Ernie Cowie (27/06/1933 – 08/01/2009) Obituary
by
B&F May 2009
Ernie was born at Carcary Farm, Farnell in 1933. His family moved to West Cairnbeg, Kincardineshire where he spent his childhood and teenage years.
His love of music began when, at the age of 8, he found an old discarded single row, button-key box on the farm dump.
When he was 12 he had saved up £12 to buy a 2-row accordion, which he recalled with affection as “the box of his dreams.”
Four years on, at the age of 16, Ernie’s ability had improved in leaps and bounds and he cycled to Fordoun Station to collect his very first, brand new button-box, which he had ordered from Forbes of Dundee.
At 17 Ernie made his first public appearance with the late Bruce Stewart’s Band and he continued playing with other bands until, in the 1950s, his confidence growing, he finally formed his own very popular Scottish Dance Band.
Ernie was an outstanding musician who freely shared his talent with his many fans when playing in residential and nursing homes, hospitals, church clubs and OAP clubs, day care centres, village halls and fund-raising concerts.
Ernie had his own concert party but, when invited, played in others. He played as guest artiste in many venues, and Ernie was also a past President of the Montrose Accordion & Fiddle Club.
Ernie was a regular attendee at the annual Shand Morino Gathering held in Windygates. He always looked forward to meeting up with old friends, thoroughly enjoying the music and also the excellent hospitality provided for the occasion.
To celebrate his 65th birthday Ernie fulfilled a long-standing ambition by recording his first CD. The unique Shand Morino sound and the excellent keyboard backing of Graham Berry produced a delightful combination and gave many hours of listening pleasure to his many fans. The CD also included Ernie’s first compositions. Over the ensuing years, six more CDs followed, each containing more of his compositions. When Ernie retired from business in 2001 he continued his playing. Together with his wife Margaret, and his ‘box’ always with him, he toured the length and breadth of Scotland in their caravan. Whenever possible they visited Accordion and Fiddle Clubs in the area and, in the process, made many good friends.
Ernie was a dearly loved husband and a kind and caring friend and will be sadly missed..
His love of music began when, at the age of 8, he found an old discarded single row, button-key box on the farm dump.
When he was 12 he had saved up £12 to buy a 2-row accordion, which he recalled with affection as “the box of his dreams.”
Four years on, at the age of 16, Ernie’s ability had improved in leaps and bounds and he cycled to Fordoun Station to collect his very first, brand new button-box, which he had ordered from Forbes of Dundee.
At 17 Ernie made his first public appearance with the late Bruce Stewart’s Band and he continued playing with other bands until, in the 1950s, his confidence growing, he finally formed his own very popular Scottish Dance Band.
Ernie was an outstanding musician who freely shared his talent with his many fans when playing in residential and nursing homes, hospitals, church clubs and OAP clubs, day care centres, village halls and fund-raising concerts.
Ernie had his own concert party but, when invited, played in others. He played as guest artiste in many venues, and Ernie was also a past President of the Montrose Accordion & Fiddle Club.
Ernie was a regular attendee at the annual Shand Morino Gathering held in Windygates. He always looked forward to meeting up with old friends, thoroughly enjoying the music and also the excellent hospitality provided for the occasion.
To celebrate his 65th birthday Ernie fulfilled a long-standing ambition by recording his first CD. The unique Shand Morino sound and the excellent keyboard backing of Graham Berry produced a delightful combination and gave many hours of listening pleasure to his many fans. The CD also included Ernie’s first compositions. Over the ensuing years, six more CDs followed, each containing more of his compositions. When Ernie retired from business in 2001 he continued his playing. Together with his wife Margaret, and his ‘box’ always with him, he toured the length and breadth of Scotland in their caravan. Whenever possible they visited Accordion and Fiddle Clubs in the area and, in the process, made many good friends.
Ernie was a dearly loved husband and a kind and caring friend and will be sadly missed..