Box and Fiddle
Year 39 No 07
March 2016
Price £2.70
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £32.40 + p&p £15.75 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
I have snowdrops in my garden………….
Pia Walker
Bill Ewan
by Pia Walker
“I came fresh and inexperienced from PE College where all the pianists were LRAM-trained, when someone asked me to take a SCD class in Leslie. I arrived and there was this lad playing the piano. I assume that all pianists were as good as the ones in College, so little did I know what an absolute gem I had on my hands. He is a tremendous pianist and was such a gift to start out with”.
These are the words of Alice Oliphant, a well-known dance teacher in Fife, and they were ringing in my ears as I went to Markinch, Fife to interview pianist Bill and his wife Jean in their lovely home.
Bill Ewan was born in Milton of Balgownie on the 29th of June, 1941, to mum Cathy and dad Willie Ewan, a miner.
On Saturday evenings everybody listened to music on the radio. You could walk down the street and hear the same programme from all the houses. On hearing pianist Charlie Kunz at the age of 3 or 4 Bill knew immediately that he wanted to play the piano. Bill used to march round the table with the fireside brush as a prop ‘playing the pipes’ – this nearly killed him once when he slipped and the brush almost skewered his neck.
Every Saturday he would go to his gran who lived two doors down and as she baked for the Sunday family gathering, she would lay out clothes pegs like piano keys for Bill to play on while he sang Cruising Down the River.
When he was about 5½ his mother begged the traveling piano teacher, Mr Cook, to teach Bill. (Mr Cook incidentally also taught a certain David Cunningham Snr and thus has been a cause of many a great musician in Fife). Although Mr Cook advised that Bill should wait until he was 7 years of age, he went to meet this desperate-for-lessons child and he kept returning as Bill was so keen – and as Bill says, “I’m still as keen”.
Mr Cook taught Bill to read music and to play a variety of styles. He died when Bill was 14 and at Grade 5 level and Bill decided to stop going to lessons. “The local teachers taught classical only, I wasn’t interested in that, so didn’t want any other teacher”.
Bill began playing in various concerts from the tender age of 8. As soon as he finished Primary School in Milton of Balgonie and moved to Markinch Secondary, he started playing for SCD-classes and school concerts and has done so ever since. Bill recalls that he spent most of the last day of the summer terms in the school music room. He could play all kinds of modern music, so the other classes always wanted him to play for them. It was apparently no hardship.
When he left school at 15 he played for classes in his home village. At this time he was also approached by a local bandleader, Alfie Little of the Bluebell Dance Band. They played a mixture of styles as was the norm at the time.
When asked about the difference in music then and now, Bill takes a long time to think and replies; “Tempos were faster then than now, although I have always instinctively played to suit the band and the occasion”.
In 1960 John Crawford, who also played with the Bluebell Dance Band, invited Bill to join him in auditioning for the BBC’s Scottish Dance Music Programme as the East Neuk Band. He accepted, they passed, and so his extensive broadcast career began. For 7 years they broadcast live from either the Coldside Library in Dundee or in the Queen Street Studio in Edinburgh. John and Bill also had spots on ‘For Your Entertainment’ under the Producer Ben Lyons in Glasgow.
Although a lot of gigs were local, then, as now, musicians had to travel and as everyone knows, incidents happen, and Bill had a few with the East Neuk Band. Once in Dundee at the Coldside Library, a cleaning lady opened the door during a recording and his music blew on to the floor. Bill told me he just kept busking while Bob Taylor stopped playing the bass to pick up the sheets. The sound engineer brought the piano sound up to atone for the missing bass. Bill continued with a glint in his eye; “See if that lady came in the door now….!”
Another incident happened on their way to the Assembly Rooms in Dumfries. Bill was picked up by bandleader Dave Smith and it was , as Bill says, “bucketing down”. No sooner had he uttered the words “…no night to get a puncture”, when they had one. They got to Dumfries, played and on the return journey also had a close encounter with a river that had burst its banks. Their car flooded and the boys had to get out of the van to push it onto dry land.
Bill has played with many bands and still does. He has played for many Largoward dances since 1960, when they were organised by Lindsay Ross, who booked many a broadcasting band to play there. He also joined John Crawford’s trio of Fifers; John, Bill plus Jim Kinnear, as well as the Highlandaires. In the 70s after John gave up gigging in order to repair accordions, Bill joined Bert Pozzi’s band, again playing all types of music.
Not only did Bill work full-time with a local fencing company and spent most of his weekends playing, he also played for many dance classes in Leslie, Markinch, Glenrothes, Milton and Coaltown of Balgownie. So much so that in the early 60s his then girlfriend, Jean, joined dance classes to see him at all. They married in 1964. Jean adds with a smile; “You should have said; And I still love her dearly!” Bill readily agrees that his family have been a great support in their 51 years of marriage. Bill is described by his wife as placid, easy-going and a likeable lad, although bill himself tells me that he sometimes does get the bit between his teeth.
They have two boys, Roy and Don. Both boys were quite good dancers as Jean worked shifts and Bill used to take them to classes he played for. The classes were funded by the Further Education, but funding and therefore classes stopped one after the other. Bill continued, however, to play for classes in Coaltown of Balgownie.
In 2002 Bill had a heart attack, and didn’t play for a year. “I lost interest, while I recovered”. He then shared the Balgowrie class with David Anderson and shortly thereafter RSCDS asked if he could play for Summer School Classes in St Andrews. He has now played for 12 Summer Schools and 3 Winter Schools. “It is good discipline, keeps the fingers supple for vamping and my reading up to scratch”.
I asked Bill what hobbies he has outside the music and he just looked at me and said’ “None, music IS my hobby”. He does try to keep the garden tidy though! When on holiday visiting his son Roy in Denmark (His son, very sensibly, married a Dane!) he doesn’t play at all and admitted that after a week he gets withdrawal symptoms.
Bill has traveled with his music; to the Australian Winter School, to North Carolina and to Madeira and Tenerife, all with Marian Anderson. I asked Jean if she ever went with him to gigs, and she told me she did go to Madeira and Tenerife with him.
Bill is still going strong and currently plays with Ewan Galloway, Scott Band and Steven Carcary for dances, Clubs and broadcasts/recordings, and if possible will help any band who asks.
