Brandon McPhee set for double A-side release and tour culminating in Eden Court date
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Highland entertainer Brandon McPhee says he is offering "something out of the norm" with his latest single release as he gears up for a busy spell on the road.
Next month sees the launch of a double A-side, Rainy Days at the Beach and Goodbye, from the multi-award-winning Caithness singer/songwriter and accordionist as he embarks on a series of eight concerts in as many nights.
His February tour of venues across Scotland will culminate at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.
The double A-side, described as a first for record label Pan Records, based outside Wick, will be available from February 17 on streaming platforms. Radio stations should have the track by the end of this month.
Rainy Days at the Beach is a song penned by Jeff Sable and is taken from Brandon’s latest album, Mr Country.
“I heard the track online by Jeff and I got in contact with him to ask if I could record his song and he was delighted," Brandon (26) explained.
"We kept in touch until I heard from his family that he suddenly passed away in 2015.
"His family updated his website to share his music worldwide. This track has a special meaning to me and I have always loved it."
The accompanying single is Goodbye, written by Brandon. He says it can be interpreted in a number of ways and carries a message of hope.
“I’m really interested to see how both songs are received," Brandon said. "They're both very different and it’s exciting to be offering something out of the norm to radio stations and supporters of my music.
"Goodbye had been sitting in a file for some time and I wasn’t sure about releasing it, but I’m very proud of the song."
Brandon and his band had a busy spell in the run-up to the festive season with concerts in Thurso, Wick, Perth, Portree, Dingwall, Elgin and Oldmeldrum. Prior to that, Brandon had joined veteran Irish duo Foster and Allen on their tour of England.
He said: "I’m looking forward to getting back on the road after the Christmas break and thoroughly open to what 2023 will bring for all of us. We need something to look forward to as January can be a very long month.
"But I’ll be using the time ahead of the tour to rehearse and work on my voice, as I’m getting over a winter virus.
“My February tour will feature more songs from my latest album Mr Country and I’ll be returning to some of my favourite venues. It will still feature some Scottish and folk tunes too, as my supporters won’t let me get away with excluding them!
"My special guest, whom I’m lucky to have also as part of my five-piece band, is Manson Grant who represented Scotland in Nashville’s Fan Fair in the 1980s.”
Brandon's tour will take him to the Howden Park Centre in Livingston (February 15), Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen (February 16), Buccleuch Centre, Langholm (February 17), Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh (February 18), Ryan Centre, Stranraer (February 19), City Hall, Brechin (February 20), Tolbooth, Stirling (February 21) and Eden Court Theatre, Inverness (February 22).
