Box and Fiddle
Year 27 No 09
May 2004
Price £2.00
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £20 + p&p £6.50 (UK)
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
Another busy month here at the B&F, with dancing in Skye and competitions in Dumfries and Ireland. Next month we’ll have photos and results from Newtongrange, whose competitions were held on April 11th.
Wick club had a ‘Band Night’ and Renfrew club celebrated its 20th Birthday with a dance. Happy Birthday too to Jim Crawford who was 90 years young in April.
The TV programmes are all ‘in the can’ now, so next month we should be able to let you know the dates and times that they will be aired. Well done everyone who took part – let’s hope there’s a second series.
We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the AGM and Celebrity Luncheon in The Huntingtower Hotel on June 27th. This year’s Guests of Honour are John Carmichael and Iain Peterson, and you can read Karyn McCulloch super article about John on Page 5. Next month we’ll have an article about Iain.
Thanks again to the hard-working B&F Team – you know who you are!
See you next month…
Karin Ingram
John Carmichael
by Karyn McCulloch
John Carmichael is one of the most popular and highly respected musicians in the Scottish Music scene today. Not only is he a tremendous ‘box’ player, he is one of the ‘characters’ in the business – and can entertain audiences for hours with his stories and jokes (some of which we couldn’t possibly print!). John will be one of the Guests of Honour at the Association’s AGM in June 2004.
EARLY DAYS
So how and where did it all start? Brought up in Glasgow, John’s interest in music came from his Mum, who sang and played the piano. She had also played in a dance band “up north” during the 1920’s so John grew up hearing music and used to listen to the Scottish Dance Bands on the radio – mainly Jimmy Shand. It wasn’t until he was about fifteen that he realized there were other bands – like Bobby MacLeod – and started listening to them too.
John began piano lessons when he was about nine years old – taught by a relation of his Mum’s. However these were simple, straightforward piano lessons – no “Scottishy” stuff. Unfortunately he didn’t get very far because – by his own admission – he just didn’t practice enough. However he did manage to learn to read music and could play scales and knew about fingering techniques.
A few years later when he was about sixteen years old, Ian McLean – his pal from school, who was “mad about the box” – got an accordion for his Christmas, but he couldn’t play it. John – who had never thought about the accordion before – had a go and managed to get his fingers moving around the keyboard and could play the “odd wee bit” of a tune. Ian went for lessons, so both pals learned together, using the one accordion. Eventually John got an accordion of his own – an old, second hand “clapped out thing” which he bought in Chisholm & Hunters at Glasgow Cross. (He jokes “Put down £2 and change your address…!”). John frequently went on holiday to Skye with Ian – who was originally from there – and they attended the various dances in places such as Portree. They were still under the age for drinking, but the “Highland Dancing” was the place they could hear all the great tunes and listen to the different bands, such as the Michie Brothers or Roddy Urquhart. At this point they became “fanatical” about the music. Ian was still going for lessons, but just couldn’t get to grips with the bass end at all, although he could play all kinds of tunes on the right hand. John used to practice at home on his own accordion and managed to play the right hand, the left hand AND work the bellows – all at the same time! He also had the advantage of being able to read music, which helped him to learn new tunes.
The first public performance for John and Ian was at the Cardonald Highlanders, in Mosspark, Glasgow in the late 1950’s. They could only play one tune – the Atholl Highlanders – so they played it twice, once each! John recalls being “absolutely terrified” before he went on stage! John kept teaching himself until he was about nineteen. By this time he was into engineering, but he went to Archie Duncan for some lessons. Archie “took him in hand” and the first thing he told him to do was to change his fingering technique on the bass end. He was given a book called ‘The Mastery of the Basses’ which contained loads of bass exercises. John worked away diligently, practicing for hours, until he had successfully changed his left hand fingering – in fact he was “quite delighted with himself”.
He learned so much from Archie – both with what he had taught him and just by watching him playing. However, those lessons lasted only about a year, as he was too busy with his engineering to spend time practising.
John and Ian and another couple of pals went regularly to the “Highland Dancing” (now known as ceilidh dancing) in places like Govan Town Hall, the Kingston Halls, or the Highlanders Institute (where Bobby MacLeod played on a Monday night). Out of all the bands they heard, the one that stood out from the rest was called ‘Andy MacColl’s Band’. John recalls, “the place just came alive when he played.” Although this band would never broadcast, they were the band that got all the bands in the area! “Real beltin’ stuff – he played in the full 5 voices all the time!” The lads learned more listening to this band with regards to the popular tunes and which tunes to play for dancing. (Sadly, Ian was later killed during army service).
SCOTTISH CHAMPION
Around 1962, when Ivor Britton won the Scottish championships at Perth, John caught the competition bug. In 1963 he had a go at the competition, but didn’t get anywhere. However, he decided to try again the following year. The night before the competition, his wife (Freena) had been taken into hospital, as she was due to have their first baby. John went to the hospital in the morning but was told that “nothing would happen today”, so Freena told him to go up to Perth – after all, he had been practicing for a whole year! So he went along and played in the afternoon- and got through to the final at night. Now he had a dilemma! He had planned to go home after the afternoon competitions, but now that he was into the final, that meant he had to stay for the evening concert. So he phoned the hospital – and discovered that he was now the proud father of a baby girl! After a celebratory drink or two (or three!) he wanted to go back down to Glasgow and see his new daughter – but his pals wouldn’t let him. They told him to “get into that final”. So he stayed – and WON the All Scotland Championship at Perth – the same day his wife gave birth to their first daughter.
Nowadays, John can often be seen at the other side of the stage – in the adjudicator’s chair. He has been involved in many competitions adjudicating at Perth and Musselburgh, as well as Blairgowrie and Gretna. He adjudicated with Charlie Cowie at the West of Scotland Championships (when this was run by Jock Loch). Then they played at the dance at night with the band.
John has no particular favourite band or player, simply because the scene is changing all the time and so many new ones keep appearing. However his favourite fiddler of all time has to be the late Charlie Cowie. His sense of harmony was second to none – there are others who are terrific players, but they all have a different style to Charlie’s.
ON THE ROAD WITH ANDREW RANKINE AND JIM JOHNSTONE
A lot of band work followed John’s success at Perth in 1964 and he played mainly in Andrew Rankine’s Band for a while. Although he did a few “odds and ends” with Bobby MacLeod. Then he moved with his family to Australia for about four years. This was with his job though – he didn’t play much while over there. He remembers people flocking to various venues whenever a Scottish tour would come over – bands like Jimmy Shand or Ian Powrie.
By the time their second child was due, it was decided that Freena would come home to Scotland to have the baby and visit some relatives, then she would go back after the baby was born.
