Box and Fiddle
Year 04 No 02
October 1980
Price 15p
8 pages
8 month subscription £2.25
Editor – Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer Tele 4098
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Mary Plunkett, 2 Dounan Road, Dunragit, Wigtownshire
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Our new B&F Treasurer, Mrs Plunkett, is very keen to try and do a good job and it would be extremely helpful if Club Treasurers would settle their accounts promptly. She would also like it to be known that no receipts for Club papers will be sent back each month, instead they will be returned at the end of the season en bloc. This will be a considerable saving on postage.
Association Secretary Andrew Nairn says that the Association ties are now ready. Why not give one as a Christmas present . Andrew will give the colours and prices.
Scots Fiddler plays in American Senate
By ?
Ron Gonella, one of Scotland’s finest and most experienced exponents of the fiddle, met Senator Byrd while on holiday in Washington last year.
Byrd, majority leader of the US Senate, and himself a master of the fiddle, invited Ron to visit him in the Senate building on Capitol Hill, having previously heard one of Ron’s earlier LPs through Ron’s cousin John Gonella who was on the Senator’s personal staff after his White House appointment as PRO with Lyndon Johnston came to an end with the President’s retiral.
“Before I knew what was happening” said Ron “Robert Byrd had locked the door of his suite of offices, and with his staff gathered round, asked me to play a medley of tunes. For the next hour and a half the corridors of power were ringing to my fiddle music! It was an unforgettable experience”.
Tribute to Senator
The Senator has become one of Ron’s staunchest fans and now, in composing the tribute to the Senator, Ron has done so in an idiom which allows Robert Byrd to play the reel in his own famous Virginia blue grass style.
“As majority leader of the Senate, Robert Byrd is in great demand at political functions all over the States and I’m sure he’ll be giving my tune a good airing in front of his own audiences” Ron says.
This will be Ron Gonella’s seventh album of Scottish fiddle music and all of them consist of vintage fiddle music, but with each album devoted to a particular aspect of the subject. What Ron has done is to keep alive, through his recordings, the musical fiddle heritage of Scotland from the Golden Age of fiddle music from 1750 to around 1850.
With his classical training allied to rich maturity of tone and musicianship, Ron Gonella’s playing style has endeared him to audiences all over Britain, and in America and Canada too, where he is a welcome figure on stage.
Distinctive Sound
Although only 49, Ron is already a veteran broadcaster, having made his radio debut in 1951. Since then his distinctive fiddle sound has been heard regularly on the Scottish airwaves and he has just finished recording his own series of BBC radio programmes called ‘Ron on the Fiddle’ when he talked about and played music of some of the fiddle masters of the past.
Ron was born in Dundee and belongs to a well known Italian family. His grandfather Francesco Gonella, came from Barga in Tuscany to settle in the city on the Tay towards the end of the 1800’s.
Ron, who teaches at Morrison’s Academy in the Perthshire town of Crieff, has also just published his second collection of fiddle music. This book is a printed selection of fiddle music recorded by Ron on the Lismor label and contains many tunes not otherwise obtainable in print. The tunes are harmonized and are conveniently arranged in sets for competition and concert work.
Ron can be contacted at 27 Sauchie Place, Crieff Tel Crieff (0764) 3675
‘The Scottish Fiddle Master’ Ron Gonella (Lismor Cat No 5099) A Scot’s fiddler’s latest album contains a tune especially composed for a distinguished American Senator. The reel ‘Ron Gonella’s Compliments to Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia’ may soon become a foot-tapper for American audiences.
Grampian is Top of the Pops
by Ian Smith
TV should be of the people, by the people and for the people. The only station that seems to be doing just that is Grampian. No wonder it is so popular when it gives its viewers what they want. Take note BBC, STV and especially Border, which is supposed to cater for both sides of the Border.
As you watch the wee screen……………………..
Accordions Galore
by Ian Smith
Before the actual grand concert in the Civic Centre, Motherwell all the heats for the Will Starr Memorial Shield had been gone through. Everyone at this competition was knocked out by the standard of competitors. The two adjudicators, who are music teachers, Mrs Thomson and Mr McKay, finally announced the three finalists who would be competing for the shield at the concert. They are Diane Armstrong (10) from Armadale ; Ian Skinner (12) from Blackridge and Gary Blair from Glasgow.
