In Memory –
Dochie MacCallum (1923 – 2020)
by Charlie Kirkpatrick
B&F November 2020
With the passing of Dochie MacCallum our music scene has lost not only one of the finest exponents of the Shand Morino accordion but a fine person and a true gentleman in every sense of the word.
Dochie lived all his life in the Loch Lomond area and music was always important to him. He taught himself to play the button-key accordion when young and after owning several small accordions he eventually purchased his beloved Shand Morino. It was a natural progression to start playing in dance bands and in time Dochie joined and became an integral part of the Hamish Menzies SDB. Engagements all over Scotland and England followed along with many broadcasts.
With the advent of the Accordion & Fiddle Club scene, Dochie would regularly attend the MAFIA Club as well as the Balloch and Fintry Clubs. Dochie then went on to perform as a guest artiste at many Clubs along with his great musical friends – ‘the heavy team’ as he called them – Neil MacMillan, Ricky Franci and Gus Millar. In recognition of his contribution to our music, Dochie was Guest of Honour at our annual Celebrity Luncheon in June 2019 and never was an honour more richly deserved. At the luncheon, he gave a heartfelt acceptance speech and after the official part of the proceedings, in true Dochie style, he sat down and played for about two hours. The hotel staff had to move him out so they could get the place set up for the following day.
In July of this year, Dochie suffered a broken hip after a fall at home and this necessitated a lengthy spell in the Forth Valley Hospital where his health deteriorated and he passed away on 12th October 2020. An indication of the respect and esteem in which dochie was held was apparent when his death was announced on social media: “a proper gentleman”, “kind, unassuming, modest guy”, “such a lovely guy” and “although Dochie is no longer with us the tunes and the happy times will live on” are just some of the many, many tributes which were paid to him. His passing will be keenly felt not only by his sister Cathy and family but also in the MacMillan household where he was treated as one of the family. No-one could have done more for him than Neil and Fiona and this must surely be a comfort to them at this time.
Dochie, we will miss your great music and your company; but when we come to think of you, we will smile. Gus am bris an Iatha, Dochie.
Dochie lived all his life in the Loch Lomond area and music was always important to him. He taught himself to play the button-key accordion when young and after owning several small accordions he eventually purchased his beloved Shand Morino. It was a natural progression to start playing in dance bands and in time Dochie joined and became an integral part of the Hamish Menzies SDB. Engagements all over Scotland and England followed along with many broadcasts.
With the advent of the Accordion & Fiddle Club scene, Dochie would regularly attend the MAFIA Club as well as the Balloch and Fintry Clubs. Dochie then went on to perform as a guest artiste at many Clubs along with his great musical friends – ‘the heavy team’ as he called them – Neil MacMillan, Ricky Franci and Gus Millar. In recognition of his contribution to our music, Dochie was Guest of Honour at our annual Celebrity Luncheon in June 2019 and never was an honour more richly deserved. At the luncheon, he gave a heartfelt acceptance speech and after the official part of the proceedings, in true Dochie style, he sat down and played for about two hours. The hotel staff had to move him out so they could get the place set up for the following day.
In July of this year, Dochie suffered a broken hip after a fall at home and this necessitated a lengthy spell in the Forth Valley Hospital where his health deteriorated and he passed away on 12th October 2020. An indication of the respect and esteem in which dochie was held was apparent when his death was announced on social media: “a proper gentleman”, “kind, unassuming, modest guy”, “such a lovely guy” and “although Dochie is no longer with us the tunes and the happy times will live on” are just some of the many, many tributes which were paid to him. His passing will be keenly felt not only by his sister Cathy and family but also in the MacMillan household where he was treated as one of the family. No-one could have done more for him than Neil and Fiona and this must surely be a comfort to them at this time.
Dochie, we will miss your great music and your company; but when we come to think of you, we will smile. Gus am bris an Iatha, Dochie.