Born on the remote Shetland island of Papa Stour Debbie Scott is without question one of Shetland finest fiddle players and composers although, in live performance terms at least, also one of its most 'reclusive'. Another protege of the late Dr Tom Anderson, learning fiddle from the age of 8, Debbie performed with local fiddle groups such as the Shetland Fiddlers Society and with more contemporary bands such as Garsters Dream Band, who toured widely throughout the UK, even making an appearance with the legendary 'Fairport Convention'. On many of her solo appearances she was accompanied by local guitar legend 'Peerie' Willie Johnson, who also appeared on her first (and to date sadly only) album entitled 'Selkie's Song'.
Born in Yell, one of Shetland’s northernmost islands, Willie Johnson originally began playing as a result of a severe childhood illness, when his mother bought him a ukulele to allay the tedium of convalescence. Soon progressing to the guitar, he began performing with a local band at age fourteen, and in 1936 was invited by Anderson to join, the renowned Islesburgh Dance Band. Over the ensuing half-century, in company with Anderson, 'Peerie'* Willie toured extensively across Europe and North America, contributed to many notable recordings, packed 'em in with an annual Edinburgh Festival residency from 1973-1980, and featured in Aly Bain’s pioneering 1980s TV series Down Home. In 2005, his lifetime’s achievements were honoured in Shetland with the launch of the annual Peerie Willie Guitar Festival. Peerie Willie Johnson died on 22nd May 2007.
*the Shetland word for 'small' in reference to his diminutive physical stature |
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