A fourth entrant, who although not competing will be playing at the concert, is Edward Galley, Forfar.
The organizers wish to take this opportunity to thank all the competitors and trust they will all try again next year.
The cast for the concert is now to hand and it’s some do. Top of the bill – Andy Paterson, button box, from Canada ; Jimmy Blair and his Accordion Orchestra ; the Johnson Highland Dancers ; John Morgan – piano accordion ; Jim Duffy – Country & Western star ; the Croy Miners Male Voice Choir ; the Duffy Irish Dancers with St Roch’s Ceilidh Band ; Farda Buddie to sing for us and the finalists.
If this doesn’t satisfy accordion lovers, nothing will.
First FOY
Next May (1981), Shetland is holding its first Folk Festival which not only promises to be an exciting and unique musical event……………
Dutch Visitors for Glasgow
Jimmy Blair of accordion fame and his first-rate organization are going to be very busy shortly.
Over a hundred young accordionists and parents of the Rotterdam Philharmonika Orchestra are coming to visit Glasgow and there will be bus tours and parties.
This is in return for a visit to Rotterdam last year by Jimmy and his Orchestra. They will be taken care of by Jimmy’s Parent Association. So a good time will be had by all.
Kelso Triumphs Again
by ?
For a small town, Kelso A&F Club put it on the map with a show worthy of the likes of Glasgow. In the spacious Tait Hall the Club presented their annual concert. Over 500 gathered to hear the best in accordion music as purveyed by the Master, Bobby MacLeod. This was Bobby at his best and it was worth every mile of the 150 to be there.
The concert was ably compered by Fred Calvert, all the way from Alnwick, and a right good job he did, keeping the jokes going and trying everything together neatly and so professionally.
He introduced the first act, the Billy Anderson Trio, Neil Campbell (guitar) from Portree, ON DRUMS Jim Benn and Billy himself on accordion. He hails from St Andrews. Inside ten seconds the feet were going and the hands were clapping as they brought the show in with a swing. Later, Billy introduced a pretty miss, Margaret MacLeod, Gaelic singer, who had won the Mod at Oban in 1970. Not only with the Gaelic, but also with Country & Western and pop stuff – a great act. This was followed by that Border genius of the fiddle, Jeff Purvis. He was accompanied by Alan Brown on piano and Ian Wilson on drums. The pace got even greater with this trio. At times I swear his bow gave off steam or was it smoke?
John Dickson and his band then accompanied Scottish singer Robin Gourlay as he sang the old and new tunes. This then brought to the fore the Master, Bobby MacLeod. With his flowing music, lilting waltzes, lively jigs and reels, he brought the first half to a very successful conclusion with the audience humming and singing in the pleasure.
The second half started with a bang as Billy and the boys let rip with ‘The Peanut Vendor’, ‘Cuckoo Wlatz’ and some Country and Western bringing back Margaret for another session. Fred Calvert proved he was more than a compere. He filled a 20 minute spot with some hilarious material and if Jeff Purvis and his group were great in the first half they were fantastic in the second. So also was Robin Gourlay and his group. Each group left the audience that bit higher so that when Bobby MacLeod from Tobermory took the stage for the second time the audience were ripe and ready to be royally entertained by him.
No one will ever forget Bobby this night. He was in perfect harmony with the audience and with this he produced the music that made him famous. With everyone singing their hearts out, he brought this concert to a very successful conclusion. This show should have been taped and great credit must go to the Kelso officials for their efforts to please us, the punters. The ladies also deserve praise for their part in the organization of the raffle sales, light refreshments and teas.
The Reel Radio
by Derek Hamilton
No report this month
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
Lex Keith and his SDB – Lismor LILP5105
By no means the best record on the market, but it does contain some good tunes.
There’s a wee bit of a story attached to this album. Half the tracks were recorded at a session early last year. The studio, Black Gold Record Productions of Kirkintilloch, was broken into and gear was stolen. It was about nine months before the other half was recorded. See if you can spot which was recorded when!
Again, no credits are given as to the line-up, but I happen to know that Robin Brock is on bass, Gus Millar on drums, Pam Wilkie on piano, Jack Delaney on second box and, I think, Bob Christie on fiddle.
