Button-Key (Windygates) 20th Anniversary Concert
In Rothes Halls, Grangemouth on Sunday, 12th August 2007
by Heather McLean
B&F October 2007
Happy 20th Anniversary to the Windygates (Button-Key) A&F Club. The Rothes Halls were full to capacity for this Anniversary Concert. There were 34 accordions on display on the stage, along with a portrait of the late Sir Jimmy Shand at the front for everyone to observe. Compere for the evening was Eddie Rose, and what an excellent job he did keeping things ticking along.
First on stage were 38 musicians from the Windygates Club with some sing-alongs for audience participation helped along by local singer Marshall McIntyre.
Alex Paul then gave some background about the Windygates (Button-key) Club.
The Club started in March 1987, David Black, Bruce Lindsay Snr, Bruce’s sister Pat, Andy Greig and John Webster from Dundee are all founder members. Hugh Morrison and Mary and Jim Roger were also founder members but are sadly no longer with us. For the twenty years the Windygates Club has been in existence, it is a credit to the Committee, guests and supporters for its continued popularity.
The music played has been so popular that piano and continental accordion players are now members of Clubs playing Sir Jimmy Shand’s type of music; not only traditional music, but also Sir Jimmy’s own compositions with over 200 to choose from.
The Club had the idea to promote the button-key accordion and mainly Scottish dance music, which was made popular by the late Sir Jimmy Shand – a maestro on the 3-row button-box. It was decided to have a special Shand Morino Day at Windygates Club, and the first one was arranged by Bruce Lindsay Snr for the 15th of January 1995. Sir Jimmy Shand was in attendance and all the players received a letter and certificate signed by the Maestro himself. The day was so successful it has become an annual event, with the same enthusiastic support from players and audience alike.
Following Alex were some more selections from Club musicians with a few songs from the strong voice of Marshall McIntyre.
Next to take the stage were ‘Buttons and Bows’ playing some great tunes with some sing-along selections slotted in between, led by the singer for the evening, Marshall MCintyre.
Following on was the talented fiddler Hebbie Gray from Aberdeen; his selections included Czardas, a Polish selection and Ove Johnstone Waltz which Hebbie preferred to play as a slow air. Accompanying Hebbie was Gordon Cree from the Irvine area on piano, finishing with Craigellachie Brig’ and The River Spey. To follow we had Jimmy and Sandy Lindsay; Sandy took lead playing some lovely Continental tunes, followed by pipe medleys this time led by Jimmy. They finished their set with The Swiss Polka led by Sandy.
Next on stage was moothie player Bryce Johnstone, accompanied by John Sinton on bass and Gordon Cree on piano. They started with two sets of marches, followed by Patchwork Polka and finishing with Rose of Portencross. Following Bryce was Andy Greig, accompanied on fiddle by Brian Ness, playing some Shetland and Irish selections, a two-step and finishing with The Silver City Waltz. Throughout the evening there were dancers joining in some of the selections in the front of the stage, unfortunately there wasn’t much room to dance but they managed.
Special guest for the evening was Moira Anderson, accompanied by Gordon Cree on piano. She started her spot with a song from ‘Brigadoon’, followed by some Scottish medleys including My Ain Folk. Then Moira sang My Hero for her husband who was sitting in the audience, in celebration of their upcoming 40th Wedding Anniversary – congratulations to you both. She closed her set with The Holy City.
To start the second half we had Alan Small and his Young Accordionists. A number of enthusiastic youngsters came onto the stage and some of them were not very old; a proud moment for them all to play for the appreciative audience. They played some nice selections and finished with a duet from Cameron Kellow and Luke Crawford; two of his oldest pupils, playing Miss Forbes’ Farewell to Banff – excellent stuff.
Now for something a bit different – a band from Dagersheim in Germany called Ranetta, playing some lovely tunes. Their set started as a solo then all the other band members joined in. The band consisted of ten players and their conductor Ranetta Kienlie. What talented musicians, and a pleasure to listen to. Ranetta runs the Dagensheim Accordion Club in Germany, and members of the Windygates Club travel by bus to visit this group annually, and likewise Ranetta visits them. Just last week members of the Club went to Germany to celebrate 150 years since Hohner Accordions began.
Throughout the evening, while the musicians were setting up, Eddie Rose did some spots, including the ‘Drunken Maid!’ These went down very well with the audience.
Now from the Emerald Isle came Donal Ring and his band from Cork. Accompanying Donal was his grandson Aiden on second box and his daughter Mary on piano. They played some nice sets, finishing with a song from Mary. David and George Rea from Doach in Co. Antrim followed Donal. These brothers have only missed two Shand Morino Days since the start. Their selections included marches, then some tunes by the late Sir Jimmy Shand and finished with some Irish tunes – excellent. Donal, David and George are all regular visitors over the years to the Windygates Club.
Next on stage were Bruce Lindsay Snr and his band – Bruce Lindsay Jnr (accordion), Hebbie Gray (fiddle), Jock Ireland (drums) and Jimmy Scott on piano. Their selections included The Landler March, a Swiss style tune by Ian Holmes, Heights of Cassino then to finish, Gaelic waltzes. What a tremendous sound!
