Music - I love music, all
types. I have played accordion since I was 7 years
old! My first accordion was a 48 bass Hohner - I still
remember going to get it at Bell's Music store in Perth,
Scotland, sitting down and getting the accordion put on my
lap. I pressed some keys and buttons, no sound, then
complained that it was "not plugged in". Ah yes - have
come a long way from there!!! I can't thank my
accordion teachers enough - Jim Marshall gave me the start,
Tom Clark really rounded out my skills. I competed in
both traditional scottish and classical competitions and was
fortunate enough to win several titles across many
competitions. I guess as a couple of highlights I
would have to pick out are winning the Under 18 All-Scotland
Classical competition (Bell Trophy) and winning the All
Britain Under 16 Classical Duet competition with my sister
Fiona.
I had several of my own
dance/wedding bands in Scotland. It was a great way to
earn your way through school and University, and also great
fun. I played 6 or 7 nights per week during the summer
touring with Scottish Variety Shows led by one of Scotland's
funniest men, George Duffus or the "Breath of Scotland Show"
run by Ronnie Coburn. Since moving to the US, I have
played in a couple of bands, "On the Dole" with Paddy Devlin
in Houston (now called
Blaggards) and now with
Jiggernaut. I have
included links to lots of my favorite music sites and bands
under My Favorites. Also,
make sure you visit my music page to download tunes.
In the last year or so, I have
been getting involved with the local Irish music scene and
it is a pleasure to play with some great local musicians.
If you love Irish music - come on out to
Trinity Hall
in
Dallas every Sunday afternoon for some great music at a
session.
I recently also
complete in the Accordion Teachers Guild competition with 5
other friends competing in the Art Level Group - we were
delighted to be awarded 1st place with a score of 98/100!
I am available for performances or workshops,
both celtic music and classical accordion instruction.
- www.jiggernaut.com
- we have released two CDs so far - here are the links
to purchase securely on CDBaby.
our latest album
the first album
- just show me the haggis!!!
Training and racing -
I love the outdoors. Asthma inhibited me a little when
I was younger, but still enjoyed rugby, football (soccer)
and squash. I took up Rock Climbing when I moved to
Edinburgh and had lots of adventures with my climbing and
whisky drinking buddy Donald Leckie. Since moving to
the USA I have been involved in some military style fitness
groups - if you are in Houston, you have to checkout Jack
Walston and his Seal
PT course. In Dallas I worked out with Chuck
Howard and the Body Boot Camp (which has now stopped).
I compete in both Adventure Races and Triathlons.
Adventure racing is a great sport for people that love the
outdoors and multi sports. If you mountain bike, run
and like mud and water, this is the sport for you.
Visit www.usara.com for
the sports governing body, or visit
www.terrafirmapromo.com for some local races. 2004
I decided to raise money for Leukemia while training, so
joined Team in
Training to complete a Half Ironman in Panama City
Beach, FL. Talk about a tough event - 1.2 mile swim.
56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run. I completed it
though, and enjoyed it so much did another that year - the
Texas Man Half Ironman at Joe Pool Lake in Dallas.
My thanks go to my awesome coaches - if you want to get into
the sport you can find no better than
Todd Codish or
Staci Brode.
