The Thomas Fraser Memorial Festival

To coincide with the release of the first Thomas Fraser CD Long Gone Lonesome Blues, the Fraser family decided to host a special Thomas Fraser Tribute Concert, which took place in the Burra Public Hall, Hamnavoe, on the 16th November 2002. Those taking part included May and Mackie; May's son and daughter, Karl and Rhonda; Arthur Pottinger; Eddie Williamson; Robbie Cumming; Ian Stewart; and former shipmate of Thomas, Alan Tulloch from Whalsay. The evening was professionally filmed and recorded, and a limited edition DVD was released early in 2003. The reunion of many old friends and the emotional release of the CD made for an unforgettable evening, steeped in atmosphere.

Such was the success of the first concert, two evenings of music were arranged in 2003 to mark the release of You and My Old Guitar . Danny Allen, an American who had travelled to Shetland in the hope of hearing traditional music, attended both nights. Little did he expect to be attending such a fine evening of traditional American music!

Although there was no Thomas Fraser CD release to celebrate in 2004, it was decided that the Thomas Fraser Tribute Concerts should become an annual event. What would have been another cause of immense pride to Thomas, occurred in November that year, when Jimmie Rodgers' great-nephew, Rick McWilliams, took the stage at Hamnavoe.

Around the time of the first CD launch, the family asked Burra History Group to include a photograph of Thomas in their calendar and, out of that contact, came the History Group's involvement in organising ticket sales, front of house and catering for the concerts, an involvement which lasted till the 2005 concerts, held to mark the launch of Treasure Untold .

In December 2005, The Thomas Fraser Memorial Committee was formed. Their first task was to hold a special concert for The Observer journalists in the Bridge End Hall, in February 2006. The event was documented in a special 4-page feature in the paper's influential music monthly magazine in June 2006.

For 2006, the concerts were rebranded The Thomas Fraser Memorial Festival to reflect the growing length and variety of a weekend's entertainment which is quickly becoming one of the most popular musical events in Shetland.

If you are interested in visiting Shetland for the Memorial Festival, please do not hesitate to get in touch. The Shetland tourism site Visit Shetland is a good resource to find our more about getting to Shetland (not as difficult as you would think) and the attractions on offer. A word of caution, book your tickets early, as Shetland-Music says, the Memorial Festival is the fastest selling ticket in Shetland.

The 2007 Memorial Festival was held from Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th November. The format is usually as follows: the Thursday evening sees a traditional sit-down concert. This evening is usually more reserved and is shorter in length. Ticket prices are £10 each. There are no bar facilities. Friday and Saturday nights are full length evenings with bar facilties and supper. Ticket prices are £12.00 each. On the Sunday afternoon, from 2pm to 5pm, a special event is usually held. In 2005 and 2006 an exhibition of Thomas Fraser memorabilia as well as music generally in Burra Isle was held. Depending on the occasion, for example when a new CD is launched, special events may be held throughout the weekend. In 2007, a special gospel concert was held in Burra on Rememberance Sunday. John Lilly was the main performer with support from the Jenny, Mhari & Rhonda trio and Freda & Rhonda.

The 2008 Festival will be held from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th November. The 2008 Festival will mark the 30th anniversary of Thomas Fraser's passing and will also celebrate the fourth Thomas Fraser CD release. Already scheduled to appear are, from the USA, Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan, The Moonshiners, who return for their third appearance and the newly re-branded Laeverick. In what promises to be one of the most diverse yet, this year's Festival welcomes Foula resident Erik Isbister. Erik has only travelled beyond his native Foula twice in his lifetime and his performance will be a real, rare treat for music lovers in Shetland. Erik and Thomas Fraser corresponded numerously during the late 1960s and early 1970s.