Scottish Country Dance Bands 1
T.V. is Tantalising, Says Ian Powrie
Scottish Country Dance Band leader Ian Powrie moved recently with his wife, Leila, and family, Ailsa (8) and Finlay (5), into a brand-new bungalow in Perth.
But Ian’s roots are in farming. His former home was at Forteviot Estate, Bankhead, Dupplin, and his father, William Powrie, is manager of Dupplin Castle Farms.
At 37, with regular TV engagements, recordings and dance appearances all over Scotland and south of the Border, Ian is at the top of his profession. But he takes a realistic view of his band’s success and prospects.
First Broadcast
He is not afraid to contemplate a time when the taste for ‘teuchter’ music may be less widespread or he, in his own words becomes “too rheumaticky” to fiddle.
Then Ian would happily return to the country and “a wee place of my ain”.
He was born at White House, Strathardle, where his father was ploughman, and he has been playing in bands “since I wore short trousers.” He made his first broadcast at the age of 11 and was heard frequently as a soloist in Children’s Hour.
Until 1943 he played in his father’s band, which was well known.
Then, after service in the RAF, he was demobbed in 1947 and formed a band of his own, of which his young brother, Bill, was a member. Now Bill plays with Jim Cameron, Kirriemuir.
Personnel
Ian’s band has been broadcasting since 1949. It is only recently that he has devoted his full time to the band. Including himself there are six players.
Jimmy Blue (button-key accordion) has been Scottish Open champion on several occasions. He has composed many dance tunes like ‘Balintore Fishermen’, ‘Bill Meikle’s Reel’, ‘Broomhill’ and ‘The Braes of Auchterarder’. He is employed by the well-known Perthshire farmer, Gavin Strang, Ardargie Mains, Forgandenny.
Mickie Ainsworth (piano accordion) is a well-known soloist and duettist with Jimmy Blue, with whom he broadcasts regularly. Mickie, an expert arranger of all accordion music, is a music teacher in Perth.
Bert Smith (double bass) has been in the band since it was formed. He is an Income Tax official in Perth.
Arthur Easson (drums) was leader of the Glengarry Scottish Country Dance Band before joining Ian Powrie three years ago. Arthur lives in Callander, where he is a motor mechanic.
Pam Brough (piano) has been with the band for most of the time.
All the arranging is done by Ian. He has had a book of tunes published – “but I prefer to jog along until the need for a tune crops up”. Then, instead of browsing through books for hours, I compose one……”
Like all well-known bands Ian Powrie’s travels far. In addition to trips for TV appearances in ‘White Heather Club’ and ‘The Kilt is my Delight,’ Scottish Country Dance music broadcasts and ordinary dances in hamlets, glens and towns, they completed a 7,000-mile “tour in the summer”. This was with the BBC, recording and broadcasting for 13 Saturdays from village halls as far apart as Thurso and the Borders, Stornoway and Blairgowrie.
Mention of the Borders reminds Ian of a story against himself.
The band were playing for a dance in Wooler. In the interval one reveller tottered onto the floor with a soft hat pulled down over his ears – and eyes.
Before he had gone far someone tapped it off his head and soon it was being passed from foot to foot – a friendly kick-about, but rough on the hat.
The band had a grandstand view. As the ‘ball’ was kicked in the side when dancing recommenced, Ian commented that someone had had a fine hat ruined.
And that someone was himself – as he discovered at the end of the dance. The hat – “the most expensive I’ve ever owned” – had been bought in Perth just before the drive south.
At some dances, the watchers – or listeners – outnumber the dancers. In a hall in the north Ian was literally cornered and had to play one tune over and over while a local accordionist tried to master it by ear. The band have no favourite among their audiences. They like to play, ”whatever the people enjoy, the good old Scottish tunes,” but Ian admits they have a “soft spot for the glenners.”
Critic
Television he finds a tantalising medium, “Sometimes you think a show is going badly and find afterwards it was fine. Of course the opposite also happens.”
And on these occasions Mrs Powrie, like so many wives, can be the severest critic.
But for one ‘White Heather Club’ broadcast Ian was wholly dependent on his wife.
Because of a misunderstanding while the band were loading their instruments and luggage into the van, Ian drove off to Glasgow without his kilt or fiddle.
When Mrs Powrie discovered the omission and telephoned the BBC in Glasgow she decided the only way to get Ian’s clothes and instrument to him for the broadcast was to deliver them herself by train.
Children Ill
Fortunately Mrs Powrie, Senior, was able to look after the children, who were both in bed with chickenpox.
Mrs Powrie caught the train at Perth with seconds to spare.
When she reached the studio where the ‘White Heather Club’ rehearsal was going on she thought she would have difficulty in attracting Ian’s attention. The lights were all on the performers.
But as soon as she entered the studio he recognised her and rushed to meet her.
He had been scraping along manfully with a spare fiddle he carries in the van and a double bass bow.
