Graham Ross
by Murdo MacLeod
This month Livingston A&F Club feature a musician who will be instantly recognised as one of the best British Chromatic players on the circuit – he is, of course, Graham Ross, leader of the Strathalmond SDB.
Hailing originally from Tain in Easter-Ross, Graham has been living in the Livingston area for the past 17 years, although his roots are still deeply in the Highlands!
Whilst well known on the Scottish music circuit, it could equally have been a niche in the world of the racing cyclist that might have been Graham’s claim to fame. Modest by nature, his talents as a first-class professional cyclist are rarely, if ever, mentioned.
Following in his father’s tracks, to coin a phrase, he showed early promise, when at 12 years of age he came 4th in the Open – yes Open – at Invergordon Highland Games. This was for a three-mile sprint. It was not only in music that his time is good!
Following this, he became Junior North of Scotland one mile Champion which he held for four years until he moved with his work to the South of Scotland.
Just before leaving the cycle world at the ripe old age of 18, he was runner-up for the Scottish Championship to John Ward of Dunfermline, a well-known name in the profession.
It is of interest in the passing that Graham’s late father, Alex Ross, himself a highly respected musician, was a noted professional cyclist, having established a five-mile Scottish track record (grass) which stood until the change in the status of the competition from professional to amateur.
Receiving some tuition on the piano and showing an early aptitude for the small double-row melodeon, it was obvious that Graham has inherited the family talent for music – on both sides – the Olivers as well as the Rosses.
The piano, sad to say, was forgotten in the new found interest for the box. However, and this is the really amazing part of the story, he gave up playing whilst still only a boy and did not really seriously take it up until the setting-up of the Livingston A&F Club . And his first ‘gig’ took place only in the spring of 1975. Since then he has built round himself a very respectable band comprising Derek MacLeod (fiddle), Neil Barron (keyboard) and Graham Jamieson (drums).
The very crisp, precise playing which characterises this band, has led them to a very successful broadcast last year with the BBC. A crowning achievement, surely, for any bandleader? The final tune played on this memorable evening was ’Mr and Mrs Alex Ross’ the tune composed by John McGregor for Graham’s mother and late father.
Passionately keen on the pipe music, it has to be Fraser McGlynn he looks on as his idol. The respect they hold for each other was seen when the band were asked to guest at the Dalriada Club recently.
The band have made one cassette – ‘Ceilidh Night’ – but not for commercial release. We look forward to a more commercially-minded one now! With umpteen guest spots at Clubs to their credit – indeed as we write this the band are getting in order for Lesmahagow Club – Country Dance Rallies in the offing and local dances, the band have got things going their way.
Over the years Graham Ross has played unpaid for many a charity and has supported the Club consistently from the beginning. It was a matter of satisfaction for all his friends therefore when he won with his band the prestigious cup for the top band at the National Association’s Musselburgh Festival in 1981.
It is pleasing too to note in passing that Graham has, as it were, continued with the same instrument where his late musician father left off prematurely a number of years ago and done it so well.
We look forward to many more years of Graham’s company at our new venue and join in thanking him for the times he has responded to the call ‘You are on next, Graham’.
Box and Fiddle
February 1983
Hailing originally from Tain in Easter-Ross, Graham has been living in the Livingston area for the past 17 years, although his roots are still deeply in the Highlands!
Whilst well known on the Scottish music circuit, it could equally have been a niche in the world of the racing cyclist that might have been Graham’s claim to fame. Modest by nature, his talents as a first-class professional cyclist are rarely, if ever, mentioned.
Following in his father’s tracks, to coin a phrase, he showed early promise, when at 12 years of age he came 4th in the Open – yes Open – at Invergordon Highland Games. This was for a three-mile sprint. It was not only in music that his time is good!
Following this, he became Junior North of Scotland one mile Champion which he held for four years until he moved with his work to the South of Scotland.
Just before leaving the cycle world at the ripe old age of 18, he was runner-up for the Scottish Championship to John Ward of Dunfermline, a well-known name in the profession.
It is of interest in the passing that Graham’s late father, Alex Ross, himself a highly respected musician, was a noted professional cyclist, having established a five-mile Scottish track record (grass) which stood until the change in the status of the competition from professional to amateur.
Receiving some tuition on the piano and showing an early aptitude for the small double-row melodeon, it was obvious that Graham has inherited the family talent for music – on both sides – the Olivers as well as the Rosses.
The piano, sad to say, was forgotten in the new found interest for the box. However, and this is the really amazing part of the story, he gave up playing whilst still only a boy and did not really seriously take it up until the setting-up of the Livingston A&F Club . And his first ‘gig’ took place only in the spring of 1975. Since then he has built round himself a very respectable band comprising Derek MacLeod (fiddle), Neil Barron (keyboard) and Graham Jamieson (drums).
The very crisp, precise playing which characterises this band, has led them to a very successful broadcast last year with the BBC. A crowning achievement, surely, for any bandleader? The final tune played on this memorable evening was ’Mr and Mrs Alex Ross’ the tune composed by John McGregor for Graham’s mother and late father.
Passionately keen on the pipe music, it has to be Fraser McGlynn he looks on as his idol. The respect they hold for each other was seen when the band were asked to guest at the Dalriada Club recently.
The band have made one cassette – ‘Ceilidh Night’ – but not for commercial release. We look forward to a more commercially-minded one now! With umpteen guest spots at Clubs to their credit – indeed as we write this the band are getting in order for Lesmahagow Club – Country Dance Rallies in the offing and local dances, the band have got things going their way.
Over the years Graham Ross has played unpaid for many a charity and has supported the Club consistently from the beginning. It was a matter of satisfaction for all his friends therefore when he won with his band the prestigious cup for the top band at the National Association’s Musselburgh Festival in 1981.
It is pleasing too to note in passing that Graham has, as it were, continued with the same instrument where his late musician father left off prematurely a number of years ago and done it so well.
We look forward to many more years of Graham’s company at our new venue and join in thanking him for the times he has responded to the call ‘You are on next, Graham’.
Box and Fiddle
February 1983