The Robert Black TrioMarch2008Our 9th March meeting took place on a rather inclement evening, weather wise, but there was certainly nothing rough about the performance of our guest artistes, the Robert Black Trio. But more of that later. Local artistes who turned out to support us were accordionists Jim Paterson, Calum Muir, Duncan Hutchison, Robbie Paterson, Ian Graham, Charlie Todd, Alan Gardiner, Jim Gold, Andrew Gibb, Tom Orr and Scott Nichol. On keyboard were Alan Gardiner and Tom Orr, on drums Geordie Shiels, Tom Hope and Ian Graham , on concertina David Corner, on fiddle Tom Gold and a most welcome visitor from Locharbriggs was John Caskie who was persuaded to give us a couple of songs. Our MC, Alan Gardiner, also offered the Clubs congratulations, regarding recent wins at the N.A.A.F.C. Championships at Dunblane Hydro, to Andrew Gibb, who won the Trios and the Bands, and to Tom Orr who won the Senior Scottish and the Senior Pipe competitions. Our guest for the evening was the Robert Black Trio consisting of Robert and brother Duncan sharing lead accordion and keyboard and Billy Thom on drums. Midway through their first spot, in the midst of a selection Duncan transferred from keyboard to accordion and a moment later Robert transferred from accordion to keyboard leaving Duncan in the lead role for the remainder of that spot. As expected their playing was immaculate, with a good balance between Scottish and others styles. No appearance of the Trio would be complete without a jazz influence and both brothers gave us some marvellous tributes to one of their hero’s Jack Emblow. For their second spot Robert took the lead throughout and treated us to quite a number of his own compositions, most of which are regularly played by other musicians. And in the meantime Billy Thom provided rhythm as only he can. 
Andrew Gibb S.D.B. February 2008Our February meeting with local guest artiste Andrew Gibb and his band proved to be a huge success – in fact the biggest turnout at Biggar for years. 107 people through the turnstiles to hear this young man (in fact just turned 15) who has been making quite a name for himself locally and on the competition scene.
But firstly were had a wealth of local talent with accordionists Gavin Jackson, Fraser Hewitt, Jim Paterson, Claire Black, Calum Muir, Katie Todd, Stevie Todd, Janet Graham (Cumbernauld), Fiona Sinclair, Jim Gold, David Kennedy, Alan Gardiner, Scott Nichol and not forgetting young Adam Gibb, Andew’s younger brother who is already snapping at his heels. Not content with making amazing progress on the accordion Adam is also taking fiddle lessons. Definitely another name for to watch out for in the future.
On keyboard were Keith Dickson, Alan Gardiner, Jim Nichol, David Ilgunus and Stevie Todd. On drums Geordie Shiels, Charlie Todd and Ross Anderson. On fiddle Emma Gardiner and Tom Gold and on concertina David Corner. A big thank you to them all for turning out. Accompanying our guest Andrew Gibb were Tom Orr on keyboard, Gordon Smith on drums, Duncan Hutchison on second accordion and Maggie Adamson all the way from Shetland on fiddle. Andrew and Maggie teamed up some years ago to enter various competitions so it was particularly nice to see and hear her with the band. Like Andrew her playing is mature far beyond her years – a treat to listen to.
The band played a wide variety of material, much to the enjoyment of the audience and Andrew’s compering also raised a laugh or two. Playing in front of an audience regularly certainly brings these youngsters out of their shells.
Thanks to the band for helping to make it such a memorable evening. 
Iain Cathcart SDB January 2008January, as usually, saw a slightly smaller turnout not helped by the rather inclement weather but it was still a respectable audience who joined us to hear “local” lad Iain Cathcart and his band. But first it was over to the local artistes. On accordions we had Katie and Steven Todd, Calum Muir, James Paterson, Fiona Sinclair, Jim Gold, Gavin Jackson, Jamie Young, Duncan Hutchison, Charlie Todd, Ian Graham, Scott Nichol and Tom Orr. Tom’s getting ready for another “Take the Floor” and if his two sets tonight were anything to go by it should be a cracker. On fiddle were Tom Gold and David Corner (who also gave us a tune on his concertina), on keyboard Alan Gardiner, Stevie Todd, Tom Orr and Scott Nichol and on drums Geordie Shiels, Ian Graham and Tom Hope. But to our guests. With Iain were the “usual suspects” – far travelled Scott Gordon on drums, and the two Fifers on second box and keyboards James Coutts and Graham Berry. Iain has a very relaxed style of playing but boy does it swing. He’s also not averse to playing popular, well tried and tested tunes all of which go down well with the listeners. His sing-a-long selections for many of the popular dances are particularly well put together. Yes thanks to the band boys and our local players for braving the inclement conditions to entertain us. Next month sees youngster Andrew Gibb (yet another shining example from the Dickson School of Music) and his band making the arduous journey from Toftcombs Farm at the top of the town to entertain us. 
