Bobby Brown (Adam Rennie Quartet)
(Died 12.12.93)
Bobby Brown, acknowledged as one of Scotland's leading button key accordionists, died suddenly on Sunday 12th December, 1993, aged 68 years. The second youngest of a family of eleven, he started to play the accordion at the age of six. As a young musician he was in demand to play at functions and parties in and around the local villages of Wolfhill, Guildtown, Kinrossie, Balbeggie and Burrelton.
The family moved to Rochallie Farm at Bridge of Cally in 1946 and at the age of 16 Bobby made his first solo radio broadcast for A. M. Shinnie at the B.B.C. in Aberdeen. His musical progress had also been noted by the fiddler Adam Rennie who recruited Bobby to play with him in his Scottish Country Dance Quartet.
Playing for Scottish Country Dances all over Scotland and England, the Quartet also made recording for EMI, Parlophone and the Pye Record company in the ‘50s. The Quartet also broadcast for the B.B.C. as well as playing for the Royal Family on several occasions.
After the Rennie Quartet disbanded in December 1958, bobby went on to play with other groups in the Perthshire area until his hands became such that he could no longer play the box. Years later following surgery on both hands, Bobby gradually learned to play again and in 1988 he recorded the cassette – “The Old Button Box” for the Adam Rennie Trust. Later he released another - “Across the Glens” with proceeds donated to the Glenshee Churches.
He will be remembered as the composer of the “Primrose Polka” which is still played today as the signature tune of a weekly B.B.C. Radio programme. Bobby was also a regular entertainer at a Blairgowie Residential Home where he freely entertained the residents.
His love of music also saw Bobby at the Accordion and Fiddle Clubs where he made many friends. Bobby, a bachelor, is survived by 2 brother and a sister. One of the last tunes he composed was named after his village “The Brig’ o’ Cally” a 2/4 march.
A funeral service at Netherton Church, Bridge of Cally, was well attended by family, friends and fellow musicians. This was followed by a short service at Perth Crematorium which was equally well attended. At both services, the Rev Alan McKean played a track from the cassette Bobby recorded from the churches – “By Cool Siloam’s Shady Rill”.
APPRECIATIONS
Bobby joined my concert party that toured the Western Isles in the ‘50s. It was a pleasant trip – more like a holiday than work! Bobby was a good steady player who fitted in well with Adam Rennie, one of the best!
He never really projected himself nearly enough. It’s a pity he did not compose more tunes because I’m sure he had it all in his head just ready to come out.
My music publisher contacted me one day and said to me, “That Primrose Polka seems to be doing very well Angus, any chance that you could write something to rival it for us?” I said it was nigh impossible, but I did write the “Angus Polka” for them. – Angus Fitchet.
Robert Brown was one of nature’s gentlemen. I shall always be privileged to have known him as my friend and will always remember him for his personal kindness and hospitality when I stayed with him at his home and most especially remember the hours we played together.
As with all the greatest instrumentalists, the warmth of his own personality and life experiences were present in his playing, but he was more than just a player. Maturity made him an artist who concealed his art and love of his nation’s music under a deceptively simple yet expressive style which would enchant and beguile the ear.- Tom Cowing
I knew Bobby for over forty years. My first recollection of his playing was in the Scotia Players and I was always impressed by his couthy style – no hashing or bashing.
The only time I ever played with him was away back in the ‘50s. I phoned him and asked if he could join me and the band at the Lonach Hall, Strathdon, for their big dance. We needed a big band because, as my drummer Arthur Easson would have said “It was a cheery nicht” and considering that we were panting away with a 15 watt amplifier, it was hard work.
Well, on the way to the hall, about a couple of miles out, the big ex-army station wagon I had broke a half-shaft and we had to wave cars down to help us get the get to the hall.
Fortunately, I carried a spare shaft as breaking half shafts was not a rare occurrence with this machine. We got the boys all on the stage and the dance got underway. The local garage put my shaft in and we got back to Forteviot more or less unscathed, but I often wondered what sort of Heath Robinson effort Bobby had thought he had got himself into.
