Box and Fiddle Archive
  • Home
  • Musician Biogs & Obits & Teacher Obits
    • A - B Articles >
      • Mickie Ainsworth
      • Tom Alexander MBE >
        • 1998 - 40 Years in Showbiz
        • Oct 2008 - 50th Anniversary
        • Oct 2008 - 50th Anniversary
        • 2009 Guest of honour
        • 2009 Guest of Honour
        • Nov 2013 Jack's Obituary
      • Paul Anderson of Tarland
      • Dr Tom Anderson MBE
      • Willie Atkinson
      • Freeland Barbour
      • Dave Barclay
      • George Bell
      • Bill Black >
        • 2006
        • March 1983
      • Jimmy Blair >
        • The Blair Dynasty
      • Jimmy Blue >
        • Oct / Nov 1990
        • February 2000
      • Joan Blue (1987) >
        • Joan Blue (2016)
      • David Bowen
      • Robin Brock >
        • Oct 1982
        • Feb 1982
        • Mar 2014
      • Bill Brown (CD Reviewer)
      • Bobby Brown (Adam Rennie Quartet)
      • Bobby Brown (Canada) >
        • March 1982
        • April 1997
        • January 2007
        • May 2011
      • Felix Burns
    • A - B Obituaries >
      • Bobby Abbott (2016)
      • Mickie Ainsworth (2012)
      • Tom Alexander MBE (2020)
      • Ian Anderson (Forres) 2004
      • John Anderson (2005)
      • Will Atkinson (2003)
      • Dave Barclay (2010)
      • JIm Barrie (2016)
      • Bill Black (2016)
      • Jim Berry (2012)
      • Jimmy Blue (1999)
      • Bill Brian (2011)
      • Jim Brown (1998)
    • C - D Articles >
      • Stuart Cameron
      • John Carmichael
      • Rab Carruthers
      • Iain Cathcart
      • Bobby Coghill
      • Bobby Colgan
      • Jack Cooper
      • Charlie Cowie
      • Jim Crawford
      • John Crawford
      • Bobby Crowe
      • David Cunningham Snr
      • George Darling
      • Jack Delaney
      • Keith Dickson
      • Roger Dobson
      • Blair Douglas >
        • Run Rig Dance Band
      • John Douglas
    • C - D Obituaries >
      • Angus Cameron (1998)
      • Colin Campbell (2015)
      • Duncan Campbell (2011)
      • Tom Clark (2020)
      • Ronnie Coburn (2010)
      • Bobby Colgan (2020)
      • Terry Connor (2000)
      • Ronnie Cooper (1982)
      • Alan ' Barney' Coulson (2020)
      • Charlie Cowie (1995)
      • Ernie Cowie (2009)
      • Billy Craib (2019)
      • Jim Crawford (2007)
      • John Crawford (2020)
      • Ian Crichton (1934 - 99)
      • Bobby Cronie (1998)
      • Roger Crook (1942 - 2013)
      • Bobby Crowe (2014)
      • Tony Dalton (2014)
      • Adrian Dante (2005)
      • Margaret Davidson (2020)
      • Robin Davidson (2020)
      • Jim Devlin (1989)
      • Fred Donald (Forres) 2017
      • Ian Duncan (2011)
      • Maurice Duncan (2017)
    • E - G Articles >
      • Jimmy Edwards
      • John Ellis
      • Robin Ellis >
        • Robin Ellis
      • Jack Emblow
      • Bill Ewan
      • Colin Finlayson
      • Angus Fitchet
      • David Flockhart
      • Ewan Galloway
      • Graham Geddes
      • Ron Gonella >
        • Mar 1994
        • Oct 1982
      • Rob Gordon
      • Niel Gow
      • Billy Grant (drummer)
    • E - G Obituaries >
      • Tommy Edmondson (2001)
      • Bob Edward (1998)
      • Peem Edwards (1999)
      • John Ellis (2015)
      • John Fairbairn (2003)
      • Frank Farquharson (2002)
      • Colin Finlayson (1952-93)
      • Angus Fitchet (1998)
      • Tommy Ford (2017)
      • John Gibson (1961 - 1990)
      • Eric Goodfellow (2008)
      • Joe Gordon (2020)
      • Rob Gordon (24/04/94)
      • Hebbie Gray (2018)
      • Jack Gray (1929-2013)
      • Wilbert (Bill) Grund (2010)
    • H - J Articles >
      • Jim Halcrow >
        • Jim Halcrow
      • Derek Hamilton
      • Stan Hamilton
      • William Hannah
      • Matthew Hardie
      • Addie Harper
      • Isobel Harper
      • Bobby Harvey
      • Bill Hendry
      • Ian Holmes
      • Max Houliston >
        • Jan 1983
        • March 1992
      • Tom Hughes (1986)
      • Alastair Hunter
      • Graham Jamieson >
        • Dec 1983
      • Jim Johnstone >
        • March 1982
        • Sept 1992
    • H - J Obituaries >
      • Jim Halcrow (2015)
      • Tom Hall (2011)
      • Ian Hardie (2012)
      • William J. Hardie (1916 - 95)
      • Addie Harper (2002)
      • Alistair Henderson (2005)
      • Bill Hendry (1995) (of Falkirk)
      • Alasdair Heron (2010)
      • Bob Hobkirk (2002)
      • Ron Hodgson (2014)
      • Ian Holmes (2017) >
        • Ian Holmes (2017)
      • John Huband (1942 - 2000)
      • Christine Hunter (1998)
      • Willie Hunter (1994)
      • Joe Hutton (1995)
      • Dave Ireland (1992)
      • Gordon Jamieson (2005)
      • Bryce Johnstone (2017)
    • K - L Articles >
      • Ron Kerr
      • Charlie Kirkpatrick
      • Andrew Knight
      • Sandy Legget
      • Judith Linton
    • K - L Obituaries >
      • Allan Kindness (2014)
      • John Laidlaw (1996)
      • Florence Lawie (2020)
      • Tommy Lees (2014)
      • Bruce Lindsay Snr (2020)
      • Jimmy Lindsay (2020)
      • Alex Little (2001)
      • Ben Lyons (2015)
    • Mac - Mc Articles >
      • Alex MacArthur
      • Alasdair MacCuish
      • Alistair McCulloch
      • Fergie MacDonald
      • Jim Mackay (Caithness)
      • Bobby MacLeod >
        • Memories of (2009)
      • Jim MacLeod
      • Rory MacLeod
      • Neil McMillan
      • Iain MacPhail >
        • May 2003
        • Sept 1982
      • Fraser McGlynn
      • Nicol McLaren
    • Mac - Mc Obituaries >
      • Duncan 'Dochie' MacCallum (2020)
      • Mark MacDougall (2015)
      • Iain MacFadyen (1983) (Producer)
      • Ally MacIntyre (2015)
      • John Mackie (1996)
      • Calum MacLean (2015)
      • Jim MacLeod (2004)
      • Jim MacRae (2001)
      • Rory MacLeod (2019)
      • Gervasio Marcosignori (2013)
      • John McDonald (2016)
      • Fraser McGlynn (2018)
      • Ewan McGowan (2015)
      • Blanche McInnes (1988)
      • Allan McIntosh (2012)
      • Iain McLachlan (1995)
      • Bob McMath (2016)
    • M Articles >
      • Dougie Maxwell
      • Gus Millar
      • Graeme Mitchell
      • Dennis Morrison
      • Ian Muir
      • Bert Murray
      • Ken Mutch
    • M Obituaries >
      • Hamish Menzies (2020)
      • Jim Muir (2001)
      • George Muir (1995)
