry Music Ltd was born, and the business has continued to develop ever since.

My love of electronic musical instruments goes back to when I was just 14 years old. I became completely fascinated by organs and, later, electronic keyboards. I was constantly searching for the next exciting sound, the latest accompaniment style and, of course, the next big keyboard to come onto the market.

More than 50 years later, absolutely nothing has changed in that respect! I still get the same excitement from discovering new sounds, styles and musical possibilities as I did all those years ago.

Although I haven't yet had the opportunity to try ArrangerX for myself, everything I've seen so far looks incredibly promising, and I'm genuinely looking forward to getting to grips with it.

The whole concept appears extremely well organised, professionally presented and, importantly, straightforward to use. I also believe something like this is long overdue, particularly for musicians who simply cannot justify the expense or accommodate the size of a modern, high-end arranger keyboard.

Over the years, we have created an enormous amount of software ourselves, alongside the extensive libraries we have acquired from other established companies. These collections represent decades of musical creativity, innovation and expertise, and I firmly believe they deserve to be discovered and enjoyed by a new audience.

It would be a tremendous shame if some of the wonderful styles and registrations created for earlier generations of keyboards were simply allowed to disappear into history.

In fact, I believe many of these older styles could offer a real breath of fresh air when compared with the increasingly modern arrangements found on today's instruments. There is something wonderfully authentic and musical about many of those vintage styles, and countless hidden gems are waiting to be rediscovered.

Younger players, in particular, are missing out on a wealth of musical history, styles and genres that formed the foundations of electronic keyboard entertainment.

I see ArrangerX as a genuine opportunity to change that.

By making a wider variety of styles and musical arrangements accessible to more people, it could considerably expand their musical libraries, broaden their knowledge and, hopefully, introduce them to genres they might otherwise never have encountered.

That, to me, is one of the most exciting possibilities of the whole project.

On a more personal level, I would love to see ArrangerX become a real success, not simply from a commercial point of view, but because of what it could mean for the future of electronic keyboard playing.

The pleasure, satisfaction and sheer escapism that comes from sitting down at a keyboard and losing yourself in music is something that is very difficult to put into words.

Over the years, I've known many people who have found enormous comfort in playing their instruments, particularly during difficult periods in their lives.

When you're absorbed in making music, time seems to stand still. For a while, everyday worries and problems simply fade into the background. You can close the door on the outside world and immerse yourself in something that brings genuine happiness and fulfilment.

I've experienced that feeling myself for more than half a century, and it's something I would dearly love future generations to discover.

One of my concerns is that the traditional electronic keyboard world seems to be struggling to attract younger players. With so many competing interests, new technologies and modern distractions, an entire generation could miss out on the wonderful musical experiences these instruments have to offer.

This is where I believe ArrangerX could make a real difference.

By combining modern technology with the creativity, versatility and enjoyment of arranger-style music making, it has the potential to introduce this fascinating world to a much wider and younger audience.

And if, along the way, it helps preserve some of those wonderful legacy styles, sounds and arrangements that so many of us have enjoyed over the decades, then that would be an achievement in itself.

For me, ArrangerX represents much more than another piece of music software. It represents an opportunity to preserve the past, embrace the future and, above all, inspire more people to discover the simple joy of making music.

And after more than 50 years of playing, I can honestly say that the excitement and enthusiasm I felt as a 14-year-old sitting at an electronic organ is still very much alive today.

I sincerely hope ArrangerX can help others discover that same feeling.