Gary Donaldson Trio December 2007 With Christmas in sight, Sunday 9th December saw our regular meeting at the Municipal Hall in the company of our guests, the Gary Donaldson Trio. Chairman Alan Gardiner explained that as “a wee laddie in short breeks” he had first heard Gary as part of the Donaldson Brothers at the Clydesdale Hotel. Alan may have been stretching his own youthfulness a little there but there is no doubt that the ravages of time have not diminished Gary’s breathtaking skill on an accordion keyboard.
While his Scottish selections were faultless, his skills really shone through on the Continental tunes. Tunes with unpronounceable and un-translated titles such as the Nordlandsidyll Vals from Norway. On this occasion his fellow musicians on stage were drummer Gordon Smith and our very own Keith Dickson on keyboards.
Supporting us on the night were local accordionists Roy Anderson, Emma Dickson, Adele Queen, Duncan Hutchison (Moffat), Charlie Todd, Jamie Young (Dumfries), Jim Gold (who recently played at the St Andrews’s night in Kampala, Uganda), Ian Graham and Bill and Elaine Crookston. On fiddle was Tom Gold, on concertina David Corner, on piano Hannah Jamieson, Keith Dickson and Alan Gardiner and on drums Geordie Shiels, Tom Hope and Ian Graham.
Next month sees a visit from another bandleader who can now be considered local – Iain Cathcart, from Law Village, and his band. 
Michael Philip SDB November 2007 November 11th at the Municipal Hall, Biggar saw a welcome return on one of the characters on the scene, namely Michael Philip, and his band. Never one to do things by halves Michael had brought a full six piece in the shape of Andy Kain (fiddle), Nicol McLaren (second accordion), Malcolm Ross (drums), Suzanne Croy (string bass) and Graham Berry (keyboards). It's a rare privilage these days to hear the full line-up for a Scottish Dance Band and the audience lapped it up. Of course, as we have come to expect, Michael's couthy stories linked the sets, which included a variety of well tried and tested tunes, together with several of his own fine compositions (he has a new book due out shortly) and a couple of solo spots from Andy Kain. Local Musicians for the evening were accordionists, Jim Paterson, Katie Todd, Steven Todd, Jennifer Cowie, Duncan Muir, Adam Gibb, Emma Dickson, Calum Muir, Scott Nicol, Alan Gardiner, Duncan Hutchison, Bill and Elaine Crookston (all the way from Dunbar), Jim Gold and Susan McFadyen (again, far travelled from West Kilbride). On fiddle were Emma Gardiner, Tom Gold and David Corner (who also gave us a tune on his concertina), on keyboard, Keith Dickson, Claire Logan and Alan Gardiner and on drums George Shiels, Tom Hope and Charlie Todd. My thanks to them all for making it a splendid evening's entertainment. 
Iain MacPhail SDB September 2007Biggar kicked off the new season with a long standing favourite at any Accordion Club, Iain MacPhail and his SDB. Iain, together with Brian Griffin on harmony accordion, Robin Hamilton on keyboard and George Darling on drums gave us a host of favourites old and new, including quite a number of tricky medleys. The marvellous arrangements Iain devises are always very distinctive and give the band an instantly recognisable sound. As well as our younger players from KODA, Iain's appearance attracted quite a number of visiting players "frae aw the airts". On accordion we had Sandy Scott, Alan Gardiner, Jim Paterson, Calum Muir, Fiona Sinclair (Eddleston), Jennifer Cowie (Penicuik), Mel McLaren (Dunfermline), Scott Nichol, Ian Graham, Duncan Hutchison, Tom Orr, Gavin Jackson, Andrew Gibb, Jamie Young, Jim Gold, Bill and Elaine Crookston (Dunbar) and Davy Millar (Forth). On Keyboard were Dorothy Lawson, Mel McLaren, Tom Orr, Scott Nichol and Keith Dickson and on drums, Geordie Sheils, Andrew Barrie, Alex McLaren, Tom Hope, Charlie Todd and Ian Graham. Our two fiddlers for the night were Emma Gardiner and Tom Gold. We have no meeting in October.
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