Big Yin backs Danny Kyle memorial concert

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The Danny Kyle Memorial Concert is being held in Paisley Town Hall on Saturday 5 July to coincide with Sma' Shot Day. It will be the culmination of a weeklong festival of folk sessions held throughout Renfrewshire leading up to Sma' Shot day.

Danny Kyle was one of Scotland's best loved folk musicians, a passionate supporter of traditional music and particularly famous for his open stage nights which helped launch the careers of many other well-known Scottish folk musicians.

Most of the acts playing at the Danny Kyle Memorial Concert were directly influenced and supported by Danny himself.

Danny's son Rikki, who has organised the concert, said: "I think my father would be really proud. Basically this is what he did his whole life, his main thing was giving people who wanted to play a platform to do so.

"Three of the acts playing on the night have won the Danny award at the Celtic Connections festival which has been described as the Oscars of the folk music world."

Among the acts playing during the festival are The Tannahill Weavers, Skelpaig, Maeve O' Boyle, Dave Acari, The Doghouse Roses, Maria Hall, Brian and Maggie, Wing and a Prayer and The House of Cheese.

A competition is also running throughout the week for one of the acts performing to win a day in a recording studio.

Billy Connolly, who is also Rikki’s godfather, has recorded a special film dedicated to his friend.

Rikki said: "My dad met Billy at a festival in Glasgow before he was famous and their friendship grew from there. He is gutted he can't come to the concert but he made a special video to be played on the night."

As well as being famous for music Danny Kyle was heavily involved in bringing back the traditional Sma' Shot Day celebrations to Paisley in the 1986.

Renfrewshire's Provost Celia Lawson said: "Danny Kyle was a hugely influential and much loved folk musician and Sma' Shot Day is Paisley biggest cultural event. Bringing these two events together makes it a double celebration of Paisley's vast cultural heritage and I'm sure everyone will have a great time."

The festival is being organised by Rikki Kyle and Mick Daly, of Silvasonic Productions, with the support of Renfrewshire Council and Paisley Vision Board.

Tickets for the Danny Kyle Memorial Concert are £15 (£10 concessions) and tickets for the The Tannahill Weavers, Ballachulish Hellhounds and Skelpaig gig are £8.

Both are available from the central box office at Paisley Arts Centre on 0141 887 1010.

Press release: Friday 27 June 2008