I live, nowadays, a couple of miles up the road from the farm Bobby was in for over 40 years and we had manys a chat about the old days. He never had an unkind word to say about anyone’s music. We will miss him. – Ian Powrie
Words to describe friendship are undoubtedly available to those with a flair for literary expression. Friend is a word that we all use, sometimes we use it in a casual way like saying that he or she is a friend of mine. Friendship however, is another word. I suppose it meant the same thing, but when a friend is no longer with us the statement “just a friend” I have sadly found is truly understood.
Bobby Brown was a good friend of mine and I trust I was a good friend to him. I’m no musician, a mere listener at best. In my opinion, Bobby Brown was a member of the top 5%. Some statement from a mere listener you might say, but this is not an original statement from myself. It is just in agreement with a conversation I overheard between two musicians at the Blairgowrie Club some time ago. When one queried the other “What is it he’s got that puts him in the top 5%?” I don’t think they could define it exactly.
I can honestly say having Bobby as a real close friend had a big influence in my interest and understanding of music. On my regular visits to Rochallie we would sit and talk about music, his band days and many other musical topics, like our outings to the Clubs or who had been on the radio broadcasts, etc. Sometimes we would listen to a selection of our hundreds of dance band 78s. On other occasions he would maybe play me a tune on his box. My favourite to end his wee session for me was “Dark Lochnagar”. A moving experience the way he played it with all his heart and soul going in to it every time.
When I suggested to him that it may be an idea to try and have the Adam Rennie Quartet recordings released on a cassette, he was keen on the prospect of that happening. It took quite some time to arrange the production of “Village Hall to Royal Ball” . One of the big decisions to be made was how many copies should be duplicated.
When I asked him what he thought, the man in all his modesty said he thought there would be enough people interested to buy maybe about 200 cassettes at most. How he under-estimated the public that awaited the chance to hear the unique Rennie sound again.
I will never forget that first Saturday morning it was put on sale to the public. All 200 cassette were sold before mid-day by the shops in Coupar Angus alone. My telephone was a constant open line, the question always being “When will you have more for sale?” Well, many more we did sell and that was the reason the Adam Rennie Trust was established. Donations are given to worthy organisations for the senior citizens of Coupar Angus. Several thousand pounds to date have been released from the Trust.
Bobby Brown was a quiet, modest man who endeared himself to many. He really looked forward to our trips to the Clubs, but especially the Button Key Club at Windygates where he was given much respect and shown great kindness by all. A regular gesture from the tea ladies always saw the bag full of sandwiches and home baking put in his hands to take home for the next day, which surely was humanity seen at its very best.
On leaving the Club he would often ask me a question, “Whaur could you meet friendlier or finer folk?” We would then head homeward until the next month. Alas it can be no more… - Ron Stephen, Secretary, Adam Rennie Trust
Box and Fiddle
February 1994
Bobby Brown – A further Appreciation
by Sandy Tulloch
Like many box players in Tayside, I was greatly saddened to learn of Bobby Brown’s death, from his old friend Ron Stephen. My association with bobby goes back a long way.
In the late forties, early fifties, I was pleased to add Adam Rennie’s tunes to my collection, and on coming back to Dundee from Glasgow got to know Adam fairly well and had many a happy evening playing with him and other friends. Adam was kind enough to let me sit in with the band on occasion and it was there that I met and got to know Bobby.
It was tremendous experience for me to play with such a driving quartet, and it is sad indeed that all have now gone. I doubt if we will hear such a distinctive sound again.
I have vivid memories of Adam with one finger raised to let us know we were to start in ‘G’. Ed Robb with his fingers strapped with adhesive tape. Ian McLeish ready at the piano and Bobby with his distinctive maroon early Shand Morino.
After the fifties, Bobby and I did not see so much of each other although we kept in touch from time to time. Later, after retiral, we met at the Clubs, particularly at Windygates where he was an immensely popular and regular attender. Whenever Bruce announced that it was ‘Bobby Broon’ there was always a cheer.
