Calling Dougie to Corn - Gazette
FOLK music fans are in for a treat in May as celebrated singer Dougie MacLean will perform a solo set in Biggar.
The spring concert, organised by Clydesdale Folk Club, will see Dougie take to the stage on Saturday, May 19, in the Biggar Corn Exchange.
And the man who originally sang Caledonia is sure to pack out the local venue.
George Simpson, from Clydesdale Folk Club, said: "We are delighted to have finalised the details for our spring concert featuring Dougie.
"Renowned for his song Caledonia, music for Last of the Mohicans and inspiring live performances, Dougie has a huge world-wide following.
"His songs have been covered by Paolo Nutini, Amy MacDonald, Ronan Rearing, Mary Black, Frankie Miller, Cara Dillon, Kathy Mattea and many other top performers.
"He recently received two prestigious Tartan Clef Awards, a place in the Scottish Music Hall of Fame and an OBE in the New Year Honours list.
"It promises to be a wonderful evening and is sure to sell out quickly."
Dougie's first band when he began performing was the Tannahill Weavers and they toured extensively in the UK and Europe playing fiddle, mandolin and sharing vocals.
Aiming to concentrate on his own music, Dougie left the Tannahills and teamed up with fellow Scot Alan Roberts. They toured central Europe and played all of the major European festivals.
Together they made an album, Caledonia, which sold like hot cakes and was met with critical acclaim.
After a short time playing with Scottish band Silly Wizard Dougie recorded a series of albums throughout the 80s and set up his own independent label Dunkeld Records promoting a wide range of Scottish talent.
The early 90s were certainly a landmark for Dougie. Not only did Frankie Miller's version of Caledonia reach number one in the charts, he also performed with the Grammy award-winning country singer Kathy Mattea in concerts across America and in October 1994 played the world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City.
He continues to be a major attraction in the Scottish traditional music scene.
In 2010, Dougie was presented with the OBE for services to music and charity by The Queen at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.
Clydesdale Folk Club present Dougie MacLean at the Biggar Corn Exchange on Saturday, May 19. Tickets are priced at £21 (£19 for Folk Club members).
You can purchase tickets for the concert from Atkinson-Pryce Bookshop in Biggar High Street.
Meanwhile, the local folk club will be bringing Midlothian based band, Ragged Glory to the Elphinstone Hotel this Thursday.
Ragged Glory concert starts at 8pm on March 29. Admission is £8 (£6 members) on the door. Support act for the evening will be singer, songwriter and clarsach player Pauline Vallance. Her fine performance, linked with humorous anecdotes, was well received at the Douglasdale Folk Festival back in September so she too has a good local following.
By Boss Thomson
Carluke and Lanark Gazette
28/4/12
Picture by Lindsay Addison