Box and Fiddle
Year 42 No 09
May 2019
Price £3.00
60 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £33.60 + p&p £15.85 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer –
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
May is the last month of the season for many Clubs………
Pia Walker
Newcastleton Festival’s 50th Anniversary 5 – 7 July 2019
by
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival………….
Davie Stewart – Man of Harmonies - 2019 Guest of Honour
by Pia Walker
I travelled to Kirriemuir on the last day of February to visit a very well-known person. No, he didn’t write Peter Pan, although he does live a stone’s throw from J. M. Barrie’s birth place. He has written a book with 42 tunes encompassing marches, slow airs, waltzes, polkas, reels, jigs, hornpipes, strathspeys………..and the Kilberry Samba! The first thing he did during my visit was to sit down and play a waltz in my honour – thank you so much. In his 80th year he, as a bandleader, recorded a CD. He is none other than Davie Stewart, respected and well known for his harmonies and accompaniments, and one of our deserving 2019 Guests of Honour.
Davie has been playing Scottish dance music since the early 50s. Indeed, he calls himself a dance band musician and loves just to be part of a 6-piece band instead of being the leader. He especially loves it when the lead is strong and good and without ego-trips. Asked why he never became a bandleader himself, he answered that he did on his CD although it took him 50 years to do so.
Davie was born in Forfar, as an only child, to his mother Agnes and father David Peter Stewart who passed away when Davie was three. He moved to Kirriemuir when he was 15 after his mother, a keen dancer, remarried Davie Stark who acquired a snack bar in Kirrie. Stark’s Snack Bar with its juke box was a popular meeting place in Kirrie. It was here he met Billy Craib and the ‘dynamic duo’ began a friendship that still exists.
Davie calls Kirriemuir ‘Cameron-country’ as it was teeming with musical Camerons – Angus, Alex, Scott and May to name but a few – and he played with them all. He has fond memories of the Ogilvie Arms afternoon ceilidhs. Indeed he has many memories, and I promised not to publish them in this family publication!
His grandfather James Ferguson played a 2-row button-box by ear, and when Davie was 8 or 9 years old his grandfather wanted to give ‘the young lad’ the small Rauner accordion that Davie’s uncle Jim Ferguson had brought him from Germany in 45-46. But his mother forbade him to play it until he had learnt to read music. I think Agnes was quite a force to be reckoned with, as she wanted the best for her boy. She sent him to Norman C. Guild of the Angus Occasionals who taught piano, fiddle and piano accordion as per the Scottish Bible, the Scott Skinner book of music. He also taught Lindsay Ross and Angus Cameron and so Davie’s long career began.
We had a long talk about playing by ear. Apparently, it is a good chat-up line as Davie, with a glint in his eye, told me, “I have often been asked by the ladies if I play by ear, and when I say no, they get ever so disappointed!” Davie feels it is important to be able to hear the music even if you know how to read it and in the early band days to play be ear was essential. As he says, “Especially in Scottish music, you have to interpret the music in order to play it with feeling.”
Davie’s first experience of playing was in Norman C. Guild’s Orchestra in a church hall as a young boy. What made it extra memorable was that Mr Guild passed away at that event. As Davie says, “For a musician that’s the way to go!” When he was around 13 be was part of a concert party recorded for Children’s Hour by Elizabeth Adair for whom Angus Fitchet composed a tune of the same name.
Davie was put to a trade when he finished school at 15, as an electrician, but wasn’t too keen, being to involved with music. He did his National Service in the Army in 1957-59. While he was stationed in Bahrain, he was asked to put a cabaret together. He gathered singers and other performers for the show – even a Scouser who could balance everything from toothbrushes to chairs on his nose! “He made it look too easy, so I had to tell him to ham it up – that’s stage craft!” This was also the first time he had encountered Christmas, as in Scotland Christmas wasn’t celebrated much and you still worked on that day.
He left the Army in April 1959 and in October of that year married Janet who sadly passed away in 2007. He has two sons. Graeme lives in London and sings tenor with the ENO and teaches voice, while his older son David (Fergus) lives in Spain after a stint in the Navy.
In the mid-1960s he worked front of house for a spell in the famous J.T. Forbes in the Nethergate in Dundee together with John Huband of Sound fame whom he played alongside in the 80s.