After she had arrived home, John had one of this “moments of madness” and he flew back home too, as he had about four months of leave to take. A few weeks after arriving back in Scotland, he was in Edinburgh and happened to meet Jim Johnstone. Jim was desperately looking for a second box player his band as they were going on a tour with the White Heather Club. They discussed this and found that John had enough time to do the tour before he was due to go back to work in Australia – however John thought he’s better check with his wife first! She said it would be fine and John decided to do the tour – he spent the next fourteen weeks in Brighton with the White Heather Club. John was ‘hooked’ on music again and he thought “There’s no way I’m goin’ back doon the engine room!” He resigned from his engineering job and worked regularly with the Jim Johnstone Band. After a while the work began to “fizzle out” – and so did his income. He had a wife and two kids to support – and a mortgage to pay. At this point, he “went back to school” – to teach (he had been a teacher before going to sea as an engineer). He still did the odd gig while he was teaching, but this work restricted the number of gigs he could do.
However a TV job came up with Calum Kennedy. Although he was a bit nervous about it, John decided to do the ‘Round at Calum’s’ series for Grampian TV. In between all this he still found time to do some gigs with people like Andrew Rankine and Jim Johnstone, as well as doing a lot on his own with Calum Kennedy and Alasdair Gillies.
In the early 1970’s while he was working as a Principal Guidance teacher in a Glasgow school, he was offered another TV series with Alasdair Gilles – in Canada. He now had four kids, a wife and a mortgage – another dilemma! He was only about thirty years old then and was really keen to pursue music – but he had a steady job and there was the potential to become an assistant head teacher within five or six years. He had already been turning down TV work due to his teaching commitments, although his band was still working. A decision was made and he “chucked the teaching”.
CANADA
He went to Canada to do the TV series and fortunately didn’t need to up sticks and move the whole family. He went across for three weeks at a time, did fifteen to twenty programmes and then came back home for a few months. This was a very good job – and it also allowed him plenty of time in Scotland where he was involved with many of the Scottish theatre shows that were becoming very popular.
Then a few months later it would be back to Canada to film another series of the “telly’s”. The Cape Breton Fiddlers were resident on the show – who were little known here at that time. Although the programme was only to run for two years, John was able to get many of the most popular Scottish entertainers booked into the show – people like Moira Anderson, Calum Kennedy, the Alexander Brothers, Alistair MacDonald. In fact, at this point Stan Hamilton had been living in Canada for around twenty years (although he was originally from Ayr) – and he had never been on TV. John spoke to ‘the bosses’ and managed to get him onto the show! John was a full time musician from 1972 until 1988.
BAND LINE UPS
His very first band consisted of himself on lead accordion, his late brother-in-law Bobby MacNeillie on (who used to play with Ian Holmes) on second box, David Whitehead (who played with Bobby MacLeod) on piano and Johnny Cooper on drums.
In the mid 1980’s the line up changed and there was John on lead box, Charlie Cowie on fiddle (Marie Fielding joined when Charlie died), John Crawford on piano, John Sinton/Eoin Miller on bass and Billy Thom (the ‘Prince of Percussion’) on drums. From time to time Duncan Findlay joined them playing guitar and banjo. This line up stayed the same until a few years ago.
The current line up is John on lead box, Alan Kitchen on piano, Angie MacEachern (Smith) on fiddle and John Sinton on bass. He doesn’t have a regular drummer at the moment, but he can call on people like Billy Thom or Stevie Beattie when a drummer is required.
As John’s band plays at many different functions, from ceilidhs to weddings, the band has had to be able to play much more than just normal ‘teuchter’ stuff. They have incorporated other styles into their repertoire, which have included quicksteps, the Hucklebuck and the Slosh.
JIMMY SHAND
As we have seen John’s first overseas trip with music was in the early 70’s for the TV series in Canada. Towards the end of the series – around 1972/73 – he received a phone call “out of the blue” from Jimmy Shand. “Are you busy around Easter time son? Have you got a lot on? How dae ye fancy comin’ oot tae Australia wi’ me?” he asked. John checked his diary (thinking it would only be for a week or so) and said it would be okay. The tour of Australia and New Zealand lasted seven weeks! They did have a rehearsal though – John went to meet Jimmy and they played a few tunes – that was the practice!
John remembers that tour – the most prestigious arena they played in was the Sydney Opera House. The band included Jimmy Shand and John on accordions, Walter Sinton on piano (brother of bass player John – mentioned earlier) and Ian Powrie on fiddle. The bass player, drummer and guitarist were all Australian musicians. The Alexander Brothers were also in the show, but they were not on stage for the opening – they were on later. When the shoe started Jimmy wasn’t on stage – it began with John standing in front of the band playing the opening tune. Then the announcement came over the speakers “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the legendary Jimmy Shand”. Jimmy walked onto the stage with his Shand Morino and the place erupted. Everyone was standing up, clapping, cheering, whistling – the noise was deafening. John wondered how this reputedly calm man would react to this – would he panic? The crowd were still going mad and Jimmy leaned over to John and said “I wish they would stop that son, tae we get a wee tune, eh?”
Since then John has toured Australia four times with Jimmy Shand and Andy Stewart, he has been to Canada and America with Andy, Calum and Alasdair Gillies and has visited just about every other country you can think of, from Iceland to Germany, Holland to Jordan. Not to mention playing for two ‘Monsoon Ceilidhs’ in Bombay, various other American visits to California and Boston (this year will be his fifth time). He also spent eight years going to Kuwait (twice a year) and nine years going to Abu Dhabi (three times a year). John – if ever you’re looking for a change of job, you could become a travel agent!
As well as jetting all over the world, he has somehow found time to record over sixty albums which include around ten with his own band, fifteen with the Box and Banjo Band, some with the Riverside Ceilidh Band – and many more!
BROADCASTS AND BOXES
He made his first radio broadcast with his band in the early 1970’s, although he had been playing on many Gaelic radio programmes during the 1960’s. He also managed to play for ten years in the summer season at Butlins, as well as being the Musical Director for the Jim MacLeod Big Band, which has been running for a few years now.
The accordion John plays most at the moment is a 2 voice, 60 bass Salterelle, although he has another two ‘spares’ - a Pigini and a Fratelii. His first accordion was a Bellini – but his first brand new accordion was a Hohner Atlantic (which took him “forever to pay up!”). On Northern Nights, he played a Gabonelli (although it had Crucianelli on the front of it) – he had the reeds specially adapted to suit his music. John’s son Iain now has this accordion. Although all four of John’s kids went to Jimmy Blair for accordion lessons, Iain is the only one who still plays – and he now lives in Hong Kong! Iain is kept fairly busy with his playing – especially around St Andrew’s Night when he is flown to places like Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Shanghai and Bangkok. He also plays for various country dances in the area. John’s eldest daughter Fiona (who is now in the police force) won the Ladies Junior Championship and is always threatening to start playing again.
John has also been involved in teaching the accordion – having been enlisted to assist at the Jimmy Blair Accordion School and he spent almost a year teaching at Robert Rolston’s Music Academy in Bellshill.
