Name
Sandy Fettes AKA - Farmer sandy@bratachbana.com
Age
35 - born - Keith, Banffshire
Day Job
Project Manager / Drilling Superintendent
Instruments played
Fiddle, but I’m sure I could learn the tamborine… I have played a bit of mouthie in my past.
interests outside folk
Mackenzie (3), Ava (1) and my gorgeous wife Julie. Golf, football, rugby, travelling and work (which takes up most of my time)
Songs / tunesyou should listen to
Madame Neruda, anything played by Stephane Grapelli
Performers you should hear
Jethro Tull, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Stephane Grappelli (if he was alive), Cappercaillie, John McCusker and plenty more (Guns’n’Roses etc)
Albums you should own
Ours of course, any from the above list and a whole lot more
Greatest Musical Achievement
One of the original Fochabers Fiddlers members and went on a 10 day tour of the Shetland Isles in 1987 and 3 week tour of Florida in 1988, playing as guests at Disney World for a week.
Short Biography:
I was brought up on Westerton Farm, Fochabers and enjoyed the farming upbringing. Having watched a violin being played on TV when I was 2, I told my parents I wanted to play one and started lessons when I was 5. I played mainly classical music until I started High School, at which time I changed teacher to James Alexander (who should be Knighted for all the dedication he has given to the publicity and advancement of traditional music in Scotland and for harnessing the musical enthusiasm of so many youngsters in Moray). I joined the school fiddle group, which became the Fochabers Fiddlers and we had such a good time playing at the local festivals and at many local venues. My fiddle was given to me by my Great Auntie, Meg Asher (maiden name Fettes), who was London Royal Academy educated. My fiddle has travelled with me and my work and has played in some remote locations such as Ghana, Qatar and Azerbaijan. I work alongside John (well some would say that there is only one of us that works and it is not him) and was introduced to the Ugie folk club. I practised with them and played at the Grandholm Burns Supper and at the Fiona Kennedy concert in Cruden Bay. Being the only fiddler in the folk club helped my appointment in the band….. I am really enjoying playing regularly with a good bunch of guys and look forward to playing some more gigs.