T.V. is Tantalising, Says Ian Powrie
Scottish Country Dance Band leader Ian Powrie moved recently with his wife, Leila, and family, Ailsa (8) and Finlay (5), into a brand-new bungalow in Perth.
But Ian’s roots are in farming. His former home was at Forteviot Estate, Bankhead, Dupplin, and his father, William Powrie, is manager of Dupplin Castle Farms.
At 37, with regular TV engagements, recordings and dance appearances all over Scotland and south of the Border, Ian is at the top of his profession. But he takes a realistic view of his band’s success and prospects.
First Broadcast
He is not afraid to contemplate a time when the taste for ‘teuchter’ music may be less widespread or he, in his own words becomes “too rheumaticky” to fiddle.
Then Ian would happily return to the country and “a wee place of my ain”.
He was born at White House, Strathardle, where his father was ploughman, and he has been playing in bands “since I wore short trousers.” He made his first broadcast at the age of 11 and was heard frequently as a soloist in Children’s Hour.
Until 1943 he played in his father’s band, which was well known.
Then, after service in the RAF, he was demobbed in 1947 and formed a band of his own, of which his young brother, Bill, was a member. Now Bill plays with Jim Cameron, Kirriemuir.
Personnel
Ian’s band has been broadcasting since 1949. It is only recently that he has devoted his full time to the band. Including himself there are six players.
Jimmy Blue (button-key accordion) has been Scottish Open champion on several occasions. He has composed many dance tunes like ‘Balintore Fishermen’, ‘Bill Meikle’s Reel’, ‘Broomhill’ and ‘The Braes of Auchterarder’. He is employed by the well-known Perthshire farmer, Gavin Strang, Ardargie Mains, Forgandenny.
Mickie Ainsworth (piano accordion) is a well-known soloist and duettist with Jimmy Blue, with whom he broadcasts regularly. Mickie, an expert arranger of all accordion music, is a music teacher in Perth.
Bert Smith (double bass) has been in the band since it was formed. He is an Income Tax official in Perth.
Arthur Easson (drums) was leader of the Glengarry Scottish Country Dance Band before joining Ian Powrie three years ago. Arthur lives in Callander, where he is a motor mechanic.
Pam Brough (piano) has been with the band for most of the time.
All the arranging is done by Ian. He has had a book of tunes published – “but I prefer to jog along until the need for a tune crops up”. Then, instead of browsing through books for hours, I compose one……”
Like all well-known bands Ian Powrie’s travels far. In addition to trips for TV appearances in ‘White Heather Club’ and ‘The Kilt is my Delight,’ Scottish Country Dance music broadcasts and ordinary dances in hamlets, glens and towns, they completed a 7,000-mile “tour in the summer”. This was with the BBC, recording and broadcasting for 13 Saturdays from village halls as far apart as Thurso and the Borders, Stornoway and Blairgowrie.
Mention of the Borders reminds Ian of a story against himself.
The band were playing for a dance in Wooler. In the interval one reveller tottered onto the floor with a soft hat pulled down over his ears – and eyes.
Before he had gone far someone tapped it off his head and soon it was being passed from foot to foot – a friendly kick-about, but rough on the hat.
The band had a grandstand view. As the ‘ball’ was kicked in the side when dancing recommenced, Ian commented that someone had had a fine hat ruined.
And that someone was himself – as he discovered at the end of the dance. The hat – “the most expensive I’ve ever owned” – had been bought in Perth just before the drive south.
At some dances, the watchers – or listeners – outnumber the dancers. In a hall in the north Ian was literally cornered and had to play one tune over and over while a local accordionist tried to master it by ear. The band have no favourite among their audiences. They like to play, ”whatever the people enjoy, the good old Scottish tunes,” but Ian admits they have a “soft spot for the glenners.”
Critic
Television he finds a tantalising medium, “Sometimes you think a show is going badly and find afterwards it was fine. Of course the opposite also happens.”
And on these occasions Mrs Powrie, like so many wives, can be the severest critic.
But for one ‘White Heather Club’ broadcast Ian was wholly dependent on his wife.
Because of a misunderstanding while the band were loading their instruments and luggage into the van, Ian drove off to Glasgow without his kilt or fiddle.
When Mrs Powrie discovered the omission and telephoned the BBC in Glasgow she decided the only way to get Ian’s clothes and instrument to him for the broadcast was to deliver them herself by train.
Children Ill
Fortunately Mrs Powrie, Senior, was able to look after the children, who were both in bed with chickenpox.
Mrs Powrie caught the train at Perth with seconds to spare.
When she reached the studio where the ‘White Heather Club’ rehearsal was going on she thought she would have difficulty in attracting Ian’s attention. The lights were all on the performers.
But as soon as she entered the studio he recognised her and rushed to meet her.
He had been scraping along manfully with a spare fiddle he carries in the van and a double bass bow.