      • Bert Murray MBE (2003)
    • N - P Articles >
      • Paddy Neary
      • Craig Paton
      • Gordon Pattullo >
        • Gordon Pattullo (40th Anniv)
      • Iain Peterson
      • Ian Powrie >
        • The People's Journal
        • Sept 1983
    • N - P Obituaries >
      • Andrew Nairn (2010)
      • Paddy Neary (2020)
      • Eann Nicolson (1990)
      • Dermot O'Brien (2007)
      • Stan Peacock (1994)
      • Davie Pollock (of Roslin) (2018)
      • Bill Powrie (1980)
      • Ian Powrie (2011)
      • Dave Pullar (2020)
    • R Articles >
      • Andrew Rankine
      • Frank Reid
      • Tony Reid
      • Adam Rennie
      • John Renton
      • Donal Ring
      • Jim Ritchie
      • Arthur Scott Robertson
      • Graham Ross
      • Lindsay Ross
    • R Obituaries >
      • Bert Rae (2015)
      • Ian Redford (1988)
      • Jimmy Ritchie (2001)
      • John Rooney (2015)
      • Graham Ross (2020)
      • Walter Rutherford (2018)
    • S Articles >
      • Stan Saunders
      • Sir Jimmy Shand >
        • April 1982
        • Feb 1998 (90 Years old)
        • Feb 1999 (Knighthood)
        • Jan 2001
        • Feb 2001 (Tributes)
        • Oct 2003 (Sculpture)
        • Sept 2016 (Auction of Memorabilia)
      • Neil Sinclair
      • James Scott Skinner >
        • April 1993
      • Robbie Shepherd >
        • October 1985
        • M.B.E. March 2001
        • 2006 Hamish Henderson Award
      • George 'Faunty' Smith
      • Gordon Smith
      • Hamish Smith
      • Will Starr
      • Andy Stewart MBE
      • Liam Stewart
      • George Stirrat
    • S Obituaries >
      • Stan Saunders (2011)
      • Davie Simpson of Invergowrie (1999)
      • Gordon Simpson (2016)
      • Bill Smith (1998) (Banchory)
      • Ian Smith (2005) First Editor)
      • Margaret Smith (2015)
      • Rosalind Snaith (2020)
      • Arthur Spink (2017)
      • Jack Stalker (2019)
      • Alex 'Toby' Stewart (2010)
      • Andy Stewart (1933-93)
      • Billy Stewart (2016)
      • Roy Stewart (2005)
      • Peter Straughan (1999)
    • T Articles >
      • Bill Thom
      • Kenny Thomson
      • Sandy Tulloch
      • Violet Tulloch
    • T Obituaries >
      • Kenny Thomson (2013)
      • Toralf Tollefsen (27/11/94)
      • Bobby Torrance (2011)
      • Dr Sandy Tulloch (2006)
    • U - Z Articles >
      • David Vernon
      • Robin & Deryn Waitt
      • Robert Whitehead
      • Bill Wilkie MBE
      • Pam Wilkie
      • Norrie Williams
      • Callum Wilson
      • Ena Wilson
      • Iain Wilson
      • Kenny Wilson
      • Peter and Daniel Wyper
      • Jimmy Yeaman
    • U - Z Obituaries >
      • Jimmy Urquhart (1993)
      • Roddy Urquhart (2000)
      • Charlie Walkins (2014)
      • Bill Wilkie (2017)
      • Ian Wilkie (1995)
      • Pam Wilkie (2016)
      • Norrie Williams (2015)
      • Willie Wilson (1991) (Beith)
    • Accordion Teachers Obits >
      • Ian Anderson (2018)
      • Jean Brown (2009) >
        • Jean Brown (Cambusnethan, Wishaw)
      • Louis Cabrelli
      • Renaldo Capaldi (2008)
      • Charles Duncan
      • Peter Farnan
      • Ron Hodgson (1982)
      • Ron Hodgson (2014)
      • Charles 'Chick' Kelly (21/01/95)
      • Chrissie Leatham
      • Jimmy Martin (2008)
      • Owen Murray
      • Bill Spence (2007)
      • Tom Veldon (15/01/95)
      • Sylvia Wilson
      • Wilson Wood (2005)
      • Rosemary Wright
    • Jimmy Clinkscale Articles from 1981
    • Poems by Andy Stewart >
      • Jimmy Shand
      • Angus Fitchet
      • Bobby MacLeod
      • Ian Powrie
    • Poem by Jock Turpie
  • Roll of Honour
  • NAAFC Awards Archive
    • NAAFC Honours >
      • 1979
      • 1980s >
        • 1981 Angus Fitchet
        • 1982 Bobby MacLeod
        • 1983 Ian Powrie
        • 1984 Andy Stewart MBE
      • 1990s >
        • 1990 Jimmy Blue
        • 1992 Robbie Shepherd MBE
        • 1994 Alex MacArthur
        • 1994 Andrew Rankine
        • 1995 Max Houliston
        • 1996 Jim MacLeod MBE
        • 1997 Musicians of Shetland
        • 1998 Ian Holmes
        • 1999 Bill Black
      • 2000s >
        • 2000 Bobby Crowe
        • 2000 Alex Little
        • 2000 Jim Ritchie
        • 2000 Stan Saunders
        • 2000 Bill Thom
        • 2000 Pam Wilkie
        • 2001 Mickie Ainsworth
        • 2001 Addie Harper
        • 2001 Jim Johnstone
        • 2001 Bill Wilkie MBE
        • 2002 Dave Barclay
        • 2002 John Crawford
        • 2002 David Cunningham
        • 2002 Gus Millar
        • 2002 Jimmy Yeaman
        • 2003 Iain MacPhail
        • 2004 John Carmichael
        • 2004 Iain Peterson
        • 2005 Bobby Coghill
        • 2005 Ken Mutch
        • 2005 Robert Whitehead
        • 2006 Jack Cooper
        • 2006 Jack Delaney
        • 2006 David Flockhart
        • 2007 Jimmy Burgess
        • 2007 Bobby Colgan
        • 2008 Bobby Harvey
        • 2008 Neil MacMillan
        • 2008 Gordon Pattullo
        • 2009 Tom Alexander MBE
        • 2009 Andrew Knight
      • 2010s >
        • 2010 John Ellis
        • 2010 Fraser McGlynn
        • 2011 Bobby Brown (Canada)
        • 2011 Ian Muir
        • 2012 John Douglas
        • 2012 Jim Halcrow
        • 2012 Charlie Kirkpatrick
        • 2013 Derek Hamilton
        • 2014 Robin Brock
        • 2014 Calum MacLean
        • 2014 Hamish Smith
        • 2015 David Ross
        • 2015 Iain Wilson
        • 2015 Kenny Wilson
        • 2015 Gordon Young
        • 2016 Joan Blue
        • 2016 Bill Ewan
        • 2016 Isobel Harper
        • 2016 Neil Sinclair
        • 2017 George Darling
        • 2017 Alasdair MacLeod
        • 2017 Violet Tulloch
        • 2018 - Freeland Barbour
        • 2018 Bill Hendry
        • 2018 Graeme Mitchell
        • 2019 - Billy Craib
        • 2019 - Dochie McCallum
        • 2019 - Margaret Smith
        • 2019 - Davie Stewart
      • 2020s >
        • 2020 Covid 19 No Awards
        • 2021 Anda Campbell
        • 2021 Peter Bruce
        • 2021 Malcolm Ross
    • BAFFI Awards
    • Scholarship
    • SDB of the Year
  • Club Reports
    • Club Reports Summary >
      • 1970s
      • 1980s
      • 1990s
      • 2000s
      • 2010s
      • All
    • Club Directory
    • Guest Artistes >
      • Summary