Bobby was a modest and gentle man with a deep feeling for Scottish music. A fine player with a touch and expression all his own. But, above all, I remember him as a band player. Not so long ago someone behind me at Windygates said over my shoulder – “Aye Sandy, they don’t make many like him these days”. Happy memories Bobby.
Box and Fiddle
March 1994
The family moved to Rochallie Farm at Bridge of Cally in 1946 and at the age of 16 Bobby made his first solo radio broadcast for A. M. Shinnie at the B.B.C. in Aberdeen. His musical progress had also been noted by the fiddler Adam Rennie who recruited Bobby to play with him in his Scottish Country Dance Quartet.
Playing for Scottish Country Dances all over Scotland and England, the Quartet also made recording for EMI, Parlophone and the Pye Record company in the ‘50s. The Quartet also broadcast for the B.B.C. as well as playing for the Royal Family on several occasions.
After the Rennie Quartet disbanded in December 1958, bobby went on to play with other groups in the Perthshire area until his hands became such that he could no longer play the box. Years later following surgery on both hands, Bobby gradually learned to play again and in 1988 he recorded the cassette – “The Old Button Box” for the Adam Rennie Trust. Later he released another - “Across the Glens” with proceeds donated to the Glenshee Churches.
He will be remembered as the composer of the “Primrose Polka” which is still played today as the signature tune of a weekly B.B.C. Radio programme. Bobby was also a regular entertainer at a Blairgowie Residential Home where he freely entertained the residents.
His love of music also saw Bobby at the Accordion and Fiddle Clubs where he made many friends. Bobby, a bachelor, is survived by 2 brother and a sister. One of the last tunes he composed was named after his village “The Brig’ o’ Cally” a 2/4 march.
A funeral service at Netherton Church, Bridge of Cally, was well attended by family, friends and fellow musicians. This was followed by a short service at Perth Crematorium which was equally well attended. At both services, the Rev Alan McKean played a track from the cassette Bobby recorded from the churches – “By Cool Siloam’s Shady Rill”.
APPRECIATIONS
Bobby joined my concert party that toured the Western Isles in the ‘50s. It was a pleasant trip – more like a holiday than work! Bobby was a good steady player who fitted in well with Adam Rennie, one of the best!
He never really projected himself nearly enough. It’s a pity he did not compose more tunes because I’m sure he had it all in his head just ready to come out.
My music publisher contacted me one day and said to me, “That Primrose Polka seems to be doing very well Angus, any chance that you could write something to rival it for us?” I said it was nigh impossible, but I did write the “Angus Polka” for them. – Angus Fitchet.
Robert Brown was one of nature’s gentlemen. I shall always be privileged to have known him as my friend and will always remember him for his personal kindness and hospitality when I stayed with him at his home and most especially remember the hours we played together.
As with all the greatest instrumentalists, the warmth of his own personality and life experiences were present in his playing, but he was more than just a player. Maturity made him an artist who concealed his art and love of his nation’s music under a deceptively simple yet expressive style which would enchant and beguile the ear.- Tom Cowing
I knew Bobby for over forty years. My first recollection of his playing was in the Scotia Players and I was always impressed by his couthy style – no hashing or bashing.
The only time I ever played with him was away back in the ‘50s. I phoned him and asked if he could join me and the band at the Lonach Hall, Strathdon, for their big dance. We needed a big band because, as my drummer Arthur Easson would have said “It was a cheery nicht” and considering that we were panting away with a 15 watt amplifier, it was hard work.
Well, on the way to the hall, about a couple of miles out, the big ex-army station wagon I had broke a half-shaft and we had to wave cars down to help us get the get to the hall.
Fortunately, I carried a spare shaft as breaking half shafts was not a rare occurrence with this machine. We got the boys all on the stage and the dance got underway. The local garage put my shaft in and we got back to Forteviot more or less unscathed, but I often wondered what sort of Heath Robinson effort Bobby had thought he had got himself into.
