Author Archive
July was a very good month indeed….. started off at the Isle of Gigha Music festival where “Heuch” played to a packed hall and achieved a 1 hour 5 minute Strip the Willow! Apparently an unofficial islands record, beating Tiree’s time. We had a wonderful weekend finished off with some great songs/tunes at the survivors night.
Having left Gigha at 8 am Monday morning I had an appointment with royalty! Myself and Ruairidh Macmillan played for the Queen and Prince Philip as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the official opening of the Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. We had lovely time playing some tunes together and even managed to gatecrash Jackie Stewart’s champagne reception.
The rest of July has been weddingtastic, not only to provide the evening’s entertainment but as a guest as well!
Also been working on some new material….slightly different to the album that I’m hoping will be heard soon(ish!).
Roll on August…….
This saturday 23rd June I will be teaching at the Glasgow Fiddle Workshop’s ‘Big Band’ day. It is open to adults on any instrument as the focus of the day is playing and arranging as a group.
For more info visit here .
Had a great time talking to Bruce last night and discussing my favourite tracks!
If you fancy having a listen again you can find that here listen again . Im about 30 minutes or so in.
I will be on Travelling Folk on the 7th June. Tune in around 8pm to hear me being interviewed and Bruce playing 3 tracks that I’ve picked. (definitely NOT an easy task!!! Although I think I’ve nailed it……!) You never know, I might even have something interesting to say…..
May was a rather busy month, lots of ceilidhs including two grad dinners, Glasgow Hawks RFC awards dinner and the most bizarre wedding gig ever….about a 10.0 on the weird scale!
Also have been doing some cover teaching at the Tolbooth in Stirling’s Trad Music project. A fantastic bunch of young folk taught by Lori Watson, Innes Watson and Claire Mann and I’m looking forward to helping them out for the rest of the term and preparing them for their concert over the next few weeks.
As well as that my own teaching project in East Ayrshire put on a successful spot at Catrine Festival. We were the opening act and the kids did fantastically, some lovely playing and beautiful singing! The glorious sunshine was a bonus and really gave us a boost before our run of our own concerts in a few weeks.
I even managed to squeeze in a wee holiday to the Lake District. A first time being there for me and what a beautiful place. Very inspiring scenery and some fantastic restaurants….!
May ended on a very loud and rocky note….went to see ‘We were promised jetpacks’ at the Stirling Tolbooth. Thoroughly enjoyed their set and was pleased that the genius of their name kept going in their music too. Although I’m not sure the same could be said for their 2nd support act….. While I was there also managed to get tickets for the ‘Simon Bolivar Orchestra’ conducted by Gustavo Dudamel who are playing alongside the Big Noise project in June. Very excited indeed!!!
The Glasgow Fiddle Workshop Spring Fling, was a big success, lots of kids and a positive atmosphere throughout. Some fantastic young players out there and a wonderful concert/ceilidh to top it all off, what a great week!
Made a rare venture out into the outside world and went to Rura’s album launch on 13th April. Not only was it a treat to see them play live, got their album to keep me going too, lovely work guys! Anyone who hasnt heard them should check them out!!! Also a good chance to see the Dirty Beggars, one of the most energy fuelled ‘bluegrass’ shows ive seen in a while as well as some lovely playing from the Thalla boys, what a great evening it was!!
Been doing a little writing this last week, have a new tune and the start of some string parts for something. Just need to keep working through it until I have something tangible! Been enjoyable so far and hope to end up with a piece at somepoint!
I will be teaching at the Glasgow Fiddle Workshop’s Spring Fling from the 10th-12th April. The projects is aimed at 8-18 year olds, is offering a few instruments as well as group classes culminating in a Family Ceilidh with spots from the participants from 7 onwards in the Glasgow University Union. For more information visit http://www.glasgowfiddle.org.uk/events.html
March was a fairly quiet month which after the hectic 2 weeks of teaching at Keig and Keithhall was a welcome break. A few ceilidhs including playing with a few new folk and a couple of great concerts from 2 of my teaching projects. Looking forward to going a wedding as a guest soon and enjoying dancing rather than playing for a change! Have also become slightly obsessed with First Aid Kits newest album (its brilliant!)
January brought Celtic Connections around again and had a thoroughly good time once more. Highlights being a brilliant show from the Treacherous Orchestra and a spellbinding performance from Admiral Fallow.
Also enjoyed my Young Trad Tour gig in the Strathclyde suite, although was a little sad as it was my last one! Thanks to all the other folk for making it one to remember!!!
February settled down a little and the teaching routine took over although a few ceilidhs spiced things up a little bit! The end of the month brought Keig music week around for the 4th year and it was yet again a great success (even though I do say so myself!).
March brought my 2nd music week in a fortnight with our first outing to Keithhall Primary School, another fantastic group of kids and has been a success so far with a good turnout for our tutors concert and hopefully tomorrow nights kids concert will be even better! A big thanks to Tia Files and Heather Downie for their help and fantastic tutoring throughout both weeks!
2011 was a great year! So packed in fact that my website was rather neglected. If there’s anyone out there who regualrly keeps coming back, thank you for your patience!
Highlights of the year included Stonehaven Folk Festival, my 3rd Young Trad Tour, a trip to Jersey, many brilliant ceilidhs and lots of enthused pupils.
Also managed to squeeze in my own wedding and a trip to Las Vegas and New York for a honeymoon. Awesome.