Tommy Edmondson (1934 – 2001) - Obituary
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At the age of 12 he began playing his brother Bobby’s five-shilling button-box, and joined his other brother, Joe’s, band as drummer. However after Joe died in a tragic flying accident, Tommy took over accordion playing duties.
One of the proudest moments was being invited by Jimmy Shand to play his box after a dance at the age of 12. This began a lasting friendship with the Shand family – Jimmy encouraging Tommy to play a five-row button-box.
In the early 1950’s, the BBC (who at the time traveled the country seeking recordings of traditional music) called at Tommy’s home. He was out cutting wood, but agreed to come intoi the kitchen and play the accordion. The recording of The Trumpet Hornpipe that emerged was the tune used for the TV cartoon Captain Pugwash, for which he was paid 30/-.
Angus Fitchet invited Tommy to join hiss band when he played south of the border. He also joined Andrew Rankine when he played at ceilidhs in Newcastle.
Tommy met his second wife, Angela, at the Rothbury Accordion and Fiddle Club (of which he was a founder member) and after they were married she became the pianist with the band. After he gave up the band he continued composing and playing solo at barn dances and parties. He was then able to concentrate on the full orchestral range of his Elkavox. He was a fanatic about correct chords and bass, and had an incredible repertoire. Tommy was passionate about his music, and proud of the standard he achieved without tuition.
The highlight of the year was going to the Mull Music Festival – 19 times in all.
A funeral service took place at All Saints Parish Church, Rothbury on Thursday, 29th November, and was followed by interment at the village cemetery.
Dr Angus Armstrong, speaking at the service, described Tommy as one of the greatest accordion players that the Coquet Valley has ever produced.
Box and Fiddle
January 2002
One of the proudest moments was being invited by Jimmy Shand to play his box after a dance at the age of 12. This began a lasting friendship with the Shand family – Jimmy encouraging Tommy to play a five-row button-box.
In the early 1950’s, the BBC (who at the time traveled the country seeking recordings of traditional music) called at Tommy’s home. He was out cutting wood, but agreed to come intoi the kitchen and play the accordion. The recording of The Trumpet Hornpipe that emerged was the tune used for the TV cartoon Captain Pugwash, for which he was paid 30/-.
Angus Fitchet invited Tommy to join hiss band when he played south of the border. He also joined Andrew Rankine when he played at ceilidhs in Newcastle.
Tommy met his second wife, Angela, at the Rothbury Accordion and Fiddle Club (of which he was a founder member) and after they were married she became the pianist with the band. After he gave up the band he continued composing and playing solo at barn dances and parties. He was then able to concentrate on the full orchestral range of his Elkavox. He was a fanatic about correct chords and bass, and had an incredible repertoire. Tommy was passionate about his music, and proud of the standard he achieved without tuition.
The highlight of the year was going to the Mull Music Festival – 19 times in all.
A funeral service took place at All Saints Parish Church, Rothbury on Thursday, 29th November, and was followed by interment at the village cemetery.
Dr Angus Armstrong, speaking at the service, described Tommy as one of the greatest accordion players that the Coquet Valley has ever produced.
Box and Fiddle
January 2002