Box & Fiddle - July 2018

Fiddle

41st Year No. 11 July 2018

The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

d n a Sh rino Mo y Da NAAF GOLF DAY GUEST ARTIST AND BAND DIRECTORIES JUDITH NICOLSON IS CENTRE STAGE

PLUS

NEWS, CLUB & DANCE DIARIES AND MUCH MORE...

£3.00

BOX&

Welcome

B&F • EDITORIAL

3

...to the July issue of Box & Fiddle The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

Editor • Pia Walker 7 Tarvit Gardens Cupar, Fife, KY15 5BT Tel: 01334 657 850 Mob: 07715 115 489 editor@boxandfiddle.com Designer • Marie Martin mamidesigns@hotmail.com Front cover Shand Morino Day Section icons by: FlatIcon

Printer • Ivanhoe Caledonian Printing Company Ltd Eskmills, Musselburgh, EH21 7PE

NAAFC Chairman • Nicol McLaren The Shian, Woodlands Road Blairgowrie, PH10 6LD Tel: 01250 874 526 nicol@boxandfiddle.com Vice Chairman • Iain Cathcart Tel: 01555 661 017 iain@boxandfiddle.com Secretary • Lorna Mair 7 Lathro Lane, Kinross KY13 8RX lorna@boxandfiddle.com Treasurer • Willie Johnstone treasurer@boxandfiddle.com Executive Committee: David Cunningham Charlie Kirkpatrick Susan MacFadyen Tom Orr Richard Ross

I hope you are all enjoying the summer, and getting the time to read the Box & Fiddle, because the B&F team have been busy in order to get information to you during the summer months. In this issue we are publishing the guest artist directory and the band directory. The NAAFC Golf day also gets a mention by Charlie Kirkpatrick who Pia Walker, Editor has made it sound as if the day was good, clean fun ☺ In June we also had the NAAFC AGM and BAFFI Awards, and more of that in the August and September issues. As usual it was a great day oot. Next year it will be held in Dundee, in the Invercarse Hotel, and I for one hope to meet many of you there again.

I am still waiting for clubs to send in their meeting dates, which mean we cannot display them on the website and if they are not in by 5th July, the August and September dates won’t show in the August issue.

A few clubs have mentioned that they again have problems getting bands to return their calls and when I mentioned this on social media a few musicians said that they have problems with clubs not coming back to them to say yes or not to a quote. So there are issues on both sides - what do we do to resolve this?

In the coming season I hope to progress the magazine with more articles, more of your stories and more of what is of interest to you, so I hope you will all help me make this magazine even better. If you feel that someone should be Centre Stage, write to me. If you have a story to tell, write to me. I also hope you will promote the magazine to others: remember, this is not a magazine solely for musicians but also a magazine for all who are interested in keeping our style of music alive.

Do remember this is YOUR magazine; it is your connection to the NAAFC and to each other. Promote your club by writing some interesting news, and please advertise your open days and festivals in the magazine.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Keep up with the latest news at

www.boxandfiddle.com Box & Fiddle (NAAFC)

Pia

The editorial team reserves the right to refuse or edit all copy. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor. Use of material and advertising from this publication is strictly prohibited without permission in writing from the editor.

While every care has been taken in compiling Box & Fiddle to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press, Box & Fiddle assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.

Contents

B&F • CONTENTS

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8

10

12 6 10 12 15

News Shand Morino Day NAAFC Golf Day 2018 Club News The latest news from our clubs

28

Guest Artist Directory

Deadlines:

Guest Band Directory Club Diary You are never too old to go clubbing!

38

Dance Diary

41

Reviews

Centre Stage Judith Nicolson

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34 36

Find the nearest dances and ceilidhs

Scottish Accordion Gems Farran

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Sheet Music The Cheeky Wee Two-Step

All articles, adverts, club reports and text for the magazine must be e-mailed to the editor by the 5th of every month at the latest. Copy received after this date cannot be guaranteed to feature in the next issue.

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

News

NEWS

Send in your story. If you have a photo that tells a story, send it in with an explanation.

Macmerry celebrates Bobby Colgan

Bobby Colgan

Full house at Macmerry

A delighted Bobby being awarded Photos by Shona McMillan www.shonamcmillan.co.uk

In April the MacMerry club was packed to capacity when Bobby Colgan was presented with an award for a lifetime contribution to Scottish dance band music. The event had been brilliantly organised by club members Irene and Jimmy Cairns, with music and the award ceremony organised

by Leonard Brown. With a wonderful selection of tunes, Leonard Brown’s band had the audience enthusiastically clapping along and Bobby Colgan himself also delivered a good few songs. Speeches were made (some pretty emotional) and the atmosphere in the room could not have been warmer. Everyone was absolutely delighted to see Bobby honoured with this welldeserved tribute.

