Bill’s unique talent noted

Nov 17 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

LEGEND-in-his-own-lifetime Bill Wilkie was presented with a quaich by Provost John Hulbert to acknowledge Bill’s outstanding contribution to music in Perth for more than 60 years.

The presentation was made during the diamond jubilee of the Perth All Scotland Accordion and Fiddle Show in the Concert Hall – another sell-out year for Bill and his team who have established the annual Accordion and Fiddle Festival as one of the major events on the calendar.

The competitive events held in Perth Concert Hall and the North Church halls attracted high entrant levels in all sections, with the high standard of performance by all the competitors, particularly the junior players, proving very encouraging.

After the day of competition, two sell-out celebrity concerts took place on the Saturday and Sunday evenings in Perth Concert Hall, when audiences were treated to the best of music, song and dance.

The shows were produced and compered by Bill, who at nearly 88, showed he is still on top form.

Everyone in the audience concurred with the Provost’s glowing tribute to Bill: “In the beginning there was rhythm. Bill Wilkie did not say it, but it might have been said about him! Rhythm and harmony must have been poured into Bill at birth. And not only rhythm and harmony, but also laughter, humour and enthusiasm. And, dare I say it, a modicum of business acumen as well.

“Perth is a city with a deep pool of musical talent. From primary children to senior citizens, there are orchestras and jazz groups, pipe bands and brass bands, amateur opera and folk music, solo performers and choirs, and as well as all of them, we have Bill Wilkie. Bill does not fit into any group or mould. He is unique, a one off.

“What is more, he has been a unique, one-off talent for a very long time. Sixty years of staging the All Scotland Accordion and Fiddle Festival is almost unimaginable.

“And yet, before that he was entertaining the troops during the war – travelling to India, Burma and Ceylon as well as to Europe – and he is a contemporary of Dame Vera Lynn.

“It is entirely right and proper that we should recognise a son of Perth who has contributed so much to music in the city for such a long time.

“And here is Bill, 60 years on, still staging, not one, but two concerts, two different concerts, on successive nights in this huge concert hall, and doing it all, not for profit, but for a charity – the Macmillan Nurses.

“Bill was a worthy winner of the DK Thomson award in 2002. But this is a more public expression of Perth’s gratitude for Bill’s efforts, and it is made on this special occasion in front of an audience that really appreciates his talents and contribution.”

The Provost also extolled Wilkie’s Music House in Perth’s Canal Street: “I am not particularly musical, but I bought a guitar there over 20 years ago for my son. Then and now it was a Mecca for music lovers and especially for performers who come to Perth from far and wide to visit.

“We often talk about Perth’s speciality shops being important for the City’s tourist appeal. Wilkie’s Music House is one of the most vibrant and contributes a great deal to Perth’s economy.”

Results

All Scotland senior traditional accordion solo (Jimmy Shand Shield): 1 Andrew Gibb, Biggar; 2 Craig Paton, Milnathort; 3 Matthew McLennan, Kiltarlity.

Senior accordion solo (pipe music) (Bill Black Cup): 1 Andrew Gibb; 2 Mathew McLennan; 3 Willie Lawrie, Kinlochleven.

Own composition: 1 Andy Kane, Wishaw; 2 Nicol McLaren, Blairgowrie; 3 Maggie Adamson, Shetland.

Senior ladies trad accordion solo: 1 Adele Queen, Thornhill; 2 Mairi McLeod, Fraserburgh.

Scottish trios: 1 Andrew Gibb; 2 Craig Paton; 3 Sam Rutherford, Aberdeen.

Open Scottish band: 1 Andrew Gibb; 2 Craig Paton; 3 Cameron Kellow, Kinross.

Junior trad accordion: 1 Brandon McPhee, Caithness; 2 Sam Rutherford, Aberdeen; 3 Adin Graham, Windygates.

Junior accordion solo (pipe music): 1 Steven Todd, Dalkeith; 2 Sam Rutherford, Aberdeen; 3 Duncan Muir, Closeburn.

Open classical musette solo: 1 Duncan Muir; 2 William Scott, Dumbarton; 3 Andrew Gibb.

Open classical polka solo: 1 William Scott; 2 Paul Capaldi, Galashiels; 3 Alan Shute, Coatbridge.

Junior girls trad accordion solo: 1 Emma Dickson, West Linton; 2 Claire Black, Biggar; 2 Megan McDonald, Lairg.

Button key trad accordion solo:1 Brandon McPhee.

Under 12 trad accordion solo: 1 Kyle Innes, Strathmiglo; 2 Jake Laing, Windygates; 3 Scott Main, Strathmiglo.

Veteran trad solo: 1 Willie Lawrie; 2 Nicol McLaren; 3 Alan Shute.

Junior Scottish band: 1 Emma Dickson.

Under 14 classical musette solo: 1 Alex Stewart, Stanley; 2 Alex Girling, Glenfarg.

Under 14 classical polka solo: 1 Alex Stewart, 2 Emma Dickson, 3 Adin Graham.

Senior classical accordion championship: 1 Craig Paton.

Junior classical accordion championship: 1 Calum Muir, Carnwath; 2 Adam Gibb, 3 Emma Dickson.

Under 12 classical accordion solo: 1 Alex Girling; 2 Ewan Downie, Kettlebridge.

Senior fiddle solo:1 Graham McKenzie, Inverness; 2 Maggie Adamson, Shetland; 3 Shona McFadyen, West Linton.

Junior fiddle solo: 1 George Davidson, Ellon; 2 Robbie McKenzie, Inverness; 3 Eilidh Anderson, Tarland.

Under 12 fiddle solo: 1 Sean Allan, Carluke; 2 Stuart Davidson, Ellon; 3 Ewan Main, Strathmiglo.