A big thanks to Bruce Lindsay Snr and his hard working Committee and all the Club players for putting this great event together. I must include special thanks also from Jock Thomson and myself for the invitation to represent the B&F magazine at this wonderful event. Thank you, it was much appreciated.
First on stage were 38 musicians from the Windygates Club with some sing-alongs for audience participation helped along by local singer Marshall McIntyre.
Alex Paul then gave some background about the Windygates (Button-key) Club.
The Club started in March 1987, David Black, Bruce Lindsay Snr, Bruce’s sister Pat, Andy Greig and John Webster from Dundee are all founder members. Hugh Morrison and Mary and Jim Roger were also founder members but are sadly no longer with us. For the twenty years the Windygates Club has been in existence, it is a credit to the Committee, guests and supporters for its continued popularity.
The music played has been so popular that piano and continental accordion players are now members of Clubs playing Sir Jimmy Shand’s type of music; not only traditional music, but also Sir Jimmy’s own compositions with over 200 to choose from.
The Club had the idea to promote the button-key accordion and mainly Scottish dance music, which was made popular by the late Sir Jimmy Shand – a maestro on the 3-row button-box. It was decided to have a special Shand Morino Day at Windygates Club, and the first one was arranged by Bruce Lindsay Snr for the 15th of January 1995. Sir Jimmy Shand was in attendance and all the players received a letter and certificate signed by the Maestro himself. The day was so successful it has become an annual event, with the same enthusiastic support from players and audience alike.
Following Alex were some more selections from Club musicians with a few songs from the strong voice of Marshall McIntyre.
Next to take the stage were ‘Buttons and Bows’ playing some great tunes with some sing-along selections slotted in between, led by the singer for the evening, Marshall MCintyre.
Following on was the talented fiddler Hebbie Gray from Aberdeen; his selections included Czardas, a Polish selection and Ove Johnstone Waltz which Hebbie preferred to play as a slow air. Accompanying Hebbie was Gordon Cree from the Irvine area on piano, finishing with Craigellachie Brig’ and The River Spey. To follow we had Jimmy and Sandy Lindsay; Sandy took lead playing some lovely Continental tunes, followed by pipe medleys this time led by Jimmy. They finished their set with The Swiss Polka led by Sandy.
Next on stage was moothie player Bryce Johnstone, accompanied by John Sinton on bass and Gordon Cree on piano. They started with two sets of marches, followed by Patchwork Polka and finishing with Rose of Portencross. Following Bryce was Andy Greig, accompanied on fiddle by Brian Ness, playing some Shetland and Irish selections, a two-step and finishing with The Silver City Waltz. Throughout the evening there were dancers joining in some of the selections in the front of the stage, unfortunately there wasn’t much room to dance but they managed.
Special guest for the evening was Moira Anderson, accompanied by Gordon Cree on piano. She started her spot with a song from ‘Brigadoon’, followed by some Scottish medleys including My Ain Folk. Then Moira sang My Hero for her husband who was sitting in the audience, in celebration of their upcoming 40th Wedding Anniversary – congratulations to you both. She closed her set with The Holy City.
To start the second half we had Alan Small and his Young Accordionists. A number of enthusiastic youngsters came onto the stage and some of them were not very old; a proud moment for them all to play for the appreciative audience. They played some nice selections and finished with a duet from Cameron Kellow and Luke Crawford; two of his oldest pupils, playing Miss Forbes’ Farewell to Banff – excellent stuff.
Now for something a bit different – a band from Dagersheim in Germany called Ranetta, playing some lovely tunes. Their set started as a solo then all the other band members joined in. The band consisted of ten players and their conductor Ranetta Kienlie. What talented musicians, and a pleasure to listen to. Ranetta runs the Dagensheim Accordion Club in Germany, and members of the Windygates Club travel by bus to visit this group annually, and likewise Ranetta visits them. Just last week members of the Club went to Germany to celebrate 150 years since Hohner Accordions began.
Throughout the evening, while the musicians were setting up, Eddie Rose did some spots, including the ‘Drunken Maid!’ These went down very well with the audience.
Now from the Emerald Isle came Donal Ring and his band from Cork. Accompanying Donal was his grandson Aiden on second box and his daughter Mary on piano. They played some nice sets, finishing with a song from Mary. David and George Rea from Doach in Co. Antrim followed Donal. These brothers have only missed two Shand Morino Days since the start. Their selections included marches, then some tunes by the late Sir Jimmy Shand and finished with some Irish tunes – excellent. Donal, David and George are all regular visitors over the years to the Windygates Club.
Next on stage were Bruce Lindsay Snr and his band – Bruce Lindsay Jnr (accordion), Hebbie Gray (fiddle), Jock Ireland (drums) and Jimmy Scott on piano. Their selections included The Landler March, a Swiss style tune by Ian Holmes, Heights of Cassino then to finish, Gaelic waltzes. What a tremendous sound!
A big thanks to Bruce Lindsay Snr and his hard working Committee and all the Club players for putting this great event together. I must include special thanks also from Jock Thomson and myself for the invitation to represent the B&F magazine at this wonderful event. Thank you, it was much appreciated.