• THE EARLY YEARS!
PAPA BULL - One Man Band, live singer, entertainer, composer and song
writer and I live in Portugal - Algarve. My real name is William Bullman. How did I get the idea to
change to Papa Bull? There was a documentary on
the late Mama Cass of the Mama's and Papa's. The word Papa was on my
mind - I settled for Papa, dropped the last three letters of my name Bullman; and Papa Bull was born.
I first played in a band at
the tender age of ten, in what was then known as 'The Blarney Street
Flageolet' band, better known as the
'Tin Whistle'.
This was my introduction to Music thanks to a Christian known as
Brother Quinn and to whom I am eternal grateful. Because I was
playing the Tin Whistle every spare minute it kept me of the
street's at night; I was a happy boy in 1956!
In the same year the 'All Ireland Tin Whistle Champions Ships' were
held in Clonmel Tipperary. I came 3rd. the people said I was
'robbed' and I should have come 2nd.
The way the contest was held was quite unique:
In the middle of a field in a tent, and there were three judges whom
no one seen, we did not se them and likewise they did not see us.
However they did hear us. Each contestant was given a number, mine
was sixteen, then a fellow with a megaphone announced: Number
sixteen please approach the tent and stand on the matt, which was on
the grass outside the entrance of the closed tent. Then this fellow
said: Number sixteen is present and ready. A voice from inside the
tent said: Number sixteen please play a Jig (which I did); please
play a Reel (which I did); and to finish: Would you please play a
hornpipe (which I did too). After I finished the voice from inside
the tent said: Very good, you may return to your place.
There were three medal's that day for first, second and third
place. The boy who came first deserved it. The boy who came second
hit a few bum notes. I came third and I was told it was I who should
have become second! I was very upset that day ;-)
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