1990
Jimmy Blue
(1929 - 1999)
Born in Newton Mearns, Jimmy was second in a family of four and the only boy. After dabbling with the piano accordion, Jimmy acquired his first 2-row accordion in 1946. In 1950, Jimmy bought a brand new accordion, a Casali 3-row, 48 bass instrument. He worked hard on converting from 2 to 3-rows to such effect that in the autumn of that year he became the first winner of The Jimmy Shand Shield at Bill Wilkie’s Perth Festival. When the family moved to Rossie Farm, near Dunning, Jimmy joined Hamish McLaren’s Quartet. At this time he met 19 year old Mickie Ainsworth and they decided to work on some duets together and after auditioning were accepted by the BBC. December 1952 was a big month for Jimmy – he joined Ian Powrie’s Band and he also became engaged to Joan McNeill. When Ian emigrated in December 1966 Jimmy successfully took over the full-time band and this lasted till 1977 when he decided to go part-time again and became head gardener at Kilgraston School.
Jimmy Blue
(1929 - 1999)
Born in Newton Mearns, Jimmy was second in a family of four and the only boy. After dabbling with the piano accordion, Jimmy acquired his first 2-row accordion in 1946. In 1950, Jimmy bought a brand new accordion, a Casali 3-row, 48 bass instrument. He worked hard on converting from 2 to 3-rows to such effect that in the autumn of that year he became the first winner of The Jimmy Shand Shield at Bill Wilkie’s Perth Festival. When the family moved to Rossie Farm, near Dunning, Jimmy joined Hamish McLaren’s Quartet. At this time he met 19 year old Mickie Ainsworth and they decided to work on some duets together and after auditioning were accepted by the BBC. December 1952 was a big month for Jimmy – he joined Ian Powrie’s Band and he also became engaged to Joan McNeill. When Ian emigrated in December 1966 Jimmy successfully took over the full-time band and this lasted till 1977 when he decided to go part-time again and became head gardener at Kilgraston School.