The Sound of Moray – The Moray Players – Agenda GM 80031
Second Chance – The Wallochmore Ceilidh Band – Lapwing LAP 104
The Daily Record Golden fiddle Awards (1980) – Bluebell BBR 131
Double First – Kenny Thomson and the Wardlaw SDB – Ayrespin AYR101
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) – 28th Oct 80 Robert Whitehead
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Menzies Jubilee Club - Bathgate) -
Balloch (Griffin Hotel) – 19th Oct 80 John Huband and the Tayside Sound
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) – 10th Nov 80 Max Houliston
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) – 22nd Oct 80 Ian Holmes
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) -
Cumbria (Huntsman Inn – Penton) –
Cumnock (Tup Inn) –
Derwentside (Royal British Legion, Consett)
Dumfries (Oughton’s)
Dunblane (Hydro) – 21st Oct 80 Paddy Neary 11th Nov 80 Jim Johnstone SDB
Dundee (Royal Central Hotel) –
Dunfermline (Crusaders Hall) – 4th Nov 80 George Bell SDB
East Kilbride (Stuart Hotel) – 30th Oct 80 Alex MacArthur SDB
Falkirk (Plough Hotel, Stenhousemuir) –
Forres (Brig Motel) – 22nd Oct 80 Basket Supper and Dance with Stuart Anderson 12th Nov 80 Gardon Pattullo
Fort William (Highland Hotel) – 21st Oct 80 Currie Brothers
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club, Galston) -
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) – 20th Oct 80 Jimmy Lindsay
Kelso (Cross Key’s Hotel) –
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 5th Nov 80 Florence & Mackie Burns
Langholm (Crown Hotel)
Lesmahagow (Craignethan Hotel) -
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) – 28th Oct 80 Bruce Turnbull + a few of Fife S&R Society
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) – 6th Nov 80 Willie Simpson Trio
Monklands (Georgian Hotel, Coatbridge) –
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel)
North East (Seafield Arms, Keith) – 4th Nov 80 Graeme Mitchell
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?)
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) – 3rd Nov 80 Billy Anderson Trio
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel)
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Armadale
Armadale A&F Club held their first meeting on 24th September when a large crowd were entertained by guest artists Graham Ross and the Strathalmond SDB.
Local players were well represented and included on accordion – Michael Winn, Lyn Shanks, Yvonne Mathieson, Willie McFarlane, Arthur Brown and the duo Graham Edwardson and David Wilson.
Line-up in the Strathalmond was Graham Ross (three tow button), Andrew Knight (fiddle), John Gibson (keyboard) and Graham Jamieson (drums).
Thanks again for a great evenings entertainment provided free by the Strathalmond on the occasion of our opening night and thanks to Menzies for their donation to Club funds.
Stewart Lochie
2. Alnwick
3. Balloch
4. Beith
5. Castle Douglas
6. Derwentside
7. Dunblane
8. Dundee & District
9. East Kilbride
The first night of the EK A&F Club 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).
Grant Crawford
10. Falkirk
11. Forres
12. Highland
13. Kintore
14. Livingston
15. M.A.F.I.A.
16. Monklands
17. Newtongrange
18. North Cumbria
19. North East
20. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare
21. Shetland
22. Stranraer
23. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1980 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1980) originally called Bathgate Club
4. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1971)
5. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
6. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
7. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1971)
8. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
11. Coupar Angus A&F Club
12. Cumnock A&F Club
13. Derwentside A&F Club
14. Dingwall & District (Aug 1979)
15. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s) (April 1965)
16. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
17. Dundee & District A&F Club
18. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
19. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
20. Falkirk A&F Club
21. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
22. Fort William A&F Club (Oct 1980)
23. Galston A&F Club
24. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
25. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
26. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
27. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
28 Kintore A&F Club
29 Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
30 Lesmahagow A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
31Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973)
32 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
33 M.A.F.I.A.
34 Monklands A&F Club
35 Newcastleton Accordion Club
36 Newtongrange A&F Club (Oct 1977)
37 Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
38 New Cumnock A&F Club
39 North Cumbria A&F Club
40 North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
41Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
42 Orkney A&F Club
43 Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
44 Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
45 Rothbury Accordion Club (Feb 1974)
46 Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
47 Stranraer & District Accordion Club
48 Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
49 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
50. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
51. Coquetdale
52. Club Accord
53. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
54. Fintry A&F Club
55. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
56 Renfrew A&F Club
57. Straiton Accordion Club (opened? 3rd club to open – closed March 1979)
58. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £70
Half Page - £35
Quarter Page - £17.50
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Mary Plunkett, 2 Dounan Road, Dunragit, Wigtownshire
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Our new B&F Treasurer, Mrs Plunkett, is very keen to try and do a good job and it would be extremely helpful if Club Treasurers would settle their accounts promptly. She would also like it to be known that no receipts for Club papers will be sent back each month, instead they will be returned at the end of the season en bloc. This will be a considerable saving on postage.