      • Lesmahagow A&F Club >
        • 1980s
        • 1990s
        • 2000s
      • Newtongrange >
        • 1970s
        • 1980s
        • 1990s
        • 2000s
        • 2010s
      • Perth A&F Club >
        • 1970s
        • 1980s
        • 1990s
        • 2000s
        • 2010s
    • A >
      • Aberdeen A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Acharacle A&F Club >
        • 1988 - 89
      • Alnwick A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 25th Birthday (2002)
      • Annan A&F Club >
        • 1995 - 96
      • Arbroath A&F Club >
        • 1989 - 90
      • Armadale A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • 21st Birthday (1999)
      • Ayr A&F Club >
        • 1983 - 84
    • B >
      • Balloch A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Banchory
      • Banff and District
      • Beith & District A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 40th Anniversary (Beith)
      • Biggar A&F Club >
        • 1970s >
          • 1977 - 78
          • 1978 - 79
          • 1979 - 80
        • 1980s >
          • 1980 - 81
          • 1981 - 88
          • 1988 - 89
          • 1989 - 90
        • 1990s >
          • 1990 - 91
          • 1990 - 91
          • 1991 - 92
          • 1992 - 93
          • 1993 - 94
          • 1994 - 95
          • 1995 - 96
          • 1996 - 97
          • 1997 - 98
          • 1998 - 99
          • 25th Anniversary (1999)
          • 1999-2000
        • 2000s >
          • 2000 - 01
          • 2001 - 02
          • 2002 - 03
          • 2003 - 04
          • 2004 - 05
          • 2005 - 06
          • 2006 - 07
          • 2007 - 08
          • 2008 - 09
          • 2009 - 10
        • 2010s >
          • 2010 - 11
          • 2011 - 12
          • 2012 - 13
          • 2013 - 14
          • 2014 - 15
          • 2015 - 16
          • 2016 - 17
          • 2017 - 18
          • 2018 - 19
          • 2019 - 20
        • 2020s >
          • 2020 - 21
          • 2021 - 22
      • Blairgowrie A&F Club >
        • 1987 - 88
      • Brig Mill A&F Club >
        • 1989 - 90
      • Britannia (Kirkcudbright) A&F Club >
        • 2007 - 08
      • Bromley A&F Club >
        • 1995 - 96
        • Bromley (2014)
      • Buchan A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Button Key (Windygates) A&F Club >
        • 1987 - 88
        • 20th Anniv (2007)
    • C >
      • Callander A&F Club >
        • 1983 - 84
      • Campbeltown A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
      • Campsie A&F Club >
        • 1995 - 96
        • The Campsie Players
        • 20th Anniversary (2015)
      • Carlisle A&F Club >
        • 1993 - 94
      • Castle Douglas A&F Club
      • Coalburn A&F Club >
        • 1988 - 89
      • Coldingham A&F Club >
        • 2008 - 09
      • Coupar Angus A&F Club >
        • 1978 - 79
      • Crathes A&F Club
      • Cults A&F Club >
        • 1999 - 2000
      • Cumnock & District A&F Club >
        • History
        • 1977 - 78
    • D >
      • Dalriada A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • 21st Birthday (2002)
      • Denny & Dunipace A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
      • Dingwall A&F Club >
        • 1979 - 80
        • 21st Anniversary (2000)
        • 25th Anniversary (2004)
      • Dumfries Accordion Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 1978 - 79
        • 1979 - 80
      • Dunblane A&F Club
      • Dundee & District A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Dunfermline & District A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club >
        • 1987 - 88
      • Duns A&F Club >
        • 2004 - 05
    • E to F >
      • East Kilbride A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • 1981 - 82
        • 1982 - 83
        • 1983 - 84
        • 1984 - 85
        • Norrie Williams (2015)
      • Edinburgh / Chrissie Leatham A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • 1981 - 82
        • 1982 - 83
        • 1983 - 84
      • Ellon A&F Club >
        • 1994 - 95
      • Ettrick & Yarrow >
        • 1990 - 91
      • Falkirk A&F Club >
        • 1978 - 79
      • Fintry A&F Club
      • Forfar A&F Club >
        • 1988 - 89
      • Forres A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • Forres 21st Anniv (1999)
      • Fort William A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
    • G >
      • Galston A&F Club >
        • Club History
        • 1977 - 78
        • 30th Anniversary (1999)
        • Final Report (2006)
      • Glendale A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 40th Anniversary (Glendale)
      • Glenfarg A&F Club >
        • 1995 - 96
        • 30th Anniv (Sept 2018)
      • Glenrothes A&F Club >
        • 1993 - 94
      • Gorebridge A&F Club >
        • 1981 - 82
      • Gretna (see North Cumbria) A&F Club >
        • 50th Anniversary (2016)
    • H to K >
      • Haddington A&F Club >
        • 2004 - 05
      • Highland A&F Club >
        • Club History
        • 1977 - 78
        • Highland 25th Birthday (1999)
        • 40th Anniversary (Highland)
      • Inveraray A&F Club >
        • 1991 - 92
        • 25th Anniversary (2016)
      • Islay A&F Club >
        • 1993 - 94
      • Isle of Skye A&F Club >
        • 1988 - 89
      • Islesteps A&F Club >
        • 1981 - 82
        • 1982 - 83
        • 1983 - 84
      • Kelso A&F Club >
        • Introducing the Clubs No 8
        • 1977 - 78
        • 30th Anniv (2006)
        • 40th Anniversary (2016)
      • Kinlochsheil A&F Club >
        • 1983 - 84
      • Kintore A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 2010 - 11
    • L >
      • Ladybank A&F Club >
        • 1997 - 98
      • Lanark A&F Club >
        • 1996 - 97
      • Langholm A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Lauder A&F Club >
        • 2009 - 10
      • Lesmahagow A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • 1981 - 82
        • 1982 - 83
        • 1983 - 84
        • 1984 - 85
        • Closure announced
        • 2005 Final Report
      • Lewis & Harris A&F Club >
        • 1996 - 97
        • 20th Anniversary
      • Livingston A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • Murdo MacLeod