I asked him what was different then from now and after carefully thinking he came to the conclusion that the arrangements then were more basic and strict ‘bass chord bass chord’ and with less embellishments. Now the arrangements are more intricate, with slower playing and therefore more embellished.
Bill is frequently seen with younger bandleaders, and although he acknowledges that he is a bit of a traditionalist, he still appreciates the kind of music played by many of the young, talented musicians of today.
Although Jean sometimes asks him if he is not getting too old for this malarkey, he continues as he doesn’t feel too old (doesn’t sound it either!) He enjoys all kinds of music, but does get a buzz from Old Time and SCD, especially Strathspeys due to their uniqueness. He is also a fan of Ragtime, and will play it at clubs if possible and he is greatly influenced by Russ Conway, Jo Henderson (Petula Clark’s pianist) and Winnifred Attwell. His inspiration in Scottish music was Pam Wilkie. He used to listen to recordings, just to pick up her style and learn from her.
Bill is frequently seen at Clubs and is house player in Blairgowrie, Perth, Glenrothes and Glenfarg. “I’ll go with anyone who asks me. I’m always willing to help”. He continues; “Clubs are good. Lots of opportunity for people, no matter their expertise, to learn to play in front of and with others too. I’m all for keeping our music alive. Young people are coming up through the ranks – not enough piano players though”.
I think we can all agree that Bill is a worthy recipient of the Guest of Honour Award.
In Memory
Bill Black (7th Feb 1935 – 31st Jan 2016)
by Mabel Gray
On Tuesday 9th of February, it seemed the whole of the traditional music world descended on Dunkeld Cathedral to pay their respects and celebrate the life of Bill Black. I saw people from Shetland, the Western Isles, the Borders – from all over Scotland. The music during the service, pieces selected by the family in a moving tribute to Bill, was played by Graeme Mitchell, Neil Dawson, Neil Caul, Mabel Gray, Neil McMillan and Gus Millar. Bill’s daughter, Kate Black, had written a poem A Tribute to our Dad, and later a recording of Kate singing Ave Maria stunned us all with its poignancy and clarity. Bill’s life was celebrated in a eulogy by Freeland Barbour, bringing smiles and tears to many an eye. It started with “Bill was a big man”, and indeed he was.
The following are the words of Mabel Gray, Bill’s pianist for many years.
Bill was born on a farm near Muthill. His interest in music began when his father bought a fiddle and later he also acquired a melodeon. He was self-taught and goodness knows when he found time to practice, but then that was Bill! He used to say, “You want something done? Ask a busy man!”
His career in farming progressed to farm management and during that time he won awards at sheepdog trials and sheep shearing competitions. Later Bill became a partner in a business selling farm supplies in Aberfeldy (Bremner and Black). Travelling so many miles through his work Bill made many friends throughout the country, leading to long-lasting friendships with him and his family.
Bill married Anne in 1960 in Dunkeld Cathedral. They had 3 children; Kate, Robert and Duncan. He managed to get Kate, Robert and Duncan interested in music and Bill and Anne bought the boys accordions, something we are all grateful for! Kate’s musical talents for singing and piano playing were also nurtured by Bill and Anne. He started the family band! Records were produced – ‘Black’s Magic’ and ‘Black Family Favourites’, featuring Bill, Robert and Duncan with Anne on piano.
Bill never lost his love of Scottish Dance music and changed from the fiddle to the 3-row button-key accordion in 1962. Bill’s musical career took off, and he managed to get out playing regularly thanks to Anne. He also had his business to look after, again faithfully supported by Anne, and of course with Anne’s help also managed to tend his many sheep.
Bill was now becoming well-known as a musician. In 1965 Alasdair Downie asked him to do a broadcast with him (on fiddle). Bill accepted and having a band of his own now became his goal. Bill was always keen to keep young folk interested in the music. He encouraged many young musicians. In 1971 Bill entered competitions and won the Fiddle Championship at Newcastleton as well as the Senior Scottish Championship at Perth for both fiddle and accordion, the first to achieve such an accolade and an achievement which remains unparalleled.
In 1980 he was invited to play with his band for the Queen in Denmark and also went to play at a function in Lagos, Nigeria.
In 1999 Bill was honoured by the NAAFC for his contribution to traditional Scottish dance music. In 2009 Bill was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame.
Bill also ran the annual Stanley Ceilidh raising more than £70,000 over 25 years for various charities. In 2006 tragedy struck when he lost his index finger on his right hand in a farming accident, but a year later he was back playing! A remarkable achievement demonstrating his musical prowess, courage and determination. In 2009 ill-health began to take its toll and sadly he stopped playing in public.
Latterly he was in a care home in Blairgowrie and here Bill passed away peacefully with his family by his side.
Bill, thank you for being a great ambassador for Scottish dance music and a good friend to many.
Eulogy
by Freeland Barbour
Bill Black was a big man, a very big man. And I’m not just talking about the size of his shirts, impressive as they be. I’m talking about his character, his personality, his spirit, his whole being. There was no sneaking round the back door for him – it was in at the front door with a smile and hearty greeting every time. He filled his space in the world with a geniality and a warmth that was his hallmark.
It may seem strange but there were no musical instruments in the Black family home when Bill first made his appearance in the world in 1935, and he had to wait till the age of 7 before getting his hands on one. His father went off to a roup with the express intention of buying a kitchen dresser, but somehow managed to return with a fiddle instead. Now I don’t think this was any kind of lapse of memory or befuddlement, I think Bill’s father somehow knew that it was written in the stars that his son was destined to play Scottish music, and indeed would one day become a star himself. And of course he must have known that not even Bill would manage to get much of a tune out of a kitchen dresser! A melodeon was also gifted to Bill by a neighbour about this time and he set to. Now I don’t know a great deal about those days but I do know this – Bill would have worked at those things, learning how to play, learning tunes, listening and watching other players, picking stuff up from the radio and the old 78’s. As far as I can tell he only ever had two lessons – the first was not a success. Bill spent the entire time playing the tunes he knew so as the teacher could learn them, and when the second lesson followed the same pattern that was it. Bill decided to employ himself as his teacher, and a grand job he made of it.
