Testimonials:

I've tried to lodge your 90th in my iPhone's diary, but it only goes as far as 2020! Only 17 years out...! How about your 71st John??!!

Sandison Hall is a great venue in lovely a part of the world. Thanks for providing the staging. Always makes a difference. I took the dog down to the water at half time. Lovely calming scenery - & no midges! The song your 'children' did from the piano said a lot about your family.  And the common denominator of the two gigs our band has done for you is you & your guests! You were just a hugely positive bunch  ready to see the best & join in with gusto.

It would be a pleasure to play for you again at any event you can conjure up!
Many thanks for you email. I've pasted in Davy & Andy for their interest.
Best James Ford

Just a brief response from my side to let you know, that we have been very lucky with Dave and Kirsteen with the fiddle playing ceilidh music on my 50th birthday. Dave was so patient with us and we people loved it when he had the idea to progress the dance by moving up to the next partner. Both were amazing and all my friends loved the event and will never forget it. I couldn't be happier and still everything seems to be a dream! 

I appreciate that Dave was always very helpful in communicating with me just to make sure I will dream my dream. I'm not keen to speak in front of an audience (it doesn't make it easier if they are all your friends!), but Dave assured that it would be a good idea to do it.

The first tunes were an already warm welcome to the forthcoming dances. After my little speech the ceilidh music started. The best of the ceilidh is the fun sharing with different partners and most of all the kids. The kids love it as much as the adults and almost everyone was on the dance floor with every piece played. Dave and Kirsteen made sure we could recover well after each dance by having a drink and some jazzy background music. Dave had chosen a variety of dances and every dance had a special feature. Ceilidh is so unique by people sharing the joy!

So many compliments on the band!!! The jazz music made a great atmosphere and everyone was able to talk and not have to shout over the music. You honestly made our night, really impressed, as was my dad, mum, in-laws, family and everyone!

We'll need to add Thriller to our anniversary playlist haha... free next year?
Hope you continue to play fabulous music.

Big big love!! Laura

Sat 16 Sept 2017: Tayside Institute, 90-92 High Street, Newburgh KY14 6DA. Birthday party

Dear James,

Your band was just awesome.Thanks again for making my birthday party so special. Friends are still commenting to me about how good you were!

Valerie Walker

Sat 12 Aug 2017: Oxenfoord Castle,
Oxenfoord, Pathhead EH37 5UB

Hi James,

We wanted to write you a quick email saying thank you so much for the hard work you all put in on the 12th Aug for our wedding!

Since the big day we have had a lot of comments about how great the Jazz was during the day, how much fun the Ceilidh was and how good the disco music was as well. If you have a social media page you'd like to point us too we will leave a glowing review ;-)

Anyway thanks again we had an absolutely fantastic day.

Matt and Claire

Our wedding day was brilliant, far beyond expectations, and we wanted to express our gratitude to you and the band(s) for your part in making that happen. Your music at all stages (ceremony, drinks reception & ceilidh) was absolutely fantastic and really helped create the laid back party atmosphere we wanted for the day.

We are so pleased we decided to go for the four piece Jazz band. Walking into the drinks reception and hearing your music mixed with the happy chatter of our guests was one of the highlights of our day - it was a case of "yes, this is just what we wanted."

Hi James.

I just wanted to thank you once again for all of the fantastic music you and your band played at our wedding. The jazz was a brilliant way to start off the celebrations and I know that everyone really enjoyed the ceilidh - especially all the English people who didn't know what they were doing. It was great fun. The disco was absolutely class and will live long in the memory!

I have attached some photos below if you would like to use them on your website. 
It really was the best day of our lives and we are grateful to you and your band for helping to make the day so special.

Our sincere thanks  Jonny and Jenny 

James,

Just a note to say many thanks for the huge contribution your band made to the success of our daughter's wedding reception at the Murrayshall House Hotel.

The start was a bit delayed by an overenthusiastic photographer but your guys did a great job, especially appreciated by all the American guests.

Sat 17 June 2017 Invercarse Hotel, 371 Perth Road, Dundee, Angus, DD2 1PG

Hi James, Just wanted to thank you for the amazing music and DJing you and your fellow band members gave us on our wedding day. Job well done! Regards, Mark and Sarah Teng.

Sarah & Marks first dance... photographer, Hannah Sidi

Well, I just played all the tracks you chose...!! DJ James

Sat 27 May 2017 Hotel Du Vin, Gillespie Terrace,The Scores,St Andrews KY16 9AT

Hello, Just a note to say a huge thank you for Saturday night.The ceilidh was a real highlight of the wedding and we loved the music. Turning around on the dance floor to see a saxophone in the middle of it all was brilliant, and your band created a great atmosphere for the celebrations. It was a fantastic night and you guys were a big part of that. Great music and very professional.

