Jigblog Musician Spotlight: Seonaid Aitken

• Category: Ceilidhs, Music, Musician Spotlight, reviews, Television, Travel
• 2 Comments

Name: Seonaid Aitken
Instrument: Fiddle, Voice, Piano
Myspace
Website

It's pronounced "Show-na"…Itinerant musician, composer, fiddler, singer…Seonaid Aitken has been gigging with the Jiggers Ceilidh Band for a number of years. Her musical pedigree is varied and significant, crossing genres and continents.

Seonaid has performed throughout the world as the lead with the International touring dancing violin show Barrage , as a singer and Irish fiddler at Tokyo DisneySEA , Japan, and she regularly plays as a classical violinist with the Scottish Opera .

 She has over 10 years of experience as a professional recording artist
(violin, fiddle, vocals and arrangement) and has recently finished her
debut album entitled 'Souvenir' which combines all of her musical
talents.
(click here to order Seonaid's CD)

I've heard her album, and it's great. Excellent songs and really nice folk recordings interspersed with some of her other performance pieces, covers and instrumentals. Definitely worth buying, in my opinion.

If you're trying to sell something, advertisers tell you to include a clear call to action. I'm not taking a percentage or anything, but I'll give a clear call to action all the same. Are you ready? Here it comes…

Buy "Souvenir" now.

Capri Skies, Dies – bridal shop closes amidst death threats

• Category: business, Events, Music, weddings
• No Comments

Scottish bridal chain Capri Skies has closed its stores in Glasgow and Ayr. Brides-to-be, understandably, are not happy about this.

In the last week I've heard stories about one couple who lost deposits on not one but TWO U.S. wedding venues which closed down. Another client phoned me this morning (wedding in two days) They had another (prominent!) ceilidh band who were happy to take their 50% deposit but not their phone calls…Luckily we're able to help them out!

It seems that the economic downturn is affecting the Scottish wedding market. My advice to brides and grooms-to-be is to do your research, get testimonials, get a written contract before any money is exchanged, and GET INSURED.

I'd like to reassure our own clients at this point that they can rest easy because:

• Big Day Music LTD and the Jiggers have NEVER cancelled a confirmed booking
• we ALWAYS confirm bookings via clear written contract AND invoice
• we have excellent customer testimonials available on request
• we have low, predictable overheads as a business, and no high premises or stock costs
• we do not deal in or depend on credit for any aspect of our business
• we always prioritise responding to customer enquiries before soliciting for new business
• we have an answerphone for outside office hours which is checked regularly
• we have an email address which is checked regularly throughout the day
• we have been established for over 10 years, with a good reputation to protect
• we are a limited company, registered in Scotland (company director info is available from companies house on request)
• we are members of the Federation of Small Businesses and also the Musicians' Union.
• We have public liability insurance and PAT tested equipment
• we have an extensive network of support musicians who can deputize at short notice
• we've played at most of the venues around Scotland, and know the individual issues associated with these.

Bear in mind that even with the best preparation in the world, sometimes things can deviate from the plan. But a wedding is about more than just a dress, or a venue, or even (dare I say it) the band. Having a great celebration does not depend on external factors, but on the people involved. Remember what you're there for.

  And watch for the signs. If your wedding preparation has got to the stage of death threats and rabidly picketing shops, perhaps I could suggest (from a safe distance) that it might be a good exercise to review your priorities?

Top 10 Records every wedding DJ needs (no 5.)

• Category: DJ top 10, Fun Stuff, Music, weddings
• 5 Comments

If you can’t enjoy Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 then you must be deaf, dull and dead.

I love this kind of tight, coherent songwriting, where every lyric flows easily towards a simple point. It avoids being trite on one hand and too clever on the other. Every part of this record fits so well, and it’s one of the true highlights of Parton’s career. I’m also a huge fan of Jolene.

A class act. Check out her greatest hits for some great, tuneful songs, shmoltzy, blue-eyed ballads and country-gal sass.
By the way,does anyone else find these fan-made videos with the cycling still images a bit spooky?