Veteran Inverness entertainer Jock Fraser is honoured by Scottish fiddle and accordion society
Despite having entertained thousands of people over his 66-years musical career, Inverness accordionist Jock Fraser admitted to a terrible bout of nerves as he waited to receive his Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Accordion and Fiddle Society at the weekend.
But he still managed to thank all those who had made a big impact on his musical life, and raise a laugh or two with his considerable skill as a impersonator of other famous entertainers including Chic Murray and Calum Kennedy.
Back home with the engraved glass rosebowl, Jock (81) said: “It was a great day, but I was up on stage last and it was quite a long wait in front of nearly 200 folk, so I was pretty uptight when my turn came.
“I managed to recall all the different people who had made an impact on my musical life including all those I had worked with, and I still managed an impersonation or two.”
He added that he only started to relax after he was invited play with an impromptu band that included his partner Susie Simpson and Inverness fiddler and music teacher Gillian Stevenson who Jock had mentored when a teenager starting out on a musical career.
Fellow musician Murd Watson, also Inverness, who took the ceremony photographs shown here, said: “Jock played brilliantly and it was great to see him enjoying a set or two on his big day.”
The presentation was made in the Invercarse Hotel, Dundee, by Nicol MacLaren, chairman of the National Accordion and Fiddle Society.
Two other musicians received society recognition as wwho received recognition were Glasgow band-leader and box player John Carmichael (86) and Brian Griffin, second box with the Iain MacPhail Band.
Jock said: “It was a bit of shock to be told I was getting this honour, but at the same time it is great to have this recognition for doing something I love.
“I have had some great times over the years.
“You'd think at my age, my days of playing would be settling down, but I am very lucky to say that I am kept very busy, doing local Scottish Country dances, playing for the weekly SCD class known as the 30 club and playing as part of the Inverness Fiddlers Society.
“I’m playing with Susie’s band in Banff on Wednesday night and In August I’ll be in Plockton for their regatta.
Throughout his 66-year career, which is far from over, Jock has rubbed shoulders with the greats of Scottish entertainment including Colin Stuart, Norman MacLean, Stewart Anderson, Moyra Fraser, Chick Murray and Alistair MacDonald to name but a few.
While at the Cummings Hotel Jock played regularly with another well known Inverness singer and comedian the late Billy Nelson, and after working together at Eden Court, Inverness, the famous Norman MacLean and Jock toured the Highlands and Islands together entertaining at many local halls and hotels.
Jock started his musical career early, tinkling on the piano at the age of four, and by the time he was 15, Jock was playing piano with many local Highland bands such as the Heatherlea Band, the Melotones and the Johnny Douglas Combo.
He realised that there was a niche for Scottish Music within these bands and so he took up the accordion. His personal Scottish musical influences included Andrew Rankin, Jim Johnstone and local band leader Alan Williams.
In his 20’s, Jock started his own Scottish Dance Band, performed on stage in the Show of the North and became resident band in the old Muirton Motel in Inverness as well as playing at many ceilidhs, weddings, and parties in the Highlands, prior to his time at Cummings Hotel.
His first album in 1971 was with Billy Nelson and in 1990 and more recently, Jock has recorded as part of the Susie Simpson Band and the Susie Simpson Trio showcasing his skills as second box.