I live, nowadays, a couple of miles up the road from the farm Bobby was in for over 40 years and we had manys a chat about the old days. He never had an unkind word to say about anyone’s music. We will miss him. – Ian Powrie
Words to describe friendship are undoubtedly available to those with a flair for literary expression. Friend is a word that we all use, sometimes we use it in a casual way like saying that he or she is a friend of mine. Friendship however, is another word. I suppose it meant the same thing, but when a friend is no longer with us the statement “just a friend” I have sadly found is truly understood.
Bobby Brown was a good friend of mine and I trust I was a good friend to him. I’m no musician, a mere listener at best. In my opinion, Bobby Brown was a member of the top 5%. Some statement from a mere listener you might say, but this is not an original statement from myself. It is just in agreement with a conversation I overheard between two musicians at the Blairgowrie Club some time ago. When one queried the other “What is it he’s got that puts him in the top 5%?” I don’t think they could define it exactly.
I can honestly say having Bobby as a real close friend had a big influence in my interest and understanding of music. On my regular visits to Rochallie we would sit and talk about music, his band days and many other musical topics, like our outings to the Clubs or who had been on the radio broadcasts, etc. Sometimes we would listen to a selection of our hundreds of dance band 78s. On other occasions he would maybe play me a tune on his box. My favourite to end his wee session for me was “Dark Lochnagar”. A moving experience the way he played it with all his heart and soul going in to it every time.
When I suggested to him that it may be an idea to try and have the Adam Rennie Quartet recordings released on a cassette, he was keen on the prospect of that happening. It took quite some time to arrange the production of “Village Hall to Royal Ball” . One of the big decisions to be made was how many copies should be duplicated.
When I asked him what he thought, the man in all his modesty said he thought there would be enough people interested to buy maybe about 200 cassettes at most. How he under-estimated the public that awaited the chance to hear the unique Rennie sound again.
I will never forget that first Saturday morning it was put on sale to the public. All 200 cassette were sold before mid-day by the shops in Coupar Angus alone. My telephone was a constant open line, the question always being “When will you have more for sale?” Well, many more we did sell and that was the reason the Adam Rennie Trust was established. Donations are given to worthy organisations for the senior citizens of Coupar Angus. Several thousand pounds to date have been released from the Trust.
Bobby Brown was a quiet, modest man who endeared himself to many. He really looked forward to our trips to the Clubs, but especially the Button Key Club at Windygates where he was given much respect and shown great kindness by all. A regular gesture from the tea ladies always saw the bag full of sandwiches and home baking put in his hands to take home for the next day, which surely was humanity seen at its very best.
On leaving the Club he would often ask me a question, “Whaur could you meet friendlier or finer folk?” We would then head homeward until the next month. Alas it can be no more… - Ron Stephen, Secretary, Adam Rennie Trust
Box and Fiddle
February 1994
Bobby Brown – A further Appreciation
by Sandy Tulloch
Like many box players in Tayside, I was greatly saddened to learn of Bobby Brown’s death, from his old friend Ron Stephen. My association with bobby goes back a long way.
In the late forties, early fifties, I was pleased to add Adam Rennie’s tunes to my collection, and on coming back to Dundee from Glasgow got to know Adam fairly well and had many a happy evening playing with him and other friends. Adam was kind enough to let me sit in with the band on occasion and it was there that I met and got to know Bobby.
It was tremendous experience for me to play with such a driving quartet, and it is sad indeed that all have now gone. I doubt if we will hear such a distinctive sound again.
I have vivid memories of Adam with one finger raised to let us know we were to start in ‘G’. Ed Robb with his fingers strapped with adhesive tape. Ian McLeish ready at the piano and Bobby with his distinctive maroon early Shand Morino.
After the fifties, Bobby and I did not see so much of each other although we kept in touch from time to time. Later, after retiral, we met at the Clubs, particularly at Windygates where he was an immensely popular and regular attender. Whenever Bruce announced that it was ‘Bobby Broon’ there was always a cheer.
Bobby was a modest and gentle man with a deep feeling for Scottish music. A fine player with a touch and expression all his own. But, above all, I remember him as a band player. Not so long ago someone behind me at Windygates said over my shoulder – “Aye Sandy, they don’t make many like him these days”. Happy memories Bobby.
Box and Fiddle
March 1994