Jim Muir (Obituary)
by Frank Farquharson
It is with regret we note that one of the most gifted pianists, Jim Muir, passed away on 4th November 2001
Born in Alyth, the eldest of three sons, Jim started lessons at the age of seven, his tutor neing Dr. Baldwin in Dundee. His musical talent even at that age showed through when, still in short trousers, he was playing to Bill Sutherland’s Country Dancers in Blairgowrie High School.
The next step was when brother Jack and he formed their own band to play at wee gigs around Alyth. This was noted and Jim duly sat at the piano in the Jim Cameron Band. He then went on to play with Hector McPhee, in Edinburgh. This led to the start of his broadcasting career, which spanned many years with Mickie Ainsworth, Jimmy Cassidy and Gordon Pattullo. The happiest of his playing years were spent in the Bobby Harvey Ceilidh Band; to quote Jim “The music is rubbish, but the patter’s guid.” As you will read below, Bobby does not agree!
During Bobby’s tribute to Jim at his funeral, he quoted Scott Skinner, who said “Talent does what it can, genius does what it must.”
First Fintry, and now Blairgowrie Clubs have lost one of the finest accompanists that ever graced the Scottish music scene. I am proud to say that I knew Jim as a musical genius, but sad to say I’ve lost a friend.
Box and Fiddle
December 2001
Born in Alyth, the eldest of three sons, Jim started lessons at the age of seven, his tutor neing Dr. Baldwin in Dundee. His musical talent even at that age showed through when, still in short trousers, he was playing to Bill Sutherland’s Country Dancers in Blairgowrie High School.
The next step was when brother Jack and he formed their own band to play at wee gigs around Alyth. This was noted and Jim duly sat at the piano in the Jim Cameron Band. He then went on to play with Hector McPhee, in Edinburgh. This led to the start of his broadcasting career, which spanned many years with Mickie Ainsworth, Jimmy Cassidy and Gordon Pattullo. The happiest of his playing years were spent in the Bobby Harvey Ceilidh Band; to quote Jim “The music is rubbish, but the patter’s guid.” As you will read below, Bobby does not agree!
During Bobby’s tribute to Jim at his funeral, he quoted Scott Skinner, who said “Talent does what it can, genius does what it must.”
First Fintry, and now Blairgowrie Clubs have lost one of the finest accompanists that ever graced the Scottish music scene. I am proud to say that I knew Jim as a musical genius, but sad to say I’ve lost a friend.
Box and Fiddle
December 2001