The first dance that he played at was in the Strathyre Hall in March 1949 with the Glengarry band, and from there on through the fifties it was an ever busier upward curve. But Anne tells me that it wasn’t until after she and Bill and the family moved back to Perthshire from Balmaha that Bill really put his music on to a professional level. In 1971 he became Senior Scottish Accordion Champion (against a field of some 50 competitors) and Trio Championships followed for three years running not long after. And round about this time as well Bill won the Fiddle Championship at the Newcastleton Festival. The band was becoming much more widely known and more and more popular and towards the end of the decade the Black Family band made its first appearance, with Anne on piano, Kate singing, and Robert and Duncan on accordions of course along with their father. One tale from those days that is etched in Black family folklore concerns their appearance as guest artists at the Macmerry Fiddle and Accordion Club in East Lothian. The time came for their first spot and they all got up on to the stage and were on the point of playing the first chord when Bill’s chair suddenly collapsed completely underneath him. Down he went, legs in the air. Now all might have been well but sadly I have to relate that he was wearing his kilt at the time. Of course Bill was always making jokes about his own weight – a favourite quip was ‘I used to suffer from anorexia but I think I’m getting over it.’
Bill was of course immensely proud of his family. I remember one occasion when he and I were working together at the BBC in Glasgow and Duncan had just won the Senior Scottish Accordion championship at an impossibly young age, much like Robert before him. I was congratulating Bill and saying how proud he must be. ‘Aye’ he said, ‘Duncan’s not bad.’ ‘Mind you’ he added, ‘the other 2 are not bad either.’ I took that as the highest praise from a proud proud father. I happen to know that all three of these ‘not bad’ children have enormous gratitude and love for all that Bill and Anne have done for them. Indeed Robert was just telling me that appreciation of a father somehow becomes more real when you become a parent yourself.
One feature of the Bill Black band from here on was the inclusion of younger players who were just beginning to make their mark. It was almost a sort of finishing school for young Scottish dance band musicians. Bill was keen that we should hear today from two of these, Judy Nicholson from America, whose words we’ll hear later, and Graeme Mitchell from Huntly. Graeme’s here today as we’ve heard, but he’s asked me if I would read out what he has written, and of course I’m delighted to do that. Here it is -:
I first knew Bill during the early 1970’s when I met him at various accordion and fiddle competitions throughout the country. Bill was very supportive of my playing and gradually, when opportunities became available, we had informal tunes together. When I made the decision to stop competing in the late 70’s, all I wanted to do was play in a Scottish dance band. Like many other youngsters after me, Bill provided the opportunity to do just that. Little did I realise I was about to become involved with one of the most talented families ever to have graced the Scottish music scene.
Travelling up and down from Aberdeen each weekend to play in Bill’s band took me to all parts of Scotland. It was nothing for us to be in the Borders on a Friday night, and then be in The Lion Hotel, Auldearn on the following evening. Often, we arrived back at Crowbutts, the family home at the time, and the cork was taken off the ‘brown liquid bottle’, the LP’s went on, and Bill and I had our own ‘one to one’ ceilidh for the remainder of the night. Some common sense was administered by Anne when she came home from working night shift, but we frequently repeated these personal parties.
When work brought me back to Huntly in 1982, I had to leave the band, but Bill’s support continued. When I started my own band, gigs were passed on to me, musical material was shared, he asked me to write the Foreword for his Leaside Collection of his compositions, and we still had an occasional tune together.
It’s with a ‘sair hert’ that I wish to remember Bill in a village hall somewhere. That considerable frame – button box strapped on – massive smile – watching people dance to the music he so dearly loved to play. ‘Braw’ as he would say.
Thank you Graeme.
Success for the Black band continued, with many recordings, radio programmes, trips overseas – 2 particular highlights being a visit to Lagos and a command performance for the King and Queen of Denmark in Copenhagen. They reacted very favourably to ‘Tam Bain’s Lum’ I’m told. In 1999 Bill was honoured by the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs and in 2005 was named Guest Artist of the year. And in 2009 he was inducted into the Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Not even the musicians’ worst nightmare, the loss of a finger in an accident in 2006, could dent his enthusiasm.
And of course there are the Stanley Ceilidhs. Started by Bill and Anne in 1979 they quickly became an annual fixture in the Scottish music calendar, and Bill and Anne ran them for 25 years before handing over the reins. Huge sums of money have been raised for local charities and in particular for Rachel House. It’s a wonderful, selfless achievement.
Bill had a ready wit. I think I just have time to relate one incident that springs to mind in that connection. The Wallochmor Ceilidh Band, of which I was a member, were asked on one occasion if, as a favour to someone, we would transport a weaving loom from Inverness to Edinburgh. So the next time we were up in Inverness we went in to collect the thing. Now this loom turned out to be a massive, industrial-sized contraption, with huge wooden frames, gigantic cast iron fittings, and miles and miles of pedals, wires and flexible metal rods. We managed to get it into the van, just, but before heading back to Edinburgh we had a dance to play, at the aforementioned Lion Hotel in Auldearn. When we got to the hotel we had to unload this gigantic loom in order to get at all the band gear that was underneath it. We were in the middle of this operation when who should appear, completely out of the blue, round the back of the van but Bill. He looked at all this activity for a moment and then produced the immortal line – ‘Boys’ he said, ‘d’you not think you’re taking this folk thing a bit far.’
Not many of us manage to give more than we take in this world, but Bill, you most certainly did. We thank you for your warmth, for your friendship, for your modesty, and of course for your wonderful music. In the days, and months, and indeed years to come, we’ll be listening to it, you can be sure of that.
Today is a day to give thanks with a smile for the life of a great man, a man to be proud of. It is as though a giant oak tree, that gave shelter to many over the years, has finally been felled. But we can give thanks too for the acorns.
In Memory
John Ellis (1929 – 2015)
by Suzanne Croy
Undoubtedly, the first thing you associate with John Ellis and the Highland Country Band is the unique sound, instantly recognisable from the first note. My own introduction to the John Ellis sound was when I was ten. Running through to the living room to turn up the radio I asked my mum “Who’s that?” She replied by saying “Oh…..that’s John Ellis and the Highland Country Band. No-one else has a sound like that”. And so my love affair with the band began, many years before I was asked to play with them; and what a glorious day that was! The chance to play with the band I had idolized since a child and the beginning of so many fun-filled gigs.
