Year 4 No 2 October 1980
The first night of the EK A&F Club (Sept 80) was to have been held in the Tartan Room of the Stuart Hotel. But, alas, it was not to be. Why? The demand for tickets was such that we had to move to the hotel’s larger ballroom, which holds around 160. But this still proved to be small on the night, but in true accordion club style we ‘squeezed’ everyone in.
Players came from as far away as Aberdeen, Stornoway, Oban, Dunblane, Kirkfieldbank and the local clubs Monklands, Lesmahagow and Biggar. In all we had 17 accordionists, one of which Morag Robertson, gave an excellent show on the five-row Chromatic. There were three fiddlers and various other artists, such as Donny ‘Large’ MacDonald of TV fame who did not sing but gave us a fine selection of tunes on the banjo.
We also had the Paul Johnstone Trio from Aberdeen, with Paul on box, Graham Ritchie on fiddle and Peter Elliot on flute, a nice sound from them.
The Doublet SDB, led by EK Chairman Iain Henderson on fiddle, played an impressive set.
A bouquet must go to two young Glasgow lads, Alan and Gary Watson. They turned up at 7.15pm asked if they could play and then went back to Glasgow for their instruments. The Alexander Brothers and the Tartan Lads watch out.
Another TV star was 11 year old Una Bryson of Strathaven.A nice selection from her.
Special guests were the Wallochmore Ceilidh Band and they were great. Anyone who has heard them will know what I mean. And Freeland Barbour can relax, we’re having a whip round in October when Alex MacArthur is guest, so he can install an inside WC.
Players were as follows :-
Accordionists – Paul Johnston (Aberdeen), Finlay & Morag Robertson and David McAree (Monklands), Charlie Todd (Carmichael), Ian Graham (Carluke), Jack Gray and Allan Smith (Kirkfieldbank) Colin Forgrieve (Oban), Kirsty Bissett (Dunblane), Alan Watson (Glasgow), Una Bryson (Strathaven), Sandra MacFadyen, norrie Williams and Grant Crawford (EK).
Banjo – Donnie ‘Large’ MacDonald (Stornoway). Vocalist Gary Watson (Glasgow). Drums John Cooper.
Keyboard – Alec Graham (Carluke), Bill Menzies (EK). Flute – Peter Elliot (Aberdeen). Fiddle – Bobby Watt and Iain Henderson (EK), Graham Ritchie (Aberdeen).
On 30th Oct we have Biggar bandleader Alex MacArthur and his band.
Grant Crawford
Year 4 No 5 January 1981
Once again a capacity audience packed into the Stuart Hotel to hear the great sound of the Currie Brothers (on 27th Nov 80)
The evening started off with a couple of tunes on the boxes of Ian and Alec Graham. Duos seemed to be the theme of the night, with no less than six, with every permutation of box, fiddle and piano together.
Gary Blair showed why he has done so well in so many competitions. He was backed by Adrian Hannah, who earlier was accompanied by Donald McAskill.
An interesting note was these lads all play Diapason accordions, imported into this country by Gary’s father, Jimmy, the ex-dance band leader who is now teaching and is doing a great job at that.. Nice to see Jimmy himself in the audience, pity he didn’t play though.
Special mention must go to Kerry Watson and David Steel from Falkirk. I don’t think it will be too long before this pairing will be on the Guest List. Kerry told me that they would like to be able to play like the Curries. They are not far off it.
Kerry plays lead box every bit as well as she looks, and with David playing excellent harmonies on second box the Curries have competition at their backs.
Well, what can be said about the guest artistes? Three of the best and it certainly isn’t a punishment (apart from trying to get your fingers to do what theirs do). Not only did they play their boxes, but Tom gave us a demonstration on the fiddle with Liam on banjo.
From the strains of Strauss’ ‘Tritch Tratch Polka’, to blue grass and jazz, the boys entertained in fine style. A special note must be made of their ‘Orange Blossom Special’. I can promise the Curries will be making many return journeys to East Kilbride.
Players on the evening were – fiddle Eddie Gallacher and Jack Finnigan. Piano – Morag McAskill and Bill Sinclair. Drums – Hugh Gebbie. Accordion – Kerry Watson, Una Bryson, Sheena Orr, Ian Graham, Alec Graham, Colin Bulloch, Hugh Gebbie, Jim Rooney, Charlie Todd, Adrian Hannah, Donald McAskill, Jimmy Thompson, Bill Menzies, Greg Russell, Gary Blair, David Steel.
Guests for January are Paddy Neary and the Clinkscale Road Show.
On 11th February we have a special night in the British Legion when guests will be the Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra, and on 26th Feb in the Stuart Hotel we have Ron Gonella.
May I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year
Grant Crawford (Secretary)
Year 4 No 6 February 1981
A smaller than usual audience at the EK A&F Club night were treated to a feast of box and fiddle music.
Gordon Gracie opened the night with a couple of selections on his box. Opening the night is never easy but Gordon played very well.
We had several new faces at the Club and special mention must go to Lorraine Banford, nine years of age, a little charmer.