From a lifetime friendship with accordion player Jim Johnstone Bobby became involved in music through singing and drumming (assisted by his father’s cousin Alex Dodds). Over the years, Bobby played drums with many bands including Jim Johnstone’s, Andrew Rankine’s and Jimmy Shand’s. He also played with Jimmy Blue, sang with Bert Shorthouse, Bobby MacLeod and Jimmy Lindsay, and (full time with Jim Johnstone) played for Calum Kennedy in theatres around the country. Working on many Scottish shows, Bobby also introduced people such as Chic Murray and Billy Connolly.

Across these years, many long friendships were formed with musicians including Billy Thom,

Gordon Pattullo, Bill, Robert and Duncan Black and fiddler Marie Fielding. Friendships also formed through Bobby’s contributions to the Accordion and Fiddle Club at Haddington and now at MacMerry Miners Club.

Marking Bobby’s considerable contribution the Macmerry audience rose several times to applaud him.

Then, when the speeches were done (and people had eaten their fill at an excellent buffet), the night’s entertainment continued with more great music provided by the Leonard Brown All Star Band with Liam Stewart on piano, Duncan Findlay on banjo and guitar, John Sinton on double bass, Malcolm Ross on drums and Leonard on accordion.

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Donal Ring celebrates 60 years in entertainment in Scotland

Following his celebrations in Cork Donal, accompanied by his sons Donnie and Dermot, Dermot Lyons and singer Terry McCarthy along with 30 members of his Cork Buttons and Bows, played his first night of entertainment at the Tait Hall in Kelso. As a thank you to his faithful followers over the years, he cordially invited Bruce Lindsay and his Buttons and Bows musicians from Windygates to join them along with any locals who so wished.

Both sons, who have their own bands, showed their individual skills in box playing while TV and Radio star Dermot Lyons, who always claims that it is an absolute delight to play with the Ring family, also showed his skills. Film, TV, stage and opera singer Terry McCarthy stunned the audience with his singing. Donnie conducted proceedings with his usual professionalism. He also gave Bruce an opportunity for the

Windygates Buttons and Bows to shine. Local organisation was administered by Mr John Crombie and assistants and Donnie on behalf of his father and company thanked them for their help. It was a brilliant night.

The following evening was even more special. After paying homage to the statue of the late great Sir Jimmy Shand and his Hohner Shand Morino, Donal, his family and all the

players of Shand Morinos achieved their life long ambition of playing in Sir Jimmy’s Letham Hall. It was very emotional for some, especially the Ring family, as they were not just musical friends of the Shands, but also family friends.

Again the Irish accompanied

by Bruce Lindsay’s contingent entertained a full hall. Wellknown box player Hamish Smith, a gentleman who played with Sir Jimmy, attended and joined in. Dancers were also overjoyed to hear many of Sir Jimmy’s tunes being played by so many Shand Morinos.

This concluded Donal Ring’s celebration in Scotland.

What a night, but no word of retirement. Donal wishes to thank all for attending and the catering staff - Gladys etc. - for a good feed.

Twae The weekend continued at the Shand Morino Day in Windygates, Fife. See page 10.

B&F • CLUB NEWS

Club News Just remember to seek permission to publish the photos and tell us the name of the photographers.

To ensure a more readable section, please only send in max 250-300 words. A photo tells a better story, so add one or two of those too. Why not of your audience? Information in Club News helps attract visitors to your club, so make sure your club sounds like the place we want to go to.

ABERDEEN Our last night of the season saw us starting with the annual AGM, lasting only a quick half-hour. All the usual reprobates were voted back on to committee with no objections, so Scott Gordon is still chairman with Susan Gordon as secretary and Sheila Bain (myself) still treasurer! The committee were voted back on en bloc so no changes here at Aberdeen! That over, it was time for the guests the Kyle Innes Trio with Kyle on accordion, Ewan Galloway on piano and Duncan Burns on drums. We were entertained with a huge range of tunes including Willie Johnstone of Dunnydeer by Michael Phillip, Anything Doing by James Leask, Morris Grant’s Button Box, The Irish Washer Woman to keep our toes tapping.

After tea and the raffle we had a few locals starting with Keith Duncan who was followed

by Charlie Lawie, Scott Nichol, Brian Stanger, Gary Anderson and Denis Shepherd; all were accompanied by Scott Gordon and Stanley Flett.

Then the guests were welcomed back and started with The Jimmy Burgess Two-Step, followed by The Kiwi Pipers, The Craic at Clashmore Hall

Kyle Innes Trio, Aberdeen

and a great favourite in the North-east. Robbie Shepherd MBE. We also had a few singalongs sets. On finishing the band was well applauded and gave us an encore of reels including Ian Muir’s wonderful Dunaskin Glen.

