10 Questions: An Interview with Graeme E. Pearson
Striding into the spotlight with his trusty guitar is Graeme E. Pearson and his uniquely Scottish, Oor Tours walkabout show. We bumped into Graeme at the press launch of the 2009 Edinburgh Programme Launch outside the EICC with his distinctly recognisable Tam O’Shanter bonnet! Graeme’s show looks a great way to enjoy a relaxing walkabout musical tour up… and down… and around the historical, Royal Mile. So let’s catch up with Graeme before he heads oot on his trusty tooors…
1. What inspired you to become an artist, musician, writer, comedian and entertainer?
I’ve done many jobs all over the world and I returned to Edinburgh in need of something worthwhile to do with my life. Now my wife and children are my inspiration. OOR Tours - The musical walking tour of Edinburgh was born out of the need express oneself and the belief that I have something positive to give to the world.
2. What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The History of Edinburgh with songs and entertainment performed by Graeme E. Pearson. A unique view of the people and events that shaped Edinburgh.
3. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
Although I sing and perform in many pubs around Edinburgh and Scotland, The Edinburgh Fringe 2008 was the last festival I performed at. OOR Tours is an out doors event and the fact that August 08 was the wettest on record did not help. However, the reaction from those who went on the tour was encouraging.
4. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
I’ll start with the worst and the first and (hopefully) the last time anyone has ever thrown a bottle at me, in Blackburn, West Lothian (Susan Boyle Country). There was a nutter at the back making gestures, so I said to Joe, the chap I was singing with at the time, “Lets play one more and finish up.” As I bent down to adjust the volume on the amp something banged off my ear and I looked up and then down to the floor again to see a bottle of Bud. I honestly don’t remember what happened immediately after that, but I made an attempt at retribution as the nutter was heading out the door. I can’t remember if I hit him or not, but his father was shouting his name hysterically. There may have been a history of psychotic, social problems with the nutter. Who knows? Afterwards I felt like I had received the red badge of courage amongst the locals. Only, in this case it was the Bruised Ear of Courage. If there is a lesson to be learned for anyone reading this then the moral of the story is Press Charges. I didn’t.
The funniest and most memorable experience I can remember was when I was busking around Spain with the kilt on in March 2003. I was in Bilbao on a rainy Sunday afternoon, singing Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door and Dirty Old Town. The locals didn’t know what to make of me. They were walking past and muttering to themselves. Eventually they started to congregate and I ended up doing a cracking show in front of about 200 Bilbaoans, having a great laugh and none of us knowing the others language. They were chanting “Otra! Otra! Otra!” which means “encore”. in Spanish!
5. What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
I’ll start with the worst. Someone said to me. “Just play the guitar. Stick with one instrument.” Nonsense! Although I just play and sing with the guitar on OOR Tours, the pub act has been much better since I’ve been playing the banjo.
The best advice I have taken is from a quote from Woody Allen. “95% of success is Showing up.” And that is what I am good at - Showing up.
6. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
I guess I am proud of the struggle to get on and make a living by being self-employed and providing for my wife and family. My goals are to make a success of OOR Tours and to have our children educated and provided for.
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what culinary dish would you prepare?
Muhammed Ali, for his entertainment value. John Lennon for his musical value combined with social consciousness and my Great Grandfather, William Sutherland who was blown up in the First World War and left a wife and four children, he’s a celebrity in my mind. The meal would be fish fingers, peas and chips: Always my favourite. You’ve got your protein, vegetables and carbohydrates all on one plate.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
1984 by George Orwell for comparing the parallels one type of society with our own and Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stephenson for the use of language.
9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?
I clip my nose hairs.
My sister speaks with and American Accent.
My wife beat me at Badminton once.
My mum qualified for the Senior Olympics.
I love our pet rabbit.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
All the problems in the world could be solved if everyone got a good night‘s sleep.