BOTH SIDES OF THE CAMERA
As most people know John is no stranger to television work – both in front of the cameras as well as behind the scenes as a producer. Some of the TV programmes he worked on (in front of the cameras) include Thingummyjig, Sounds Gaelic, Double Bill, Round at Calums’ and Northern Lights. In 1988, John went back into TV production and was there until 2003.
However, in the early days of Thingummyjig, (where he worked on both sides of the camera) he remembers being so nervous that his hands would be shaking while he was waiting to start (in front of the camera). Not only was he nervous about his own performance, but also not knowing how it would sound – of the balance would be okay. There was never any “settling in time” on the TV broadcasts – as soon as you were on the set you had to start. Sight-reading was an extremely important part of this, especially when the band had to accompany a singer – most of the time the band didn’t see the music until the singer was ready to start! Some readers might wonder how a non-classically trained ‘simple box player’ could be a bandleader, musical director, and the likes? John’s answer “keep your eyes and ears open and learn – and keep your mouth shut until the right moment!”
John was the Producer of Northern Lights as well as being the lead accordionist if the ‘house band’. One day he was asked how he would go about getting a music show off the ground. He explained how he would do it and was given three weeks to get the first series (around fifteen programmes) prepared. No pressure then!
This new programme had to have a balance between the traditional dance band sound and the more modern ‘folksy’ sound. Then he had to organize the ‘house band’, book the guests artistes (two or three per show), arrange for a ‘set’ to be made, book the studio, book the cameras and find a director – all in the space of five days as it had to be finalized on the Friday. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they had to film two shows per night! The first programme was recorded on a Monday night and while John was recording the second programme (on the Monday), his assistant was editing the first one as it was being screened in ITV on the Tuesday – the next night! As John said, if he hadn’t been working on all these other programmes in the earlier years, he wouldn’t have had the experience to be able to put this all together. Thank goodness for Thingummyjig etc, eh!
THE FUTURE
Looking to the future, John has no specific projects planned, but he has no intention of giving up – and he doesn’t think he’ll ever “lose the notion to play” (despite the odd ‘bad gig’). There seem to be plenty of young players coming through to keep the music alive – and as long as there continues to be a platform for them to play from it should survive. John has noticed (as we all have) that this scene has a tendency to fluctuate and always will – but as long as the youngsters keep playing the music, it should improve. Of course the styles of playing have changed so much and now there’s the introduction of the “hundred mile an hour brigade”. Still, some people appear to be able to dance to this, so maybe that’ll be okay too.
One word of advice John has to anyone who plays the accordion PRACTICE. Listen to other players that you like and pick up bits and try to develop your own playing style. Also try to have goals – for example “I want to record a CD” or “I want to do a radio broadcast with my band”. Once you have set your goal, keep practicing towards that. Other than that, just try to have a sense of humour and smile sometimes!
John has been “very fortunate” to have been able to travel to so many different places and meet and work with so many people – all thanks to music. In his own words, he has had “a very exciting life”. And now that he’s “out of the woods” after a health scare, we can carry on listening to John Carmichael’s music – and stories!
Ian Anderson – An Obituary
by Andy Ross
Family, colleagues and followers of Scottish music were utterly shocked and dismayed at the sudden and untimely death on Monday 22nd March of Inverness-based accordionist Ian Anderson.
Ian was born in Forres on 17th December 1950 into a family who adored Scottish Dance music. His late father, Jack, played fiddle for many rural dances in his young days and our type of music could be heard daily in the Anderson household either from the wireless or the mass of 78s accumulated over the years. Ian was gifted his first accordion when around the age of ten by his elder brother George, who had made a brave attempt at mastering the instrument but in his own words, “The right and left hands just couldn’t agree on how or what to play”. Ian also has a younger sister Dorothy.
After a few lessons from local musician Iain Armour, Ian joined Elgin music teacher Jennifer Wilson for further tuition.
In his late teens he formed his first band with his first wife Ena on piano, brother-in-law James Campbell on second accordion and John Brander on drums. The band was very busy and soon was rewarded with regular booking at The Nethybridge Hotel, where they made their first record in 1975 for Craighall. It was while playing there that they were heard by The Tartan Lads who invited them to do a season with them in their Waggle o’ the Kilt Show in many venues all over the South of Scotland, at which time they moved home to Livingston. They also did a lot of engagements for impresario Jimmy Nairn, mainly in The Aviemore Centre.
They returned to Forres towards the end of 1977 and Ian was one of the founder members of the Forres A&F Club, which got off the ground in January 1978.
The band also recorded albums for Emerald Gem in 1977 and Bluebell in 1980, followed by two recording son their own Varis label, the last one in 1989.
The band’s first BBC broadcast was on March 24th, 1979, and they made several broadcasts in later years on ‘Take the Floor’, also for Radio Forth and Moray Firth Radio. In 1980 Ian led the players when the Forres Club made an appearance on a programme called Fiddle and Box for Grampian TV.
The band played several overseas engagements including Copenhagen, Nigeria, Holland, Tenerife and Costa del Sol. Locally they played at A&F Clubs, ceilidhs and old time dances including quite a few trips to the Western Isles. Incidentally, they had been booked to play in Glasgow on the evening prior to his funeral….Latterly Ian had a Trio with himself on accordion with MIDI system, fiddle player Kenny Laing plus a drummer.
Ian worked as an electrician for the past 26 years with Moray Council, having previously served his apprenticeship with a Forres company. His funeral service was held in the East Church, Academy Street, Inverness on Saturday 27th March and was conducted by Rev. Dr. John Ferguson. There was a huge congregation of family, fellow musicians, work colleagues and Scottish music enthusiasts and the internment took place at Petty church on the A96 about six miles east of Inverness.
Ian is survived by his wife of 11 years Joan, his two sons from his first marriage Ian Jnr and Douglas and also two stepdaughters Aileen and Catherine. He will be sadly missed by hundreds of people, far and wide.
Island Fling 2004
by Rob Corcoran
What did you do for Easter this year – race eggs…………
Jim Crawford
by John McDonald
Well-known Fife musician – Jim Crawford from Edentown, near Ladybank – celebrated his 90th birthday on Wednesday 14th April.
Jim first started to play the melodeon when he was only 6 years of age after listening to his father on their farm near the north Fife hamlet of Logie. When the family moved to a farm near Falkland Jim, who was then 16, took a fancy to a new melodeon and, although money was scarce, his mother allowed him to cycle to Dundee to have a look at the instruments. After leaving his bike at Newport and crossing on the ferry, he made his way to Forbes’s Music Shop in King Street, where he met the late Sir Jimmy Shand, who was salesman/demonstrator with the firm. Guided by Jimmy, Jim made a selection from the vast array of instruments, after which Jimmy Shand picked up the melodeon and played a few tunes, much to Jim’s enjoyment and satisfaction.
