Ian Powrie: Difference between revisions
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== Early Life == |
== Early Life == |
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Ian Powrie was born at Bridge of Cally<ref name=halloffame>[http://projects.scottishcultureonline.com/hall-of-fame/ian-powrie/ Ian Powrie] Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame</ref> |
Ian Powrie was born at [[Bridge of Cally]] (near [[Blairgowrie and Rattray|Blairgowrie]]), [[Perthshire]].<ref name=halloffame>[http://projects.scottishcultureonline.com/hall-of-fame/ian-powrie/ Ian Powrie] Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame</ref> At the age of five, he began playing the [[violin]] and had performed on [[Children's Hour]] on BBC radio at the age of twelve.<ref name=obit>Alison Shaw, [http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-ian-powrie-fiddler-who-became-bandleader-famed-for-his-white-heather-club-appearances-1-1912062 "Obituary: Ian Powrie, fiddler who became bandleader, famed for his White Heather Club appearances"], ''The Scotsman'', 15 October 2011.</ref> His father, Will Powrie, took up a farm at Bridge of Cally where Ian worked as a ploughman. Will Powrie was also a well known country dance musician (playing the melodian) and Ian played in his band.<ref name=halloffame/> |
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== Wartime service == |
== Wartime service == |
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== Music career == |
== Music career == |
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Powrie did no immediately take up a career as a professional, playing only at dances at weekends but by 1949 had reformed his father's band. In that same year he made his first recording. His brother Bill played [[button |
Powrie did no immediately take up a career as a professional, playing only at dances at weekends but by 1949 had reformed his father's band. In that same year he made his first recording. His brother Bill played [[button accordion]] and his sister Mary played piano.<ref name=halloffame/> This recording was by [[George Martin]], ''[[Bothy ballad|Bothy Ballads]] for the [[Gay Gordons (dance)|Gay Gordons]]''. In 1960 Powrie and his band turned fully professional and worked with [[Andy Stewart]] on the [[White Heather Club]]. However, he continued to own a farm where he worked as a hobby.<ref name=obit/> |
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Powrie toured Australia and New Zealand with Andy Stewart in the 1960s. He emigrated to Australia with his wife Leila and children in 1966 where he succesfully continued his music career. The family returned to Scotland between 1984 and 1999 but then again emigrated to Australia.<ref name=obit/> |
Powrie toured Australia and New Zealand with Andy Stewart in the 1960s. He emigrated to Australia with his wife Leila and children in 1966 where he succesfully continued his music career. The family returned to Scotland between 1984 and 1999 but then again emigrated to Australia.<ref name=obit/> |
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While in Scotland in 1994, a violin belonging to Powrie by the famous 18th century Scottish violin maker [[Matthew Hardie]] was destroyed when a lorry [[Rear-end collision|rear-ended]] Powrie's car at |
While in Scotland in 1994, a violin belonging to Powrie by the famous 18th century Scottish violin maker [[Matthew Hardie]] was destroyed when a lorry [[Rear-end collision|rear-ended]] Powrie's car at Bridge of Cally. The tune ''The Matthew Hardie'' by Bert Murray is a reference to this violin.<ref>J. Murray Neil, ''The Scots Fiddle: Tunes, Tales & Traditions of the North-East & Central Highlands'', Neil Wilson Publishing, 2013 ISBN 1906476977.</ref> |
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== Death == |
== Death == |
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Revision as of 14:58, 1 January 2014
Ian Powrie (26 May 1923 - 5 October 2011) was a Scottish country dance musician and fiddle player best known for his performances on the BBC show the White Heather Club.
Early Life
Ian Powrie was born at Bridge of Cally (near Blairgowrie), Perthshire.[1] At the age of five, he began playing the violin and had performed on Children's Hour on BBC radio at the age of twelve.[2] His father, Will Powrie, took up a farm at Bridge of Cally where Ian worked as a ploughman. Will Powrie was also a well known country dance musician (playing the melodian) and Ian played in his band.[1]
Wartime service
Powrie served as a pilot in the RAF during World War II. In 1946 he went back to work on his father's farm.[2]
Music career
Powrie did no immediately take up a career as a professional, playing only at dances at weekends but by 1949 had reformed his father's band. In that same year he made his first recording. His brother Bill played button accordion and his sister Mary played piano.[1] This recording was by George Martin, Bothy Ballads for the Gay Gordons. In 1960 Powrie and his band turned fully professional and worked with Andy Stewart on the White Heather Club. However, he continued to own a farm where he worked as a hobby.[2]
Powrie toured Australia and New Zealand with Andy Stewart in the 1960s. He emigrated to Australia with his wife Leila and children in 1966 where he succesfully continued his music career. The family returned to Scotland between 1984 and 1999 but then again emigrated to Australia.[2]
While in Scotland in 1994, a violin belonging to Powrie by the famous 18th century Scottish violin maker Matthew Hardie was destroyed when a lorry rear-ended Powrie's car at Bridge of Cally. The tune The Matthew Hardie by Bert Murray is a reference to this violin.[3]
Death
Powrie died on 5 October 2011 in Perth, Australia.[2]
References
- ^ a b c Ian Powrie Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame
- ^ a b c d e Alison Shaw, "Obituary: Ian Powrie, fiddler who became bandleader, famed for his White Heather Club appearances", The Scotsman, 15 October 2011.
- ^ J. Murray Neil, The Scots Fiddle: Tunes, Tales & Traditions of the North-East & Central Highlands, Neil Wilson Publishing, 2013 ISBN 1906476977.
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