HE can walk into any pub unnoticed but is on just about every song on the jukebox. You will have heard him many times on the car radio or maybe picked his music as your first dance on your wedding day.

Yet you would not recognise Johnny Thirkell in a line-up. Why? Because north-easterner Johnny has been trumpeter of choice to the biggest names in music, but he has never been one to blow his own trumpet.

Now; however, Johnny’s untrumpeted story is to be told for the first time by the man himself in Blown It!, a blow-by-blow account at Terrington Village Hall, near Malton, on November 7 and Seven Arts, Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, the following night, both at 8pm.

“Blown It! is an unbelievable tale from miner to major. Imagine Billy Elliott if he couldn’t dance but played trumpet,” says event host and good friend Big Ian Donaghy, frontman of the York party band Huge.

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Here's Johnny: Thirkell and in his ever in-demand trumpet

“Since leaving the pit, Johnny has played with David Bowie; Tom Jones; George Michael; Tina Turner; The Who; Barry White;three of the Beatles; Rod Stewart; Buddy Rich; Joe Cocker; Sting....”

Keep them coming, Ian! “How about Bon Jovi; Seal; Queen; Eric Clapton; Wet Wet Wet; Rick Astley; The Bee Gees; Peter Gabriel; Lisa Stansfield; Jamiroquai; Level 42; UB40; Swing Out Sister; ABC and even the Nolans!"

What will happen at Terrington and Leeds? “Blown It! will be a unique informal, interactive evening of outrageous and hilarious story-telling and embarrassing footage of Eighties’ hair and moustaches from a man who has walked through the past four decades like a musical Forrest Gump,” says Ian.

“It’s a chance to shine a light on the magic of some of the favourites from your record collection. Ooh, and Johnny will play his trumpet too in a stunning live performance.”

The evenings will be “like eavesdropping on two blokes having a laugh together in the pub but with much taller tales,” says Ian.

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Blow by blow: Johnny Thirkell's golden trumpet 

“The warm-up shows down south played to packed houses unsure what to expect but the feedback was astounding.”

Here is a selection to whet the appetite of November 7 and 8’s audiences: “The chemistry between Johnny and Ian from the off makes for a highly entertaining night of outrageous stories and interaction,” said one.

“It was much more than we’d expected. A heart-warming story of a man following his dream. A lesson to all of us,” reckoned another.

“To hear one of the country’s top musicians play in such an intimate setting was so moving,” said a third.

“Based on tonight, Ant and Dec’s days may be numbered as this north-east duo had the room in stitches,” predicted a fourth.

Summing up Johnny’s far-blown deeds, Ian says: “Johnny’s career shows anyone what can be achieved with hard work, getting on with people and a deep love of what you do. He auditioned The Spice Girls in his front room; he’s the trumpeter on Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk; he’s even the trumpet player you hear every time you do the conundrum on Countdown! He really is!"

Big Ian is not alone in his praise of Johnny. Here is crooner Rick Astley: "'Johnny is the ‘real deal’; a great guy and a fantastic player. Always got a smile on his face and a story to tell to lift the mood if needed," he says. "The fact that we left him in Canada for three weeks while his visa for the USA was updated never dampened his wonderful northern spirit. Like I said, he is the ‘real deal’."

York Press:

"Johnny is the ‘real deal'," reckons Rick Astley

Lenny Henry enthuses: "In my time with Johnny T, in my band Poor White Trash and The Little Big Horns, John was a little big horn. His stories were always hilarious and his haircuts more so.

"During our funk-filled rehearsals he’d say on arrival. 'You guys British? Sounds like it', and when asked to solo he was always on point, on time and on the one… Johnny T in the place to be."

Actor and musician Hugh Laurie chips in: "Johnny Thirkell is maddeningly talented; funny, clever, handsome, the best damn trumpeter I ever heard, and the only man I know who can wear a beret without making you want to move to another carriage. 'Heed him', I say!"

Next month's Blown It! evenings will include a question-and-answer session, the anything-could-happen moment in a "a unique night for any music lover who’s ever wanted to sneak backstage to see what really goes on".

"Johnny’s been there. Seen it. Done it. Blown it," says Ian. Tickets for the Rural Arts event at Terrington cost £10 on 01653 648394; Leeds, £13 on 0113 262 6777 or at sevenleeds.co.uk or £15 on the door from 7.30pm.