He started playing in the Dundee Festival run by Henry Forbes – the brother of J.T. Forbes – and later, when the Perth Festival began with Bill Wilkie at the helm, was a regular there. Indeed, he played at the 50th Perth Festival winning the senior accordion shield.
One of his favourite musicians during the snack bar days (early 60s) was the Alasdair Downie SDB, and it would have been easy for him just to copy a style of a favoured musician. However, when he as an 18-year-old started accompanying many of the day’s musicians, he was told by Doug Milne, “Get a style of your own.” This he was determined to do and it was obviously good advice.
Davie has played with so many people at dances, broadcasts and recordings and has stories of them all. Jimmy Blue, Jim Johnstone, Sir Jimmy Shand, James Lindsay, Ian Cruickshanks, Doug Milne, Bill Powrie, Bobby Campbell, Harry Scott, Peter Stewart, John huband and Alex MAcArthur are just a few of them. Some of the fiddlers he mentioned were Angus Cameron, Ian Arnot, Jim Sturrock, Angus Fitchet, Ian Powrie, Ron Kerr and Hebbie Gray.
His musical life has been long and varied. He played with Rab Smillie for 25 years, “It was like being married and we did get up to mischief.” What mischief wasn’t expanded upon. Dave insists that the younger Davie Stewart was quite a quiet lad with Rab the driving force!
In the late 60s, he played with Jimmy Blue in the film ‘Country Dance’ starring Peter O’Toole and Susannah York. He played with Ian Cruickshanks in the 90s, latterly broadcasting with Wayne Robertson and Steven Carcary and lastly, until his retirement, with the Leonard Brown Band.
He did a 6-week tour with Jimmy Blue and Andy Stewart in Australia and New Zealand, something of which he still has fond memories. He has, over the years, been involved in many a TV and radio broadcast and in recordings of bands he acknowledges are too numerous to mention here.
He has played in many an Accordion & Fiddle Club – and once did overhear someone saying that he was always on stage at Perth Club. After all, second accordions are good at busking, so they often get invited to join in.
Davie owns two very different accordions: one is a Hohner Golina and one a Sano which he feels has the right tone for modern style music and which he traveled to New Jersey’s Accordion-O-Rama to buy some years ago. He still plays, but not ‘oot and aboot’ as his health isn’t the best. He also finds that his memory for names and dates etc is not what it used to be, so if he has forgotten to mention anyone, that is why.
We talked about what music he likes to play and listen to. Davie likes the strong drives in a strathspey and feels that the more airy compositions are neither here nor there and continues, “Some dance styles have lost the village style of dancing and have become deluded in what dancing is.” He also likes other styles of music, mostly the American song book style from the 30s-40s.
When asked what his thoughts are on the music of today he replies, “Fast – they don’t come up for air, do they?” He agrees with Jimmy Shand that if you hear someone whistle the tune after you have played it, you have cracked it. “Musicians today,” he says, “are all extremely talented but if it is too fast, it becomes too monotonous with not enough harmony being heard. I suppose it is vitality and you grow out of it.” The thing he feels mostly endangers the Scottish dance band scene is the closing of village halls. “It has had a terrible impact,” he says.
It was a pleasure to talk to this talented man and I can’t wait to see him again at the Celebrity Luncheon in June.
From Malcom Ross
“I’ve known Davie most of my life. He and my father went to the same music teacher, Norman C. Guild in Forfar, so the family connection goes back to the late 40s. Davie is steeped in the traditional Scots music of Angus, but with an ear and an ability firmly rooted in jazz and the classics too. His late wife Janet’s love of quality music makes it no surprise that their son, Graham, became a pro singer with the English National Opera, and in many West End shows. The many bands Davy played with over the years were enhanced by his playing and enthusiasm. To make an album at 80 years old with many different idioms of music is a huge inspiration to musicians of all ages everywhere, and could be described in the Angus vernacular and Davie’s own words as, “still hackin awa.”