      • Lockerbie A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 40th Anniversary (Lockerbie)
    • M >
      • The M.A.F.I.A. >
        • History
        • 1977 - 78
        • Closing Speech
      • Mauchline >
        • 30th Anniv (Mauchline)
      • Monklands A&F Club >
        • 1978 - 79
      • Montrose A&F Club >
        • 1984 - 85
      • Morecambe A&F Club
      • Muirhead A&F Club >
        • 1995 - 96
    • N >
      • Newburgh A&F Club >
        • 2002 - 03
        • 40th Anniversary
        • Jim Berry
      • New Cumnock A&F Club >
        • 1979 - 80
      • Newmill-on-Teviot A&F Club >
        • 1999 - 2000
      • Newtongrange A&F Club >
        • 1979 - 80
      • Newton St Boswells >
        • 1977 - 78
      • North Cumbria (Gretna) A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • North East (Keith) A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • Ian Duncan
        • 40th Anniversary North East
      • Northern (Templepatrick, N.I.) A&F Club >
        • 2011 - 12
    • O to P >
      • Oban A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 25th Anniversary (1999)
        • 40th Anniversary (2015)
      • Orkney A&F Club >
        • 1983 - 84
        • Orkney 40th Anniv 2017
      • Peebles A&F Club >
        • 1981 - 82
        • 1982 - 83
        • 1983 - 84
        • 1984 - 85
      • Perth & District A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 1992 Letter
        • 40th Anniv (2010)
      • Phoenix (Ardrishaig) A&F Club >
        • 2004 - 05
      • Premier A&F Club
    • R to S >
      • Reading Scottish Fiddlers >
        • 1997 - 98
      • Renfrew A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Renfrew (Moorpark) A&F Club >
        • 1984 - 85
      • Rothbury (Coquetdale) A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 25th Anniversary (1999)
      • Scottish Accordion Music (Crathes) >
        • 1998 - 99
      • Seghill Comrades A&F Club >
        • 2010 - 11
      • Selkirk A&F Club >
        • 1998 - 99
      • Shetland A&F Club >
        • Shetland 40th Anniv (2017)
      • Stirling A&F Club >
        • 1991 - 92
      • Stonehouse A&F Club >
        • 2004 - 05
      • Straiton A&F Club >
        • History
        • 1977 - 78
      • Stranraer A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Sutherland A&F Club >
        • 1987 - 88
        • 20th Anniv (2007)
    • T to Z >
      • Thornhill A&F Club >
        • 1983 - 84
      • Torthorwald A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • Turriff 30th Anniversary
      • Tynedale A&F Club >
        • 1980 - 81
        • Tynedale 30th Anniv (2010)
      • Uist & Benbecula A&F Club >
        • 2007 - 08
        • 21st Anniversary (2016)
      • Wellbank A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
      • West Barnes A&F Club >
        • 2001 - 02
      • Wick A&F Club >
        • 1977 - 78
        • 25th Birthday (2001)
        • 40th Anniversary (2015)
  • Pipe Music Articles
    • Composers A - L >
      • Willie Bryson
      • John D Burgess
      • Duncan Campbell
      • George Cockburn
      • William D Dumbreck
      • William Fergusson
      • Ron Fleming
      • Duncan Johnstone
      • Willie Lawrie
    • Composers Mac >
      • John MacColl
      • John MacDonald
      • Angus MacKay
      • Hugh MacKay
      • John M MacKenzie BEM
      • Donald MacLean of Lewis
      • Capt John A MacLellan MBE
      • Donald MacLeod
      • Peter R MacLeod Snr & Jnr
      • Archibald MacNeill
    • Composers M + Mc >
      • David Charles Mather
      • James Mauchline
      • Captain D R McLellan
      • John McLellan
      • George S McLennan
      • Donald McPhedran
    • Composers N - Z >
      • Donald Shaw Ramsay
      • James Ross Riddell
      • James "Robbie" Robertson
      • Willie Ross
      • John Wilson
  • B&F Issues (1977-2020)
    • Oct 1977 - Apr 1980 >
      • Oct 1977 - Apr 78
      • Oct 1978 - Apr 79 >
        • Oct 1978
        • Nov 1978
        • Dec 1978
        • Jan 1979
        • Feb 1979
        • Mar 1979
        • Apr 1979
      • Sept 1979 - Apr 80 >
        • Sept 1979
        • Oct 1979
        • Nov 1979
        • Dec 1979
        • Jan 1980
        • Feb 1980
        • Mar 1980
        • Apr 1980
    • Sept 1980 - Apr 1985 >
      • Sept 1980 - Apr 81 >
        • Sept 1980
        • Oct 1980
        • Nov 1980
        • Dec 1980
        • Jan 1981
        • Feb 1981
        • Mar 1981
        • Apr 1981
      • Sept 1981 - Apr 82 >
        • Sept 1981
        • Oct 1981
        • Nov 1981
        • Dec 1981
        • Jan 1982
        • Feb 1982
        • Mar 1982
        • Apr 1982
      • Sept 1982 - Apr 83 >
        • Sept 1982
        • Oct 1982
        • Nov 1982
        • Dec 1982
        • Jan 1983
        • Feb 1983
        • Mar 1983
        • Apr 1983
      • Sept 1983 - Apr 84 >
        • Sept 1983
        • Oct 1983
        • Nov 1983
        • Dec 1983
        • Jan 1984
        • Feb 1984
        • Mar 1984
        • Apr 1984
      • Sept 1984 - Apr 85 >
        • Sept 1984
        • Oct 1984
        • Nov 1984
        • Dec 1984
        • Jan 1985
        • Feb 1985
        • Mar 1985
        • Apr 1985
    • Sept 1985 - Apr 1990 >
      • Sept 1985 - Apr 86 >
        • Sept 1985
        • Oct 1985
        • Nov 1985
        • Dec 1985
        • Jan / Feb 1986
        • Mar 1986
        • Apr 1986
      • Sept 1986 - Apr 87 >
        • Sept 1986
        • Oct 1986
        • Nov 1986
        • Dec 1986
        • Jan 1987
        • Feb 1987
        • Mar 1987
        • Apr 1987
      • Sept 1987 - Apr 88 >
        • Sept 1987
        • Oct 1987
        • Nov 1987
        • Dec 1987
        • Jan 1988
        • Feb 1988
        • Mar 1988
        • Apr 1988
      • Sept 1988 - Apr 89 >
        • Sept 1988
        • Oct/Nov 1988
        • Dec 1988
        • Jan 1989
        • Feb 1989
        • Mar 1989
        • Apr 1989
      • Sept 1989 - Apr 90 >
        • Sept 1989
        • Oct 1989
        • Nov 1989
        • Dec 1989
        • Jan 1990
        • Feb 1990
        • Mar 1990
        • Apr 1990
    • Sept 1990 - Apr 1995 >
      • Sept 1990 - Apr 91 >
        • Sept 1990
        • Oct/Nov 1990
        • Dec 1990
        • Jan 1991
