Hebbie Gray (13/10/1929 – 11/05/2018)
by Keith Gray
B&F August 2018
Two things were important to Dad: his music and his family. He had just turned 30 when he married Mum and they would have been married for 59 years this October. He started playing the fiddle aged 4 and played right up until weeks before he passed. Music was Dad’s life and the pleasure he gained from entertaining others was obvious.
However, in the early years of married life with the five children to support, music was primarily a means of providing for the family. Dad was always out playing at dances and whatever he earned went on extras for us all and family holidays. Dad was a keen sportsman and fiercely competitive. Back in the day, he was a fast bowler for Keith Cricket Club and a keen golfer at Keith Golf club. He also enjoyed getting away from it all and spent many hours, with limited success to be honest, trying to outwit the local trout.
The secret to Dad’s musical longevity was the hours and hours of relentless practice and the sheer joy of performing. He was particularly proud of his association with Buckie High School, having performed for all their Christmas parties for an incredible 45 years from 1969 – 2014. Although music would appear to have skipped a generation, he taught several of his grandchildren traditional Scottish fiddle and they now play for their own enjoyment.
The family hope to publish some of Dad’s many compositions later in the year. Along with the many recordings he made, this will hopefully ensure that his musical legacy lives on.
By Ian Cruickshanks (Kirriemuir)
B&F January 2019 (Editors note – omitted in error in August 2018)
I first met Hebbie whilst playing in Bruce Lindsay’s band, though I’d been aware of him from the mid 1970s having seen him on television. Hebbie then said if I was ever stuck for a fiddler to give him a call and subsequently he played with my band for a number of years. His last ever broadcast with us was just over 3 years ago.
Of course, Hebbie played with a lot of bands ; Alistair Hunter, Jim MacLeod, Graham Geddes. For many years he played for the drinks company Diageo’s events with Jane Farquharson accompanying on piano. Hebbie was able to play many genres of music ; classical, bluegrass and swing as well as Scottish. He seemed to be able to adapt to the different styles of various bands, but he loved playing the button-box and even had a Shand Morino for a few years. He had a long association with Alex Sutherland the musical director for Scottish shows on Grampian TV, and played on shows such as Calum Kennedy’s and Johnny Beattie’s, appearing on TV around 700 times.
For a number of years in the 60s he played with singer/guitarist Joss Esplin and later with Alan McKenzie doing Country & Western numbers etc. He made a few 45 single records. These can be accessed on Youtube with some lovely black and white photos of a young Hebbie, Joss and Alan. Search for Joss and Hebbie and admire his wonderful fiddle playing. He appears on other Youtube clips with Jim MacLeod’s band where his posture and his love of playing are seen well. He was lovely to watch as well as to listen to.
Hebbie traveled extensively with us, often staying here in Kirrie before heading back to Keith the next day, and was always great company having many interests. On a trip to Orkney, he was in awe of the wildlife, scenery, people, and archaeology and charmed everyone he met. We played a lot at Haddo House and the gentry just adored him!
His musical ability was just outstanding, on the alto sax as well as fiddle, and enhanced my band greatly. Hebbie told me many times how much he enjoyed the 2nd box playing of Ian McCallum in my band. Hebbie and Ian just hit it off with harmony etc.
He leaves a widow, Shona, sons Brian, Keith and Hebbie, and daughter Donna and Brenda and their families. Keith and Hebbie Jnr spoke very fondly about their father at the funeral service in Keith and highlighted his tremendous work ethic, his sense of humour and his passion for his family and his music.
It has been a great privilege to play with him and share his company. He was a great fiddler, character and friend.
However, in the early years of married life with the five children to support, music was primarily a means of providing for the family. Dad was always out playing at dances and whatever he earned went on extras for us all and family holidays. Dad was a keen sportsman and fiercely competitive. Back in the day, he was a fast bowler for Keith Cricket Club and a keen golfer at Keith Golf club. He also enjoyed getting away from it all and spent many hours, with limited success to be honest, trying to outwit the local trout.
The secret to Dad’s musical longevity was the hours and hours of relentless practice and the sheer joy of performing. He was particularly proud of his association with Buckie High School, having performed for all their Christmas parties for an incredible 45 years from 1969 – 2014. Although music would appear to have skipped a generation, he taught several of his grandchildren traditional Scottish fiddle and they now play for their own enjoyment.
The family hope to publish some of Dad’s many compositions later in the year. Along with the many recordings he made, this will hopefully ensure that his musical legacy lives on.
By Ian Cruickshanks (Kirriemuir)
B&F January 2019 (Editors note – omitted in error in August 2018)
I first met Hebbie whilst playing in Bruce Lindsay’s band, though I’d been aware of him from the mid 1970s having seen him on television. Hebbie then said if I was ever stuck for a fiddler to give him a call and subsequently he played with my band for a number of years. His last ever broadcast with us was just over 3 years ago.
Of course, Hebbie played with a lot of bands ; Alistair Hunter, Jim MacLeod, Graham Geddes. For many years he played for the drinks company Diageo’s events with Jane Farquharson accompanying on piano. Hebbie was able to play many genres of music ; classical, bluegrass and swing as well as Scottish. He seemed to be able to adapt to the different styles of various bands, but he loved playing the button-box and even had a Shand Morino for a few years. He had a long association with Alex Sutherland the musical director for Scottish shows on Grampian TV, and played on shows such as Calum Kennedy’s and Johnny Beattie’s, appearing on TV around 700 times.
For a number of years in the 60s he played with singer/guitarist Joss Esplin and later with Alan McKenzie doing Country & Western numbers etc. He made a few 45 single records. These can be accessed on Youtube with some lovely black and white photos of a young Hebbie, Joss and Alan. Search for Joss and Hebbie and admire his wonderful fiddle playing. He appears on other Youtube clips with Jim MacLeod’s band where his posture and his love of playing are seen well. He was lovely to watch as well as to listen to.
Hebbie traveled extensively with us, often staying here in Kirrie before heading back to Keith the next day, and was always great company having many interests. On a trip to Orkney, he was in awe of the wildlife, scenery, people, and archaeology and charmed everyone he met. We played a lot at Haddo House and the gentry just adored him!
His musical ability was just outstanding, on the alto sax as well as fiddle, and enhanced my band greatly. Hebbie told me many times how much he enjoyed the 2nd box playing of Ian McCallum in my band. Hebbie and Ian just hit it off with harmony etc.
He leaves a widow, Shona, sons Brian, Keith and Hebbie, and daughter Donna and Brenda and their families. Keith and Hebbie Jnr spoke very fondly about their father at the funeral service in Keith and highlighted his tremendous work ethic, his sense of humour and his passion for his family and his music.
It has been a great privilege to play with him and share his company. He was a great fiddler, character and friend.