From Leonard Brown
Davie Stewart is totally a one-off. His imagination, his flair, his ability to fill the gaps between the notes with his knowledge and understanding of harmony have always astounded me. I had the pleasure of Davie in my band from 2011-2016 and he added a wealth of experience. He was always able to inspire you with his thoughts and ideas. I’ve never met someone so enthusiastic towards music. I was honoured to be able to organize a very special concert at The Salutation Hotel in 2017 for Davie reaching a milestone of 65 years in show-business. Ian Cruickshanks, Steven Carcary, Wayne Robertson and myself all took to the stage with Davie on harmony accordion accompanied by Liam Stewart, John Sinton and Malcolm Ross and we played a selection of Davie’s favourite items that had been performed over the years with various bandleaders. A great day with 300 of Davie’s fans in the audience, a great day in the memory! Thanks, Davie, for your effort, musicianship and friendship.
Centre Stage
Alasdair MacLeod (accordionist – Croftamnie)
22nd Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships
by Keith Dickson
A group of 10 young Scottish musicians………….
In Memory – Fred Davidson
by Brian Cruickshank
Banchory melodeon player, compere and TSMA enthusiast………………
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Ashlar – Coig – Independent
Bold Champions – The Dovetail Trio – CDR009
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
4th May 2019 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
11th May 2019 – Archive Session
18th May 2019 – John Carmichael SDB + John Carmichael concert from Celtic Connections
25th May 2019 – The Tay Ceilidh Band
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 28th May 2019 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 8th May 2019 – Richard Smith Trio
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 19th May 2019 – Derek Edmond Trio
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 12th May 2019 – Lindsay Downie Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 27th May 2019 - tbc
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 22nd May 2019 – Callum Wallace & the Tay Valley CB
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 14th May 2019 – Susie Simpson SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 5th May 2019 – Shand Morino Day 9th May 2019 – Steven Carcary Duo
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 7th May 2019 – Gordon Shand SDB
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 9th May 2019 – Bob Liddle
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) – 3rd May 2019 – Dance to Keith Robertson Duo
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) - 5th May 2019 – Jennifer Cruickshank SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (British Legion) 2nd May 2019 – Jim Gold Trio
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 1st May 2019 – North Coast Fiddlers with Addie Harper
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 15th May 2019 – Fergie McDonald Band
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 14th May 2019 - AGM
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 20th May 2019 - AGM
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 21st May 2019 – Blackthorne CB
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 26th May 2019 – Adin Graham
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 8th May 2019 – The Full Scottish SDB
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 7th May 2019 – Club Night
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) -
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) -
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 1st May 2019 – Club Night
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 20th May 2019 – Kirkjuvagr CB
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 2nd May 2019 – Alastair MacLeod Trio
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 29th May 2019 – Susan MacFadyen Trio
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) –
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 5th May 2019 – Bon Accords
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 21st May 2019 - tbc
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club)
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 1st May 2019 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 27th May 2019 – Steven Carcary SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 7th May 2019 – Neil Hardie SDB
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 1st 8th 15th 29th May 2019 – Club Nights 22nd May 2019 - Concert
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 21st May 2019 – Graeme Mitchell SDB + New Tune Competition
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 9th May 2019 – Iain MacPhail SDB supported by Nikki Lawson & Alan Brown
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 7th 14th 21st May 2019 – Club Nights 28th May 2019 – Johnny Duncan
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 6th May 2019 – Brandon McPhee
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 2nd May 2019 – Addie Harper & Friends
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 16th May 2019 – Gary Blair
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 21st May 2019 - Kirkjuvagr CB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banff & District
7. Beith
8. Biggar
9. Blairgowrie
10 Button Key
11. Campsie
12. Canderside
13. Castle Douglas
14. Coalburn
15. Crieff
16. Dingwall
17. Dunblane
18. Dunfermline
19. Duns
20. Ellon
21. Forres
22. Glendale
23. Glenfarg
24. Gretna
25. Highland
26. Inveraray
27. Isle of Skye
28. Islesteps
29. Kelso
30. Langholm
31. Lewis & Harris
32. Livingston
33. Lockerbie
34. Mauchline
35. Montrose
36. North East
37. Peebles
38. Perth
39. Renfrew
40. Rothbury
41. Seghill
42. Shetland
43. Turriff & District
44. Tynedale
45. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(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. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
14. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
17. Coalburn A&F Club (
18. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
19. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Forfar A&F Club (
26. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
27. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
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 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 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?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
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. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
116. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
117. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
118. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
125 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
126. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
127. Tranent A&F Club
128. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
129. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
130. Wellbank A&F Club
131. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
132. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer –
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
May is the last month of the season for many Clubs………
Pia Walker
Newcastleton Festival’s 50th Anniversary 5 – 7 July 2019
by
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival………….
