What a summer! It just seems to have flown by. So many gigs, so many highlights. Did a fair few Tartan Army gigs since last blog and without exception they were great nights. It's amazing how many of them I have done , there is never any hint of aggression whatsoever and opposing fans are always brought right in to the party. It's little wonder the TA have such a wonderful reputation worldwide.
The annual Scribblers Picnic (musicians against cancer) Fun Day that I help run in Stirling was a huge success again with more than 50 bands playing. The rain started around 4pm but by that time the crowd was in so we just got a bit wet and had a ball. Brilliant to see old mates Eric Bogle and John Munro again but sad goodbyes as they won't be touring internationally again. I'll just need to get a gig in Adelaide and go and visit them.
The Stirling Bridge commemoration was immense. For many years the date has been remembered and a wreath laid by The Society of William Wallace and for that we owe eternal thanks. Stirling, however, has done precious little over the years to mark or honour the anniversary.There are two aspects to this that were equally glaringly wrong.
Firstly as a town, Stirling is steeped in history and surrounded by beautiful countryside. Braveheart gave us worldwide publicity on a scale that could never be bought, yet what have we done to promote our town in the wake of that? Nothing.
For those paid to market our tourist industry I have to say there is no reason and no excuse not to have at least an annual Braveheart Weekend. The potential is staggering.
Secondly, the people of Stirling weren't active in keeping the anniversary. I have to admit that I was one of the many who moaned from the sidelines about nothing being done. Three years ago I realised that I had no right to moan because I was born and raised here. It was as much my fault as anybody elses. I decided then to run a ceilidh after the commemoration every year and the first one in 2007 featured The Red Hot Chili Pipers and my mates in Bannockburn. It has grown now to be a sell out and I fully expect it to do so every year.
What a night we had this year! For the first time we had a march down from the castle and it really went down a treat both with the marchers and many onlookers. Then the ceilidh - it's hard to put into words but, just occasionally, an event emotionally takes off and creates a real high for everyone involved. This was one of those nights where people will look back and say with pride "I was there!" Many,many thanks to all of you who made it so special.
And yes, next years is booked for Friday 10th September at the same venue.
Hopefully by that time, we will have persuaded the council to erect (or allow us to erect) a permanent monument on the north bank. At the very least there should be a huge flagpole with a saltire proudly flying above the men who laid down thier lives for Scotland all those years ago.
29/06/2009
Swords,dirks and other pointy things!
Whilst agreeing that the above items are part of the traditional highland dress and we would have no wish to ban them entirely, we, the undersigned, agree that we have to take a responsible stance on the wearing and display of these weapons.
In our role in educating the young generation of Scots we have to make very clear the historical aspect as opposed to being "tooled up". We cannot be seen in any way to be glorifying the knife carrying culture which is sadly blighting our society.
It has to be said that although blades have never been drawn in anger at any of our events we are very aware of the possibility of an accident, especially in confined spaces. With safety the paramount consideration, we have decided that with immediate effect we can no longer allow blades to be carried at indoor events. We acknowledge that these functions often immediately follow commemorations when traditional weaponry will be worn, but believe it shouldn't prove too much of an inconvenience to lock them safely in a vehicle during the social festivities.
For Scotland,
Crann Tara The Society of William Wallace Ted Christopher and Bannockburn Strathleven Artizans Siol nan Gaidheal Paisley Tartan Army
2/06/2009
As you may know from elsewhere on the site we launched a monthly competition in May and I've got to say I'm really pleased with the response. The only continent missing from entries was Antarctica. So keep in touch - I really appreciate your emails.
Had a great trip to Fuengerola with Clanadonia, Celtic Storm and The Strathleven Artizans. A fine bunch of people and I'm proud to call them all friends. Shared a room with Phil the piper (twin beds) and as it was the first time we had met I apologised in advance for my snoring. He's worse than me !!
