tony parsons was a young boy who received harmonium lessons from ena sharples in 1970. although tony had broken into the victoria street mission on 5 august 1970, ena wanted to nurture his talent and as she was an experienced player she took tony under her wing and got him a scholarship at a music college. in february 1971, tony gave his first public performance at the college and ena was in attendance, along with tony's mother mrs parsons.