On the way home he stopped at the roadside, unwrapped the melodeon, and eagerly attempted to play a few tunes – unfortunately without much success. A bit disappointed, he made his way home, convinced that the instrument he had chosen was not the one he had been given. A few weeks later, Jimmy Shand called at the farm and Jim expressed his disappointment, whereupon Jimmy Shand picked up the melodeon, and played a selection of marches. At that point Jim admitted that it was himself who was at fault and NOT the instrument! This was the start of a lifelong friendship with Sir Jimmy and the Shand family and, in November 1977 Jim was invited to take part in the ‘This is Your Life’ television recording featuring Jimmy Shand.
Jim aspired to a full-size button-key accordion and for over 20 years, he and his five-piece band played every Saturday in the nearby Giffordtown Hall, for old time and country dancing. Other events included charity functions and Burns’ suppers. Jim admitted that there was never much profit in those days and on occasions they were lucky if they earned five shillings (25 pence), but they all enjoyed the music and the social atmosphere.
He entered the competitions at the Perth Accordion Festival in the early fifties and won ‘The Jimmy Shand Shield’ in 1954 (followed by his brother John in 1960). Jim and his band were invited to play at dances throughout the U.K. and they also made regular broadcasts on the BBC Home Service ‘Scottish Dance Music’ radio programmes. A few years ago, he entered a competition at the Musselburgh Festival and won the award for the ‘Champion of the Melodeon’.
He has been the Guest Atriste and many A&F Clubs and only two years ago was the guest at the Stornoway Club.
Along with his 2-row ‘Double Ray’ melodeon, he still plays regularly at the Glenfarg, Ladybank, and Windygates (Button-Key) A&F clubs and the monthly musical ‘get-together’ at Letham Village Hall, organised by Jimmy Shand Junior.
He has played at the three annual ‘Sir Jimmy Shand Tribute Day’ concerts in the Town Hall in St Andrews and recently took part in a television recording at the Windygates Button-Key Club.
Finally, he has just released a 21 track CD entitled Matured to Perfection,, how appropriate for someone at 90 years of age.
I asked Jim if he had any special, or favourite, tune to which he replied, “They’re a’ braw”, but as I left to the strains of Memories of Willie Snaith, a tune composed by his great friend, the late Sir Jimmy Shand, I felt perhaps there was a ‘favourite’!
Irish Accordion Championships
by Clyde Johnston
The Mayor of Larne, Councillor Bobby McKee………
Greetings from Inverness
by Margo MacLennan
Invermoriston village Hall was the place to be……..
The Piping Shrike
by Jean Lumsden
Here we are back again!.............
CD Reviews – See Hear with Judith Linton
Estd – 1976 – Allan Henderson – SKYECD24 – Macmeanmna
Granite – Paul Anderson – CHAMPCD04 – Champion Recordings
An Evening with Friends Volume 3 – Ian Muir SDB – NORCD0104 – Independent
New Places – Sarah Barbour – SBCD001 – Independent
The Luckenbooth Brooch – Sandy Nixon SDB – HRMCD558 – Highlander Music
Book Review
The Cromar Collection – Paul Anderson
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
1st May 04 – Tom Orr SDB (Guest presenter Nicol McLaren with feature on future of Traditional Music and Dance)
8th May 04 – William Marshall SDB (Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival)
15th May 04 – Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB (H&I M&D Festival Part 2)
22nd May 04 – Michael Garvin SDB (OB from Corran Halls, Oban with Maurice Duncan & Margaret Fletcher, Oban Gaelic Choir and Angus MacColl).
29th May 04 – Gary Forrest SDB (Judith Linton’s CD Choice)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) – 25th May 04 – Neil Galloway SDB + AGM
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 16th May 04 – Jimmy McQuire
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 2nd May 04 – Gary Sutherland
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 6th May 04 – Ian McCallum Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 31st May 04 – Andy’s Ceilidh Group
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 26th May 04 – Dave Stewart Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Centre) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 11th May 04 – Ian Anderson
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 11th May 04 – Club Night & AGM
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 13th May 04 – Maureen Turnbull
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 4th May 04 – William Paterson Band
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 20th May 04 – Club night
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 6th May 04 – Donald MacLeod Trio
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 12th May 04 – Judith Linton Trio 21st May 04 – Dance to James Coutts SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 5th May 04 – Donald MacLeod SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 19th May 04 – David Cunningham Jnr
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (Masonic Hall, Kittoch St) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 18th May 04 – The Wyvis Sound
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 24th May 04 – Ian Anderson SDB
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 30th May 04 – Willie McFarlane SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 12th May 04 – Mhairi Coutts Trio
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) –
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 7th May 04 – Jennifer Forrest Trio
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 25th May 04 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 17th May 04 – Ian Muir + Trio Comps
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 26th May 04 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 5th May 04 – Lynne Christie SDB
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 13th May 04 – Brian Griffin Duo
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) -
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 18th May 04 – Clyde Valley CB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 20th May 04 – Club Night
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) - 27th May 04 – Bill Black SDB
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 4th May 04 – Lomond CB
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 18th May 04 – John Renton SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 6th May 04 – Judith Linton Trio
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 9th May 04 – All Players Welcome
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 2nd May 04 – Lomond BD
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 6th May 04 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 20th May 04 – Dick Black Band
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 13th May 04 – Bill Black SDB
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 18th May 04 – Fergie MacDonald Band
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Banchory
6. Banff
7. Beith
8. Belford
9. Biggar
10. Blairgowrie
11. Bromley
12. Button-Key
13. Campsie
14. Carlisle
15. Castle Douglas
16. Coalburn
17. Dingwall
18. Dunfermline
19. Dunoon & Cowal
20. East Kilbride
21. Fintry
22. Forfar
23. Forres
24. Galston
25. Glenrothes
26. Gretna
27. Isle of Skye
28. Islesteps
29. Kelso
30. Kintore
31. Lanark
32. Lesmahagow
33. Lewis & Harris
34. Livingston
35. Lockerbie
36. Montrose
37. Newburgh
38. Newtongrange
39. North East
40. Oban
41. Peebles
42. Premier
43. Thurso
44. Turriff
45. Tynedale
46. West Barnes
47. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2004
(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. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Brittania B&F Club ( joined 07-08
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 04/05
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. 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)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed 04/05 )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
51. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
52. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
53. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
66. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
67. Selkirk A&F Club (
68. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
69. Sutherland A&F Club (
70. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
71. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
72. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
73. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
74. West Barnes ( - present)
75. 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?)
76. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
77. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
78. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
79. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
80. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
81. Buchan A&F Club
82 Callander A&F Club (
83 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
84 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
85 Club Accord
86 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
87. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
88. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
89. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
90. Derwentside A&F Club
91. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
92. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
93. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
94. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
95. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
96. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
97. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
98. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
99. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
100. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
101. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
109. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
110. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
111. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
112. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
113. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
114. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
115. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
116. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
117. Tranent A&F Club
118. Vancouver
119. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
120. Wellbank A&F Club
121. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
Another busy month here at the B&F, with dancing in Skye and competitions in Dumfries and Ireland. Next month we’ll have photos and results from Newtongrange, whose competitions were held on April 11th.
