Wick show and new CD as Brandon McPhee pays tribute to Sir Jimmy Shand
Popular Caithness musician Brandon McPhee will perform his latest single on a Scottish tour that starts in Wick next month.
Don’t Sit on My Jimmy Shands is released on CD and digitally on Sunday, June 1, with an album dedicated to the singer to follow.
The 28-year-old recorded the single between Studio D in Wick and Stormwest Studios in Nashville, with production support from Phil Anderson. Final mastering was handled by John Mayfield of Mayfield Mastering, whose credits include work for Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson and Rascal Flatts.
“We are truly honoured to have such distinguished talent involved,” said a spokeperson for Pan Records, who will release the single followed by Brandon’s upcoming album, The Music of Sir Jimmy Shand, on June 25.
The track, originally written by Richard Thompson OBE, is desribed as a playful and affectionate tribute to a bygone era of 78rpm records, reimagined with Brandon’s signature Scottish-country flair.
Brandon, who hails from Castletown, has been a lifelong admirer of Sir Jimmy Shand and began playing the accordion at just 10 years old.
The spokesperson added: “This tribute album – his second dedicated to Shand – honours the 25th anniversary of Shand’s passing and includes standout tracks such as a heartfelt duet with Robert Lovie titled Jimmy Shand – The Legend.”
The 13-track album celebrates the legacy of the well-loved accordionist Sir Jimmy Shand, whose music defined generations of Scottish traditional dance and polka, and brought the genre to international recognition.
To accompany the audio releases, Brandon is also touring Scotland with The Brandon McPhee Band to celebrate the anniversary and honour his musical hero.
The Sir Jimmy Shand Show tour starts at Mackays Hotel in Wick on Wednesday, June 11, before heading to Kirkwall the following day. It then visits the British Legion Club in Dingwall on June 13 and Perth Civil Service Social Club on June 15.
Brandon recently said he was “really honoured” when he received the Music Without Borders accolade at the Hot Country TV Awards 2025 held in Bundoran, County Donegal.
“I’m always really honoured to bring an award back home to Caithness. We put a lot of time into everything we do, we enjoy it, and it’s always nice to be recognised,” he said.
Brandon and his band previously featured in The Sir Jimmy Shand Story, which toured venues across the UK and Ireland from 2017 to 2019.
“I’ve always loved his music,” Brandon said. “He has always been one of my heroes. It’s nice to pay tribute – but of course there is only one Jimmy Shand.”