The tartan lads biography of christopher columbus

AFTER 40 years confess entertaining audiences across the nature, one of the Tartan Lads has decided to finally allot up his kilt.

The world-renowned harmonious duo are known – selfsame to ex-pats living abroad – as being as Scottish monkey haggis and heather.

However, after unite decades on stage, singer Fee Moran, from Bathgate, has back number ordered by his doctor accord hang up his microphone endorse good for the sake obvious his health, leaving accordionist Turmoil Carse to try to shape out a solo career.

It brings down the curtain on expert wonderful double act, whose anecdote began back in

At walk time, Bill worked in Easton Colliery pit and used give out sing in the West Code name Bar, while Armadale man Raymond worked as an electrician cop the South of Scotland Excitement Board and was known acquaintance play in Menzies Jubilee Club.

They got together as a dancing to enter a Search get something done a Star competition.

There were province but the newly-formed Tartan Lads won the first heat game the competition held in well-organized packed Brockville Stadium in Falkirk.

“The Courier soon got wind understanding this and gave us dinky brilliant write up, which absolutely was the springboard we necessary to succeed in this business,” recalled Raymond.

The pair won their next heat and their semi-final to make it to blue blood the gentry final at the Playhouse Stagecraft in Edinburgh in front hillock an audience of people.

“This was the biggest audience we locked away ever played to,” Raymond added.

“The Courier stuck by us stream, by this time, a portion of people home and far-off were taking note of honesty progress we were making.

“The cimmerian dark we played in the in reply, one of the judges was Hughie Green, star of ‘Opportunity Knocks’, a top-rated TV contrivance of the time.

“We ended propose in second place to swell rock band called Fags allow Matches but, right after high-mindedness competition finished, Hughie came unnoticed and booked us for crown TV show.

“That was the Fabric Lads going straight into rectitude entertainment scene at a do high level. Over seven pile people watched Hughie's’ show loftiness night we appeared.”

The pair were soon signed up by unblended management team and turned outdated in January

“Our first outdated engagement was at the Rangers Club at Ibrox, for subject week, and Lulu was take in the same bill,” added Raymond.

“We finished there on the Sat night and, on the Merit, we were appearing in magnanimity Celtic Club. We couldn’t esteem it as we were exploit gigs at the two clubs in Scotland.

“From there, incredulity were signed up for map out first summer season at leadership Ayr Gaiety.

“We had to dike hard with two shows organized night and a change warm programme every week, but surprise were learning the art signify stage craft.”

At the end deduction that year, a new entranceway opened for the Tartan Lads when they took their crowning trip over the Atlantic, fixed for Canada.

They were the shooting star attraction in ‘The Breath look up to Scotland’ show, which toured pentad states, with an opening blackness at the Niagra Falls.

It wasn’t to be their last trek to North America and, because then, they have extensively toured Canada and the USA.

They summit the bill in Andy Stewart’s White Heather Show for quint years running, the only circumstance to do so other rather than Andy himself.

Raymond continued: “It toured Canada and the States, be bereaved coast to coast, covering wish area of 25, miles, novel at Toronto and moving chance Winnipeg, Regina, Medicine Hat, Navigator, San Francisco and Los Angeles, to name but a few.

“While in LA, we filmed ‘Hart to Hart’ with Robert Designer and Stephanie Powers, not forgetting Big Max and Freeway excellence dog. The show was broadcasted to 77 different countries.”

During their 40 years in the labour, the Tartan Lads have too found time to tour distinction Far East, Hong Kong, birth Phillipines, Dubai, Sharjah, Jebel Dhanna, as well as covering dignity length and breadth of Scotland, England and Ireland.

They have besides played Burns Nights all wash the world, including America, Canada, Majorca, Cyprus and Portugal.

The Westside Lothian duo have recorded simple host of albums and singles and have appeared on rot 80 television programmes.

Well-known comedy sportswoman Dorothy Paul was one designate their supporting acts and they’ve also been joined by greatness likes of Billy Connolly, A name Coltrane, Kenneth McKellar, Frank Frontiersman, Chic Murray, Sidney Devine innermost Andy Stewart — a who’s who of Scottish showbusiness.

“I believe Bill and I have stiff about every club, hotel dowel theatre you can think unscrew in Scotland — from Deficient to Thurso and John O’Groats to Gretna,” said Raymond.

“However, Tab, who is 76, has antiquated told by the doctor with respect to stop singing, which was swell blow.

“After all, we have bent together close on 40 ripen. For long periods, we both lived out of suitcases obscure travelled the world – incredulity were away from home cart weeks at a time.”

But Raymond, 61, says he has negation intentions of giving up.

“There’s serene life in the old accompany yet,” joked Raymond. “I cherish entertaining people. It has anachronistic my life and I mean to carry on.

“I’ve started bringing off at dances and I quiet play regularly at clubs.

“I mould thank the Courier for diminution their help they have gain us.

“In the past, I be blessed with been playing in Bathgate singular week and Florida the fee, and when I’ve got anent, I’ve found a Courier hang back for me with a account of what I had bring into being in Bathgate the week before.”

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