Congratulations to John Carmichael Ceilidh Band who has been nominated in Scottish Dance Band of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2025. Vote now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 6th December in Aberdeen Music Hall. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked John of John Carmichael Ceilidh Band the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
The John Carmichael Band is well known on the Scottish Dance and Theatre scene and has been for many years. The Band appeared regularly on Television and have many recordings to their credit
They have toured extensively in the Highlands and Islands, throughout Scotland, Ireland and the rest of the UK as well as overseas to the Middle East and other countries. They played for over 20 years at Balmoral for the late Queen.
The band were innovators in their early days by having vocals and dance calling within the group.
Age is catching up but we are still enjoying the tune ….cheers John.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Scottish and Gaelic music are my first musical loves.
My mother played piano and sang Scottish songs from as early as I can remember. she told me in later years Scottish tunes calmed me down when I was upset as a child.
After a number of years of piano lessons I took up the accordion and followed the playing of Jimmy Shand, Bobby MacLeod, Ian Powrie, Andrew Rankine and many other well know Scottish Dance Band players.
I won the all Scotland Accordion Championship in 1964 and was hooked on traditional music.
Despite training as an Engineer, going to sea and becoming a School Teacher I decided follow the music I loved so I formed the John Carmichael Band back in the 1960s.
Any particular career highlights?
Just playing our music to an appreciative audience is a highlight.
However particular ones would be being resident band for a number of years on Scottish Televisions Thingummyjig programme both on Television and in Theatres in many areas of Scotland, also resident on Grampian Televisions Northern Nights as well as Hogmanay and other shows for BBC.
I have toured Canada, USA,Australia, New Zealand and many countries in the middle East with my own group and others.
What are your plans for the future?
My plan is to keep playing and be involved in our traditional music as long as I can …who knows how long that will be for.
John Carmichael Ceilidh Band Social Media
Website:
Facebook: Carmichaels ceilidh
Instagram:
YouTube:
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The 2025 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 6th December 2025 in Aberdeen Music Hall! 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. Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night in the Granite City will also welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including beloved singer Hannah Rarity, UK folk legends The Poozies, trad pop band Mec Lir and BBC Radio scotland Young Traditional Musician and Scots Performer o the Year Ellie Beaton and many 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.