We had a superb evening of music to finish our year and look forward to starting again in September with the Màrtain Skene SCD Band.

ALNWICK APRIL Our guest artist was Johnny Duncan on 5-row chromatic accordion, supported by Malcolm Ross playing drums.

They provided a varied programme, played with great enthusiasm and style and very much enjoyed by the audience.

The local supporting players were Elizabeth Younger, Sylvia Youngson, Rita Wade, Robin Cowens and myself on accordion and Jimmy Little on mouth organ, with Robin MacLean and Ian Riddell playing drums. As always many thanks to these people for making it all work so well.

MAY As it was the final meeting before the summer break it was also time for the AGM. We had some wee changes but most things remain the same.

The local players were Susan Clark on fiddle, Ian Riddell on drums, Jimmy Little on mouth organ, and Sylvia Youngson, Rita Wade, Elizabeth Younger, Robin Cowens and yours truly on accordion.

The Occassionals were our

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Centre Stage

Judith Nicolson Scottish fiddler with many bands, now residing in Texas but by no means forgotten over here.

When was the first time you performed in public?

As a 10-year-old at Banchory Festival. I was third out of three!

What do you appreciate most in life?

My family, friends and good health.

What is your most cherished childhood memory?

My granny pushing me in her wooden wheelbarrow to the sawmill to collect kindling.

Swimming with my dad.

Who was a big influence in your life and/or your music?

My fiddle teacher Angus Shaw from Banchory. He was a lovely man with great knowledge. Willie Hunter, Angus Fitchet, Charlie Cowie, Ian Powrie, Hector McAndrew and Bill Hardie. I have great memories of Bill Black and Graeme Mitchell.

What was your first job?

Receptionist/administration assistant.

What is your greatest indulgence?

Playing solo fiddle with piano accompaniment from the likes of Kathy Fraser Collins What is your abiding musical memory?

Winning the Golden Fiddle Awards in 1982.

What are your worst fears?

I try not to dwell on negative feelings.

What are the best places in the world you have visited?

I love living in Texas and I have a soft spot for Canada.

What is your favourite musical venue?

Bells Road, Lerwick, Shetland.

I had the pleasure of playing with Violet Tulloch while living in Shetland.

How would you like to be remembered?

For my energetic and passionate fiddle style.

What makes you angry, annoyed or short tempered?

Hearing musicians play gimmicky tunes at 100 miles per hour. Oh, and bad drivers who never use their indicators!

What is your favourite location in Scotland? Royal Deeside.

If you had to leave, what would you miss and what would you be glad to see the back of?

I miss family and friends, and the Scottish scenery, but I was glad to see the back of the damp cold weather!

If your house was on fire what item would you save?

My cats! And of course my fiddle ‌ and my phone and car keys.

Who are your heroes and why?

My dad. He taught me to interpret bagpipe music on the fiddle!

My husband. He has taught me never to give up my dreams, to be resilient and always to try to be positive.

The Scottish dance music scene - your thoughts and hopes: I am a little out of touch with the dance music scene in Scotland.

Being a certified North American Scottish fiddle judge, and having participated in competitions, workshops and events, I have seen the popularity of Scottish music over here. There are so many talented musicians worldwide playing Scottish music that my hope is it will just go from strength to strength.

What 5 people would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Bruce Willis, Billy Connolly, Joe Mantegna from Criminal Minds.

Your 1, 2, 3 of favourite songs: A few of my favourites are Drumochter Sun (Ian Hardie), The Crying Taing (Tom Anderson) and a favourite reel is Mrs McPherson of Inveran.

Today I will Eat: Homemade hummus with olives and pitta bread.

Drink: La Croix - Mango (my favourite sparkling water) Read: Music Visit: The gym Watch: Criminal Minds

B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

DS BAN

Designed by Freepik.com

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For full contact details see the guest artist directory on the previous pages or online on: www.boxandfiddle.com/guest-artists.html

A Alan Ross SDB

Contact: Ross, Alan

Alan Small & Gemma Donald Contact: Small, Alan

Alasdair Macleod SDB

Contact: Macleod, Alasdair

Billy Anderson Band

Contact: Anderson, Billy

B Blackthorne Ceilidh Band Contact: Liddle, Bob

Bon-Accord

Contact: Waitt, Deryn & Robin

Borders Ceilidh Band

Craigievar Ceilidh Band Contact: Forbes, Stuart

Cruickshank Family Band Contact: Cruickshank, Brian

D Danelaw Dance Band

Contact: Whitehead, Robert

Dave Husband Sound Contact: Husband, Dave

David Oswald SDB

Contact: Oswald, David

Debbie Davidson & Linda Campbell

Contact: Campbell, Linda

Derek Edmond SDB (The)

