The Kilmarnock Edition: Embracing an Scottish & Irish Spirit

The Kilmarnock Edition began performing as a group over thirty years ago at Kaiapoi’s Balmoral Restaurant, where they featured as regular guest artists. Audiences enjoyed their musical, vocal and instrumental style and the group’s popularity grew rapidly.

Southern Regional Arts Council sponsorships ensured KE was heard from Blenheim to Gore to enthusiastic audiences. The group made its television debut as semi-finalist in “Telequest ’86”. The KE played to its largest live audience Carisbrook 1995 singing “Flower of Scotland” for All Black test

The group entertains at Celtic gatherings, featured at several Scottish Extravaganza Concerts and at Irish Showtime 2000. Many national and international conferences engage the group to entertain delegates and local organisations.

The Kilmarnock Edition has frequently given their time and talent to fund-raising events. In recent years performed at the Hororata Highland Games and the Christchurch Folk Club. Numerous performances at Retirement Villages have been enjoyed and well attended.
The Kilmarnock Edition’s fourth recording was “From Distant Shores” after the third, “From Far Horizons”, released on CD by Ode Records receiving a favourable review by the international magazine “Scottish Field” and a Five Star review from The Christchurch Press.

Sadly lead singer John Doig died in 2013, soloist/guitarist Richard Butler in 2016 and CD producer/guitarist Brian Ringrose in 2017. The group has rebuilt with new members joining originals, Murray Compton and Dayle Hadlee.

The group features mainly Scottish and Irish songs; serious and amusing, harmonies and instrumentals are a feature, with audience participation welcomed. The band members perform in their kilts.

The Kilmarnock Edition is:
Julian Anderson
Julian joined KE in 2014, from a classical singing background of 15 years with Canterbury and Southern Opera Choruses. He is a NASDA graduate. The best preparation for singing with The KE however, was probably a folk singing Dad and two Scottish Grandmothers!
Introducing "The Gaelic" into the KE repertoire has been a delight and he is looking forward to many more years and concerts with them.

Murray Compton
Murray’s musical background began with classical piano training, encompassed piano accordion and brass band performance and choral singing with the Christchurch Leidertafel Choir. His musical talents are demonstrated in keyboard, piano and feature in the group’s vocal arrangements as a bass baritone.

Dayle Hadlee
Dayle reveals a talent for guitar and mandolin which would surprise many of his cricketing contemporaries. His musical involvement began with the Tarrega Four, a Christchurch folk group which won a major talent quest in 1968. The group featured Christopher Doig as tenor soloist.
Dayle’s singing is featured in the group’s lighter humorous songs, and he adds a tenor harmony which complement his instrumental skills.

Ross Blanks
Ross began performing in folk and pub venues at University and comes from a folk and country music background. In 1985 Ross and his partner won the Gospel duo section of the Canterbury Country Music Awards. He has recently dusted off his guitar and banjo and is thoroughly enjoying learning and making the music of his heritage with the Kilmarnock Edition.

Erin Callanan
Erin comes from a strong musical background with Irish & Scottish ancestry coursing through her veins! She sings for weddings and funerals, lead singer in Sound of Music, South Pacific and many others with the Queenstown Musical Society. Performed in NZ Opera Chorus for 20 years and member of the Repertory Theatre, Brickwork Productions, Elmwood Theatre, Showbiz Chch, Top Dog Theatre plus several Shakespeare in the Park productions at Mona Vale. She feels fully “alive” on the stage and loves nothing better than singing and acting.

The Kilmarnock Edition’s CDs, ‘From Far Horizons’ and ‘On Distant Shores’, will be on sale.

Doors open 7pm. Performance starts 7.30pm
DOOR SALES CASH ONLY: Supper available during the break, bar open, Eftpos for purchases only. Folk Club & Irish Society members bring your membership card for licensing purposes