Many thanks & best wishes, Catriona & Franck

Hi James,
Thanks so much for Tuesday.  We've had some lovely comments from the delegates about how much fun the evening was.

Carol M : Association of Applied Biologists

Sat 21 May 2016 St Monans Town Hall, Hope Pl, St Monans, Fife KY10 2DH - 50 / 18 birthday...

Hi James

Thanks again for your performance last night. Lots of excellent feedback. Hope you enjoyed it and hope our paths cross again in future , Thanks to other Dave's. [the entire 3 piece was made up of Daves...!]

Regards Iain

I also loved the way Dave walked around with the sax, it was lovely to hear that when photos were being done. From the ceremony music, to courtyard and dinner -the music really added fantastic atmosphere and I am very thankful to both of you, for helping to make the day more brilliant.

We spent ages trying to find the right musicians for the day and are so glad we found you. Please let us know if you have anywhere you would like a review (couldn't find a Facebook page). 

Best wishes, Amy and Liam

The hat didn't really work - lets face it, but it was so HOT!

Sat 20 Feb 2016: Wedding: Royal Botanic Garden
Arboretum Place, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ

Dear James,

Thank you so much for a wonderful ceilidh and disco last night. Everyone commented on how great it was! You picked a perfect mix of tracks which was amazing as we only gave a few ideas. My friend Rebecca was very grateful for your accordionist's help with her baby, so extra special thanks to her for that! Sorry I didn't get to speak to you last night but you guys were instrumental in making the reception awesome.

Best wishes, Katie & Andrew

Before I discovered I was better at playing the sax than growing plants, was a Diploma student here from 1986 - 89. It was lovely to return to the Botanics in it's new role as top Wedding Venue. And in my new life as James (Ford) the muscian, not Dave the gardener...

Sat 20 Feb 2016: 30th Birthday: Madderty Hall, Madderty, PH7 3PW (second band)

Hi Dave, thanks for a brilliant night on Saturday and for staying on, everyone I've spoke to said your band were brilliant!! I've made a balance transfer as requested for the extra time, sorry I was in no fit state to say thanks in person. All the best Stuart

Tues 29 Dec 2015: Comrie Croft, Braincroft, Crieff, PH7 4JZ

Hi James,

Just to say thanks very much for your playing at our wedding last week - the ceilidh was just what we wanted, and we and our guests had a fantastic time, with your calling giving everyone the confidence to join in. Please pass on our thanks to the rest of the band.

with best wishes, and happy new year, Tom

We love Comrie Croft!!

As I said, your 3-piece were all excellent musicians and we really felt we had come up trumps by choosing you.

Best wishes with all your future gigs, I would be more than happy to give a glowing testimony should you ever need it !

Nigel

Sat 1 Aug 2015: Kelvingrove art gallery, Argyle St, Glasgow, G3 8AG

James,

We didn't have a chance to speak to you at the end of the evening. Thanks very much for playing at Jennifer's wedding - the guests quite obviously enjoyed both the ceildih and the disco enormously - and many of them told us that at the end of the night. Hope you enjoyed playing at the Art Gallery.

Glad to say that we'll be more than happy to recommend you to friends etc. Regards

Campbell Black [what a venue! - what a wedding!]

Hi James,

Just a note of thanks for helping to make our wedding reception so special.
It was great to see so many non-Scots getting involved in the ceilidh and also tremendous fun when you and your colleague joined Vincent during his impromptu set. The disco and carnival went off splendidly too.

Hope you enjoyed yourself, [we did!]

Jonathan and Johnathan

So many of our English friends and family have commented on how much they enjoyed their first ceilidh and the disco-particularly your saxophone on the dancefloor. If we ever organise a similar event again we'll definitely be in touch!

Thanks for the playlist! Victoria & Matthew

Dear Daves (the entire 3 piece band was called Dave) (although one Dave is now James... mid-life crisis??)

We wanted to thank you and the rest of the band so much for the fantastic time we had at our daughters wedding. Your playing was wonderful, and everybody enjoyed themselves so much - lots of the guests commented on how good you were and how much they enjoyed the dancing.
Thanks for helping to make it such a special day.

Hi James,
We both want to thank you for providing us with such a wonderful ceilidh on our wedding night. It was truly amazing and everyone had a great time.
Also a special thank you to you and the band for singing Loch Lomond for the first time at our wedding, it was a lovely way to end the evening.