        • Feb 1991
        • Mar 1991
        • Apr 1991
      • Sept 1991 - Apr 92 >
        • Sept 1991
        • Oct 1991
        • Nov 1991
        • Dec 1991
        • Jan 1992
        • Feb 1992
        • Mar 1992
        • Apr 1992
      • Sept 1992 - Apr 93 >
        • Sept 1992
        • Oct 1992
        • Nov 1992
        • Dec 92 / Jan 93
        • Feb 1993
        • Mar 1993
        • Apr 1993
      • Sept 1993 - Apr 94 >
        • Sept 1993
        • Oct 1993
        • Nov 1993
        • Dec 93 / Jan 94
        • Feb 1994
        • Mar 1994
        • Apr 1994
      • Sept 1994 - Apr 95 >
        • Sept 1994
        • Oct 1994
        • Nov 1994
        • Dec 1994 / Jan 1995
        • Feb 1995
        • Mar 1995
        • April 1995
    • Sept 1995 - Apr 2000 >
      • Sept 1995 - Apr 96 >
        • Sept 1995
        • Oct 1995
        • Nov 1995
        • Dec 1995 / Jan 1996
        • Feb 1996
        • Mar 1996
        • Apr 1996
      • Sept 1996 - Apr 97 >
        • Sept 1996
        • Oct 1996
        • Nov 1996
        • Dec 1996 / Jan 1997
        • Feb 1997
        • Mar 1997
        • Apr 1997
      • Sept 1997 - Apr 98 >
        • Sept 1997
        • Oct 1997
        • Nov 1997
        • Dec 1997 / Jan 1998
        • Feb 1998
        • Mar 1998
        • Apr 1998
      • Sept 1998 - Apr 99 >
        • Sept 98
        • Oct 98
        • Nov 98
        • Dec 98 / Jan 99
        • Feb 99
        • Mar 99
        • Apr 99
      • Sept 1999 - Apr 2000 >
        • Sept 99
        • Oct 99
        • Nov 99
        • Dec 99 / Jan 2000
        • Feb 2000
        • March 2000
        • April 2000
    • Sept 2000 - Aug 2005 >
      • Sept 2000 - April 2001 >
        • Sept 2000
        • Oct 2000
        • Nov 2000
        • Dec 2000 / Jan 2001
        • Feb 2001
        • Mar 2001
        • April 2001
      • Sept 2001 - Aug 2002 >
        • Sept 2001
        • Oct 2001
        • Nov 2001
        • Dec 2001
        • Jan 2002
        • Feb 2002
        • Mar 2002
        • Apr 2002
        • May 2002
        • June 2002
        • July 2002
        • Aug 2002
      • Sept 2002 - Aug 2003 >
        • Sept 2002
        • Oct 2002
        • Nov 2002
        • Dec 2002
        • Jan 2003
        • Feb 2003
        • Mar 2003
        • Apr 2003
        • May 2003
        • June 2003
        • July 2003
        • August 2003
      • Sept 2003 - Aug 2004 >
        • Sept 2003
        • Oct 2003
        • Nov 2003
        • Dec 2003
        • Jan 2004
        • Feb 2004
        • Mar 2004
        • April 2004
        • May 2004
        • June 2004
        • July 2004
        • Aug 2004
      • Sept 2004 - Aug 2005 >
        • Sept 2004
        • Oct 2004
        • Nov 2004
        • Dec 2004
        • Jan 2005
        • Feb 2005
        • Mar 2005
        • Apr 2005
        • May 2005
        • June 2005
        • July 2005
        • Aug 2005
    • Sept 2005 - Aug 2010 >
      • Sept 2005 - Aug 2006 >
        • Sept 2005
        • Oct 2005
        • Nov 2005
        • Dec 2005
        • Jan 2006
        • Feb 2006
        • Mar 2006
        • Apr 2006
        • May 2006
        • June 2006
        • July 2006
        • Aug 2006
      • Sept 2006 - Aug 2007 >
        • Sept 2006
        • Oct 2006
        • Nov 2006
        • Dec 2006
        • Jan 2007
        • Feb 2007
        • Mar 2007
        • Apr 2007
        • May 2007
        • June 2007
        • July 2007
        • Aug 2007
      • Sept 2007 - Aug 2008 >
        • Sept 2007
        • Oct 2007
        • Nov 2007
        • Dec 2007
        • Jan 2008
        • Feb 2008
        • Mar 2008
        • April 2008
        • May 2008
        • June 2008
        • July 2008
        • Aug 2008
      • Sept 2008 - Aug 2009 >
        • Sept 2008
        • Oct 2008
        • Nov 2008
        • Dec 2008
        • Jan 2009
        • Feb 2009
        • Mar 2009
        • April 2009
        • May 2009
        • June 2009
        • July 2009
        • Aug 2009
      • Sept 2009 - Aug 2010 >
        • Sept 2009
        • Oct 2009
        • Nov 2009
        • Dec 2009
        • Jan 2010
        • Feb 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • Aug 2010
    • Sept 2010 - Aug 2015 >
      • Sept 2010 - Aug 2011 >
        • Sept 2010
        • Oct 2010
        • Nov 2010
        • Dec 2010
        • Jan 2011
        • Feb 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • Aug 2011
      • Sept 2011 - Aug 2012 >
        • Sept 2011
        • Oct 2011
        • Nov 2011
        • Dec 2011
        • Jan 2012
        • Feb 2012
        • March 2012
        • April 2012
        • May 2012
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • Aug 2012
      • Sept 2012 - Aug 2013 >
        • Sept 2012
        • Oct 2012
        • Nov 2012
        • Dec 2012
        • Jan 2013
        • Feb 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • Aug 2013
      • Sept 2013 - Aug 2014 >
        • Sept 2013
        • Oct 2013
        • Nov 2013
        • Dec 2013
        • Jan 2014
        • Feb 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • Sept 2014
        • Oct 2014
        • Nov 2014
        • Dec 2014
        • Jan 2015
        • Feb 2015
        • Mar 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
    • Sept 2015 - Aug 2020 >
      • Sept 2015 - Aug 2016 >
        • Sept 2015
        • Oct 2015
        • Nov 2015
        • Dec 2015
        • Jan 2016
        • Feb 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • Aug 2016
      • Sept 2016 - Aug 2017 >
        • Sept 2016
        • Oct 2016
        • Nov 2016
        • Dec 2016
        • Jan 2017
        • Feb 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • Aug 2017
      • Sept 2017 - Aug 2018 >
        • Sept 2017
        • Oct 2017
        • Nov 2017
        • Dec 2017
        • Jan 2018
        • Feb 2018
        • Mar 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • Aug 2018
      • Sept 2018 - Aug 2019 >
        • Sept 2018
        • Oct 2018
        • Nov 2018
        • Dec 2018
        • Jan 2019
        • Feb 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • Aug 2019
      • Sept 2019 - Aug 2020 >
        • Sept 2019
        • Oct 2019
        • Nov 2019
        • Dec 2019