One of the most memorable trips for me was going to Vancouver to play at the Millennium Ball for the Royal Scottish Country Dance society. Off we went, John, Douglas, Irene, chic, Bill and I. On the way back from Vancouver Island the ship’s captain heard the band were on board and invited us up to the bridge. It’s a skilled operation to steer a large ship safely into the dock so the floor of the bridge contained a glass panel to look through. We were all avoiding standing on it when John commented; “That must be pretty strong glass”, at which point the captain began to try and persuade one of us to stamp on it to demonstrate its strength. Eventually Irene stepped forward to test the pane of glass. Just as Irene’s feet landed on the glass the captain crushed a plastic cup from behind us simulating the sound of shattering glass! Irene must have leapt about 5 feet in the air. I don’t think I’d ever seen John and the band laugh so much. The laughter lasted long into the gig that evening, and that was one of the great things about John’s band, it was always fun.
John wasn’t only my bandleader. He became a cherished friend too. Even through the years that the band did not play much, we kept in touch. A special memory is that proud day when John was awarded the NAAFC’s Honours Recipient Award in 2010. A fitting honour for a great man. I hope the fact that John’s band has inspired many, and will continue to do so, is of some comfort to Pat and the family.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Here ‘n Now – Maggie Adamson & Brian Nicholson – MB015
The Third sheaf Collection of Scottish country Dances – Neil Barron SDB – SHEFF60CD
Out of the Shadows – Peter Wood SDB – STNM001
Book Review
The Alistair McCulloch Collection Vol 2 – 41 original compositions – Kestrel Press (Irvine) Ltd
Scandinavian Folk tunes for the Accordion – 61 pieces – Schott Music
Irish Folk tunes for the Accordion – 30 pieces – Schott Music
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
5th March 2016 – Lindsay Weir SDB
12th March 2016 – Ewan Galloway SDB + Inshyra Concert
19th March 2016 – BBC Get Inspired Family Ceilidh – Craig Paton SDB
26th March 2016 – Archive Session from Jimmy Shand Jnr + Band Competition Inshyra
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 29th March 2016 – Jim Johnstone Tribute Band
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 9th March 2016 – Iain Anderson Trio
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th March 2016 – Marian Anderson Trio
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 6th March 2016 – AGM + Bon Accords
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th March 2016 – Duncan Black Trio
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th March 2016 – Janet Graham Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd March 2016 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 21st March 2016 – Jim Gold Trio
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 13th March 2016 – The Full Scottish
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 8th March 2016 – Gordon Pattullo & Malcolm Ross
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 10th March 2016 – Derek Hamilton & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st March 2016 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 10th March 2016 – Johnny duncan
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 15th March 2016 – Jim gold Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th March 2016 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 3rd March 2016 – Pentlands Ceilidh Band
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 15th March 2016 – Sileas Sinclair Trio
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd March 2016 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th March 2016 – Liam Stewart
Dunfermline (Civil Service Sports Assoc, Rosyth) – 8th March 2016 – Tom Alexander 18th March – Dance to Willie McFarlane Band
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 21st March 2016 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd March 2016 – John Stuart SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th March 2016 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th March 2016 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th March 2016 – Susie Simpson SDB
Fort William (Railway Club) - 1st March 2016 – Gordon Pattullo & Malcolm Ross
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) – 3rd March 2016 – John Fairbairn Memorial Club Night
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 24th March 2016 – Neil MacEachern SDB
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 2nd March 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Gretna (The Gables Hotel) - 6th March 2016 – Liam Stewart
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st March 2016 – Steven Carcary Duo
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 9th March 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd March 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 1st March 2016 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 30th March 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Langholm (British Legion) – 9th March 2016 – The Occasionals
Lewis & Harris (Sea Angling Club) - 3rd March 2016 – Club Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 12th March 2016 – Dance to Keith Robertson Duo 15th March – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th March 2016 – Shirley Cathcart Quartet
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 20th March 2016 – West Telferton Trio
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th March 2016 – Alan Crookston Duo
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd March 2016 – Steven Carcary
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 31st March 2016 – Club Night
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club) 16th March 2016 – Iain Cathcart Trio
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th March 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st March 2016 – Susie Simpson SDB
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 3rd March 2016 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th March 2016 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 31st March 2016 – Neil Hardie SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15th March 2016 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th March 2016 – Janet Graham Band
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 3rd March 2016 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 1st 8th 15th 22nd 30th March 2016 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 10th March 2016 – Local Night 24th March – Susan MacFadyen SDB + Tune Competition
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 10th March 2016 – Keith Robertson & Jack McLeish
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 12th March 2016 – Daniel McPhee
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th March 2016 – Carol-Anne Mackay & Friends
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd March 2016 – Andy Kain Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th March 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 5th & 19th March 2016 – Club Night
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th March 2016 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Banchory
4. Beith
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Button Key
8. Campsie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Coalburn
11. Crieff
12. Dingwall
13. Dunblane
14. Fintry
15. Forres
16. Glendale
17. Gretna
18. Highland
19. Inveraray
20. Isle of Skye
21. Islesteps
22. Kelso
23. Livingston
24. Lockerbie
25. Mauchline
26. Montrose
27. Newburgh
28. Oban
29. Peebles
30. Perth
31. Renfrew
32. Shetland
33. Stonehouse
34. Turriff
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2015
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Coalburn A&F Club (
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
21. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
22. Ellon A&F Club (
23. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
30. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
31. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
32. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
33. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
35. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
36. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
37. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
38 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
39. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
40 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
41 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
42 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
53 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
54 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
55 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
56 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
57 West Barnes ( - present)
58 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
59. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
60. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
61. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
62. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
63. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
64. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
65. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
66. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
67. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
68. Buchan A&F Club
69. Callander A&F Club (
70. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
71. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
72. Club Accord
73. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
74 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
75. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
76. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
77. Cults A & F Club (
78. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
79. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
80. Derwentside A&F Club
81. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
82. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
83. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
84. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
85. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
86. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
87. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
88. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
92. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
93. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
94. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
95. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
96. Kintore A&F Club (
97. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
98. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
99. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
115. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
116. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
117. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
118. Selkirk A&F Club (
119. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
120. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
121. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
122 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
123 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12
B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
I have snowdrops in my garden………….