Davie Stewart – Man of Harmonies - 2019 Guest of Honour
by Pia Walker
I travelled to Kirriemuir on the last day of February to visit a very well-known person. No, he didn’t write Peter Pan, although he does live a stone’s throw from J. M. Barrie’s birth place. He has written a book with 42 tunes encompassing marches, slow airs, waltzes, polkas, reels, jigs, hornpipes, strathspeys………..and the Kilberry Samba! The first thing he did during my visit was to sit down and play a waltz in my honour – thank you so much. In his 80th year he, as a bandleader, recorded a CD. He is none other than Davie Stewart, respected and well known for his harmonies and accompaniments, and one of our deserving 2019 Guests of Honour.
Davie has been playing Scottish dance music since the early 50s. Indeed, he calls himself a dance band musician and loves just to be part of a 6-piece band instead of being the leader. He especially loves it when the lead is strong and good and without ego-trips. Asked why he never became a bandleader himself, he answered that he did on his CD although it took him 50 years to do so.
Davie was born in Forfar, as an only child, to his mother Agnes and father David Peter Stewart who passed away when Davie was three. He moved to Kirriemuir when he was 15 after his mother, a keen dancer, remarried Davie Stark who acquired a snack bar in Kirrie. Stark’s Snack Bar with its juke box was a popular meeting place in Kirrie. It was here he met Billy Craib and the ‘dynamic duo’ began a friendship that still exists.
Davie calls Kirriemuir ‘Cameron-country’ as it was teeming with musical Camerons – Angus, Alex, Scott and May to name but a few – and he played with them all. He has fond memories of the Ogilvie Arms afternoon ceilidhs. Indeed he has many memories, and I promised not to publish them in this family publication!
His grandfather James Ferguson played a 2-row button-box by ear, and when Davie was 8 or 9 years old his grandfather wanted to give ‘the young lad’ the small Rauner accordion that Davie’s uncle Jim Ferguson had brought him from Germany in 45-46. But his mother forbade him to play it until he had learnt to read music. I think Agnes was quite a force to be reckoned with, as she wanted the best for her boy. She sent him to Norman C. Guild of the Angus Occasionals who taught piano, fiddle and piano accordion as per the Scottish Bible, the Scott Skinner book of music. He also taught Lindsay Ross and Angus Cameron and so Davie’s long career began.
We had a long talk about playing by ear. Apparently, it is a good chat-up line as Davie, with a glint in his eye, told me, “I have often been asked by the ladies if I play by ear, and when I say no, they get ever so disappointed!” Davie feels it is important to be able to hear the music even if you know how to read it and in the early band days to play be ear was essential. As he says, “Especially in Scottish music, you have to interpret the music in order to play it with feeling.”
Davie’s first experience of playing was in Norman C. Guild’s Orchestra in a church hall as a young boy. What made it extra memorable was that Mr Guild passed away at that event. As Davie says, “For a musician that’s the way to go!” When he was around 13 be was part of a concert party recorded for Children’s Hour by Elizabeth Adair for whom Angus Fitchet composed a tune of the same name.
Davie was put to a trade when he finished school at 15, as an electrician, but wasn’t too keen, being to involved with music. He did his National Service in the Army in 1957-59. While he was stationed in Bahrain, he was asked to put a cabaret together. He gathered singers and other performers for the show – even a Scouser who could balance everything from toothbrushes to chairs on his nose! “He made it look too easy, so I had to tell him to ham it up – that’s stage craft!” This was also the first time he had encountered Christmas, as in Scotland Christmas wasn’t celebrated much and you still worked on that day.
He left the Army in April 1959 and in October of that year married Janet who sadly passed away in 2007. He has two sons. Graeme lives in London and sings tenor with the ENO and teaches voice, while his older son David (Fergus) lives in Spain after a stint in the Navy.
In the mid-1960s he worked front of house for a spell in the famous J.T. Forbes in the Nethergate in Dundee together with John Huband of Sound fame whom he played alongside in the 80s.