        • Jan 2020
        • Feb 2020
        • March 2020
        • April 2020
        • May 2020
        • June 2020
        • July 2020
        • Aug 2020
    • Sept 2020 - Aug 2025 >
      • Sept 2020 - Aug 2021 >
        • Sept 2020
        • Oct 2020
        • Nov 2020
      • Sept 2021 - Aug 2022 >
        • Jan 2022
        • Feb 2022
        • March 2022
  • Photographs
    • Jimmy Shand Gallery
    • Shand Morino Day 2013 Gallery
    • Celtic Connections Box & Fiddle Night 2013
    • Celtic Connections Box and Fiddle Night 2012
    • Ruby Anniversary Concert Gallery
  • Books
    • Jimmy Shand by David Phillips >
      • Preface
      • Chapter 1
      • Chapter 2
      • Chapter 3
      • Chapter 4
      • Chapter 5
      • Chapter 6
      • Chapter 7
      • Chapter 8
      • Chapter 9
      • Chapter 10
      • Chapter 11
      • Chapter 12
      • Appendix 1 >
        • George McKelvey
        • Johnny Knight
        • Norrie Whitelaw
        • Owen McCabe
        • Sid Chalmers
      • Postscript
    • Pas-de-Bas by Bobby MacLeod
    • Rob Howard (An A to Z)
  • NAAFC Festival Archive
    • Previous Winners
    • 2015 Results
    • 2014 Results
    • NAAFC Festival 2014 Winners Gallery
    • NAAFC Festival 2013 Winners Gallery
  • Misc - Fiddle Articles
    • The Spirit of Competition
    • Fiddles - Jimmy Allan - Keep Faith
    • Fiddles - Maintaining Your Fiddle
    • Fiddles - The Beginnings
    • Fiddlers - Charlie Gore Articles >
      • Scottish Fiddle Music Index
      • John Glen
      • Robert Petrie
      • Malcolm MacDonald
      • 'Red Rob' Mackintosh
      • Edinburgh based
      • Eastern Highlands
      • South of Scotland
      • Some Edinburgh Worthies
      • Central Scotland Fiddlers
      • Conclusion & Summary
      • 20th Century
      • The End
    • Fiddles - Dr Kevin McCann on Irish / Scottish Fiddling >
      • Fiddling & Piping
      • Scottish Fiddle Playing and its Irish Connections
      • The Fiddle Soundpost
      • The Fiddlers of Cape Breton
      • The Sound of Music
      • Hints on Fiddle Practice
      • How to Choose a Violin
      • Some Notes on Bow Hair
      • Metal Fiddle Tradition in Donegal
      • The Fife Collections
      • The Fiddle in Strathspey
  • Misc - General Articles
    • 1st Shand Morino Gathering 1995
    • Blind Mattie (Dundee)
    • Coalburn Chronicles
    • Colin Campbell's Local Radio
    • Da Fustra at 25 Years
    • The Dean Tavern
    • Haydn - His Scottish Connection
    • The Hawthorne Band
    • History of the House of Hohner
    • History of Ranco Accordions
    • Lest We Forget
    • May 1953 (Perth Music Festival)
    • Musical Memories by Denis Shepherd
    • NAAFC Ruby Anniversary Concert Programme
    • R.S.C.D.S.
    • SDBs - Benchmarks
    • The Session
    • The Uniform Keyboard
    • What Should That Tune Be Called?
    • Who was Kate Dalrymple?
    • The World Accordion to Phil
  • Musselburgh / Inshyra / Grangemouth / Virtual Reports
    • 1975 - 1979 >
      • 1st Musselburgh 1975
      • 2nd Musselburgh 1976
      • 3rd Musselburgh 1977
      • 4th Musselburgh 1978
      • 5th Musselburgh 1979
    • 1980 - 89 >
      • 6th Musselburgh 1980
      • 7th Musselburgh 1981
      • 8th Musselburgh 1982
      • 9th Musselburgh 1983
      • 10th Musselburgh 1984
      • 11th Musselburgh 1985
      • 12th Musselburgh 1986
      • 13th Musselburgh 1987
      • 14th Musselburgh 1988
      • 15th Musselburgh 1989
    • 1990 - 99 >
      • 16th Musselburgh 1990
      • 17th Musselburgh 1991
      • 18th Musselburgh 1992
      • 19th Musselburgh 1993
      • 20th Musselburgh 1994
      • 21st Musselburgh 1995
      • 22nd Musselburgh 1996
      • 23rd Musselburgh 1997
      • 24th Musselburgh 1998
      • 25th Musselburgh 1999
    • 2000 - 09 >
      • 26th Musselburgh 2000
      • 27th Musselburgh 2001
      • 28th Musselburgh 2002
      • 29th Musselburgh 2003
      • 30th Musselburgh 2004
      • 31st Musselburgh 2005
      • 32nd Musselburgh 2006
      • 33rd Musselburgh 2007
      • 34th Dunblane Hydro 2008
      • 35th Inshyra 2009
    • 2010 - 19 >
      • 36th Inshyra 2010
      • 37th Inshyra 2011
      • 38th Inshyra 2012
      • 39th Inshyra 2013
      • 40th Inshyra 2014
      • 41st Inshyra 2015
      • 42nd Inshyra 2016
      • 43rd Inshyra 2017
      • 44th Inshyra 2018
      • 45th Grangemouth Town Hall 2019
      • 46th Grangemouth Town Hall 2020
      • 47th Virtual Festival
  • Perth Festival Reports
    • Perth Winners from 1950
    • 1990 - 99 >
      • 41st Perth 1990
      • 42nd Perth 1991
      • 43rd Perth 1992
      • 44th Perth 1993
      • 45th Perth 1994 NO REPORT
      • 46th Perth 1995
      • 47th Perth 1996
      • 48th Perth 1997 NO REPORT
      • 49th Perth 1998 NO REPORT
      • 50th Perth 1999
    • 2000 - 09 >
      • 51st Perth 2000
      • 52nd Perth 2001
      • 53rd Perth 2002
      • 54th Perth 2003
      • 55th Perth 2004
      • 56th Perth 2005
      • 57th Perth 2006
      • 58th Perth 2007
      • 59th Perth 2008
      • Perth Festival's 60th Anniv
      • 60th Perth 2009
    • 2010 - 19 >
      • 61st Announcement
      • 61st Perth 2010
      • 62nd Perth 2011
      • 63rd Perth 2012
      • 64th Perth 2013
      • 65th Perth 2014
      • 66th Perth 2015
      • 67th Perth 2016
      • 68th Perth 2017
      • 69th Perth 2018
      • 70th Perth 2019
    • 2020 - 29 >
      • 71st Perth 2020
      • 72nd Perth 2021
      • 73rd Perth 2022
  • Composers & Compositions
    • Composers >
      • Felix Burns
      • Nathaniel Gow
      • Niel Gow
      • James Hill by Dr Kevin McCann
      • Robert MacKintosh
      • Gideon Stove
      • Emile Vacher
    • Tune Titles >
      • Australian Ladies
      • Caddam Wood
      • Captain Craig Brown
      • Classic 2/4 Pipe Marches
      • Classic 6/8 Pipe Marches
      • Classic Polka Index
      • CTS Empress
      • The Dark Island
      • J. D. Michie
      • Mrs and Mrs Alec Ross
      • Reel of the 51st Division
  • St Andrews Night 2005
    • Bahrain
    • China
    • Kazakhstan
    • Kenya
    • South Korea
    • Uganda
  • Drumming
    • Ross McDonald
  • Historical - Dance
    • Eddie Quinn
    • History of Carmichael Carpet Bowling Club
