I first got to know Jimmy Shand a long time ago through my cousin George McKelvey who played second accordion in the band for twenty five years.
In 1964 when I went to Auchtermuchty to see him about an article on the band I was to write for Scots Magazine I realised a great deal more about his music than about the man himself.
Although, like all artistes, he is pleased to know that the entertainment he provides gives pleasure, at the same time he has never been happy under the spotlight for any longer than absolutely necessary.
As the public speaker is counselled to ‘stand up, speak up and shut up’ similarly it always seemed to be Jimmy’s aim to stand up, play up, then go home without further palaver.
I got a story from him in 1964, mainly I suspect because I was George’s cousin. Even so, it wasn’t that easy. Although his records were selling in thousands there was a great paucity of personal records. The marvelous musical memory had no interest in retaining dates, details of big occasions – a dance in a schoolhouse up some remote glen or glittering ball in a royal castle, they were all “just jobs” to him.
“Aye, Dave” I well remember him saying, “when I’m awa’ it’ll a’ dee wi’ me”.
This from a man who three times gained the Carl Alan Award for the Most Outstanding Country Dance Band Leader, who has been awarded the MBE, who has so often played before Royalty and who has himself been feted like a king on his tours……..A non-gambling man who had a racehorse on the other side of the world named after him (and it won for the first time when he backed it on an Australian tour) ; an abstemious man who has had a pub named after him…..
A book just had to be written about Jimmy Shand. I am proud to have had permission and co-operation.
Dundee, 1976 D. Phillips
In 1964 when I went to Auchtermuchty to see him about an article on the band I was to write for Scots Magazine I realised a great deal more about his music than about the man himself.
Although, like all artistes, he is pleased to know that the entertainment he provides gives pleasure, at the same time he has never been happy under the spotlight for any longer than absolutely necessary.
As the public speaker is counselled to ‘stand up, speak up and shut up’ similarly it always seemed to be Jimmy’s aim to stand up, play up, then go home without further palaver.
I got a story from him in 1964, mainly I suspect because I was George’s cousin. Even so, it wasn’t that easy. Although his records were selling in thousands there was a great paucity of personal records. The marvelous musical memory had no interest in retaining dates, details of big occasions – a dance in a schoolhouse up some remote glen or glittering ball in a royal castle, they were all “just jobs” to him.
“Aye, Dave” I well remember him saying, “when I’m awa’ it’ll a’ dee wi’ me”.
This from a man who three times gained the Carl Alan Award for the Most Outstanding Country Dance Band Leader, who has been awarded the MBE, who has so often played before Royalty and who has himself been feted like a king on his tours……..A non-gambling man who had a racehorse on the other side of the world named after him (and it won for the first time when he backed it on an Australian tour) ; an abstemious man who has had a pub named after him…..
A book just had to be written about Jimmy Shand. I am proud to have had permission and co-operation.
Dundee, 1976 D. Phillips