Mickie Ainsworth
by Jim Balneaves
Mickie Ainsworth was brought up in Auchterarder, Perthshire, and was determined, from an early age, to play the accordion. The result of this determination was that he had to practice in a byre – as the noise was not tolerated in the house! “The cows never objected, to the best of my knowledge,” says Mickie. At the age of 18 Mickie formed a group in Auchterarder known as ‘The Skyliners’. This was a modern band, as jazz was his first love. He was at the same time apprenticed to be a painter.
Mickie moved to Perth when he was 21, and teamed up with Al Waters (a Senior Scottish Championship winner in the early days of the Wilkie Festival). He was now playing mostly Scottish Dance Music. He followed this by joining the Jack Guthrie Band for a short period. Mickie then became a member of the Angus Fitchet Band, which included Jimmy Stephen, and Mickie states, “I learned a great deal playing with Angus and Jimmy.”
The Fitchet Band played throughout the Borders and Northumberland. The band was a 5-piece for gigs, and this was augmented to a 6-piece for broadcasts. Mickie was 2½ years with Angus’s Band.
Ian Powrie then approached Mickie, with a view to him joining the Powrie Band. The carrot that Ian dangled was, “That TV appearances are likely.”
This of course proved to be true, as the Powrie Band appeared many times on ‘The White Heather Club’ and others.
The band personnel during the TV appearance period were : Ian Powrie (fiddle), Jimmy Blue (Shand Morino), Pam Brough (piano), Dave Barclay (double bass), Arthur Easson (drums) and Mickie on piani accordion.
Jimmy Blue and Mickie also became well-known accordion duettists, and are particularly remembered for ‘Band Boys’ (a German tune originally). The writer recalls that the last time he heard Band Boys live was at the Perth Club’s 21st Birthday Party in 1991. It was mooted at Jimmy’s 70th Birthday Party in 1999, but drink had been taken, so it did not materialize. Mickie enjoyed Band Boys, but he personally preferred The Beer Barrel Polka Duet.
During Mickie’s time with the Powrie Band they twice toured Australia and New Zealand with Andy Stewart. Mickie started recording initially in 1949. He recorded on many Ian Powrie Band LPs, and as a duettist with Jimmy Blue.
The recordings were under the control of producer George Martin (now Sir George) who was later to become famous as The Beatles record producer.
Mickie also toured America and Canada with Jimmy Blue in 1967.
Mickie then left the full-time playing scene to become a sales representative with Hohner Accordions. His area was all of Scotland and south to a line across from York. If you asked what he did at that time, he answered “Drive a car.”
Mickie’s part-time playing included a period in The Salutation Hotel, Perth, with our mutual friend, fiddler Jim Brown of Kintillo, Bridge of Earn. Stephane Grappelli visited one Saturday night when Mickie and Jim were playing, and he was extremely pleased with the sound and blending of accordion and fiddle.
Mickie and Jim also played at The Grange Hotel, Balbeggie, on Sunday afternoons – this was a very popular venue. Mull and Tighnabruaich etc were also visited along with accordionist Ian Cameron (of Pomander Jig fame). Jazz sessions on piano at Murrayshall Hotel, Scone, were also undertaken in the early eighties.
Mickie has been involved with the Bill Wilkie Festival from the beginning, and it is now in its 52nd year. Mickie started by turning the music in the classical section, then leading the accordion band, and he has been compere of the all-day competitions in The City Hall for the last 30 years.
Mickie is now 71 years old, still goes out to play, and teaches the accordion – which in the words of his grand-daughter makes him, “A pretty cool Grandad for an old duffer.”
Box and Fiddle
October 2001
Mickie moved to Perth when he was 21, and teamed up with Al Waters (a Senior Scottish Championship winner in the early days of the Wilkie Festival). He was now playing mostly Scottish Dance Music. He followed this by joining the Jack Guthrie Band for a short period. Mickie then became a member of the Angus Fitchet Band, which included Jimmy Stephen, and Mickie states, “I learned a great deal playing with Angus and Jimmy.”
The Fitchet Band played throughout the Borders and Northumberland. The band was a 5-piece for gigs, and this was augmented to a 6-piece for broadcasts. Mickie was 2½ years with Angus’s Band.
Ian Powrie then approached Mickie, with a view to him joining the Powrie Band. The carrot that Ian dangled was, “That TV appearances are likely.”
This of course proved to be true, as the Powrie Band appeared many times on ‘The White Heather Club’ and others.
The band personnel during the TV appearance period were : Ian Powrie (fiddle), Jimmy Blue (Shand Morino), Pam Brough (piano), Dave Barclay (double bass), Arthur Easson (drums) and Mickie on piani accordion.
Jimmy Blue and Mickie also became well-known accordion duettists, and are particularly remembered for ‘Band Boys’ (a German tune originally). The writer recalls that the last time he heard Band Boys live was at the Perth Club’s 21st Birthday Party in 1991. It was mooted at Jimmy’s 70th Birthday Party in 1999, but drink had been taken, so it did not materialize. Mickie enjoyed Band Boys, but he personally preferred The Beer Barrel Polka Duet.
During Mickie’s time with the Powrie Band they twice toured Australia and New Zealand with Andy Stewart. Mickie started recording initially in 1949. He recorded on many Ian Powrie Band LPs, and as a duettist with Jimmy Blue.
The recordings were under the control of producer George Martin (now Sir George) who was later to become famous as The Beatles record producer.
Mickie also toured America and Canada with Jimmy Blue in 1967.
Mickie then left the full-time playing scene to become a sales representative with Hohner Accordions. His area was all of Scotland and south to a line across from York. If you asked what he did at that time, he answered “Drive a car.”
Mickie’s part-time playing included a period in The Salutation Hotel, Perth, with our mutual friend, fiddler Jim Brown of Kintillo, Bridge of Earn. Stephane Grappelli visited one Saturday night when Mickie and Jim were playing, and he was extremely pleased with the sound and blending of accordion and fiddle.
Mickie and Jim also played at The Grange Hotel, Balbeggie, on Sunday afternoons – this was a very popular venue. Mull and Tighnabruaich etc were also visited along with accordionist Ian Cameron (of Pomander Jig fame). Jazz sessions on piano at Murrayshall Hotel, Scone, were also undertaken in the early eighties.
Mickie has been involved with the Bill Wilkie Festival from the beginning, and it is now in its 52nd year. Mickie started by turning the music in the classical section, then leading the accordion band, and he has been compere of the all-day competitions in The City Hall for the last 30 years.
Mickie is now 71 years old, still goes out to play, and teaches the accordion – which in the words of his grand-daughter makes him, “A pretty cool Grandad for an old duffer.”
Box and Fiddle
October 2001