Traditional Music >> Performers >> Dance Bands >> Newtyle Orchestra   The Newtyle Orchestra

My great uncle John ('Jecky') Reid ran what I think was called The Strathmore Orchestra [I think this is probably the Newtyle Orchestra - see below. NG]. They made a number of records on the Beltona Label and played on the wirless. This was in the late 30s, early 40s hence the doubt about the name. My brother thinks it was called The Newtyle Band or something like that.

'Jecky' was the last of the peripatetic dance teachers. He was a good fiddler. His wife, son and daughters were members of the orchestra.

We also used to get Jimmy Shand's test records as he was a friend of my father who helped to launch his radio career. Shand, who had tea with us in Alyth before one of his concerts said, 'Don't worry if I don't smile to you from the platform. If I do, I lose concentration and can't play.' Hence his rather glum appearance.

Jim Cameron's band was popular in Alyth as was Adam Rennie and the Hawthorn.

In 1931 William Cameron (see The Cameron Men) had a recording session for Edison Bell in London (c.Nov) along with the Reid family of Newtyle, Angus. Some solos, some with The Newtyle Trio, a Reid group: John Reid Snr (fiddle), John Reid Jr (pno), James Reid (clt). The Newtyle Orchestra seems to be the trio along with Mrs John Reid Snr on bass. The Reids made ten records in all at this session. One of the Reids was known as "Dancie" Reid, who was famous for playing the fiddle while dancing at the same time. I remember seeing a scrap of film of him doing just that. Can't remember where, though.

Any further information on the Newtyle Orchestra or the Newtyle Band would be most welcome (email me).