Pia Walker
Bill Ewan
by Pia Walker
“I came fresh and inexperienced from PE College where all the pianists were LRAM-trained, when someone asked me to take a SCD class in Leslie. I arrived and there was this lad playing the piano. I assume that all pianists were as good as the ones in College, so little did I know what an absolute gem I had on my hands. He is a tremendous pianist and was such a gift to start out with”.
These are the words of Alice Oliphant, a well-known dance teacher in Fife, and they were ringing in my ears as I went to Markinch, Fife to interview pianist Bill and his wife Jean in their lovely home.
Bill Ewan was born in Milton of Balgownie on the 29th of June, 1941, to mum Cathy and dad Willie Ewan, a miner.
On Saturday evenings everybody listened to music on the radio. You could walk down the street and hear the same programme from all the houses. On hearing pianist Charlie Kunz at the age of 3 or 4 Bill knew immediately that he wanted to play the piano. Bill used to march round the table with the fireside brush as a prop ‘playing the pipes’ – this nearly killed him once when he slipped and the brush almost skewered his neck.
Every Saturday he would go to his gran who lived two doors down and as she baked for the Sunday family gathering, she would lay out clothes pegs like piano keys for Bill to play on while he sang Cruising Down the River.
When he was about 5½ his mother begged the traveling piano teacher, Mr Cook, to teach Bill. (Mr Cook incidentally also taught a certain David Cunningham Snr and thus has been a cause of many a great musician in Fife). Although Mr Cook advised that Bill should wait until he was 7 years of age, he went to meet this desperate-for-lessons child and he kept returning as Bill was so keen – and as Bill says, “I’m still as keen”.
Mr Cook taught Bill to read music and to play a variety of styles. He died when Bill was 14 and at Grade 5 level and Bill decided to stop going to lessons. “The local teachers taught classical only, I wasn’t interested in that, so didn’t want any other teacher”.
Bill began playing in various concerts from the tender age of 8. As soon as he finished Primary School in Milton of Balgonie and moved to Markinch Secondary, he started playing for SCD-classes and school concerts and has done so ever since. Bill recalls that he spent most of the last day of the summer terms in the school music room. He could play all kinds of modern music, so the other classes always wanted him to play for them. It was apparently no hardship.
When he left school at 15 he played for classes in his home village. At this time he was also approached by a local bandleader, Alfie Little of the Bluebell Dance Band. They played a mixture of styles as was the norm at the time.
When asked about the difference in music then and now, Bill takes a long time to think and replies; “Tempos were faster then than now, although I have always instinctively played to suit the band and the occasion”.
In 1960 John Crawford, who also played with the Bluebell Dance Band, invited Bill to join him in auditioning for the BBC’s Scottish Dance Music Programme as the East Neuk Band. He accepted, they passed, and so his extensive broadcast career began. For 7 years they broadcast live from either the Coldside Library in Dundee or in the Queen Street Studio in Edinburgh. John and Bill also had spots on ‘For Your Entertainment’ under the Producer Ben Lyons in Glasgow.
Although a lot of gigs were local, then, as now, musicians had to travel and as everyone knows, incidents happen, and Bill had a few with the East Neuk Band. Once in Dundee at the Coldside Library, a cleaning lady opened the door during a recording and his music blew on to the floor. Bill told me he just kept busking while Bob Taylor stopped playing the bass to pick up the sheets. The sound engineer brought the piano sound up to atone for the missing bass. Bill continued with a glint in his eye; “See if that lady came in the door now….!”
Another incident happened on their way to the Assembly Rooms in Dumfries. Bill was picked up by bandleader Dave Smith and it was , as Bill says, “bucketing down”. No sooner had he uttered the words “…no night to get a puncture”, when they had one. They got to Dumfries, played and on the return journey also had a close encounter with a river that had burst its banks. Their car flooded and the boys had to get out of the van to push it onto dry land.
Bill has played with many bands and still does. He has played for many Largoward dances since 1960, when they were organised by Lindsay Ross, who booked many a broadcasting band to play there. He also joined John Crawford’s trio of Fifers; John, Bill plus Jim Kinnear, as well as the Highlandaires. In the 70s after John gave up gigging in order to repair accordions, Bill joined Bert Pozzi’s band, again playing all types of music.
Not only did Bill work full-time with a local fencing company and spent most of his weekends playing, he also played for many dance classes in Leslie, Markinch, Glenrothes, Milton and Coaltown of Balgownie. So much so that in the early 60s his then girlfriend, Jean, joined dance classes to see him at all. They married in 1964. Jean adds with a smile; “You should have said; And I still love her dearly!” Bill readily agrees that his family have been a great support in their 51 years of marriage. Bill is described by his wife as placid, easy-going and a likeable lad, although bill himself tells me that he sometimes does get the bit between his teeth.
They have two boys, Roy and Don. Both boys were quite good dancers as Jean worked shifts and Bill used to take them to classes he played for. The classes were funded by the Further Education, but funding and therefore classes stopped one after the other. Bill continued, however, to play for classes in Coaltown of Balgownie.
In 2002 Bill had a heart attack, and didn’t play for a year. “I lost interest, while I recovered”. He then shared the Balgowrie class with David Anderson and shortly thereafter RSCDS asked if he could play for Summer School Classes in St Andrews. He has now played for 12 Summer Schools and 3 Winter Schools. “It is good discipline, keeps the fingers supple for vamping and my reading up to scratch”.
I asked Bill what hobbies he has outside the music and he just looked at me and said’ “None, music IS my hobby”. He does try to keep the garden tidy though! When on holiday visiting his son Roy in Denmark (His son, very sensibly, married a Dane!) he doesn’t play at all and admitted that after a week he gets withdrawal symptoms.
Bill has traveled with his music; to the Australian Winter School, to North Carolina and to Madeira and Tenerife, all with Marian Anderson. I asked Jean if she ever went with him to gigs, and she told me she did go to Madeira and Tenerife with him.
Bill is still going strong and currently plays with Ewan Galloway, Scott Band and Steven Carcary for dances, Clubs and broadcasts/recordings, and if possible will help any band who asks.