Contact: Anderson, Stuart

Contact: Edmond, Derek

Box Clever

Derek Hamilton & Friends

Brandon McPhee Trio

Duncan Black SDB

Burns Brothers Ceilidh Band

Dusk ‘til Dawn Ceilidh band

Contact: Walker, Sol

Contact: McPhee, Brandon Contact: Burns, John & George

C Cameron McLaren and Friends Contact: McLaren, Cameron

Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio

Contact: Kirkpatrick, Charlie

Contact: Hamilton, Derek Contact: Black, Duncan Contact: Walker, Sol

E Ewan Galloway Band

Contact: Galloway, Ewan

Fiddling with a Piano

Contact: Joan Blue, Stella Wilkie &

Chris Dewhurst SCD Band

F Full Scottish (The)

Claire Gullan Band (The)

G Gary Forrest Ceilidh Band

Clappy Doo Ceilidh Band

Gary Sutherland Band

Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band

Glencraig SDB (The)

Contact: Dewhurst, Chris Contact: Gullan, Claire

Contact: Munro, Graeme

Contact: Smith, Allan W

Colin Garvin SDB

Contact: Garvin, Colin

Contact: Burns, John

Contact: Forrest, Gary

Contact: Sutherland, Gary Contact: McLaren, Nicol

I Iain Cathcart and His Band Contact: Cathcart, Iain

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Club

Diary

July 2018 DATE

CLUB

GUEST ARTIST

VENUE

TIME

CONTACT

3

Seghill

Leonard Brown Trio

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.00 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

4

Banff & District

Michael Mackay Country Edition

Banff Springs Hotel, Banff AB45 2JE

7.30 pm

Alison Coutts 01346 518 754

4

Glenfarg

Calum Johnston

Glenfarg Village Hall, Glenfarg PH2 9NU

7.30 pm

Stewart Smith 01577 830 296

4

Lewis and Harris

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

Caladh Inn, Stornoway HS1 2QN

8.00 pm

Janette MacIver 01851 704 870

4

Montrose

Leonard Brown Trio

Park Hotel, Montrose DD10 8RJ

7.30 pm

Ron Ramsay 01241 879 487

4

Orkney

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

5

Crieff

Billy Anderson

The British Legion, Crieff PH7 3EB

7.30 pm

Irene Anderson 01764 654 298

5

Rothbury

Roger Dobson Band

Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury NE65 7SR

7.30 pm

Mary Davidson 01668 281 307

5

Turriff

Leonard Brown Trio

Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown AB53 5WJ

7.30 pm

Pat Steele 01888 562 486

10

Blairgowrie

Màrtainn Skene Highland Dance Band

Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus PH13 9AL

7.45 pm

Helen Aitchison 01821 670 302

11

Banff & District

Steven Carcary Duo

Banff Springs Hotel, Banff AB45 2JE

7.30 pm

Alison Coutts 01346 518 754

11

Orkney

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

12

Button-Key (Windygates)

Gordon Penman & Isobel Luke

The Greig Institute, Windygates KY8 5DG

Mary Cook 01592 713 687

12

Carlisle

John Douglas

St Margaret Mary’s Social Club, Carlisle CA2 4JX

7.30 pm

Alison Davies 01228 675 505

15

Annan St Andrew

Bon Accords

St Andrew Social Club, Annan DG12 5JW

7.30 pm

Mrs N Taylor 01461 204 604

17

Seghill

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.00 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

18

Banff & District

George Rennie Quartet

Banff Springs Hotel, Banff AB45 2JE

7.30 pm

Alison Coutts 01346 518 754

18

Orkney

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

19

Tynedale

Cameron McLaren SDB (Fife)

Tynedale Farmers Function Suite, Hexham Auction Mart, Hexham NE46 3SG

7.00 pm

Roddy Matthews 01434 672 424

24

Ellon

Colin Dewar SDB

Station Hotel, Ellon AB41 9BD

7.30 pm

Tom Jamieson 07864 824583

24

Seghill

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.00 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

25

Banff & District

Johnny Duncan

Banff Springs Hotel, Banff AB45 2JE

7.30 pm

Alison Coutts 01346 518 754

25

Orkney

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

29

Forfar

Robert Whitehead SDB

Forfar Royal British Legion, Forfar DD8 2HA

7.15 pm

Kevin Milne 01307 466 946

29

Gretna

Open Day

Greenhow Centre, Gretna DG16 5AQ

1.00 pm

Robin Waitt 01387 371 423

31

Seghill

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.00 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

Sheet Music The Cheeky Wee Two-Step © Michael Mulford (Arranged by Alan Small)

The Cheeky Wee Two‑Step (Arranged Alan Small)

Copyright Michael Mulford 2017 D=160

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