Profile
When established musicians Norman Mackay and Carrie Thomas started gigging as an accordion/fiddle duo they were joined the following year by Edinburgh based rock/funk drummer William Oke to form the Ceilidh Experience Band.
They now perform at ceilidhs all over the country from small functions to their biggest crowd in June 2005 when they played for 3000 dancers on Edinburgh's meadows breaking the world record for the biggest ever eightsome reel!
As well as the standard trio the band also offer a variety of line ups and instruments, including guitar, piano, twin fiddles or second accordion in trio, 4-piece or duo lineups all available with a DJ package.
The Band
Norman (Accordian):
Originally from Nairn in the Highlands of Scotland, Norman has been playing button accordion since early childhood.
Shortly after moving to Edinburgh in 2002 he turned fully professional.
Norman was the all Scotland button accordion champion 2004.
His compositions have received air play on both local and national radio stations and are becoming increasingly popular in folk music circles with musicians such as Sandy Brechin, Kevin McLeod, Mike and Ali Vass, Busk Till Dawn and German band Dan due to record some of the tunes on their forthcoming albums. He is also working on his own album which is planned for release early 2006.
Carrie (Fiddle/Caller):
Carrie's first introduction to the folk music scene was through the youth gaitherin out of which she formed the ceilidh band Cuchulain's raven which became notorious in Edinburgh for its unpronounceable name and half hour long strip the willow sets!
She originally trained in classical music before taking up folk and receiving tuition from some of Scotland's finest fiddlers including Alasdair Fraser and Gavin Marwick.
She also performs with "Busk Till Dawn" as part of a duo with well known harpist and singer Rosie Morton.
Billy (drums):
When Billy joined the band his rock/funk drum grooves brought the sound right into the 21st century and his obligatory drum solo spot has become a legendary part of the bands performance.
Billy was a pupil at Broughton High music school Edinburgh where he studied both percussion and bass guitar.
He is also in much demand as a bass guitarist and plays with several groups including The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience and funk/jazz band TEWOR (The Enchanting Wizards of Rhythm).
Testimonials
"Mackay is one of Scotland's best accordionists" - The List
"This ceilidh crew will blow your socks off" - Loudon Temple"
"You won't hear a better button box player anywhere in the world!" - Fergie MacDonald
Repertoire
Some typical dances might include:
Gay Gordens
Dashing white sergeant
St Bernard's waltz
Strip the willow
Cumberland square eight
Virginia reel
Canadian barn dance
Eightsome reel
Military 2 step
Pride of Erin waltz
Orkney strip the willow
Auld lang syne
