Obit: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P

Subject: Alex McKie R I P
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Nov 12 - 05:53 PM

I am sad to tell folks of the death of Alex McKIE,Alex lived in Ballydehob for many years and did lots of singarounds with me.
Alex was from the Newcastle area, and used to play with Jim Bainbridge, and also with the Bolden Banjos, he was stalwart of the North East Folk scene. RIP Alex

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 30 Nov 12 - 03:10 AM

Received this news via Birtley folk club last night although they were waiting for more information.
Alex and I were residents at the Royal Turf, Felling for three years or so and we both were regular attendees at Birtley over the years. A well known figure around both the North East folk clubs and around the Tyneside Irish scene; he was to present a workshop on the latter at the National Folk Festival in the late eighties. Last saw him at Birtley three years ago when we both chanced to be visiting the area. His singing and his humour will be sadly missed. RIP.

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: Vic Smith
Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:18 AM

A lovely man.
We got to know Alex in the late 1960s when he was a regular with all the Marsden Rattlers crowd at the TMSA festivals and Blairgowrie and then Kinross. He was great company at the festival, provided that you were not camping near him. At that time Alex was holder of the World and European titles for Loud Snoring.

Here's one of many happy memories of Alex:-
One year, we had managed to rent one of the big caravans on the Kinross site which meant that after the Late Late Extras, we could carry on the singing and playing in the caravan. Belle Stewart was there and she said in a mock-posh voice, "I thought I'd come and see how a' you travellers live in yer campsite. Ah'm staying in a posh hotel, ye ken!"
It's fair to say that drink had been taken.... John Watt had appointed himself as the compere of the ceilidh in our caravan and he had called on Alex to sing. Alex started out on Bonny Gateshead Lass and was singing very slowly; he got slower as the song progressed and then towards the end slid slowly on the to floor where people made him comfortable lying next to where Dave Goulder was lying cuddling a bottle of single malt. None too sober himself, John took some while to realise that Alex was no longer singing. He peered down at Alex on the floor and said, "Well, if you're still here at breakfast time, Alex will no doubt finish that song for you then, but in the meantime, we will have some tunes from Aly Bain."

A great singer, a good dance caller and a very nimble dancer himself. When he moved to Ballydehob, attracted there by the fact that long-term mates, Jim & Francie Bainbridge were living there and, as Dick has indicated, he became very involved with singing sessions in West Cork, but was his skill in those complicated fast set dances of that area that really impressed me.

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: MartinRyan
Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:21 AM

Nice pictures, Vic!

Regards

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Nov 12 - 09:41 AM

thank Vic, this has hit me pretty hard.

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 30 Nov 12 - 01:53 PM

I too knew this grand bloke well, from visits to the North East. He once turned up when I was singing at a club in Oxford. I believe he was taking a course at Ruskin, but it was a surprise for me to see him so far from Birtley, where I saw him most often. I will remember him as a good singer, joker, and companion, and will miss him, as I will also miss Maggie Cruickshank, another dear, long-held friend from the folk scene in Scotland. Gradually people whom I have known for years as a result of being among the folkies are passing away, reminding me how lucky I have been to move in their orbit. The roster of familiar names in the 'In Memorian' thread brings me sadness, but also the consolation of memories of good times spent in their company.Perhaps,as I approach my eightieth year, it may not be too long before I rejoin my old friends, but in the Meantime whenever I sing I'll dedicate a chorus to all of them. ROY.

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: GUEST,Lynn Breeze
Date: 03 Dec 12 - 12:20 AM

Goodbye Alex and thanks for all the songs and the jiving (even when I was very pregnant) and the jokes and all the good times. No more snoring now. x

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Dec 12 - 02:13 PM

at the next meeting of the Ballydehobs singers club we will have a minutes silence for Alex. he always used to sit in the chair under the painting of Dan OMahony in Levis bar,I am sure he will be with us in spirit, singing the day we left Castlebar, Teddy O Neill, The waterford boys, and Red Haired Mary.

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Dec 12 - 02:21 PM

He went peacefully, sitting in his favoutie chair and with a glass of whisky close by, what better way to go.

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: GUEST,Trevor Sheridan
Date: 06 Dec 12 - 04:45 AM

Great memories of Alex. Smashing bloke and incredibly funny at pub sessions and always with an eye out for the girls. No doubt there's a Red Haired Mary waiting for you mate.

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 06 Dec 12 - 06:52 AM

As Jimmy Hutchison said when he heard of Alex's death within days of Maggie Cruickshank 'If there is a hereafter, the rave-up gets better all the time' - goodbye to two good pals

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 08 Dec 12 - 02:28 PM

This is sad news. I never knew Alex, but he sounds like a man who's company I would have enjoyed.
I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" Thread.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: GUEST,Sandra (Mckie) Hume
Date: 11 Dec 12 - 06:54 PM

Thank you for the kind words and tributes about my father Alex . Whom we lay to rest tomorrow . In his native northeast Felling Tyne and Wear.

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: GUEST,George Henderson
Date: 12 Dec 12 - 09:24 AM

Goodbye Alex.

I was only talking about this lovely man with Jim Bainbridge a few weeks ago. Soory to hear this sad news. RIP

Subject: RE: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Dec 12 - 01:40 PM

Sandra, I will miss him, he was a great supporter of our music and song sessions and was very well liked in Ballydehob.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Obit: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: GUEST,JIm Bainbridge
Date: 28 Dec 12 - 09:51 AM

Sandra- it was aprivilege to know your dad & when I am singing 'Sally Gee' and the 'Boys of County Armagh'I'll think of him-
remember that fairly lively musical holiday we all had in Brittany 1980?
we were unable to be at the funeral but be sure we raised a glass for him

Subject: RE: Obit: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Dec 12 - 12:13 PM

Alex was a very under-estimated singer- see Jim (above)'s obituary on www.mustrad.org.uk for a potted musical life of Alex, who was highly regarded in Scotland as well as Ireland

Subject: RE: Obit: AlexMcKie, Ballydehob, R I P
From: GUEST,Trevor Sheridan
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 03:33 AM

Sandra. When you have time send me your address as I have lots of photos of your dad and especially the great Brittany holiday. Great bloke