About me

Hi everyone, Thanks for coming and taking the time to look on my website, I hope you all like it.

I've been playing the accordion for 8 years now and what a great life changing experience it has been for me. I got my first accordion back in Xmas 2004 and shortly after that started receiving lessons from John Leslie in March 2005. In June 2005 I was put into my first Accordion Exam receiving a distinction - this was to be the first great achievement for me.

A year later I was offered the chance to play for my first ever Dance, as well as Dance Classes, with the help of Davie Patrick. I jumped at the chance - it was a great experience and I learnt a great deal from them!

Sadly, in July 2006, on my 16th birthday, Davie passed away, which was a big shock to everyone who knew Davie; he was such an influence to Scottish Music, and to me for playing the box. I first saw Davie, along with his son-in law, Alistair, playing his accordion in the West Barns Inn one Sunday night.  That was the night I decided I wanted to learn to play the accordion.   Not long after his death I was offered the chance to buy Davie's Accordion, which I still play to this day, and will do so forever more.

Around this time I started entering competitions, where I met many players, making new friends, of whom I still speak to today and do gigs with. I took part in many different entries, from Continental Polkas, Own Compositions to the big one "the March, Strathspey and Reel!".  I really enjoyed this experience and won a few placings throughout various categories.

In  the summer of 2010, after much practice and playing,  I was asked by  Graeme Munro to play 2nd Box in his band, now known as the Clappy Doo Ceilidh Band, on the well known "BBC Take the Floor". Yet again , another great opportunity which I jumped at!  I learnt a lot from Graeme and his band making some very good friends along the way. I'm very thankful for the opportunity they gave me.

Shortly after December 2010 my first ever CD called 'PerfectTiming' was released.   The CD was my way of saying thank you to the band members that played with me, for helping me get to where I am today. It featured John Leslie, my Accordion Teache,r on 2nd Accordion, Tam Rankin on Drums (first drummer I played with) Robin Hamilton on Piano, and Iain Anderson on the Fiddle. To date,  the CD has sold over 800 copies.

During 2011 I played at many gigs - from weddings, old time dances to parties!  However, during that summer, an email arrived asking if I would be interested in playing at the Shetland Music Festival!  What an opportunity!  Of course, I said Yes.  My good friend, Andrew Gibb and I headed to Shetland. We performed in the two concerts on the Thursday and Friday, and were invited  to play in the Grand Concert on the Sunday afternoon. This was a great honour and we are more than grateful for the opportunity we had, looking forward to our next trip!

Early in June 2011 I was offered the chance of presenting my own Radio Show by David Henderson and Karin Ingram (Editor of Box and Fiddle and Presenter of the well known show "The Sunday Getherin").  Of course, I could not say no!    I headed along to TD1 Radio in Galasheils and I’m still there and absolutely loving the show. It has opened up a lot of opportunities for me, not only from music, but making some great friendships. I've been able to do live recordings from Accordion Clubs to help the NAAFC and had the chance to review new CD's. There’s more information on TD1 Radio in the side link. Please do check it out!

Finally I'd just like to say a massive Thank You  to everyone that has supported me since I started playing and I look forward to playing for your enjoyment, and mine, for many years to come!

Ewan