Dram fine musical diversion from city musician
Songs for whisky buffs
A Stirling guitarist and singer is entertaining fellow whisky buffs online with music during the current lockdown.
Stirling Whisky Society member Kevin Grant has been taking part in a webcast which combines his knowledge of Scotland’s national drink with music.
Before the lockdown Kevin would join in during the karaoke at the end of the club’s monthly meetings.
But last Thursday evening, instead of singing other people’s songs, the 29-year-old debuted his own composition during the weekly webcast which has been running over the past few weeks.
Kevin, who works at city whisky shop The Scottish Gantry in sales and events management, said: “I’ve been playing the guitar for years and singing.
“I enjoy a good whisky too, so I thought why not put them together.
“During monthly Stirling Whisky Society proceedings I’d pick three or four bottles of whisky to sample and review. At the end of every meeting some of us get up and sing, so it’s a continuation of that really.”
It took Kevin about an hour last Thursday afternoon, working remotely with colleagues Kevin Moore and Jack Breslin, to put the new song together.
He said it was modelled on Westlife’s hit Flying Without Wings and, following a poll of society members, the song was named Lockdown Blues.
Kevin, who lives in Riverside with his girlfriend Hilary, said of the webcast: “I was nervous. It was the first time I had played it in front of any kind of audience - and I didn’t expect many people would be watching. However, I noticed it had 1200 hits by the Friday morning.
“The song is a lighthearted take on the current lockdown situation. However, composing songs is something we plan to continue doing, not just while we are in lockdown.”
The Stirling Whisky Society had been dormant until The Scottish Gantry revived it a few years ago.
In normal times around 60 members meet at The Golden Lion hotel on the last Thursday of every month.
The special lockdown webcast currently takes place every Thursday on The Scottish Gantry Facebook page.