Obituary: Ian Powrie - Ploughman who went on to become a popular Scottish music sensation

SCOTLAND lost one of its most famous sons on 5 October, 2011. Ian Powrie was a ploughman who rose to be an international Scottish music sensation in the 1950s and 1960s. His family life began at Essendy near Blairgowrie and at the age of five he took up the violin. His father, Will Powrie, a farm servant, was an accomplished bothy accordionist and as such Ian went on to lay down his first “78” recordings with his father at the age of 12.

Violin lessons were provided by the famous local band leader Adam Rennie of Coupar Angus, the joint composer of Caddam Woods, one of Scotland most played dance tunes. Aside from his Scottish music Ian took classical lessons from Harry Ogilvie of Dundee. These were a huge step towards furthering his technique.

In the early 1940s Will Powrie took his young family to Bankhead Farm near Forteviot where he became the grieve (farm manager) and during this time Ian took up his role on the farm as a tractor-man while forming his first dance band. He often recalled stories of being sent to clean out the granary on days when he was a little tired from a late night engagement with the band. This was the equivalent of time off in farming circles.

In 1951 Ian met and married Leila Mailer, the daughter of Bob Mailer, Findony Farm, Dunning, who was also the village butcher.

The first band was a line-up including his brother Bill, a first-class three-row button accordion player, but he was called up for national service so a local lad from Dunning, Jimmy Blue, joined in 1952. He was a fellow farm worker and this combination of musical and work affinity never left the two men.

Their ability to gel on a musical and personal level was a huge part of the band’s success. The dance bands of the 1950s had a great sound but the Powrie band, with its blend of button accordion and piano accordion along with Ian’s tone and intonation, made it a sound which would last for decades as the benchmark for any young band looking to take off on the dance music circuit. Ian had the foresight to surround himself with musicians who were the best in their class: Mickie Ainsworth, with his excellent technique and knowledge of harmony, and Arthur Easson, the drummer who took pipe band strokes into a Scottish dance band. Pam Wilkie on piano proved to be a massive asset with her ability to accompany Ian on his iconic slow-air recordings as well as her help with the harmony arrangements of the band.

She sang on a few of the band’s LPs which again added an extra dimension. Dave Barclay was on double bass and again his skill at playing and arranging made him quite unique. Ian often remarked on Dave’s professionalism, his quiet demeanour and how he never had to re-take a set in the recording studio due to a mistake on bass.

The recruitment of these players along with the recently crowned Scottish champion accordionist Jimmy Blue was a master stroke by Ian as they developed into a unit capable of backing Andy Stewart on his famous White Heather Club, taking it above the ordinary bands of the day and giving them the status of the best band in the land.

They could accompany the new singers and acts of the 1960s, allowing the BBC and other producers to focus on other elements of the show, knowing Ian and his band would take care of their part without fail. In 10 years he had gone from ploughman at Forteviot to leading a band on world tours, playing full summer seasons in Scotland’s top theatres, as well as Balmoral Castle for the Queen and two famous concerts in the Royal Albert Hall.

Success brought many things but he never forgot his farming background and in 1962 he bought West Kirkton Farm at Auchterarder, Perthshire. He said the feel and smell of ploughing his own land for the first time is something he would never forget. This was to be the family home until immediately after a tour of Australia in 1966 he dropped the bombshell news to his fellow band members that he was planning to pack up and emigrate to Australia.

West Kirkton Farm was sold, farewell concerts were performed, a final LP was recorded and the cases were packed. At the height of his career Ian left it all behind and went to Australia in 1966.

The return visits in the 1970s were anticipated with great fervour. I remember as a five-year-old Ian visiting our family farm at Dunning. We saw his zest for life and his magical fiddle playing. This spawned a love of Scottish music which has remained with my brothers and me to this day. Ian made many recordings during his visits, one of which was with the legendry Jimmy Shand. It was aptly titled When Auld Friends Meet. I remember watching This is Your Life in the early 1970s and seeing Jimmy Shand being feted by Eamonn Andrews as a recipient. We watched a host of Scotland’s top entertainers coming on screen but there was a real gasp when Eamonn played Ian’s voice as if he was speaking from Australia but then announced: “We’ve flown him 9,000 miles from Perth, Western Australia to be here tonight.” On came Ian Powrie. My dad jumped up out of his seat, and showed his delight by saying: “Poorie’s home!”

Ian and Leila returned to Scotland in 1984 and re-settled at Corrieburn near Auchterarder. He performed at many concerts and band gigs and even toured Canada as well as producing a CD from his house along with many of his original band members.

During the planning for the recording he noticed the RAF doing its usual low-flying exercise in the Strathearn valley so in his own disarming way he managed to get the flying halted for three days.

His love of all things agricultural made him buy his old Caterpillar D2 tractor, which he restored to pristine condition; the work was so good he won best in class at his first outing at Scone’s Farming Yesteryear event. The Caterpillar was photographed along with Ian and his fiddle on the CD cover.

He was a charismatic man who would tackle anything. He flew his own light aircraft, was a championship ploughman, top-class violinist and most of all a great family man with a love for life. His encouragement for young musicians was well known. I remember travelling to the Powrie house at Auchterarder so Ian could spend hours helping me get to grips with a musical piece or indeed he would sit and pencil out tunes which may be of use to me in my repertoire.

Many of today’s working musicians owe a huge debt to Ian for not only his interest in their playing but for the legacy he left by way of recordings and tune compositions. He was generous with his time and his praise, he was fun to be around and he always gave more than he received.

At the end of his playing career Ian and Leila moved back to Australia in 1999 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

On a personal level I remember a man who made a real contribution to anyone or anything he came in contact with. He invited me to play as a young teenager on stage at small local events but always had a way of making you feel as if he was second in command. He was never aloof and always performed in a totally professional manner whether it be a village hall gathering or a more grand affair.

He spoke at my 21st birthday and played in the church at my wedding. Ian achieved great things in his life but he had a way of making everything seem fresh when you worked with him. He liked nothing better than an evening with some musical friends and a couple of drams. Scotland and Scottish music has lost one of its shining lights.

Ian is survived by his wife Leila, their two children Findlay and Ailsa and four grandchildren. SIMON HOWIE