Wick club had a ‘Band Night’ and Renfrew club celebrated its 20th Birthday with a dance. Happy Birthday too to Jim Crawford who was 90 years young in April.
The TV programmes are all ‘in the can’ now, so next month we should be able to let you know the dates and times that they will be aired. Well done everyone who took part – let’s hope there’s a second series.
We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the AGM and Celebrity Luncheon in The Huntingtower Hotel on June 27th. This year’s Guests of Honour are John Carmichael and Iain Peterson, and you can read Karyn McCulloch super article about John on Page 5. Next month we’ll have an article about Iain.
Thanks again to the hard-working B&F Team – you know who you are!
See you next month…
Karin Ingram
John Carmichael
by Karyn McCulloch
John Carmichael is one of the most popular and highly respected musicians in the Scottish Music scene today. Not only is he a tremendous ‘box’ player, he is one of the ‘characters’ in the business – and can entertain audiences for hours with his stories and jokes (some of which we couldn’t possibly print!). John will be one of the Guests of Honour at the Association’s AGM in June 2004.
EARLY DAYS
So how and where did it all start? Brought up in Glasgow, John’s interest in music came from his Mum, who sang and played the piano. She had also played in a dance band “up north” during the 1920’s so John grew up hearing music and used to listen to the Scottish Dance Bands on the radio – mainly Jimmy Shand. It wasn’t until he was about fifteen that he realized there were other bands – like Bobby MacLeod – and started listening to them too.
John began piano lessons when he was about nine years old – taught by a relation of his Mum’s. However these were simple, straightforward piano lessons – no “Scottishy” stuff. Unfortunately he didn’t get very far because – by his own admission – he just didn’t practice enough. However he did manage to learn to read music and could play scales and knew about fingering techniques.
A few years later when he was about sixteen years old, Ian McLean – his pal from school, who was “mad about the box” – got an accordion for his Christmas, but he couldn’t play it. John – who had never thought about the accordion before – had a go and managed to get his fingers moving around the keyboard and could play the “odd wee bit” of a tune. Ian went for lessons, so both pals learned together, using the one accordion. Eventually John got an accordion of his own – an old, second hand “clapped out thing” which he bought in Chisholm & Hunters at Glasgow Cross. (He jokes “Put down £2 and change your address…!”). John frequently went on holiday to Skye with Ian – who was originally from there – and they attended the various dances in places such as Portree. They were still under the age for drinking, but the “Highland Dancing” was the place they could hear all the great tunes and listen to the different bands, such as the Michie Brothers or Roddy Urquhart. At this point they became “fanatical” about the music. Ian was still going for lessons, but just couldn’t get to grips with the bass end at all, although he could play all kinds of tunes on the right hand. John used to practice at home on his own accordion and managed to play the right hand, the left hand AND work the bellows – all at the same time! He also had the advantage of being able to read music, which helped him to learn new tunes.
The first public performance for John and Ian was at the Cardonald Highlanders, in Mosspark, Glasgow in the late 1950’s. They could only play one tune – the Atholl Highlanders – so they played it twice, once each! John recalls being “absolutely terrified” before he went on stage! John kept teaching himself until he was about nineteen. By this time he was into engineering, but he went to Archie Duncan for some lessons. Archie “took him in hand” and the first thing he told him to do was to change his fingering technique on the bass end. He was given a book called ‘The Mastery of the Basses’ which contained loads of bass exercises. John worked away diligently, practicing for hours, until he had successfully changed his left hand fingering – in fact he was “quite delighted with himself”.
He learned so much from Archie – both with what he had taught him and just by watching him playing. However, those lessons lasted only about a year, as he was too busy with his engineering to spend time practising.
John and Ian and another couple of pals went regularly to the “Highland Dancing” (now known as ceilidh dancing) in places like Govan Town Hall, the Kingston Halls, or the Highlanders Institute (where Bobby MacLeod played on a Monday night). Out of all the bands they heard, the one that stood out from the rest was called ‘Andy MacColl’s Band’. John recalls, “the place just came alive when he played.” Although this band would never broadcast, they were the band that got all the bands in the area! “Real beltin’ stuff – he played in the full 5 voices all the time!” The lads learned more listening to this band with regards to the popular tunes and which tunes to play for dancing. (Sadly, Ian was later killed during army service).
SCOTTISH CHAMPION
Around 1962, when Ivor Britton won the Scottish championships at Perth, John caught the competition bug. In 1963 he had a go at the competition, but didn’t get anywhere. However, he decided to try again the following year. The night before the competition, his wife (Freena) had been taken into hospital, as she was due to have their first baby. John went to the hospital in the morning but was told that “nothing would happen today”, so Freena told him to go up to Perth – after all, he had been practicing for a whole year! So he went along and played in the afternoon- and got through to the final at night. Now he had a dilemma! He had planned to go home after the afternoon competitions, but now that he was into the final, that meant he had to stay for the evening concert. So he phoned the hospital – and discovered that he was now the proud father of a baby girl! After a celebratory drink or two (or three!) he wanted to go back down to Glasgow and see his new daughter – but his pals wouldn’t let him. They told him to “get into that final”. So he stayed – and WON the All Scotland Championship at Perth – the same day his wife gave birth to their first daughter.
Nowadays, John can often be seen at the other side of the stage – in the adjudicator’s chair. He has been involved in many competitions adjudicating at Perth and Musselburgh, as well as Blairgowrie and Gretna. He adjudicated with Charlie Cowie at the West of Scotland Championships (when this was run by Jock Loch). Then they played at the dance at night with the band.
John has no particular favourite band or player, simply because the scene is changing all the time and so many new ones keep appearing. However his favourite fiddler of all time has to be the late Charlie Cowie. His sense of harmony was second to none – there are others who are terrific players, but they all have a different style to Charlie’s.
ON THE ROAD WITH ANDREW RANKINE AND JIM JOHNSTONE
A lot of band work followed John’s success at Perth in 1964 and he played mainly in Andrew Rankine’s Band for a while. Although he did a few “odds and ends” with Bobby MacLeod. Then he moved with his family to Australia for about four years. This was with his job though – he didn’t play much while over there. He remembers people flocking to various venues whenever a Scottish tour would come over – bands like Jimmy Shand or Ian Powrie.
By the time their second child was due, it was decided that Freena would come home to Scotland to have the baby and visit some relatives, then she would go back after the baby was born.
