Brandon ‘really honoured’ after latest success in Hot Country TV Awards
Caithness music star Brandon McPhee said “it’s always nice to be recognised” after being presented with his latest award in Ireland.
The 28-year-old singer and accordionist received the Music Without Borders accolade at the Hot Country TV Awards 2025 held in Bundoran, County Donegal.
It is Brandon’s eighth Hot Country award. Last year he was named as Scottish Entertainer of the Year, and in 2023 he was Traditional Entertainer of the Year.
Brandon spent about 10 days touring in Ireland with band members Manson Grant (keyboards/bass and backing vocals), Robert Cameron (drums) and Jamie Anderson (guitars).
“Music Without Borders includes the singing, it includes the accordion, it includes Scottish, country and folk music, which is basically the variety of different music we do as part of the Brandon McPhee Show,” he explained.
“I’m always really honoured to bring an award back home to Caithness. We put a lot of time into everything we do, we enjoy it, and it’s always nice to be recognised.”
Brandon, who comes from Castletown, has a special bond with his fans in Ireland.
“They love music,” he said. “There’s a big country music family over there and we’re all part of it.
“We’re always delighted to meet up with everybody, and the people are lovely too.
“We’re just really fortunate that we’re welcomed over there and people come out to support the shows. We’re indebted to them.
“We get a lot of radio airplay in Ireland, probably more so than here, because there are more stations over there that play the music – which is great as well.”
The awards ceremony took place in Bundoran’s Great Northern Hotel. Hot Country TV is Europe’s longest-running country music show, founded by Cork-based Hugh O’Brien.
Meanwhile, plans are at an early stage for a concert tour devoted to the music of Sir Jimmy Shand, the legendary accordionist who died in 2000 at the age 92.
Brandon has described Sir Jimmy as one of his greatest musical influences.
“It’ll be a concert and it’ll be an evening of Jimmy Shand’s music,” Brandon said. “There will be a new CD to come with that as well, so it all coincides with the tour.”
Brandon and his band previously featured in The Sir Jimmy Shand Story, which toured venues across the UK and Ireland from 2017 to 2019.
“I’ve always loved his music,” Brandon said. “He has always been one of my heroes. It’s nice to pay tribute – but of course there is only one Jimmy Shand.”