Association Secretary Andrew Nairn says that the Association ties are now ready. Why not give one as a Christmas present . Andrew will give the colours and prices.
Scots Fiddler plays in American Senate
By ?
Ron Gonella, one of Scotland’s finest and most experienced exponents of the fiddle, met Senator Byrd while on holiday in Washington last year.
Byrd, majority leader of the US Senate, and himself a master of the fiddle, invited Ron to visit him in the Senate building on Capitol Hill, having previously heard one of Ron’s earlier LPs through Ron’s cousin John Gonella who was on the Senator’s personal staff after his White House appointment as PRO with Lyndon Johnston came to an end with the President’s retiral.
“Before I knew what was happening” said Ron “Robert Byrd had locked the door of his suite of offices, and with his staff gathered round, asked me to play a medley of tunes. For the next hour and a half the corridors of power were ringing to my fiddle music! It was an unforgettable experience”.
Tribute to Senator
The Senator has become one of Ron’s staunchest fans and now, in composing the tribute to the Senator, Ron has done so in an idiom which allows Robert Byrd to play the reel in his own famous Virginia blue grass style.
“As majority leader of the Senate, Robert Byrd is in great demand at political functions all over the States and I’m sure he’ll be giving my tune a good airing in front of his own audiences” Ron says.
This will be Ron Gonella’s seventh album of Scottish fiddle music and all of them consist of vintage fiddle music, but with each album devoted to a particular aspect of the subject. What Ron has done is to keep alive, through his recordings, the musical fiddle heritage of Scotland from the Golden Age of fiddle music from 1750 to around 1850.
With his classical training allied to rich maturity of tone and musicianship, Ron Gonella’s playing style has endeared him to audiences all over Britain, and in America and Canada too, where he is a welcome figure on stage.
Distinctive Sound
Although only 49, Ron is already a veteran broadcaster, having made his radio debut in 1951. Since then his distinctive fiddle sound has been heard regularly on the Scottish airwaves and he has just finished recording his own series of BBC radio programmes called ‘Ron on the Fiddle’ when he talked about and played music of some of the fiddle masters of the past.
Ron was born in Dundee and belongs to a well known Italian family. His grandfather Francesco Gonella, came from Barga in Tuscany to settle in the city on the Tay towards the end of the 1800’s.
Ron, who teaches at Morrison’s Academy in the Perthshire town of Crieff, has also just published his second collection of fiddle music. This book is a printed selection of fiddle music recorded by Ron on the Lismor label and contains many tunes not otherwise obtainable in print. The tunes are harmonized and are conveniently arranged in sets for competition and concert work.
Ron can be contacted at 27 Sauchie Place, Crieff Tel Crieff (0764) 3675
‘The Scottish Fiddle Master’ Ron Gonella (Lismor Cat No 5099) A Scot’s fiddler’s latest album contains a tune especially composed for a distinguished American Senator. The reel ‘Ron Gonella’s Compliments to Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia’ may soon become a foot-tapper for American audiences.
Grampian is Top of the Pops
by Ian Smith
TV should be of the people, by the people and for the people. The only station that seems to be doing just that is Grampian. No wonder it is so popular when it gives its viewers what they want. Take note BBC, STV and especially Border, which is supposed to cater for both sides of the Border.
As you watch the wee screen……………………..
Accordions Galore
by Ian Smith
Before the actual grand concert in the Civic Centre, Motherwell all the heats for the Will Starr Memorial Shield had been gone through. Everyone at this competition was knocked out by the standard of competitors. The two adjudicators, who are music teachers, Mrs Thomson and Mr McKay, finally announced the three finalists who would be competing for the shield at the concert. They are Diane Armstrong (10) from Armadale ; Ian Skinner (12) from Blackridge and Gary Blair from Glasgow.
A fourth entrant, who although not competing will be playing at the concert, is Edward Galley, Forfar.