After she had arrived home, John had one of this “moments of madness” and he flew back home too, as he had about four months of leave to take. A few weeks after arriving back in Scotland, he was in Edinburgh and happened to meet Jim Johnstone. Jim was desperately looking for a second box player his band as they were going on a tour with the White Heather Club. They discussed this and found that John had enough time to do the tour before he was due to go back to work in Australia – however John thought he’s better check with his wife first! She said it would be fine and John decided to do the tour – he spent the next fourteen weeks in Brighton with the White Heather Club. John was ‘hooked’ on music again and he thought “There’s no way I’m goin’ back doon the engine room!” He resigned from his engineering job and worked regularly with the Jim Johnstone Band. After a while the work began to “fizzle out” – and so did his income. He had a wife and two kids to support – and a mortgage to pay. At this point, he “went back to school” – to teach (he had been a teacher before going to sea as an engineer). He still did the odd gig while he was teaching, but this work restricted the number of gigs he could do.
However a TV job came up with Calum Kennedy. Although he was a bit nervous about it, John decided to do the ‘Round at Calum’s’ series for Grampian TV. In between all this he still found time to do some gigs with people like Andrew Rankine and Jim Johnstone, as well as doing a lot on his own with Calum Kennedy and Alasdair Gillies.
In the early 1970’s while he was working as a Principal Guidance teacher in a Glasgow school, he was offered another TV series with Alasdair Gilles – in Canada. He now had four kids, a wife and a mortgage – another dilemma! He was only about thirty years old then and was really keen to pursue music – but he had a steady job and there was the potential to become an assistant head teacher within five or six years. He had already been turning down TV work due to his teaching commitments, although his band was still working. A decision was made and he “chucked the teaching”.
CANADA
He went to Canada to do the TV series and fortunately didn’t need to up sticks and move the whole family. He went across for three weeks at a time, did fifteen to twenty programmes and then came back home for a few months. This was a very good job – and it also allowed him plenty of time in Scotland where he was involved with many of the Scottish theatre shows that were becoming very popular.
Then a few months later it would be back to Canada to film another series of the “telly’s”. The Cape Breton Fiddlers were resident on the show – who were little known here at that time. Although the programme was only to run for two years, John was able to get many of the most popular Scottish entertainers booked into the show – people like Moira Anderson, Calum Kennedy, the Alexander Brothers, Alistair MacDonald. In fact, at this point Stan Hamilton had been living in Canada for around twenty years (although he was originally from Ayr) – and he had never been on TV. John spoke to ‘the bosses’ and managed to get him onto the show! John was a full time musician from 1972 until 1988.
BAND LINE UPS
His very first band consisted of himself on lead accordion, his late brother-in-law Bobby MacNeillie on (who used to play with Ian Holmes) on second box, David Whitehead (who played with Bobby MacLeod) on piano and Johnny Cooper on drums.
In the mid 1980’s the line up changed and there was John on lead box, Charlie Cowie on fiddle (Marie Fielding joined when Charlie died), John Crawford on piano, John Sinton/Eoin Miller on bass and Billy Thom (the ‘Prince of Percussion’) on drums. From time to time Duncan Findlay joined them playing guitar and banjo. This line up stayed the same until a few years ago.
The current line up is John on lead box, Alan Kitchen on piano, Angie MacEachern (Smith) on fiddle and John Sinton on bass. He doesn’t have a regular drummer at the moment, but he can call on people like Billy Thom or Stevie Beattie when a drummer is required.
As John’s band plays at many different functions, from ceilidhs to weddings, the band has had to be able to play much more than just normal ‘teuchter’ stuff. They have incorporated other styles into their repertoire, which have included quicksteps, the Hucklebuck and the Slosh.
JIMMY SHAND
As we have seen John’s first overseas trip with music was in the early 70’s for the TV series in Canada. Towards the end of the series – around 1972/73 – he received a phone call “out of the blue” from Jimmy Shand. “Are you busy around Easter time son? Have you got a lot on? How dae ye fancy comin’ oot tae Australia wi’ me?” he asked. John checked his diary (thinking it would only be for a week or so) and said it would be okay. The tour of Australia and New Zealand lasted seven weeks! They did have a rehearsal though – John went to meet Jimmy and they played a few tunes – that was the practice!
John remembers that tour – the most prestigious arena they played in was the Sydney Opera House. The band included Jimmy Shand and John on accordions, Walter Sinton on piano (brother of bass player John – mentioned earlier) and Ian Powrie on fiddle. The bass player, drummer and guitarist were all Australian musicians. The Alexander Brothers were also in the show, but they were not on stage for the opening – they were on later. When the shoe started Jimmy wasn’t on stage – it began with John standing in front of the band playing the opening tune. Then the announcement came over the speakers “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the legendary Jimmy Shand”. Jimmy walked onto the stage with his Shand Morino and the place erupted. Everyone was standing up, clapping, cheering, whistling – the noise was deafening. John wondered how this reputedly calm man would react to this – would he panic? The crowd were still going mad and Jimmy leaned over to John and said “I wish they would stop that son, tae we get a wee tune, eh?”
Since then John has toured Australia four times with Jimmy Shand and Andy Stewart, he has been to Canada and America with Andy, Calum and Alasdair Gillies and has visited just about every other country you can think of, from Iceland to Germany, Holland to Jordan. Not to mention playing for two ‘Monsoon Ceilidhs’ in Bombay, various other American visits to California and Boston (this year will be his fifth time). He also spent eight years going to Kuwait (twice a year) and nine years going to Abu Dhabi (three times a year). John – if ever you’re looking for a change of job, you could become a travel agent!
As well as jetting all over the world, he has somehow found time to record over sixty albums which include around ten with his own band, fifteen with the Box and Banjo Band, some with the Riverside Ceilidh Band – and many more!
BROADCASTS AND BOXES
He made his first radio broadcast with his band in the early 1970’s, although he had been playing on many Gaelic radio programmes during the 1960’s. He also managed to play for ten years in the summer season at Butlins, as well as being the Musical Director for the Jim MacLeod Big Band, which has been running for a few years now.
The accordion John plays most at the moment is a 2 voice, 60 bass Salterelle, although he has another two ‘spares’ - a Pigini and a Fratelii. His first accordion was a Bellini – but his first brand new accordion was a Hohner Atlantic (which took him “forever to pay up!”). On Northern Nights, he played a Gabonelli (although it had Crucianelli on the front of it) – he had the reeds specially adapted to suit his music. John’s son Iain now has this accordion. Although all four of John’s kids went to Jimmy Blair for accordion lessons, Iain is the only one who still plays – and he now lives in Hong Kong! Iain is kept fairly busy with his playing – especially around St Andrew’s Night when he is flown to places like Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Shanghai and Bangkok. He also plays for various country dances in the area. John’s eldest daughter Fiona (who is now in the police force) won the Ladies Junior Championship and is always threatening to start playing again.
John has also been involved in teaching the accordion – having been enlisted to assist at the Jimmy Blair Accordion School and he spent almost a year teaching at Robert Rolston’s Music Academy in Bellshill.
