Life With Brandon McPhee: ‘I’ll never forget the moment my grandad let me try his accordion for the first time—it just felt right’

Musician Brandon McPhee on falling in love with the accordion, how Jimmy Shand continues to inspire him and the music he listens to at home. 

I grew up in Castletown, a small village in the far north of Caithness – so far north, in fact, that you might think you’d fall off the edge of the world. My journey began at Castletown Primary School before I moved on to Thurso High School, one of the two main schools in the region. Now I live in the glorious Royal Burgh of Wick, where I’ve been for more than ten years. It’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed.

There’s no place like home. Caithness holds a special place in my heart with its stunning scenery and tight-knit community. We have the Castle of Mey, once owned by The Queen Mother, and we’re proudly part of the North Coast 500. We even have the shortest street in the world. For me, Caithness isn’t just where I’m from—it’s my favourite place in the world.

I enjoyed school, though not as much as I loved playing the accordion. I was fortunate that the school supported my passion for music—they even purchased a button accordion for me to practice and perform during school hours and provided extra homework when I had to be away performing. Their support meant a lot to me. Music was always my main focus, and although I passed my other subjects, nothing compared to the joy I found in music. Every year, I return to perform with the band for the three Christmas Proms and sometimes for the teachers’ Burns Suppers.

My grandad, one of my greatest heroes and closest friends, was the one who first introduced me to music and opened up a world I never could have imagined. 

Music became my true love when I was around 10-years-old. Before that, I was involved in various school activities and martial arts, but once music entered my life, everything else took a back seat. I remember being around seven or eight, listening to my parents play CDs of Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Don Williams—three artists who remain favourites of mine. I’ll never forget the moment my grandad let me try his accordion for the first time—it just felt right. From that moment, I knew I had found my passion, and I consider myself incredibly lucky to have discovered, at such a young age, what I wanted to do with my life.

I used to be quite narrow-minded about the music I liked, sticking to certain genres. These days, though country is still my favourite, I’ve grown to appreciate a wide range of genres—from swing and jazz to 60s classics. I’ve never come across a song that made me wish I had written it, though. I feel fortunate to have created something that feels like an extension of me, something that might live on after I’m gone. That, to me, is a special achievement.

Jimmy Shand has been a constant inspiration throughout my life, and he always will be. His sound, his style, his perfect musical timing—he travelled the world, had a chart-topping hit, designed his own accordion, sold out the Sydney Opera House, and is widely regarded as the most famous Scottish musician in history. I really wish I could have met him, but I was only four when he passed away. I did, however, meet Jimmy Shand Junior, and he told me that his father would have been proud of me—that meant the world to me.

There’s only one Jimmy Shand—no one will ever come close. My new album is my tribute to him, featuring some of his compositions and the tunes he made famous, all performed in my own style. Recording with the band at Studio D in Wick, the most northerly studio on the British mainland, was a great experience. I hope this album reflects my respect for Jimmy and demonstrates my efforts to keep traditional Scottish music alive.

I’m a big fan of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Willie Nelson, Don Williams, and Billy Ray Cyrus, among others. But I also enjoy Frank Sinatra, Matt Monro, and even modern artists like Robbie Williams, Lucy Spraggan, and Taylor Swift. No matter the genre, so much of today’s music is built on the foundations laid by the greats. Sometimes, I wonder if in our rush to embrace new trends, we forget where it all began.

I often return to Johnny Cash’s early Sun Studios recordings. Just a double bass, an electric guitar, an acoustic with a dollar bill in the strings to mimic a train beat, and the voice of the ‘Man in Black’. Those sessions are brilliant. They speak to me, reminding me that no matter where you come from, with hard work and determination, you can grow, improve, and achieve something meaningful. Johnny Cash came from humble beginnings, landed a record deal, worked tirelessly, and became one of the biggest stars the world has ever known. His story inspires me every day to keep pushing to be the best version of myself.

Two moments stand out in my career. The first was winning first place at the All Scotland Accordion Championship and receiving the Jimmy Shand Shield. The second was performing and singing twice in the same year for two special occasions: first, at Canisbay Church, where I had the honour of singing, accompanied by the Dynamo’s legend Manson Grant on piano, on what would have been The Queen Mother’s 124th birthday for King Charles III; and second, at the Ghillies Ball in Balmoral Castle, for King Charles III and Queen Camilla—just as Jimmy Shand used to do. These are memories I will treasure for the rest of my life.

The best advice I’ve ever received came from many seasoned musicians. ‘Never give up—the only person you let down is yourself. Be true to who you are, do what you do best, and stay honest to your own beliefs.’ That’s what really matters.

Brandon’s upcoming album, The Music of Sir Jimmy Shand, is out 25 June. The 13-track album celebrates the legacy of the iconic accordionist Sir Jimmy Shand.

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