Andy and Jen

Hi James,

Thank you so much for playing at our wedding you got all our guests up dancing and a lot of people commented on how fantastic the band were! We also appreciate you letting our drunken friends play one song with you! We felt that you had a good balance of ceilidh music finishing off with general music at the end. We especially enjoyed your rendition of Candy!
Thank you for helping make our day so special!

George and Lynne Hughes

Hi James,

Thanks once again for a great performance at our wedding in Brora. Everyone had a fantastic night. I hope you get some further gigs from it - my nephew is an events manager, and has taken your card and details, so fingers crossed.

Ellen Lindsey

Quite a drive... but well worth it!!

Sat 8 Nov 2014 Fingask Castle, Rait Perthshire PH2 7SA

Hi James,

So sorry its taken me so long to email you! Just wanted to really thank you for the wonderful music you played all day long at my wedding. I have got loads of comments from guests about how amazing you were.

I am especially grateful to you for jumping in with 'the band' during my ceremony and for putting up for my drunk friends trying to request more RnB during the disco - they are crazy, Im used to it but I am happy you were able to handle it! :)

You were just fabulous anyway! David and I were absolutely delighted - I have also got a friend who was there - the one who caught the bouquet no less - who just got engaged and asked for your info. So hopefully she will be in touch. Otherwise - please pass on my gratitude to all your colleagues. All amazing.

Thanks again, Veronica

14 June 2014 Anstruther Easter Town Hall 35 Cunzie Street, KY10 3DF

Hi James and your equally fabulous band members

We just wanted to say a very big THANK YOU to you all for Saturday. We had so many compliments about the music and how friendly you all were, as well as how well each dance was explained. Thank you for being so patient with us all! The Aussies had the best time at their first ceilidh and for Tim and I it was perfect.

Sat 17 May 2014 Birnam Hotel, Perth Road , Birnam, Dunkeld, PH8 0AA

Hi James,
A fantastic time was had by all! The evening was brilliant-your band is absolutely fantastic & we've received so many comments from our guests about how impressed they were! We also really appreciated your help with the unplanned ad-hoc musical performances that came up between the ceilidh & the disco! Thank you again & we'll definitely be recommending Funkeilidh to anyone who may be looking for a ceilidh band.
Many thanks and all the best, Sarah & Gary

Dear Jamers, (8 Dec 2012)

This is the first opportunity I have had to sit down and convey to you our huge appreciation of all that you and the other members of Funkeilidh did for Pamela and Alasdair's wedding last Saturday. From your trumpet solo at the ceremony through the jazz at the drinks reception to the extraordinarily wonderful ceilidh in the evening, your contribution to the success of the occasion was immense. Everyone had so much fun - please can we do it all again this weekend?

We are so very grateful to you all, and have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone who is looking for a really high-quality, fun-loving band. You are all quite brilliant!

Sincere thanks Robert and Hazel Newton (Pamela's parents) (Balberbnie House Hotel KY7 6NE)

below, Caller Dave Ford caller in chief

Hello James,

I'm delighted to say we were completely unaware of any disco deficiencies. I take full responsibility for "Helter Skelter" - my favourite Beatles track though Michelle was named after, er, "Michelle”![bride]

As far as we, and everyone we've heard from, are concerned, it was absolutely great. And as for the ceilidh, that was even better! Many thanks for helping to make the day so brilliant,

It was a lovely evening and I think a lot of people enjoyed milling about to the soundtrack, in a way which they wouldn't have if the music would have not been perfect. I'd definitely recommend you to others - no problem, David

18th Birthday - Craigie Hill Golf Club

14 April 2012

Hi James.....

This is the first time I've had the opportunity to write you after the 18th Birthday party you all played for us. It was fabulous!! In fact, my mother in law said that she would hire you again. Your band was professional (I knew it!) and the night went off without a hitch, although it was quite warm in the room. Sarah adored the night, loved your music and everyone commented on how good you were, every dance absolute fun. Honestly, the transitions from one instrument to another showed your versatility.....the sound was phat, and you all gelled well. Couldn't have asked for a better night.

I'll gladly keep you in the Rolodex and recommend you to others. Thanks again for a great night!

Regards.....

Maria Speight Coutts

March 2011

Hi James

Just wanted to say a huge thankyou for the brilliant job you did on Friday night. A great night was had by all and we loved all the different dances you taught us. Sometimes ceilidhs can be a bit of a hit or miss but everybody has been singing your praises. We will definately recommend you to family and friends and hope to have your presence at future events. Kinds regards

Lynn Norrie
Cardiology Department
Ninewells Hospital
Dundee