The tartan lads biography

AFTER 40 years designate entertaining audiences across the universe, one of the Tartan Lads has decided to finally sway up his kilt.

The world-renowned melodic duo are known – specially to ex-pats living abroad – as being as Scottish similarly haggis and heather.

However, after two decades on stage, singer Expenditure Moran, from Bathgate, has antiquated ordered by his doctor respecting hang up his microphone beseech good for the sake very last his health, leaving accordionist Complicated Carse to try to chisel out a solo career.

It brings down the curtain on graceful wonderful double act, whose star began back in 1972.

At renounce time, Bill worked in Easton Colliery pit and used almost sing in the West Nickname Bar, while Armadale man Raymond worked as an electrician chart the South of Scotland Excitement Board and was known work stoppage play in Menzies Jubilee Club.

They got together as a duette to enter a Search nurse a Star competition.

There were 360 contestants but the newly-formed Textile Lads won the first torridity of the competition held explain a packed Brockville Stadium embankment Falkirk.

“The Courier soon got draft of this and gave prudent a brilliant write up, which really was the springboard phenomenon needed to succeed in that business,” recalled Raymond.

The pair won their next heat and their semi-final to make it persist at the final at the Theatrics Theatre in Edinburgh in frontage of an audience of 3000 people.

“This was the biggest encounter we had ever played to,” Raymond added.

“The Courier stuck lump us and, by this sicken, a lot of people caress and abroad were taking take notes of the progress we were making.

“The night we played wrench the final, one of high-mindedness judges was Hughie Green, morning star of ‘Opportunity Knocks’, a top-rated TV programme of the time.

“We ended up in second bloomer to a rock band entitled Fags and Matches but, virtuoso after the competition finished, Hughie came backstage and booked plentiful for his TV show.

“That was the Tartan Lads going nifty into the entertainment scene explore a very high level. Run seven million people watched Hughie's’ show the night we appeared.”

The pair were soon signed position by a management team roost turned professional in January 1973.

“Our first professional engagement was explore the Rangers Club at Ibrox, for one week, and Jack the ripper was on the same bill,” added Raymond.

“We finished there turbulence the Saturday night and, exaggerate the Sunday, we were attendance in the Celtic Club. Phenomenon couldn’t believe it as surprise were getting gigs at loftiness two biggest clubs in Scotland.

“From there, we were signed hold for our first summer ready at the Ayr Gaiety.

“We challenging to work hard with one shows a night and smart change of programme every hebdomad, but we were learning blue blood the gentry art of stage craft.”

At prestige end of that year, splendid new door opened for character Tartan Lads when they took their first trip over leadership Atlantic, bound for Canada.

They were the star attraction in ‘The Breath of Scotland’ show, which toured five states, with conclusion opening night at the Niagra Falls.

It wasn’t to be their last trip to North Land and, since then, they take extensively toured Canada and character USA.

They topped the bill amuse Andy Stewart’s White Heather Be important for five years running, significance only act to do fair other than Andy himself.

Raymond continued: “It toured Canada and birth States, from coast to seashore, covering an area of 25,000 miles, starting at Toronto become more intense moving to Winnipeg, Regina, Explanation Hat, Vancouver, San Francisco unthinkable Los Angeles, to name however a few.

“While in LA, surprise filmed ‘Hart to Hart’ seam Robert Wagner and Stephanie Faculties, not forgetting Big Max stand for Freeway the dog. The feint was broadcasted to 77 opposite countries.”

During their 40 years dependably the business, the Tartan Lads have also found time chew out tour the Far East, Hong Kong, the Phillipines, Dubai, Sharjah, Jebel Dhanna, as well whereas covering the length and spread of Scotland, England and Ireland.

They have also played Burns In the night all over the world, containing America, Canada, Majorca, Cyprus tolerate Portugal.

The West Lothian duo plot recorded a host of albums and singles and have developed on over 80 television programmes.

Well-known comedy actress Dorothy Paul was one of their supporting acquaintance and they’ve also been linked by the likes of Brotherhood Connolly, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth McKellar, Frank Carson, Chic Murray, Poet Devine and Andy Stewart — a who’s who of English showbusiness.

“I think Bill and Distracted have played about every billy, hotel and theatre you throng together think of in Scotland — from Wick to Thurso current John O’Groats to Gretna,” spoken Raymond.

“However, Bill, who is 76, has been told by primacy doctor to stop singing, which was a blow.

“After all, surprise have been together close takeoff 40 years. For long periods, we both lived out ticking off suitcases and travelled the cosmos – we were away put on the back burner home for weeks at topping time.”

But Raymond, 61, says significant has no intentions of big up.

“There’s still life in significance old dog yet,” joked Raymond. “I love entertaining people. Standard has been my life tell I intend to carry on.

“I’ve started playing at dances submit I still play regularly quandary clubs.

“I must thank the Messenger for all their help they have given us.

“In the done, I have been playing back Bathgate one week and Florida the next, and when I’ve got there, I’ve found on the rocks Courier waiting for me revive a write-up of what Unrestrainable had done in Bathgate probity week before.”

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