I asked him what was different then from now and after carefully thinking he came to the conclusion that the arrangements then were more basic and strict ‘bass chord bass chord’ and with less embellishments. Now the arrangements are more intricate, with slower playing and therefore more embellished.
Bill is frequently seen with younger bandleaders, and although he acknowledges that he is a bit of a traditionalist, he still appreciates the kind of music played by many of the young, talented musicians of today.
Although Jean sometimes asks him if he is not getting too old for this malarkey, he continues as he doesn’t feel too old (doesn’t sound it either!) He enjoys all kinds of music, but does get a buzz from Old Time and SCD, especially Strathspeys due to their uniqueness. He is also a fan of Ragtime, and will play it at clubs if possible and he is greatly influenced by Russ Conway, Jo Henderson (Petula Clark’s pianist) and Winnifred Attwell. His inspiration in Scottish music was Pam Wilkie. He used to listen to recordings, just to pick up her style and learn from her.
Bill is frequently seen at Clubs and is house player in Blairgowrie, Perth, Glenrothes and Glenfarg. “I’ll go with anyone who asks me. I’m always willing to help”. He continues; “Clubs are good. Lots of opportunity for people, no matter their expertise, to learn to play in front of and with others too. I’m all for keeping our music alive. Young people are coming up through the ranks – not enough piano players though”.
I think we can all agree that Bill is a worthy recipient of the Guest of Honour Award.
In Memory
Bill Black (7th Feb 1935 – 31st Jan 2016)
by Mabel Gray
On Tuesday 9th of February, it seemed the whole of the traditional music world descended on Dunkeld Cathedral to pay their respects and celebrate the life of Bill Black. I saw people from Shetland, the Western Isles, the Borders – from all over Scotland. The music during the service, pieces selected by the family in a moving tribute to Bill, was played by Graeme Mitchell, Neil Dawson, Neil Caul, Mabel Gray, Neil McMillan and Gus Millar. Bill’s daughter, Kate Black, had written a poem A Tribute to our Dad, and later a recording of Kate singing Ave Maria stunned us all with its poignancy and clarity. Bill’s life was celebrated in a eulogy by Freeland Barbour, bringing smiles and tears to many an eye. It started with “Bill was a big man”, and indeed he was.
The following are the words of Mabel Gray, Bill’s pianist for many years.
Bill was born on a farm near Muthill. His interest in music began when his father bought a fiddle and later he also acquired a melodeon. He was self-taught and goodness knows when he found time to practice, but then that was Bill! He used to say, “You want something done? Ask a busy man!”
His career in farming progressed to farm management and during that time he won awards at sheepdog trials and sheep shearing competitions. Later Bill became a partner in a business selling farm supplies in Aberfeldy (Bremner and Black). Travelling so many miles through his work Bill made many friends throughout the country, leading to long-lasting friendships with him and his family.
Bill married Anne in 1960 in Dunkeld Cathedral. They had 3 children; Kate, Robert and Duncan. He managed to get Kate, Robert and Duncan interested in music and Bill and Anne bought the boys accordions, something we are all grateful for! Kate’s musical talents for singing and piano playing were also nurtured by Bill and Anne. He started the family band! Records were produced – ‘Black’s Magic’ and ‘Black Family Favourites’, featuring Bill, Robert and Duncan with Anne on piano.
Bill never lost his love of Scottish Dance music and changed from the fiddle to the 3-row button-key accordion in 1962. Bill’s musical career took off, and he managed to get out playing regularly thanks to Anne. He also had his business to look after, again faithfully supported by Anne, and of course with Anne’s help also managed to tend his many sheep.
Bill was now becoming well-known as a musician. In 1965 Alasdair Downie asked him to do a broadcast with him (on fiddle). Bill accepted and having a band of his own now became his goal. Bill was always keen to keep young folk interested in the music. He encouraged many young musicians. In 1971 Bill entered competitions and won the Fiddle Championship at Newcastleton as well as the Senior Scottish Championship at Perth for both fiddle and accordion, the first to achieve such an accolade and an achievement which remains unparalleled.
In 1980 he was invited to play with his band for the Queen in Denmark and also went to play at a function in Lagos, Nigeria.
In 1999 Bill was honoured by the NAAFC for his contribution to traditional Scottish dance music. In 2009 Bill was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame.
Bill also ran the annual Stanley Ceilidh raising more than £70,000 over 25 years for various charities. In 2006 tragedy struck when he lost his index finger on his right hand in a farming accident, but a year later he was back playing! A remarkable achievement demonstrating his musical prowess, courage and determination. In 2009 ill-health began to take its toll and sadly he stopped playing in public.
Latterly he was in a care home in Blairgowrie and here Bill passed away peacefully with his family by his side.
Bill, thank you for being a great ambassador for Scottish dance music and a good friend to many.
Eulogy
by Freeland Barbour
Bill Black was a big man, a very big man. And I’m not just talking about the size of his shirts, impressive as they be. I’m talking about his character, his personality, his spirit, his whole being. There was no sneaking round the back door for him – it was in at the front door with a smile and hearty greeting every time. He filled his space in the world with a geniality and a warmth that was his hallmark.
It may seem strange but there were no musical instruments in the Black family home when Bill first made his appearance in the world in 1935, and he had to wait till the age of 7 before getting his hands on one. His father went off to a roup with the express intention of buying a kitchen dresser, but somehow managed to return with a fiddle instead. Now I don’t think this was any kind of lapse of memory or befuddlement, I think Bill’s father somehow knew that it was written in the stars that his son was destined to play Scottish music, and indeed would one day become a star himself. And of course he must have known that not even Bill would manage to get much of a tune out of a kitchen dresser! A melodeon was also gifted to Bill by a neighbour about this time and he set to. Now I don’t know a great deal about those days but I do know this – Bill would have worked at those things, learning how to play, learning tunes, listening and watching other players, picking stuff up from the radio and the old 78’s. As far as I can tell he only ever had two lessons – the first was not a success. Bill spent the entire time playing the tunes he knew so as the teacher could learn them, and when the second lesson followed the same pattern that was it. Bill decided to employ himself as his teacher, and a grand job he made of it.