The organizers wish to take this opportunity to thank all the competitors and trust they will all try again next year.
The cast for the concert is now to hand and it’s some do. Top of the bill – Andy Paterson, button box, from Canada ; Jimmy Blair and his Accordion Orchestra ; the Johnson Highland Dancers ; John Morgan – piano accordion ; Jim Duffy – Country & Western star ; the Croy Miners Male Voice Choir ; the Duffy Irish Dancers with St Roch’s Ceilidh Band ; Farda Buddie to sing for us and the finalists.
If this doesn’t satisfy accordion lovers, nothing will.
First FOY
Next May (1981), Shetland is holding its first Folk Festival which not only promises to be an exciting and unique musical event……………
Dutch Visitors for Glasgow
Jimmy Blair of accordion fame and his first-rate organization are going to be very busy shortly.
Over a hundred young accordionists and parents of the Rotterdam Philharmonika Orchestra are coming to visit Glasgow and there will be bus tours and parties.
This is in return for a visit to Rotterdam last year by Jimmy and his Orchestra. They will be taken care of by Jimmy’s Parent Association. So a good time will be had by all.
Kelso Triumphs Again
by ?
For a small town, Kelso A&F Club put it on the map with a show worthy of the likes of Glasgow. In the spacious Tait Hall the Club presented their annual concert. Over 500 gathered to hear the best in accordion music as purveyed by the Master, Bobby MacLeod. This was Bobby at his best and it was worth every mile of the 150 to be there.
The concert was ably compered by Fred Calvert, all the way from Alnwick, and a right good job he did, keeping the jokes going and trying everything together neatly and so professionally.
He introduced the first act, the Billy Anderson Trio, Neil Campbell (guitar) from Portree, ON DRUMS Jim Benn and Billy himself on accordion. He hails from St Andrews. Inside ten seconds the feet were going and the hands were clapping as they brought the show in with a swing. Later, Billy introduced a pretty miss, Margaret MacLeod, Gaelic singer, who had won the Mod at Oban in 1970. Not only with the Gaelic, but also with Country & Western and pop stuff – a great act. This was followed by that Border genius of the fiddle, Jeff Purvis. He was accompanied by Alan Brown on piano and Ian Wilson on drums. The pace got even greater with this trio. At times I swear his bow gave off steam or was it smoke?
John Dickson and his band then accompanied Scottish singer Robin Gourlay as he sang the old and new tunes. This then brought to the fore the Master, Bobby MacLeod. With his flowing music, lilting waltzes, lively jigs and reels, he brought the first half to a very successful conclusion with the audience humming and singing in the pleasure.
The second half started with a bang as Billy and the boys let rip with ‘The Peanut Vendor’, ‘Cuckoo Wlatz’ and some Country and Western bringing back Margaret for another session. Fred Calvert proved he was more than a compere. He filled a 20 minute spot with some hilarious material and if Jeff Purvis and his group were great in the first half they were fantastic in the second. So also was Robin Gourlay and his group. Each group left the audience that bit higher so that when Bobby MacLeod from Tobermory took the stage for the second time the audience were ripe and ready to be royally entertained by him.
No one will ever forget Bobby this night. He was in perfect harmony with the audience and with this he produced the music that made him famous. With everyone singing their hearts out, he brought this concert to a very successful conclusion. This show should have been taped and great credit must go to the Kelso officials for their efforts to please us, the punters. The ladies also deserve praise for their part in the organization of the raffle sales, light refreshments and teas.
The Reel Radio
by Derek Hamilton
No report this month
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
Lex Keith and his SDB – Lismor LILP5105
By no means the best record on the market, but it does contain some good tunes.
There’s a wee bit of a story attached to this album. Half the tracks were recorded at a session early last year. The studio, Black Gold Record Productions of Kirkintilloch, was broken into and gear was stolen. It was about nine months before the other half was recorded. See if you can spot which was recorded when!
Again, no credits are given as to the line-up, but I happen to know that Robin Brock is on bass, Gus Millar on drums, Pam Wilkie on piano, Jack Delaney on second box and, I think, Bob Christie on fiddle.