Before our guest took the stage, two brothers gave us some toe tappers and thumpers club music on their accordions. Ian and Colin Bulloch are regular attenders, but the question is, when is dad Willie going to give us a tune? Soon we hope.
And so to our guest artiste’s first spot. What can be said about Paddy Neary? An ex-Irish Champion, Bachelor of Music, etc and twice All Ireland Dancing Champion. Well, this time it was his fingers which danced up and down the keyboard. He played everything on his electronic box from classical to jazz and traditional. What variations he played. It takes me all my time to play the tunes, never mind variations.
I, myself, me, started off the second half. Luckily, most people missed me because they were still looking at the accordion exhibition in the foyer by courtesy of Jimmy Clinkscale of Melrose. Over fifty of the finest on show.
Raymonf Chuchuck, from Clinkscale’s, then really had feet tapping with some great tunes, especially his ‘Iain MacPhail Act’ accompanied by myself on second box and Hugh Gebbie on drums.
Time soon flew in and it was time for Patrick again. During his first spot he said if anyone had request he would play them. ‘Ha, ha’ thought I, as I circulated a piece of paper for requests.
‘Ha, ha’ said Paddy, ‘No bother at all, at all, at all’. Every tune he played in the second half was a request – from the ‘Carnival of Venice’, ‘Mozart 40’ to ‘Arthur’s Seat’ and ‘Donald Iain Rankine’. Some people reckon he is the best. I’m quite sure everybody there now agrees.
The audience wanted so much more of him that the stramash was cancelled, and Paddy continued to play as the audience left the hall. Paddy Neary is anything but an Irish joke.
Players for the night were – fiddle – Eddie Gallagher and Iain Henderson. Boxes – Guy Biaggi, Jimmy Divers, Sandra MacFadyen, Colin & Ian Bulloch, Jim Montgomerie, Seamus O’Sullivan, Gordon Graham, Ian Graham, Sandy Donald, Lorraine Banford, Jennifer Forrest, John Bryson, David Steel, Kerry Watson, Gordon Gracie, Allan Smith, Raymond Chuchuck, Iain Wilkie and Grant Crawford.
Keyboard – Bill Sinclair. Drums – Hugh Gebbie. Apologies to anyone who did not get to play.
Forthcoming events – Fridat 6th March 81 – Buffet Dance with Jimmy Yeaman and the Kelvin Ceilidh Band in the Stuart Hotel, EK. Tickets £3.50 each.
Thursday, 2nd April – Olympia Ballroom, EK, Dermot O’Brien and his Clubmen with support. £2. Entry by ticket only.
Tickets for both events available from Grant Crawford.
Paul Johnstone
The first night of the EK A&F Club (Sept 80) was to have been held in the Tartan Room of the Stuart Hotel. But, alas, it was not to be. Why? The demand for tickets was such that we had to move to the hotel’s larger ballroom, which holds around 160. But this still proved to be small on the night, but in true accordion club style we ‘squeezed’ everyone in.
Players came from as far away as Aberdeen, Stornoway, Oban, Dunblane, Kirkfieldbank and the local clubs Monklands, Lesmahagow and Biggar. In all we had 17 accordionists, one of which Morag Robertson, gave an excellent show on the five-row Chromatic. There were three fiddlers and various other artists, such as Donny ‘Large’ MacDonald of TV fame who did not sing but gave us a fine selection of tunes on the banjo.
We also had the Paul Johnstone Trio from Aberdeen, with Paul on box, Graham Ritchie on fiddle and Peter Elliot on flute, a nice sound from them.
The Doublet SDB, led by EK Chairman Iain Henderson on fiddle, played an impressive set.
A bouquet must go to two young Glasgow lads, Alan and Gary Watson. They turned up at 7.15pm asked if they could play and then went back to Glasgow for their instruments. The Alexander Brothers and the Tartan Lads watch out.
Another TV star was 11 year old Una Bryson of Strathaven.A nice selection from her.
Special guests were the Wallochmore Ceilidh Band and they were great. Anyone who has heard them will know what I mean. And Freeland Barbour can relax, we’re having a whip round in October when Alex MacArthur is guest, so he can install an inside WC.
Players were as follows :-
Accordionists – Paul Johnston (Aberdeen), Finlay & Morag Robertson and David McAree (Monklands), Charlie Todd (Carmichael), Ian Graham (Carluke), Jack Gray and Allan Smith (Kirkfieldbank) Colin Forgrieve (Oban), Kirsty Bissett (Dunblane), Alan Watson (Glasgow), Una Bryson (Strathaven), Sandra MacFadyen, norrie Williams and Grant Crawford (EK).
Banjo – Donnie ‘Large’ MacDonald (Stornoway). Vocalist Gary Watson (Glasgow). Drums John Cooper.
Keyboard – Alec Graham (Carluke), Bill Menzies (EK). Flute – Peter Elliot (Aberdeen). Fiddle – Bobby Watt and Iain Henderson (EK), Graham Ritchie (Aberdeen).
On 30th Oct we have Biggar bandleader Alex MacArthur and his band.