The first dance that he played at was in the Strathyre Hall in March 1949 with the Glengarry band, and from there on through the fifties it was an ever busier upward curve. But Anne tells me that it wasn’t until after she and Bill and the family moved back to Perthshire from Balmaha that Bill really put his music on to a professional level. In 1971 he became Senior Scottish Accordion Champion (against a field of some 50 competitors) and Trio Championships followed for three years running not long after. And round about this time as well Bill won the Fiddle Championship at the Newcastleton Festival. The band was becoming much more widely known and more and more popular and towards the end of the decade the Black Family band made its first appearance, with Anne on piano, Kate singing, and Robert and Duncan on accordions of course along with their father. One tale from those days that is etched in Black family folklore concerns their appearance as guest artists at the Macmerry Fiddle and Accordion Club in East Lothian. The time came for their first spot and they all got up on to the stage and were on the point of playing the first chord when Bill’s chair suddenly collapsed completely underneath him. Down he went, legs in the air. Now all might have been well but sadly I have to relate that he was wearing his kilt at the time. Of course Bill was always making jokes about his own weight – a favourite quip was ‘I used to suffer from anorexia but I think I’m getting over it.’
Bill was of course immensely proud of his family. I remember one occasion when he and I were working together at the BBC in Glasgow and Duncan had just won the Senior Scottish Accordion championship at an impossibly young age, much like Robert before him. I was congratulating Bill and saying how proud he must be. ‘Aye’ he said, ‘Duncan’s not bad.’ ‘Mind you’ he added, ‘the other 2 are not bad either.’ I took that as the highest praise from a proud proud father. I happen to know that all three of these ‘not bad’ children have enormous gratitude and love for all that Bill and Anne have done for them. Indeed Robert was just telling me that appreciation of a father somehow becomes more real when you become a parent yourself.
One feature of the Bill Black band from here on was the inclusion of younger players who were just beginning to make their mark. It was almost a sort of finishing school for young Scottish dance band musicians. Bill was keen that we should hear today from two of these, Judy Nicholson from America, whose words we’ll hear later, and Graeme Mitchell from Huntly. Graeme’s here today as we’ve heard, but he’s asked me if I would read out what he has written, and of course I’m delighted to do that. Here it is -:
I first knew Bill during the early 1970’s when I met him at various accordion and fiddle competitions throughout the country. Bill was very supportive of my playing and gradually, when opportunities became available, we had informal tunes together. When I made the decision to stop competing in the late 70’s, all I wanted to do was play in a Scottish dance band. Like many other youngsters after me, Bill provided the opportunity to do just that. Little did I realise I was about to become involved with one of the most talented families ever to have graced the Scottish music scene.
Travelling up and down from Aberdeen each weekend to play in Bill’s band took me to all parts of Scotland. It was nothing for us to be in the Borders on a Friday night, and then be in The Lion Hotel, Auldearn on the following evening. Often, we arrived back at Crowbutts, the family home at the time, and the cork was taken off the ‘brown liquid bottle’, the LP’s went on, and Bill and I had our own ‘one to one’ ceilidh for the remainder of the night. Some common sense was administered by Anne when she came home from working night shift, but we frequently repeated these personal parties.
When work brought me back to Huntly in 1982, I had to leave the band, but Bill’s support continued. When I started my own band, gigs were passed on to me, musical material was shared, he asked me to write the Foreword for his Leaside Collection of his compositions, and we still had an occasional tune together.
It’s with a ‘sair hert’ that I wish to remember Bill in a village hall somewhere. That considerable frame – button box strapped on – massive smile – watching people dance to the music he so dearly loved to play. ‘Braw’ as he would say.
Thank you Graeme.
Success for the Black band continued, with many recordings, radio programmes, trips overseas – 2 particular highlights being a visit to Lagos and a command performance for the King and Queen of Denmark in Copenhagen. They reacted very favourably to ‘Tam Bain’s Lum’ I’m told. In 1999 Bill was honoured by the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs and in 2005 was named Guest Artist of the year. And in 2009 he was inducted into the Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Not even the musicians’ worst nightmare, the loss of a finger in an accident in 2006, could dent his enthusiasm.
And of course there are the Stanley Ceilidhs. Started by Bill and Anne in 1979 they quickly became an annual fixture in the Scottish music calendar, and Bill and Anne ran them for 25 years before handing over the reins. Huge sums of money have been raised for local charities and in particular for Rachel House. It’s a wonderful, selfless achievement.
Bill had a ready wit. I think I just have time to relate one incident that springs to mind in that connection. The Wallochmor Ceilidh Band, of which I was a member, were asked on one occasion if, as a favour to someone, we would transport a weaving loom from Inverness to Edinburgh. So the next time we were up in Inverness we went in to collect the thing. Now this loom turned out to be a massive, industrial-sized contraption, with huge wooden frames, gigantic cast iron fittings, and miles and miles of pedals, wires and flexible metal rods. We managed to get it into the van, just, but before heading back to Edinburgh we had a dance to play, at the aforementioned Lion Hotel in Auldearn. When we got to the hotel we had to unload this gigantic loom in order to get at all the band gear that was underneath it. We were in the middle of this operation when who should appear, completely out of the blue, round the back of the van but Bill. He looked at all this activity for a moment and then produced the immortal line – ‘Boys’ he said, ‘d’you not think you’re taking this folk thing a bit far.’
Not many of us manage to give more than we take in this world, but Bill, you most certainly did. We thank you for your warmth, for your friendship, for your modesty, and of course for your wonderful music. In the days, and months, and indeed years to come, we’ll be listening to it, you can be sure of that.
Today is a day to give thanks with a smile for the life of a great man, a man to be proud of. It is as though a giant oak tree, that gave shelter to many over the years, has finally been felled. But we can give thanks too for the acorns.
In Memory
John Ellis (1929 – 2015)
by Suzanne Croy
Undoubtedly, the first thing you associate with John Ellis and the Highland Country Band is the unique sound, instantly recognisable from the first note. My own introduction to the John Ellis sound was when I was ten. Running through to the living room to turn up the radio I asked my mum “Who’s that?” She replied by saying “Oh…..that’s John Ellis and the Highland Country Band. No-one else has a sound like that”. And so my love affair with the band began, many years before I was asked to play with them; and what a glorious day that was! The chance to play with the band I had idolized since a child and the beginning of so many fun-filled gigs.