The Sound of Moray – The Moray Players – Agenda GM 80031
Second Chance – The Wallochmore Ceilidh Band – Lapwing LAP 104
The Daily Record Golden fiddle Awards (1980) – Bluebell BBR 131
Double First – Kenny Thomson and the Wardlaw SDB – Ayrespin AYR101
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) – 28th Oct 80 Robert Whitehead
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Menzies Jubilee Club - Bathgate) -
Balloch (Griffin Hotel) – 19th Oct 80 John Huband and the Tayside Sound
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) – 10th Nov 80 Max Houliston
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) – 22nd Oct 80 Ian Holmes
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) -
Cumbria (Huntsman Inn – Penton) –
Cumnock (Tup Inn) –
Derwentside (Royal British Legion, Consett)
Dumfries (Oughton’s)
Dunblane (Hydro) – 21st Oct 80 Paddy Neary 11th Nov 80 Jim Johnstone SDB
Dundee (Royal Central Hotel) –
Dunfermline (Crusaders Hall) – 4th Nov 80 George Bell SDB
East Kilbride (Stuart Hotel) – 30th Oct 80 Alex MacArthur SDB
Falkirk (Plough Hotel, Stenhousemuir) –
Forres (Brig Motel) – 22nd Oct 80 Basket Supper and Dance with Stuart Anderson 12th Nov 80 Gardon Pattullo
Fort William (Highland Hotel) – 21st Oct 80 Currie Brothers
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club, Galston) -
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) – 20th Oct 80 Jimmy Lindsay
Kelso (Cross Key’s Hotel) –
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 5th Nov 80 Florence & Mackie Burns
Langholm (Crown Hotel)
Lesmahagow (Craignethan Hotel) -
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) – 28th Oct 80 Bruce Turnbull + a few of Fife S&R Society
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) – 6th Nov 80 Willie Simpson Trio
Monklands (Georgian Hotel, Coatbridge) –
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel)
North East (Seafield Arms, Keith) – 4th Nov 80 Graeme Mitchell
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?)
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) – 3rd Nov 80 Billy Anderson Trio
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel)
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Armadale
Armadale A&F Club held their first meeting on 24th September when a large crowd were entertained by guest artists Graham Ross and the Strathalmond SDB.
Local players were well represented and included on accordion – Michael Winn, Lyn Shanks, Yvonne Mathieson, Willie McFarlane, Arthur Brown and the duo Graham Edwardson and David Wilson.
Line-up in the Strathalmond was Graham Ross (three tow button), Andrew Knight (fiddle), John Gibson (keyboard) and Graham Jamieson (drums).
Thanks again for a great evenings entertainment provided free by the Strathalmond on the occasion of our opening night and thanks to Menzies for their donation to Club funds.
Stewart Lochie
2. Alnwick
3. Balloch
4. Beith
5. Castle Douglas
6. Derwentside
7. Dunblane
8. Dundee & District
9. East Kilbride
The first night of the EK A&F Club 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).
Grant Crawford
10. Falkirk
11. Forres
12. Highland
13. Kintore
14. Livingston
15. M.A.F.I.A.
16. Monklands
17. Newtongrange
18. North Cumbria
19. North East
20. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare
21. Shetland
22. Stranraer
23. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1980 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1980) originally called Bathgate Club
4. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1971)
5. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
6. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
7. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1971)
8. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
11. Coupar Angus A&F Club
12. Cumnock A&F Club
13. Derwentside A&F Club
14. Dingwall & District (Aug 1979)
15. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s) (April 1965)
16. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
17. Dundee & District A&F Club
18. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
19. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
20. Falkirk A&F Club
21. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
22. Fort William A&F Club (Oct 1980)
23. Galston A&F Club
24. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
25. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
26. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
27. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
28 Kintore A&F Club
29 Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
30 Lesmahagow A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
31Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973)
32 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
33 M.A.F.I.A.
34 Monklands A&F Club
35 Newcastleton Accordion Club
36 Newtongrange A&F Club (Oct 1977)
37 Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
38 New Cumnock A&F Club
39 North Cumbria A&F Club
40 North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
41Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
42 Orkney A&F Club
43 Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
44 Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
45 Rothbury Accordion Club (Feb 1974)
46 Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
47 Stranraer & District Accordion Club
48 Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
49 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
50. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
51. Coquetdale
52. Club Accord
53. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
54. Fintry A&F Club
55. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
56 Renfrew A&F Club
57. Straiton Accordion Club (opened? 3rd club to open – closed March 1979)
58. Wellbank A&F Club
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