Congratulations to Graeme Mackay Dance Band who has been nominated in Scottish Dance Band of the Year sponsored by National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Graeme Mackay Dance Band now!. It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 30th November in Inverness Leisure. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Graeme of Graeme Mackay Dance Band the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Graeme Mackay is a versatile accordionist and is the 3rd generation of the Mackay musical dynasty. Having a dance band is an important part of the make up of day to day business and the current line up has recorded several bbc radio broadcasts as well as accordion and Fiddle clubs and the shetland accordion and Fiddle festival.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Scottish music has been in our family since my grandfather and his brothers started a band in 1957. Since then, most of the male members of our family have been in and out of the band at some point. Being a bust musician has allowed it to become my job for the last 19 years.
Any particular career highlights?
I have played all over the world, most recently providing a button accordion workshop in the Bahamas. But seeing traditional music become normal is one of my biggest highlights, I wish it was this popular when I was starting out. Also running the ceilidh cabin during lockdown was fun.
What are your plans for the future?
More music, more recording. Keeping the ceilidh cabin going, encouraging my children to carry the torch as the next generation of the mackay family bans
Graeme Mackay Dance Band Social Media
Website: Https://www.mackaymusic.co.uk
Facebook: @ceilidhcabin
Twitter: @
Instagram: @buttonboxgraeme
YouTube: @accordionguru
TikTok: @
The 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 30th November 2024 in Inverness Leisure Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here). Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Bands performing on Saturday 30th November include Julie Fowlis, Skipinnish, Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers, An Dannsa Dub, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award winner 2024 Calum McIlroy and more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.