Dougie Semple

Dougie’s Biography

Dougie’s been “hingin’ aboot” since the folk revival of the 60’s. His first serious step into music was when he was one of the founder members of folk group ‘Marjorie Harrison’ who ran the very successful folk club in the Cartland Bridge Hotel in Lanark. They achieved a lot in a brief period, appearing on stage with all the greats of the time including Hamish, Billy Connolly, Gerry Rafferty, The JSD Band, The McCalmans, Archie Fisher and The Dubliners. (Oh, not forgetting Lance Percival!) The culmination of their time together as a four piece was appearing as the backing group on one of Matt McGinn’s albums. The band continued for most of the 70’s as a successful twosome comprising Dougie and wonderful violinist/fiddle player, Seamus Flafferty. Since then, as well as his solo performances, he has been a member of the original ‘Schiehallion’ and blues band ‘The Viagra Kings’.

For nigh on ten years now, he has been playing music with auld pal and fellow conspirator Hunter McConnell as the duo ‘Touchwood’. They have released the album, ‘Our Turn’, featuring songs written by Dougie and displaying the amazing guitar skills of Hunter.

He is a relatively new member of the Songwriters group and is currently working on songs with a local flavour.

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