Artists

We are very sad to hear the news that the legendary Tam White passed away on 22nd June in Edinburgh. Tam was one of the great Blues singers from Scotland but also very much part of the folk scene playing regularly in the folk clubs. He was a special man, with a special voice to match – a real character on the music scene who will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Alan Reid has confirmed that after 4 decades playing with Battlefield Band, he plans to leave at the end of the year. His last gigs with the band will be in the US in November.

Alan will now be concentrating on his duo with Rob Van Sante, who will be touring from January 2011. They are also working on a CD due to be released in 2011 also, celebrating the life of John Paul Jones.

We are saddened to hear of the death of Bristol Folk singer and humourist, Fred Wedlock, who passed away in Bristol on the 5th of March 2010.

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The Kilfenora Céilí Band is one of Ireland’s most long running and highly regarded Céilí bands, and it was recently honoured at a Civic Reception in its native County Clare.

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Greentrax Recordings have announced that Barbara Dickson has signed a contract for the label, and will record a new album for release in the Autumn (watch this space for more details).

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We are saddened to report the news that Alistair Hulett died at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow on Thursday evening, January 28, 2010.

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Its over a year now since the death of UK acoustic guitar legend Davey (Davy) Graham, credited by musicians such as Graham Coxon, Martin Carthy, Paul Simon and Bert Jansch as being the inspiration behind their playing.

When Davey returned to performance in 2005 after a long battle with ill health, he commissioned Roger Bucknall of Fylde guitars to make two steel string acoustics for him. The “Fylde Orsino” became his main stage guitar. The other, a “Falstaff” model, was used by Davey, mostly for recording, particularly on his final album “Broken Biscuits”. This guitar is to be auctioned on ebay in aid of charity.

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May 2009 saw Shona McMillan launch her People and Songs of the Sea exhibition and release of the project’s compilation album she produced with Greentrax, Cockenzie.

Angus Folk welcome Brendan Taaffe as a guest tutor for an evening workshop on Tuesday 16th February 2010. Brendan is based in Vermont and focuses on traditional American harmony music; bluegrass, gospel, shape note, and Appalachian material. They are having an extended class - from 7pm to 10pm - with a shared supper included in the evening. The class is open to everyone - AF members and the general public – and they are hopeful that many will come along to support the evening.

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Ray Fisher has been inducted into the Scots Trad Music Hall of Fame, the first recipient of the Award in 2010. Whilst the timing may have been influenced by her current state of health, the fact of her Award was entirely the result of her achievements and her influence on the history of traditional singing in Scotland over the last 50 odd years.

Previously recognised by the EDFSS which honoured her with its prestigious Gold Badge, this recognition in Scotland has been slow in coming. For many in England and America she has been one of the major voices for Scots folk song. She achieved that in a modest way, shone the light on other singers and was a constructive critic and encouragement for a generation of singers.