He may have left his homeland 40 years ago, but the sounds of Scotland still play a daily part of Eric Ford’s life Down Under.
Eric, originally from Edinburgh, hosts regular folk music shows with a strong Scottish flavour on Radio Adelaide in South Australia where he has lived for the last four decades.
This summer he is combing work with pleasure by becoming the furthest travelled media
representative visiting the award-
The former Australian Army soldier is attending HebCelt during a six-
Eric, who has been known to present his show in a Scotland football shirt, said: “I grew up listening to singers like The Corries and The Clancy Brothers and have always been interested in folk music.
“I’ve never been to HebCelt, so when I saw the festival is on while we are in Scotland it just seemed right to visit.”
Eric has been a folk music DJ for over 30 years and currently hosts morning and evening weekly shows, as well as a monthly Scottish Hour programme. He has interviewed a number of Scottish artists, including the Battlefield Band, Dick Gaughan, Boys of the Lough, Eddi Reader and Capercaillie
In addition, he has been heavily involved in the Folk Federation of South Australia for over 30 years and a trustee on the National Folk Trust. He previously ran the federation folk club and has been a regular compere at a number of festivals in Australia, including the Fleurieu Folk Festival in South Australia which features a range of traditional, Celtic, blues, roots and bluegrass music over three days.
A former Army nurse -
HebCelt festival director Caroline Maclennan said: “Eric is one of our furthest travelled visitors this year and we are delighted he is at HebCelt and that he will be promoting the festival among his listeners back in Australia.”
The 19th HebCelt will feature its biggest ever programme, including shows by headliners Levellers, Big Country and Donnie Munro and performances by Cara Dillon, Rachel Sermanni, Duncan Chisholm, Cajun band Magnolia Sisters, from the US, and Canadian outfit Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys.
The festival has its two main stages in the spectacular setting in front of Lews Castle in Stornoway, and this year is introducing an acoustic stage for the first time. There will also be concerts in An Lanntair arts centre and in rural parts of Lewis and Harris.
Demand for tickets led to the earliest ever appeal being made for spare accommodation
to house festival goers. So far this year, nearly 80 per cent of all sales are off-