Grant Crawford
Year 4 No 5 January 1981
Once again a capacity audience packed into the Stuart Hotel to hear the great sound of the Currie Brothers (on 27th Nov 80)
The evening started off with a couple of tunes on the boxes of Ian and Alec Graham. Duos seemed to be the theme of the night, with no less than six, with every permutation of box, fiddle and piano together.
Gary Blair showed why he has done so well in so many competitions. He was backed by Adrian Hannah, who earlier was accompanied by Donald McAskill.
An interesting note was these lads all play Diapason accordions, imported into this country by Gary’s father, Jimmy, the ex-dance band leader who is now teaching and is doing a great job at that.. Nice to see Jimmy himself in the audience, pity he didn’t play though.
Special mention must go to Kerry Watson and David Steel from Falkirk. I don’t think it will be too long before this pairing will be on the Guest List. Kerry told me that they would like to be able to play like the Curries. They are not far off it.
Kerry plays lead box every bit as well as she looks, and with David playing excellent harmonies on second box the Curries have competition at their backs.
Well, what can be said about the guest artistes? Three of the best and it certainly isn’t a punishment (apart from trying to get your fingers to do what theirs do). Not only did they play their boxes, but Tom gave us a demonstration on the fiddle with Liam on banjo.
From the strains of Strauss’ ‘Tritch Tratch Polka’, to blue grass and jazz, the boys entertained in fine style. A special note must be made of their ‘Orange Blossom Special’. I can promise the Curries will be making many return journeys to East Kilbride.
Players on the evening were – fiddle Eddie Gallacher and Jack Finnigan. Piano – Morag McAskill and Bill Sinclair. Drums – Hugh Gebbie. Accordion – Kerry Watson, Una Bryson, Sheena Orr, Ian Graham, Alec Graham, Colin Bulloch, Hugh Gebbie, Jim Rooney, Charlie Todd, Adrian Hannah, Donald McAskill, Jimmy Thompson, Bill Menzies, Greg Russell, Gary Blair, David Steel.
Guests for January are Paddy Neary and the Clinkscale Road Show.
On 11th February we have a special night in the British Legion when guests will be the Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra, and on 26th Feb in the Stuart Hotel we have Ron Gonella.
May I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year
Grant Crawford (Secretary)
Year 4 No 6 February 1981
A smaller than usual audience at the EK A&F Club night were treated to a feast of box and fiddle music.
Gordon Gracie opened the night with a couple of selections on his box. Opening the night is never easy but Gordon played very well.
We had several new faces at the Club and special mention must go to Lorraine Banford, nine years of age, a little charmer.
Before our guest took the stage, two brothers gave us some toe tappers and thumpers club music on their accordions. Ian and Colin Bulloch are regular attenders, but the question is, when is dad Willie going to give us a tune? Soon we hope.
And so to our guest artiste’s first spot. What can be said about Paddy Neary? An ex-Irish Champion, Bachelor of Music, etc and twice All Ireland Dancing Champion. Well, this time it was his fingers which danced up and down the keyboard. He played everything on his electronic box from classical to jazz and traditional. What variations he played. It takes me all my time to play the tunes, never mind variations.
I, myself, me, started off the second half. Luckily, most people missed me because they were still looking at the accordion exhibition in the foyer by courtesy of Jimmy Clinkscale of Melrose. Over fifty of the finest on show.
Raymonf Chuchuck, from Clinkscale’s, then really had feet tapping with some great tunes, especially his ‘Iain MacPhail Act’ accompanied by myself on second box and Hugh Gebbie on drums.
Time soon flew in and it was time for Patrick again. During his first spot he said if anyone had request he would play them. ‘Ha, ha’ thought I, as I circulated a piece of paper for requests.
‘Ha, ha’ said Paddy, ‘No bother at all, at all, at all’. Every tune he played in the second half was a request – from the ‘Carnival of Venice’, ‘Mozart 40’ to ‘Arthur’s Seat’ and ‘Donald Iain Rankine’. Some people reckon he is the best. I’m quite sure everybody there now agrees.
The audience wanted so much more of him that the stramash was cancelled, and Paddy continued to play as the audience left the hall. Paddy Neary is anything but an Irish joke.
Players for the night were – fiddle – Eddie Gallagher and Iain Henderson. Boxes – Guy Biaggi, Jimmy Divers, Sandra MacFadyen, Colin & Ian Bulloch, Jim Montgomerie, Seamus O’Sullivan, Gordon Graham, Ian Graham, Sandy Donald, Lorraine Banford, Jennifer Forrest, John Bryson, David Steel, Kerry Watson, Gordon Gracie, Allan Smith, Raymond Chuchuck, Iain Wilkie and Grant Crawford.
Keyboard – Bill Sinclair. Drums – Hugh Gebbie. Apologies to anyone who did not get to play.
Forthcoming events – Fridat 6th March 81 – Buffet Dance with Jimmy Yeaman and the Kelvin Ceilidh Band in the Stuart Hotel, EK. Tickets £3.50 each.
Thursday, 2nd April – Olympia Ballroom, EK, Dermot O’Brien and his Clubmen with support. £2. Entry by ticket only.
Tickets for both events available from Grant Crawford.
Paul Johnstone