Those Old Jalopies Gave Us Nightmares

The Courier and Advertiser (4) – November 1966

On the eve of his departure for Australia, farmer and dance band leader Ian Powrie continues the story of his life.

Those old jalopies gave us nightmares by IAN POWRIE

WHEN I came out of the R.A.F., I worked away with my father at Bankhead driving tractors and generally making myself useful. At this time, Jimmy Shand was beginning to make an impact in the Scottish country dance music field. I think it’s fair to say this was the start of an era. Other names like Cameron, Hannah, McLeod, Fitchet and the Hawthorn Band began to make their presence felt as well. My father was still playing in a small way with his band at wee local functions. But things were beginning to happen in Scottish dance band circles. Eventually, I took over my father’s band and gradually reformed it.

 BROADCAST

 In April 1949 we made our first broadcast. In those days the band consisted of Pam Brough on piano (the band’s present   pianist), Bill, my brother, on accordion, Bert Smith on bass, Hugh Mclntyre on drums and myself. It really was exciting time for bands. Scottish dance music was the trend and new bands and sounds were springing up all over the country. In the early days when we couldn’t afford good transport, we used old cars which at times caused me nightmares. Shooting breaks and band-wagons had not been thought of. Every band depended on huge old cars to ship equipment and members.

First car we had was an old 25 hp model. I don’t think there was ever a greater monstrosity on the roads of central Perthshire. It had a twisted chassis, brass discs behind two of the wheels to make it run true, the “con-rod” had come out through the engine just before I bought it, it wouldn’t stay in any gear, and it had a big copper patch screwed on the side. I simply couldn’t afford anything grander. Everywhere we went, the tyres blew out and, just to make things worse, it only averaged 10 m.p.g.  We struggled away with this brute for a time. Finally, I was forced to go to my father and borrow £600 for equipment and, thankfully, a better motor car.

WIRELESS

 I think this was the turning point for me. I bought a magnificent Morris 16 with wireless…and in those days this was really something. This car did over 100,000 miles and never let us down once. When it was done, I moved on to an ex-army vehicle with huge balloon tyres. It turned out to be the coldest, noisiest thing I’d ever been in.

LOADED

I remember one night we rolled along to a dance at Strathdon. We were loaded to the roof with instruments, ‘mikes’ etc. And as we turned a corner within sight of the hall, a half-shaft went. We unloaded everything and carried it to the hall.  Once the shaft had gone, it was impossible to shift the vehicle. Neighbouring famers lent a hand, and finally, we got some lads to work on the truck. As they worked away in the dark, I was playing at the dance, wondering if we were going to make it home. In addition, 1 was sweating about the cost of repairs. Happily, we did get home but that dance put me about £12 out of pocket! Driving home that morning, I vowed I would never use or even get in the army truck again.

 TOWED HOME

 So, into Perth I went and ended up buying a big American car. I had the springs strengthened and fitted heavy duty tyres. One      night, travelling back from a dance in Kippen, the car started to boil- up furiously.

 I crawled along very slowly until we reached Dunblane where we had to call a halt. I phoned my brother at Bankhead and explained our predicament. My father came along and towed us home. The funny thing was …he towed my mighty vehicle with his tiny 10 hp van!