BOTH SIDES OF THE CAMERA
As most people know John is no stranger to television work – both in front of the cameras as well as behind the scenes as a producer. Some of the TV programmes he worked on (in front of the cameras) include Thingummyjig, Sounds Gaelic, Double Bill, Round at Calums’ and Northern Lights. In 1988, John went back into TV production and was there until 2003.
However, in the early days of Thingummyjig, (where he worked on both sides of the camera) he remembers being so nervous that his hands would be shaking while he was waiting to start (in front of the camera). Not only was he nervous about his own performance, but also not knowing how it would sound – of the balance would be okay. There was never any “settling in time” on the TV broadcasts – as soon as you were on the set you had to start. Sight-reading was an extremely important part of this, especially when the band had to accompany a singer – most of the time the band didn’t see the music until the singer was ready to start! Some readers might wonder how a non-classically trained ‘simple box player’ could be a bandleader, musical director, and the likes? John’s answer “keep your eyes and ears open and learn – and keep your mouth shut until the right moment!”
John was the Producer of Northern Lights as well as being the lead accordionist if the ‘house band’. One day he was asked how he would go about getting a music show off the ground. He explained how he would do it and was given three weeks to get the first series (around fifteen programmes) prepared. No pressure then!
This new programme had to have a balance between the traditional dance band sound and the more modern ‘folksy’ sound. Then he had to organize the ‘house band’, book the guests artistes (two or three per show), arrange for a ‘set’ to be made, book the studio, book the cameras and find a director – all in the space of five days as it had to be finalized on the Friday. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they had to film two shows per night! The first programme was recorded on a Monday night and while John was recording the second programme (on the Monday), his assistant was editing the first one as it was being screened in ITV on the Tuesday – the next night! As John said, if he hadn’t been working on all these other programmes in the earlier years, he wouldn’t have had the experience to be able to put this all together. Thank goodness for Thingummyjig etc, eh!
THE FUTURE
Looking to the future, John has no specific projects planned, but he has no intention of giving up – and he doesn’t think he’ll ever “lose the notion to play” (despite the odd ‘bad gig’). There seem to be plenty of young players coming through to keep the music alive – and as long as there continues to be a platform for them to play from it should survive. John has noticed (as we all have) that this scene has a tendency to fluctuate and always will – but as long as the youngsters keep playing the music, it should improve. Of course the styles of playing have changed so much and now there’s the introduction of the “hundred mile an hour brigade”. Still, some people appear to be able to dance to this, so maybe that’ll be okay too.
One word of advice John has to anyone who plays the accordion PRACTICE. Listen to other players that you like and pick up bits and try to develop your own playing style. Also try to have goals – for example “I want to record a CD” or “I want to do a radio broadcast with my band”. Once you have set your goal, keep practicing towards that. Other than that, just try to have a sense of humour and smile sometimes!
John has been “very fortunate” to have been able to travel to so many different places and meet and work with so many people – all thanks to music. In his own words, he has had “a very exciting life”. And now that he’s “out of the woods” after a health scare, we can carry on listening to John Carmichael’s music – and stories!
Ian Anderson – An Obituary
by Andy Ross
Family, colleagues and followers of Scottish music were utterly shocked and dismayed at the sudden and untimely death on Monday 22nd March of Inverness-based accordionist Ian Anderson.
Ian was born in Forres on 17th December 1950 into a family who adored Scottish Dance music. His late father, Jack, played fiddle for many rural dances in his young days and our type of music could be heard daily in the Anderson household either from the wireless or the mass of 78s accumulated over the years. Ian was gifted his first accordion when around the age of ten by his elder brother George, who had made a brave attempt at mastering the instrument but in his own words, “The right and left hands just couldn’t agree on how or what to play”. Ian also has a younger sister Dorothy.
After a few lessons from local musician Iain Armour, Ian joined Elgin music teacher Jennifer Wilson for further tuition.
In his late teens he formed his first band with his first wife Ena on piano, brother-in-law James Campbell on second accordion and John Brander on drums. The band was very busy and soon was rewarded with regular booking at The Nethybridge Hotel, where they made their first record in 1975 for Craighall. It was while playing there that they were heard by The Tartan Lads who invited them to do a season with them in their Waggle o’ the Kilt Show in many venues all over the South of Scotland, at which time they moved home to Livingston. They also did a lot of engagements for impresario Jimmy Nairn, mainly in The Aviemore Centre.
They returned to Forres towards the end of 1977 and Ian was one of the founder members of the Forres A&F Club, which got off the ground in January 1978.
The band also recorded albums for Emerald Gem in 1977 and Bluebell in 1980, followed by two recording son their own Varis label, the last one in 1989.
The band’s first BBC broadcast was on March 24th, 1979, and they made several broadcasts in later years on ‘Take the Floor’, also for Radio Forth and Moray Firth Radio. In 1980 Ian led the players when the Forres Club made an appearance on a programme called Fiddle and Box for Grampian TV.
The band played several overseas engagements including Copenhagen, Nigeria, Holland, Tenerife and Costa del Sol. Locally they played at A&F Clubs, ceilidhs and old time dances including quite a few trips to the Western Isles. Incidentally, they had been booked to play in Glasgow on the evening prior to his funeral….Latterly Ian had a Trio with himself on accordion with MIDI system, fiddle player Kenny Laing plus a drummer.
Ian worked as an electrician for the past 26 years with Moray Council, having previously served his apprenticeship with a Forres company. His funeral service was held in the East Church, Academy Street, Inverness on Saturday 27th March and was conducted by Rev. Dr. John Ferguson. There was a huge congregation of family, fellow musicians, work colleagues and Scottish music enthusiasts and the internment took place at Petty church on the A96 about six miles east of Inverness.
Ian is survived by his wife of 11 years Joan, his two sons from his first marriage Ian Jnr and Douglas and also two stepdaughters Aileen and Catherine. He will be sadly missed by hundreds of people, far and wide.
Island Fling 2004
by Rob Corcoran
What did you do for Easter this year – race eggs…………
Jim Crawford
by John McDonald
Well-known Fife musician – Jim Crawford from Edentown, near Ladybank – celebrated his 90th birthday on Wednesday 14th April.
Jim first started to play the melodeon when he was only 6 years of age after listening to his father on their farm near the north Fife hamlet of Logie. When the family moved to a farm near Falkland Jim, who was then 16, took a fancy to a new melodeon and, although money was scarce, his mother allowed him to cycle to Dundee to have a look at the instruments. After leaving his bike at Newport and crossing on the ferry, he made his way to Forbes’s Music Shop in King Street, where he met the late Sir Jimmy Shand, who was salesman/demonstrator with the firm. Guided by Jimmy, Jim made a selection from the vast array of instruments, after which Jimmy Shand picked up the melodeon and played a few tunes, much to Jim’s enjoyment and satisfaction.
