He is best known as the talented bass player of the hit indie band The Kaiser Chiefs.

But Menston musician Simon Rix learned his trade playing with his father's band.

And as band members await the outcome of this year's Brit awards - for which they have three nominations - Simon's family can't help but think of the musical heritage which led him on the path to fame.

Simon, 30, was a pupil of St Mary's Secondary School in Menston. A natural musician, he taught himself guitar at the tender age of 11 and spent much of his adult years developing his talent.

He played drums and bass for a concert band at Guiseley Music Centre - a school once headed by his grandfather and later joined his dad Martin playing the local circuit in FM Band' - a folk group.

Mr Rix said: "It was fascinating to watch Simon develop musically. He was always very determined and really taught himself to play guitar. Over the years he got more and more serious about it and before long we just knew he would make it.

"It was no big surprise to us that he was musical - his grandparents were musicians, his sister is musical and I play in a couple of bands. I guess it was inevitable that Simon got the gene!"

Simon's grandparents, John and Kath-leen, were music teachers at St Edmund Campion Catholic School in Bradford.

Based in Guiseley, John, who died aged 53, was a pianist and organist. His wife Kathleen, who died aged 75, was a singer and violinist. Between them they set up a successful singing group at St Peter and Paul's Catholic Church in Yeadon.

John later went on to become the first head of Guiseley Music Centre in the 1960's - a post he held for five years.

Mr Rix, 54, an engineer who lives with his wife Sue, 58, in Menston, said: "There was always something musical going on in the family and my parents were very encouraging. They would be very proud of how their grandson has turned out."

Mr Rix plays with two bands - FM Band and Hurricane Blue - and ironically, he now finds himself doing a cover version of the Kaiser Chiefs song Modern Way at some of Hurricane Blue's shows.

He said: "Simon hasn't heard the cover and I think I'd be a bit embarrassed if he did! It always goes down well when we play it. Most people know the family locally but occasionally I get introduced as Simon Rix of the Kaiser Chiefs' dad'. I say No, Simon is the son of Martin Rix of Hurricane Blue'!"

This year's Brit awards will be announced on Wednesday, February 20. The Kaiser Chiefs are up for three nominations - Best British Band, Best British Live Act and Best British Single.