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Highland songwriter raises £700 for good causes close to his heart


By Val Sweeney

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Jason McClurg performed his music at a concert and also raised funds for Crossroads Carers and the renal unit at Raigmore Hospital. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Jason McClurg performed his music at a concert and also raised funds for Crossroads Carers and the renal unit at Raigmore Hospital. Picture: James Mackenzie.

An award-winning songwriter has raised more than £700 for Highland good causes close to his heart at a concert to promote his first recorded songs.

Jason McClurg, who won a song writing competition at last year’s Inverness Music Festival, was advised to have it professionally recorded.

The Millburn Academy history and modern studies teacher not only did that – he went on to release another three singles after being signed up by a record label while his first studio album of 10 songs will be released later this year.

Jason McClurg. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Jason McClurg. Picture: James Mackenzie.

Mr McClurg, the music festival’s chairperson, performed his music at the concert and also raised funds for Crossroads Carers and the renal unit at Raigmore Hospital.

“These are both charities that helped my mum and I when I was growing up and my dad was struggling with vascular dementia,” said Mr McClurg.

“They gave me an opportunity to have quality time with my mum and have something as close to a ‘normal’ childhood as possible.”

The audience at the concert at the Methodist Church.
The audience at the concert at the Methodist Church.

The concert was at the Methodist Church in Huntly Street which is hosting this year’s music festival from February 24 - 26 and March 3 - 6.

After Mr McClurg won the Celtic Original Composition category last year, he worked on his song with Dave Sidley and Johnny Urquhart at the city’s Music Shed recording studio.

“They put me in touch with Peter Cabrelli who runs the label, Midpoint Music Group, and I signed up to release my music with them last summer,” he said.

His first single, The Hebrides Are Calling, was released in August and was followed by Where You Walk, When You Forgot and Not Worth the Wait which are all are streaming on major platforms with CDs on the way.

Orin Gaukroger plays the trumpet.
Orin Gaukroger plays the trumpet.

The concert featured solos from two Millburn Academy pupils, Orin Gaukroger and Douglas Leslie.


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