One of the most memorable trips for me was going to Vancouver to play at the Millennium Ball for the Royal Scottish Country Dance society. Off we went, John, Douglas, Irene, chic, Bill and I. On the way back from Vancouver Island the ship’s captain heard the band were on board and invited us up to the bridge. It’s a skilled operation to steer a large ship safely into the dock so the floor of the bridge contained a glass panel to look through. We were all avoiding standing on it when John commented; “That must be pretty strong glass”, at which point the captain began to try and persuade one of us to stamp on it to demonstrate its strength. Eventually Irene stepped forward to test the pane of glass. Just as Irene’s feet landed on the glass the captain crushed a plastic cup from behind us simulating the sound of shattering glass! Irene must have leapt about 5 feet in the air. I don’t think I’d ever seen John and the band laugh so much. The laughter lasted long into the gig that evening, and that was one of the great things about John’s band, it was always fun.
John wasn’t only my bandleader. He became a cherished friend too. Even through the years that the band did not play much, we kept in touch. A special memory is that proud day when John was awarded the NAAFC’s Honours Recipient Award in 2010. A fitting honour for a great man. I hope the fact that John’s band has inspired many, and will continue to do so, is of some comfort to Pat and the family.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Here ‘n Now – Maggie Adamson & Brian Nicholson – MB015
The Third sheaf Collection of Scottish country Dances – Neil Barron SDB – SHEFF60CD
Out of the Shadows – Peter Wood SDB – STNM001
Book Review
The Alistair McCulloch Collection Vol 2 – 41 original compositions – Kestrel Press (Irvine) Ltd
Scandinavian Folk tunes for the Accordion – 61 pieces – Schott Music
Irish Folk tunes for the Accordion – 30 pieces – Schott Music
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
5th March 2016 – Lindsay Weir SDB
12th March 2016 – Ewan Galloway SDB + Inshyra Concert
19th March 2016 – BBC Get Inspired Family Ceilidh – Craig Paton SDB
26th March 2016 – Archive Session from Jimmy Shand Jnr + Band Competition Inshyra
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 29th March 2016 – Jim Johnstone Tribute Band
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 9th March 2016 – Iain Anderson Trio
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th March 2016 – Marian Anderson Trio
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 6th March 2016 – AGM + Bon Accords
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th March 2016 – Duncan Black Trio
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th March 2016 – Janet Graham Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd March 2016 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 21st March 2016 – Jim Gold Trio
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 13th March 2016 – The Full Scottish
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 8th March 2016 – Gordon Pattullo & Malcolm Ross
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 10th March 2016 – Derek Hamilton & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st March 2016 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 10th March 2016 – Johnny duncan
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 15th March 2016 – Jim gold Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th March 2016 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 3rd March 2016 – Pentlands Ceilidh Band
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 15th March 2016 – Sileas Sinclair Trio
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd March 2016 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th March 2016 – Liam Stewart
Dunfermline (Civil Service Sports Assoc, Rosyth) – 8th March 2016 – Tom Alexander 18th March – Dance to Willie McFarlane Band
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 21st March 2016 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd March 2016 – John Stuart SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th March 2016 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th March 2016 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th March 2016 – Susie Simpson SDB
Fort William (Railway Club) - 1st March 2016 – Gordon Pattullo & Malcolm Ross
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) – 3rd March 2016 – John Fairbairn Memorial Club Night
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 24th March 2016 – Neil MacEachern SDB
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 2nd March 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Gretna (The Gables Hotel) - 6th March 2016 – Liam Stewart
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st March 2016 – Steven Carcary Duo
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 9th March 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd March 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 1st March 2016 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 30th March 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Langholm (British Legion) – 9th March 2016 – The Occasionals
Lewis & Harris (Sea Angling Club) - 3rd March 2016 – Club Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 12th March 2016 – Dance to Keith Robertson Duo 15th March – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th March 2016 – Shirley Cathcart Quartet
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 20th March 2016 – West Telferton Trio
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th March 2016 – Alan Crookston Duo
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd March 2016 – Steven Carcary
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 31st March 2016 – Club Night
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club) 16th March 2016 – Iain Cathcart Trio
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th March 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st March 2016 – Susie Simpson SDB
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 3rd March 2016 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th March 2016 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 31st March 2016 – Neil Hardie SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15th March 2016 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th March 2016 – Janet Graham Band
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 3rd March 2016 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 1st 8th 15th 22nd 30th March 2016 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 10th March 2016 – Local Night 24th March – Susan MacFadyen SDB + Tune Competition
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 10th March 2016 – Keith Robertson & Jack McLeish
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 12th March 2016 – Daniel McPhee
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th March 2016 – Carol-Anne Mackay & Friends
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd March 2016 – Andy Kain Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th March 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 5th & 19th March 2016 – Club Night
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th March 2016 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Banchory
4. Beith
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Button Key
8. Campsie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Coalburn
11. Crieff
12. Dingwall
13. Dunblane
14. Fintry
15. Forres
16. Glendale
17. Gretna
18. Highland
19. Inveraray
20. Isle of Skye
21. Islesteps
22. Kelso
23. Livingston
24. Lockerbie
25. Mauchline
26. Montrose
27. Newburgh
28. Oban
29. Peebles
30. Perth
31. Renfrew
32. Shetland
33. Stonehouse
34. Turriff
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2015
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Coalburn A&F Club (
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
21. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
22. Ellon A&F Club (
23. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
30. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
31. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
32. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
33. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
35. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
36. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
37. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
38 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
39. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
40 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
41 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
42 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
53 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
54 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
55 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
56 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
57 West Barnes ( - present)
58 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
59. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
60. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
61. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
62. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
63. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
64. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
65. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
66. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
67. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
68. Buchan A&F Club
69. Callander A&F Club (
70. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
71. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
72. Club Accord
73. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
74 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
75. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
76. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
77. Cults A & F Club (
78. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
79. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
80. Derwentside A&F Club
81. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
82. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
83. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
84. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
85. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
86. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
87. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
88. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
92. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
93. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
94. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
95. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
96. Kintore A&F Club (
97. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
98. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
99. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
115. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
116. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
117. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
118. Selkirk A&F Club (
119. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
120. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
121. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
122 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
123 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12