He started playing in the Dundee Festival run by Henry Forbes – the brother of J.T. Forbes – and later, when the Perth Festival began with Bill Wilkie at the helm, was a regular there. Indeed, he played at the 50th Perth Festival winning the senior accordion shield.
One of his favourite musicians during the snack bar days (early 60s) was the Alasdair Downie SDB, and it would have been easy for him just to copy a style of a favoured musician. However, when he as an 18-year-old started accompanying many of the day’s musicians, he was told by Doug Milne, “Get a style of your own.” This he was determined to do and it was obviously good advice.
Davie has played with so many people at dances, broadcasts and recordings and has stories of them all. Jimmy Blue, Jim Johnstone, Sir Jimmy Shand, James Lindsay, Ian Cruickshanks, Doug Milne, Bill Powrie, Bobby Campbell, Harry Scott, Peter Stewart, John huband and Alex MAcArthur are just a few of them. Some of the fiddlers he mentioned were Angus Cameron, Ian Arnot, Jim Sturrock, Angus Fitchet, Ian Powrie, Ron Kerr and Hebbie Gray.
His musical life has been long and varied. He played with Rab Smillie for 25 years, “It was like being married and we did get up to mischief.” What mischief wasn’t expanded upon. Dave insists that the younger Davie Stewart was quite a quiet lad with Rab the driving force!
In the late 60s, he played with Jimmy Blue in the film ‘Country Dance’ starring Peter O’Toole and Susannah York. He played with Ian Cruickshanks in the 90s, latterly broadcasting with Wayne Robertson and Steven Carcary and lastly, until his retirement, with the Leonard Brown Band.
He did a 6-week tour with Jimmy Blue and Andy Stewart in Australia and New Zealand, something of which he still has fond memories. He has, over the years, been involved in many a TV and radio broadcast and in recordings of bands he acknowledges are too numerous to mention here.
He has played in many an Accordion & Fiddle Club – and once did overhear someone saying that he was always on stage at Perth Club. After all, second accordions are good at busking, so they often get invited to join in.
Davie owns two very different accordions: one is a Hohner Golina and one a Sano which he feels has the right tone for modern style music and which he traveled to New Jersey’s Accordion-O-Rama to buy some years ago. He still plays, but not ‘oot and aboot’ as his health isn’t the best. He also finds that his memory for names and dates etc is not what it used to be, so if he has forgotten to mention anyone, that is why.
We talked about what music he likes to play and listen to. Davie likes the strong drives in a strathspey and feels that the more airy compositions are neither here nor there and continues, “Some dance styles have lost the village style of dancing and have become deluded in what dancing is.” He also likes other styles of music, mostly the American song book style from the 30s-40s.
When asked what his thoughts are on the music of today he replies, “Fast – they don’t come up for air, do they?” He agrees with Jimmy Shand that if you hear someone whistle the tune after you have played it, you have cracked it. “Musicians today,” he says, “are all extremely talented but if it is too fast, it becomes too monotonous with not enough harmony being heard. I suppose it is vitality and you grow out of it.” The thing he feels mostly endangers the Scottish dance band scene is the closing of village halls. “It has had a terrible impact,” he says.
It was a pleasure to talk to this talented man and I can’t wait to see him again at the Celebrity Luncheon in June.
From Malcom Ross
“I’ve known Davie most of my life. He and my father went to the same music teacher, Norman C. Guild in Forfar, so the family connection goes back to the late 40s. Davie is steeped in the traditional Scots music of Angus, but with an ear and an ability firmly rooted in jazz and the classics too. His late wife Janet’s love of quality music makes it no surprise that their son, Graham, became a pro singer with the English National Opera, and in many West End shows. The many bands Davy played with over the years were enhanced by his playing and enthusiasm. To make an album at 80 years old with many different idioms of music is a huge inspiration to musicians of all ages everywhere, and could be described in the Angus vernacular and Davie’s own words as, “still hackin awa.”
