Centre of attention

In addition to MCing the event, Janine Capaldi performed a selection of songs from classic musicals, including an amazing rendition of ‘All That Jazz’ which got a rousing response from an attentive crowd. Janine kept the audience enthralled with varied material then just after midday she introduced headliners The Coy Dogs.

Authentic 50’s rock’n’roll doesn’t come any better than this - there was a whole revue with around a dozen rock’n’roll dancers led by Ray and Nicky Doull of the Rock Till U Drop dancers. As soon as the band kicked into gear all heads turned in their direction, the classic sound of Colin ‘Big Bun’ Paterson’s stand-up slap bass and Paul ‘Shaggy’ McCrae’s vocals drew an audience within minutes. With Martin Hitchell’s lead guitar cutting through the air like a scythe and Ray and Nicky Doull leading the dancers into their routines, you could actually see people’s jaws dropping. One audience member, 66-year-old Susan Moir, said: “This really takes me back to days in Glasgow at ‘the dancin’ - these dancers are amazing - I could sit here all day watching them”.

The Dogs rocked through material by Johnny Cash, Elvis, Buddy Holly and even T-Rex. After around an hour, the band took a short break and handed back over to Janine as Santa and Mrs. Claus were due to arrive.

Upon arrival to Janine’s rendition of ‘White Christmas’, the Coy Dogs took the stage again, pausing only for Cumbernauld News photographer Gary Hutchison to catch a couple of shots. By this time several members of the audience were joining in the dancing in front of the stage where Ray and Nicky were giving an impromptu lesson as the Coy Dogs blasted out their tribute to Gene Vincent with ‘Be-bop-a-lula’. I can’t remember the last time I have seen so many smiling faces in the centre. The Coy Dogs will also perform this Friday night at the Twa Corbies.

Contributed by JOCK BARNSON