    • Lanarkshire Bands of Yesteryear
  • Whatever Happened To?
    • The Currie Brothers

In Memory
Tom Alexander MBE
25th June 1934 - 9th January 2020
by Bill Brown & Leonard Brown
​B&F March 2020

By Bill Brown
The passing of Thomas Armit Alexander MBE on Thursday 9th January 2020, at the age of 85, saw Scotland lose one of its finest exponents of the piano accordion. Not only was Tom a highly talented and gifted player of exceptional technical ability, he was also a prolific composer writing a number of outstanding contemporary tunes, many with a Continental flavour, during a long and distinguished musical career. Without doubt Tom’s early classical training hugely shaped his virtuosic style of playing, while such a good musical education, clearly provided Tom with significant inspiration, insight and influence when putting pen to manuscript. As aspiring accordionists will soon discover, many of Tom’s own compositions are not easy to play which summed up the genius of the man. Tom was born on Monday the 25th June 1934 in Cambusnethan just outside Wishaw in Lanarkshire. Dad Jimmy worked in Clyde Alloy, Motherwell, while mum Helen ran a very tight ship in an era when money and resource were not in great supply. Tom was the eldest of a family of three, growing up in a happy family home with brother Jack and sister Betty. It was apparent early on that Tom and his younger brother Jack had inherited a great love for music and at nights the family would often sit round the piano singing and playing the popular songs of the day. Mum Helen, who was a gifted pianist and singer in her own right, invariably led those impromptu music sessions. The young Tom had a very difficult and unfortunate start to life having to endure major surgery for a mastoid in the ear, which was a big operation at the time. For the first ten weeks of his young life Tom was a regular resident in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, which placed a lot of stress and worry on his young parents, especially mum Helen. This childhood health scare left Tom with an acute hearing problem which he had to endure, manage and carry with him throughout his entire life which made his outstanding musical achievements all the more remarkable. Tom began his academic education at Newmains Junior Secondary School in Wishaw as it was known then, and by the age of nine, the fledgling Tom had acquired his first accordion beginning formal lessons with a succession of local teachers in Lanarkshire.

After a short period of time, his musical progression and competency on the accordion came to the attention of Bill Brown who invited Tom to continue his musical studies at his Accordion School. Tom’s dedication, discipline and commitment to the accordion continued to drive him forward and in 1952 he was entered into the Classical Section of the NAO Championships at the Christian Institute in Glasgow. At the time, Tom had an old clapped out Hohner but Bill suggested on the day of the competition, Tom played his Frattelli Crosio accordion, which Tom duly did and the rest they say is history. Tom went on to win the Championship playing Bats at Sunset by the American/Italian composer Frosini and Spanish Holiday by Eugene Ettore. Tom’s first accordion hero was world-class accordionist Toralf Tollefson from Fredrikstad in Norway. Toralf, like Tom, came from a musical family and was renowned throughout the world for his technical ability and manual dexterity on the 5 Row button accordion. I know Tom always regretted not learning to play the 5 Row as he felt it would have opened up a wider range of musical possibilities. Tom often credited Will Starr and Jimmy Shand as other key musical influences and few would be brave enough to argue with that as the profile those two greats gave the instrument is possibly why many of us are playing the accordion today.

During his life Tom was a great supporter of the National Association and made guest appearances at Accordion Clubs in such diverse locations as Jersey, Carlisle, Derry, Hexham, Drogheda, Thurso, Kirkwall, Biggar, Leyland, Derwentside, Castle Douglas, Lockerbie, Banchory, Kelso and Lesmahagow. Although classically trained, Tom was as much at home performing light classics and Continental and Irish music as he was at playing traditional Scottish music as the eclectic range of material included on his solo CD releases would testify to. Being the humble man he was, Tom would often claim that players such as Gordon Pattullo and John Carmichael were much better at playing the Scottish repertoire than he was. By his own admission he would also be the first to tell you that he didn’t regard himself good enough to be included on the list of top Scottish accordion players but I know many who would be willing to challenge that extremely harsh self-assessment. In his latter years, despite his own outstanding musical talent, Tom often commented to me that he felt rather apprehensive playing at accordion clubs where audiences could be quite critical and where emerging young players were perceived to be better than him, but while that maybe true, not every young player has, or will have, the ability to entertain and play an audience the way Tom Alexander could, so again, I think the man was being overtly self critical and rather hard on himself.

As mentioned earlier, Tom was a prolific composer throughout his life writing a collection of fine tunes such as Le Menege, Alpine Express, The Oil Rigger, Helen Armit (named after Tom’s mum) Isle of My Heart, Kenmore Gardens, Bowie’s Boat, Pat McCann MD and Kilwaughter House, all of which, were published by Greyfriars Music, the music publishing company Tom jointly owned with his brother Jack and long-time Musical Associate Tom Walsh. It’s clear Tom’s musical tastes were both varied and diverse and if you were to dig deeper you would discover a man who had a real love and passion for Jazz music, which he would love to have been able to play. You will therefore not be surprised to learn that Tom was a great admirer of fellow accordionist Jack Emblow, who not only specialises in Jazz improvisation, but whose contribution to the accordion world across many decades has also been exemplary.

