Biography

Nigel was born in 1978 in Ballymena, Co Antrim in an area steeped in traditional music. The locality produced many notable musicians, particularly Leslie Craig (piano accordion and composer), Ronnie Bamber (2 row accordion), Mary Mulholland (piano, of Pride Of Erin Ceili Band), Willis Patton (Tin whistle), John Kennedy MBE (Tin whistle and song), Billy Boyd (2 row accordion) to name a few, many of them All Ireland Champions on their respective instruments.

He started piano at an early age and studied it for some years but an interest in accordion music and in particular Irish Traditional Music soon took over. Nigel started playing accordion at the age of 17, learning by himself but soon met Leslie Craig, who has been a profound influence on his music. Leslie, one of the most respected piano accordionists in Ireland, is also self taught, learning his music from local musicians and from radio broadcasts from Scotland and 'Athlone'. Some musicians have come and made an impression on Nigel’s music but Leslie has been a constant help and encouragement for the past 11 years. Leslie, after playing for over 50 years, is still highly regarded as an accordionist and composer, having composed the reel, "The Road To Ballymac". Credit for this great tune has not been recognised for far too long, to the extent that some parties have claimed the tune as their own. (Leslie composed "Ballymac" in 1984). Nigel also cites as influences in his music, Paddy Neary, Mick Foster, Wilcil McDowell (Of The Irish Rovers) Seamus Shannon, Finbarr Dwyer and the late Will Starr.

After competing in local festivals, Nigel competed in the Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships and the UK Open Accordion Championships with quite a degree of success and was a member of the County Of Antrim Accordion Orchestra, British Champions for countless years. In 2000, Nigel left to concentrate on his first love, traditional music.

Nigel can often be found playing in sessions around Co. Antrim, for dancers over the North and also at the Maine Valley Accordion and Fiddle Club (which meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month in the Fort Royal Inn, Ballymena) and with his girlfriend, tin whistle player Elaine Allen. Outside of the accordion, Nigel plays piano in a two piece Country band with Jason Kernohan. He also plays fife and is a keen Pedal Steel Guitarist.