From Leonard Brown
Davie Stewart is totally a one-off. His imagination, his flair, his ability to fill the gaps between the notes with his knowledge and understanding of harmony have always astounded me. I had the pleasure of Davie in my band from 2011-2016 and he added a wealth of experience. He was always able to inspire you with his thoughts and ideas. I’ve never met someone so enthusiastic towards music. I was honoured to be able to organize a very special concert at The Salutation Hotel in 2017 for Davie reaching a milestone of 65 years in show-business. Ian Cruickshanks, Steven Carcary, Wayne Robertson and myself all took to the stage with Davie on harmony accordion accompanied by Liam Stewart, John Sinton and Malcolm Ross and we played a selection of Davie’s favourite items that had been performed over the years with various bandleaders. A great day with 300 of Davie’s fans in the audience, a great day in the memory! Thanks, Davie, for your effort, musicianship and friendship.
Centre Stage
Alasdair MacLeod (accordionist – Croftamnie)
22nd Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships
by Keith Dickson
A group of 10 young Scottish musicians………….
In Memory – Fred Davidson
by Brian Cruickshank
Banchory melodeon player, compere and TSMA enthusiast………………
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Ashlar – Coig – Independent
Bold Champions – The Dovetail Trio – CDR009
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
4th May 2019 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
11th May 2019 – Archive Session
18th May 2019 – John Carmichael SDB + John Carmichael concert from Celtic Connections
25th May 2019 – The Tay Ceilidh Band
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 28th May 2019 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 8th May 2019 – Richard Smith Trio
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 19th May 2019 – Derek Edmond Trio
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 12th May 2019 – Lindsay Downie Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 27th May 2019 - tbc
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 22nd May 2019 – Callum Wallace & the Tay Valley CB
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 14th May 2019 – Susie Simpson SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 5th May 2019 – Shand Morino Day 9th May 2019 – Steven Carcary Duo
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 7th May 2019 – Gordon Shand SDB
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 9th May 2019 – Bob Liddle
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) – 3rd May 2019 – Dance to Keith Robertson Duo
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) - 5th May 2019 – Jennifer Cruickshank SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (British Legion) 2nd May 2019 – Jim Gold Trio
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 1st May 2019 – North Coast Fiddlers with Addie Harper
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 15th May 2019 – Fergie McDonald Band
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 14th May 2019 - AGM
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 20th May 2019 - AGM
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 21st May 2019 – Blackthorne CB
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 26th May 2019 – Adin Graham
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 8th May 2019 – The Full Scottish SDB
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 7th May 2019 – Club Night
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) -
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) -
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 1st May 2019 – Club Night
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 20th May 2019 – Kirkjuvagr CB
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 2nd May 2019 – Alastair MacLeod Trio
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 29th May 2019 – Susan MacFadyen Trio
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) –
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 5th May 2019 – Bon Accords
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 21st May 2019 - tbc
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club)
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 1st May 2019 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 27th May 2019 – Steven Carcary SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 7th May 2019 – Neil Hardie SDB
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 1st 8th 15th 29th May 2019 – Club Nights 22nd May 2019 - Concert
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 21st May 2019 – Graeme Mitchell SDB + New Tune Competition
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 9th May 2019 – Iain MacPhail SDB supported by Nikki Lawson & Alan Brown
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 7th 14th 21st May 2019 – Club Nights 28th May 2019 – Johnny Duncan
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 6th May 2019 – Brandon McPhee
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 2nd May 2019 – Addie Harper & Friends
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 16th May 2019 – Gary Blair
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 21st May 2019 - Kirkjuvagr CB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banff & District
7. Beith
8. Biggar
9. Blairgowrie
10 Button Key
11. Campsie
12. Canderside
13. Castle Douglas
14. Coalburn
15. Crieff
16. Dingwall
17. Dunblane
18. Dunfermline
19. Duns
20. Ellon
21. Forres
22. Glendale
23. Glenfarg
24. Gretna
25. Highland
26. Inveraray
27. Isle of Skye
28. Islesteps
29. Kelso
30. Langholm
31. Lewis & Harris
32. Livingston
33. Lockerbie
34. Mauchline
35. Montrose
36. North East
37. Peebles
38. Perth
39. Renfrew
40. Rothbury
41. Seghill
42. Shetland
43. Turriff & District
44. Tynedale
45. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(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. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
14. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
17. Coalburn A&F Club (
18. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
19. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Forfar A&F Club (
26. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
27. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
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 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 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?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
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. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
116. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
117. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
118. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
125 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
126. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
127. Tranent A&F Club
128. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
129. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
130. Wellbank A&F Club
131. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
132. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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