Robert Carmichael

Although having performed regularly in public even as a child, I would say that my first serious involvement in music was as a member of ‘Brogy Road.’ For the most part, the line-up was – Brian McGugan on Drums, David ‘Gossie’ Goslan on Guitar, and myself alternating between Keyboards and Bass Guitar. We enjoyed several years as ‘the’ local function band and also enjoyed many great nights with servicemen from the US Navy who had their base at the nearby Holy Loch.

 

In 1990 I left Brogy Road and formed my own band. Having worked well together in the past, I kept David Goslan on Lead Guitar and brought in Kevin Campbell on Rhythm Guitar and Saxophone, Paul Walker on Bass, Ricky Robertson on Drums, and myself on Keyboards. We called ourselves ‘Toast.’ Ricky’s time with the band was short-lived and we continued as a four-piece using sequenced or programmed percussion. The new band soon earned a great reputation and once again we found ourselves doing most of the local functions. We also enjoyed several excursions out of town, and among the highlights of my musical career to date must be the gigs we did in Belgium and France. ‘Toast’ both in terms of musicianship and camaraderie brought me great satisfaction and many precious memories.

 

Throughout my time working in bands, I also worked solo as a Keyboard/Vocalist. Indeed this accounted for the majority of my

workload, and of course my income.

 

In 1994, I left ‘Toast’ to embark on what would become the first of

two spells in Tenerife. Altogether I spent three years on ‘The Rock’,

eventually returning to the UK for family reasons. The ‘Tenerife Experience’ was indeed an unforgettable one, and although I had always worked solo in tandem with my band work, it was very satisfying to establish myself as a solo performer in what was a much bigger community of musicians. Again, I have many special memories of my time there and of course had the pleasure of

performing in several great venues. (See slide show)

 

In 2006, having settled back in Dunoon, it was clear that there was still life in Toast, and we decided to do something together again. This time however the line-up was slightly different - David Goslan on Lead Guitar, Paul Walker on Bass, Kevin Campbell on Drums and myself on Keyboard and Acoustic Guitar. Appropriately, we called ourselves Still Talkin' and formed what was by far the tightest and most enjoyable line-up to date. We enjoyed almost nine great years where we took our music and indeed our reputation to many new and exciting venues.

Sadly, for a variety of reasons, at the end of 2014, I chose to leave the band. It was indeed a difficult decision, but it was time for me to move on. I take with me some special memories of band nights with Still Talkin' and all the good friends and fans we made along the way. 

 

In 2011, taking my music career in a new direction, I launched my Solo Acoustic Project. Whilst it wasn't the case that I left the band to focus on my solo work, I am very fortunate that it has been such an overwhelming success, and I now devote my energy to that! Since its launch, I am happy to have added the following great venues to my solo portfolio:
 

Beinglas Bar, Inverarnan
Ben Nevis Bar, Fort William
Clachaig Inn, Glencoe
Clachan Cottage Hotel, Lochearnhead
Drovers Inn, Inverarnan
Drymen Inn, Drymen
Falls of Dochart Inn, Killin
George Hotel, Inveraray
51st State, Dunoon
Inn on Loch Lomond, Inverbeg
Kirkmichael Arms, Kirkmichael
Laroch Bar, Ballachulish
Waterfront Restaurant, Kenmore
Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa, Inveraray
Oyster Bar, Isle of Seil
Rhu Inn, Helensburgh
Village Inn, Arrochar
Barn Bar, Oban
Ben Arthur's Bothy, Arrochar
Creggans Inn, Strachur
Galley of Lorne Inn, Ardfern
Kilmartin Hotel, Kilmartin
Kirkhouse Inn, Strathblane
Old Mill Inn, Pitlochry
Rowardennan Hotel, Loch Lomond
Stagecoach Inn, Cairndow
Carbeth Inn, Blanefield
Creagan Inn, Appin
Loch Leven Hotel, Ballachulish
Moorings Hotel, Fort William
Portavadie Marina, Portavadie
Ptarmigan Bar, Drymen
Pirn Inn, Balfron
Fox & Hounds, Houston
Kirkmichael Hotel, Kirkmichael

The Clachan Inn, Saint John's Town of Dalry

The Pennyghael Hotel, Mull

Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn

Tyndrum Inn, Tyndrum

The Village Inn, Dunblane

The Wellpark Hotel, Tighnabruaich

The Keel Row, Mull

Belachroy Hotel, Mull

The Cock and Bull, Balmedie

Fountain Bar, Aberfeldy

Black Watch Inn, Aberfeldy

Schiehallion Hotel, Aberfeldy

Ardlui Hotel, Ardlui

River Inn, Crosslee

The Garret Bar, Mintlaw

MacDonald Hotel, Kinlochleven

Tighnabruaich Hotel, Tighnabruaich

Atholl Arms Hotel, Pitlochry

Meadopark Hotel, Bridge of Allan

Allanwater Brewhouse, Bridge of Allan

The Rising Sun, Bridge of Allan

Craft Hotel, Wigtown

Glencoe Gathering, Glencoe

Greyfriars Bar, Perth

Kirkside Bar, Perth

Balmoral Hotel, Moffat

Ship Tavern, Anstruther

Isles Inn, Skye

Dunvegan Hotel, Skye

Taigh Ailean Hotel, Skye

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