On the way home he stopped at the roadside, unwrapped the melodeon, and eagerly attempted to play a few tunes – unfortunately without much success. A bit disappointed, he made his way home, convinced that the instrument he had chosen was not the one he had been given. A few weeks later, Jimmy Shand called at the farm and Jim expressed his disappointment, whereupon Jimmy Shand picked up the melodeon, and played a selection of marches. At that point Jim admitted that it was himself who was at fault and NOT the instrument! This was the start of a lifelong friendship with Sir Jimmy and the Shand family and, in November 1977 Jim was invited to take part in the ‘This is Your Life’ television recording featuring Jimmy Shand.
Jim aspired to a full-size button-key accordion and for over 20 years, he and his five-piece band played every Saturday in the nearby Giffordtown Hall, for old time and country dancing. Other events included charity functions and Burns’ suppers. Jim admitted that there was never much profit in those days and on occasions they were lucky if they earned five shillings (25 pence), but they all enjoyed the music and the social atmosphere.
He entered the competitions at the Perth Accordion Festival in the early fifties and won ‘The Jimmy Shand Shield’ in 1954 (followed by his brother John in 1960). Jim and his band were invited to play at dances throughout the U.K. and they also made regular broadcasts on the BBC Home Service ‘Scottish Dance Music’ radio programmes. A few years ago, he entered a competition at the Musselburgh Festival and won the award for the ‘Champion of the Melodeon’.
He has been the Guest Atriste and many A&F Clubs and only two years ago was the guest at the Stornoway Club.
Along with his 2-row ‘Double Ray’ melodeon, he still plays regularly at the Glenfarg, Ladybank, and Windygates (Button-Key) A&F clubs and the monthly musical ‘get-together’ at Letham Village Hall, organised by Jimmy Shand Junior.
He has played at the three annual ‘Sir Jimmy Shand Tribute Day’ concerts in the Town Hall in St Andrews and recently took part in a television recording at the Windygates Button-Key Club.
Finally, he has just released a 21 track CD entitled Matured to Perfection,, how appropriate for someone at 90 years of age.
I asked Jim if he had any special, or favourite, tune to which he replied, “They’re a’ braw”, but as I left to the strains of Memories of Willie Snaith, a tune composed by his great friend, the late Sir Jimmy Shand, I felt perhaps there was a ‘favourite’!
Irish Accordion Championships
by Clyde Johnston
The Mayor of Larne, Councillor Bobby McKee………
Greetings from Inverness
by Margo MacLennan
Invermoriston village Hall was the place to be……..
The Piping Shrike
by Jean Lumsden
Here we are back again!.............
CD Reviews – See Hear with Judith Linton
Estd – 1976 – Allan Henderson – SKYECD24 – Macmeanmna
Granite – Paul Anderson – CHAMPCD04 – Champion Recordings
An Evening with Friends Volume 3 – Ian Muir SDB – NORCD0104 – Independent
New Places – Sarah Barbour – SBCD001 – Independent
The Luckenbooth Brooch – Sandy Nixon SDB – HRMCD558 – Highlander Music
Book Review
The Cromar Collection – Paul Anderson
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
1st May 04 – Tom Orr SDB (Guest presenter Nicol McLaren with feature on future of Traditional Music and Dance)
8th May 04 – William Marshall SDB (Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival)
15th May 04 – Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB (H&I M&D Festival Part 2)
22nd May 04 – Michael Garvin SDB (OB from Corran Halls, Oban with Maurice Duncan & Margaret Fletcher, Oban Gaelic Choir and Angus MacColl).
29th May 04 – Gary Forrest SDB (Judith Linton’s CD Choice)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) – 25th May 04 – Neil Galloway SDB + AGM
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 16th May 04 – Jimmy McQuire
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 2nd May 04 – Gary Sutherland
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 6th May 04 – Ian McCallum Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 31st May 04 – Andy’s Ceilidh Group
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 26th May 04 – Dave Stewart Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Centre) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 11th May 04 – Ian Anderson
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 11th May 04 – Club Night & AGM
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 13th May 04 – Maureen Turnbull
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 4th May 04 – William Paterson Band
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 20th May 04 – Club night
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 6th May 04 – Donald MacLeod Trio
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 12th May 04 – Judith Linton Trio 21st May 04 – Dance to James Coutts SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 5th May 04 – Donald MacLeod SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 19th May 04 – David Cunningham Jnr
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (Masonic Hall, Kittoch St) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 18th May 04 – The Wyvis Sound
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 24th May 04 – Ian Anderson SDB
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 30th May 04 – Willie McFarlane SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 12th May 04 – Mhairi Coutts Trio
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) –
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 7th May 04 – Jennifer Forrest Trio
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 25th May 04 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 17th May 04 – Ian Muir + Trio Comps
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 26th May 04 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 5th May 04 – Lynne Christie SDB
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 13th May 04 – Brian Griffin Duo
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) -
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 18th May 04 – Clyde Valley CB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 20th May 04 – Club Night
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) - 27th May 04 – Bill Black SDB
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 4th May 04 – Lomond CB
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 18th May 04 – John Renton SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 6th May 04 – Judith Linton Trio
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 9th May 04 – All Players Welcome
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 2nd May 04 – Lomond BD
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 6th May 04 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 20th May 04 – Dick Black Band
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 13th May 04 – Bill Black SDB
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 18th May 04 – Fergie MacDonald Band
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Banchory
6. Banff
7. Beith
8. Belford
9. Biggar
10. Blairgowrie
11. Bromley
12. Button-Key
13. Campsie
14. Carlisle
15. Castle Douglas
16. Coalburn
17. Dingwall
18. Dunfermline
19. Dunoon & Cowal
20. East Kilbride
21. Fintry
22. Forfar
23. Forres
24. Galston
25. Glenrothes
26. Gretna
27. Isle of Skye
28. Islesteps
29. Kelso
30. Kintore
31. Lanark
32. Lesmahagow
33. Lewis & Harris
34. Livingston
35. Lockerbie
36. Montrose
37. Newburgh
38. Newtongrange
39. North East
40. Oban
41. Peebles
42. Premier
43. Thurso
44. Turriff
45. Tynedale
46. West Barnes
47. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2004
(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. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Brittania B&F Club ( joined 07-08
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 04/05
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. 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)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed 04/05 )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
51. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
52. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
53. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
66. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
67. Selkirk A&F Club (
68. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
69. Sutherland A&F Club (
70. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
71. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
72. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
73. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
74. West Barnes ( - present)
75. 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?)
76. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
77. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
78. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
79. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
80. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
81. Buchan A&F Club
82 Callander A&F Club (
83 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
84 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
85 Club Accord
86 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
87. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
88. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
89. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
90. Derwentside A&F Club
91. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
92. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
93. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
94. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
95. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
96. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
97. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
98. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
99. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
100. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
101. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
109. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
110. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
111. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
112. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
113. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
114. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
115. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
116. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
117. Tranent A&F Club
118. Vancouver
119. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
120. Wellbank A&F Club
121. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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