A near capacity crowd attended the September, and opening meeting of the new season at Islesteps Accordion and Fiddle Club in the Locharbriggs Social Club recently.
Compere John Caskie welcomed everyone and highlighted the seasons programme ahead before introducing the players, which featured many local and visiting supporting players along with guest artistes Iain Cathcart and his Scottish Dance Band
Iain (from Carluke) and the band, James Coutts, 2nd accordion, Alistair McCulloch fiddle, Graham Berry piano and Gus Miller drums gave us two exceptional sets of the best in traditional music, brilliantly arranged and played in great style. During their programme, Alistair performed two lovely fiddle solos much to the delight of the attentative and appreciative audience.
The cries of more at the end of the bands performance proved how popular the band are with Islesteps audiences and why they are firm favourites at our Club.
John had earlier arranged the following players perform to compliment the evenings entertainment. On accordion Fred Prise, Willie Duff, Bob Watson, Fiona Paul, Pauline Starkey, Kenny Jackson, Norman Swainston, John Douglas, Barbara Fisher, Bob Berry, James Fraser, George Carlyle, Newbie Park, and John Waugh. Fiddle players John Cowan and Margaret Ferguson, piano players William McRobert and Fiona Paul and drummers Ian Riddet, Graham Woods, Rob Dorrance and Billy Porter. Apologies to Gavin Foster, William Little and Bill McMinn who didn’t play due to time restraints.
John brought the evening to a close with a vote of thanks to all the players and Iain and the Band for an enjoyable evenings entertainment and a fine start to the new season at Islesteps.
The Club which meets on the second Tuesday of each month will welcome Jim Cleland and his Band for their October meeting on Tuesday 2nd October. Jim an accomplished accordionist was a regular member of the famed Jim McLeod band for many years. Islesteps accordion club meetings are held in Locharbriggs and District Social Club. Everyone welcome.