The rest of May was as good as I knew it would be. Great craic,great pubs and great people.
This Thursday we are off to Baku again but this time it's a bit of a trek on Turkish Airlines through Istanbul. Might be something to do with Azerbaijan playing Wales in a world cup qualifier on Saturday. Should be a great celtic party with the Welsh in Adams Bar on Friday. My Welsh repertoire isn't very strong but it it's never difficult to get a Welshman to sing so we'll just join in with them.We are only in Baku for two days but will cram in two visits to orphanages as well as the two gigs.Catch up on sleep on the way home. I think every single one of the fifteen times I've been to Baku I have felt like sh.. in the airport waiting for the flight- so nothing new there.
June every year of course brings Bannockburn Day and once again I'll be in the Tartan Arms with Gaberlunzie. All patriotic Scots owe it to themselves to experience the celebration after either Bannockburn or Stirling Bridge (or both).
Hope to see many of you there.
till we meet again, Ted
24/04/2009
Almost May already. It's great to be busy but it doesn't half make time fly.Had loads of fun so far this year and much more planned. Had a couple of cracking visits to The Tara in Amsterdam for St. Patricks Day and with the Tartan army for the Away game against Holland. It's got to be one of the best pubs and staff in the world. The train and ferry across from Newcastle was a belter of a trip too - what an atmosphere. By the journey home my voice had gone totally so the set on the ferry back consisted of me croaking the first line and the Tartan Army singing the rest.
Tartan Day at Arbroath brought another surprise as The Strathleven Artizans made me an honarary Bowman of St. Sebastian. (The 40 Bowmen of St. Sebastian were the personal bodyguard of Robert The Bruce). Thanks guys it is much appreciated.
The midnight commemoration on Culloden battlefield was as usual a tremendous experience. Freezing but still warmer than last year and definitely well worth the three hundred mile round trip.
So, what's planned?
1-4 May I'm in Fenguerola where they are having a world fair over the weekend. Clanadonia and I will be belting out music from the Scottish caseta. During the rest of May I seem to have managed to pile all my favourite Scottish pubs in to the one month.Great.
Beginning of June and the full band is off to Baku (Azerbaijan) again to play for the Caley Society and the kids at Saray orphanage again. Middle of the month and it's time for Bannockburn Day again. And so it goes on.
Managed to get the new album out last month and it has been selling well. Being a Tartan Army album it's much more of a singalong than the last but those of you who have seen me live will know that it's a bit like the second half of a gig. I've started on another "serious" album so hopefully also get that out this year . There is still the dvd project ongoing so I must get that in the can too.
Still working on other away trips so keep an eye on the tour schedule.
awrabest, Ted
16/01/2009
Help ma boab! Crivvens! Jings! It's 2009 already.
(for any non-Scots reading this, yes, we do speak like this all the time - especially during the haggis hunting season).
Well ,2008 was great and brought many more fond memories and friendships. As with every year, it also meant a last goodbye to some old friends.
I raised a wee silent glass to them at the bells and I'm sure I heard my old pal McConnell shouting "It's 2009 - fur Goad's sake get on wi' it !"
So with a quick thank you to all of you who made the year a pleasure........................................Onward!!!
Tomorrow night is the annual Crann Tara fundraiser for Yorkhill Hospital and I'll be there as usual getting them all singing and jigging.. This year I'll have Gregor Lowrey and Rab Sherman with me so I'm sure it will be a hoot. It will feel a wee bit strange because I was summoned before the Crann Tara AGM in December to be informed that they had named me as their Scots Personality of The Year and presented me with a commemorative targe. Very much appreciated guys and it will be treasured. I had a tear in my throat and a lump in my eye.
2009 diary already looking hectic. Loads in Scotland of course but also working on Holland, Dubai, Norway, Ireland, Germany, USA, Canada,Cyprus and France. No doubt, won't manage them all but keep an eye on the tour schedule.
Hope to see you soon....................................
