Henderson comes home for Christmas Spree

Shetland fiddler Kevin Henderson is a master of the instrument, his acclaim is far-reaching and ability the envy of many who pick up the bow.

He returns to the isles next month with band The Boys of The Lough, as part Davie Henderson’s Peerie Christmas Spree – a three-day event to be held in Davie’s memory.

Previously Davie had personally organised and funded the spree, with a range of local and visiting musicians taking part.

Kevin plans to bring back the spree, starting 5th December, with support from Shetland Arts and Atlantic Edge Music Services.

The concerts, which include a host of top musicians such as Haltadans and Arthur Nicholson, will be held in Fetlar, Muckle Roe and Mareel.

It will be the first time The Boys of The Lough have played in Shetland since the 1980s.

Kevin said his dad was thinking to get the band on board for this year’s event, so it was nice to see it through for him and have the group perform in Shetland.

The spree would be “a weekend of mixed emotions”, he said much like the folk festival this year, which his dad was so heavily involved in.

Last month Davie’s passion for music and his contributions to Scotland’s traditional scene were recognised, as he was awarded with the prestigious Hamish Henderson Award for Services to Music.

His daughter Michelle received the prize on her father’s behalf at a ceremony in Glasgow, and Kevin said the whole family was really proud of the recognition.

As part of the pre-Christmas shindig, country halls will be hosting concerts.

“It’s always great to go out to the rural places as well, so it’s kind of a mini folk festival in a lot of ways,” said Kevin.

• Kevin spoke to Adam Guest for the latest Music Matters feature. To read the full interview and more features on the music scene see The Shetland Times, 7th November edition.