Another passion that Tom would love to have made more of during his highly successful life was his strong interest in painting. I’m sure you have already detected I don’t mean painting of the variety Tom indulged in all those years ago at the start of his working life with Torrance the Painters in Motherwell. No I’m referring to the much more creative art of oil and watercolour painting that Tom dabbled in from time to time. Tom quite rightly picked up numerous awards and accolades during his long distinguished career but I know he was particularly thrilled when the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs recognised his amazing contribution to Scottish music with a Lifetime Achievement Award which was presented to Tom at the Association’s Annual AGM held at the Huntingtower Hotel, Perth on Sunday 28th June 2009, and more recently, when fellow accordionist and lifelong admirer Leonard Brown staged a wonderful tribute to Tom at the Salutation Hotel, Perth on Sunday 28th August 2016. Unfortunately I wasn’t there that day but I believe it was quite an afternoon! However, the ultimate accolade and more formal recognition of Tom’s outstanding musical career came in 2005 when he and brother Jack were awarded MBEs in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List. Tom and Jack received their well-deserved Awards for Services to the Entertainment Industry from The Queen at an Investiture held at Holyrood House, Edinburgh in July 2005. The boy’s were absolutely thrilled and pleased as punch at the award of their richly deserved MBEs, but there again, who wouldn’t be!

A retrospective of Tom’s amazing life of course wouldn’t be complete without making reference to the highly successful career Tom enjoyed with his late brother Jack. The Alexander Brother’s easy listening brand of Scottish music charmed and delighted audiences the world over for more than five decades. Due to Jack’s increasingly poor health, Tom and Jack sadly announced their retirement from professional Show Business on the 30th May 2012 after 54 years on the international stage. Jack sadly left us on Saturday 2nd November 2013 after a short illness, and with Tom’s passing, the curtain has finally, once and for all, come down on one of the most enduring and best loved acts to ever grace Scottish show business. Not only was Tom a devoted husband to wife Betty and a loving father to his late son Tom, who tragically died in 2006, he was also immensely proud of his three beautiful grand daughters. Tom was a very loyal and dear friend to all who had the privilege to know him, he was a gentleman off the highest standing with a kind warm nature, as well as being an exceptional Scotsman who was fiercely proud of his working class background and rich Scottish heritage. So as the sun sets on a life well lived and the evocative sound of the Flying Scotsman fades into the distance for the final time, words alone will never seem adequate enough to describe how much Tom will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him, not least by his beloved wife Betty, daughter-in-law Angela and his three beautiful grand-daughters, Holly, Skye and Tamsin. Tom’s passing is undoubtedly an event filled with immense sorrow and sadness, and I know more than a few tears have been shed at his passing, but it’s also a time to reflect and celebrate with sincere gratitude the life of an inspirational Scot who enriched so many people’s lives and whose unquestionable talent made such an outstanding contribution to our kind of music. Rest in peace Tom, like so many others, I was exceptionally proud, privileged and honoured to call you my friend. You will never be forgotten!

by Leonard Brown
On 9th January this year, our music scene lost one of the most well-respected and decorated musicians we have ever had the privilege of knowing and listening to, Mr Tom Alexander MBE. For the best part of 60 years Tom, along with brother Jack, graced the stage as the Alexander Brothers, a partnership that would see them travel the world delighting audiences with their songs, music and charisma, recording a multitude of best-selling records, amassing a huge fan base and becoming two of Scotland’s most recognised ambassadors. For me, Tom was always the consummate professional when playing solo. As a 14-year-old I had the pleasure of watching Tom perform at my local accordion club, Seghill, and from that moment, I learnt so much from Tom’s playing ability and stage craft. Tom inevitably enabled me and others to further our own musical careers using the tips and techniques that he showcased at each of his performances. Tom possessed a depth of quality not just in his playing of the piano accordion, but in his ability to connect with his audience. I witnessed him at our accordion club sitting and listening to all of the local artists before retiring to his dressing room to change into his kilt ready for his first performance. He was always immaculately dressed and beautifully presented on stage, with an endearing smile, and his playing to top it off was something to behold. He always offered a kind word to each of the players who had supported the evening. There were no airs or graces.

He was a genuine, kind individual who had such a wonderful talent. He can only be described as a very humble gentleman. His playing was of outstanding quality as he tackled pieces that others could only dream of playing. He was classically trained and this set the grounding for Tom to play pieces such as The Carnival of Venice, Lady of Spain, Pistonette and Poet and Peasant Overture with total ease. He was such a controlled player with an ability to choose material that suited his audiences. He would start his performances usually with something devilishly difficult like Lady of Spain featuring a bass solo, going into Happy Hours and a set of Shetland Reels. He would continue with favourites such as The Cuckoo Waltz, The Mad March Hare and Spanish Gypsy Dance. He would then slow the tempo down with The Dark Island or Highland Cathedral and finish his first set with The Typewriter and The Savoy American Medley. With such a diverse repertoire, it is no wonder Tom became my idol and my hero. In 2005, Tom and Jack were awarded a well-deserved MBE for their services to light entertainment. They both were hugely proud of this honour and they continued performing until 2012. After Jack’s passing in 2013, Tom continued to perform solo for a couple of years but with his health declining in the latter years he decided to retire in early 2016.

​When I heard about Tom’s retirement I wanted to mark his legacy with an afternoon for him to remember. In August 2016 I organised a Lifetime Achievement Concert in The Salutation Hotel, Perth, a day that will live long in the memory for many as The All Star Band and myself performed his greatest hits in front of Tom’s 300 plus fans who had travelled huge distances to be there. Upon accepting the invitation, he was overwhelmed that someone would do such a thing for him, showing again his humble attitude. On the day Tom was presented with a bottle of malt whisky and a pocket watch with The Flying Scotsman inscribed on it. He received three voluntary standing ovations over the course of the afternoon and Tom contacted me the very next morning to thank me for the hospitality he received. Tom was admitted to a care home in 2018. On a visit I brought my accordion and played most of Tom’s compositions and favourite tunes for him and the residents. It was such an experience to see his face light up as each new piece was played. Betty, who couldn’t be at the tribute, heard about this and phoned me later to thank me for the pleasure it had given Tom. It is fair to say that we have lost a legend of our time. He will be greatly missed and fondly thought of for many years to come. His music and legacy lives on in others and we can now be rest assured that Tom and Jack, The Alexander Brothers, are now back together again in the theatre in the sky.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.