Lockdown won’t stop the music for Abronhill man in Australia

Jim Paterson (57), who grew up in Hawthorn Road found fame in Adelaide as the frontman of Celtic rockers The Borderers but his life as professional musician can only be on hold.

The former Our Lady’s High School pupil who is also a mental health campaigner said :“ We’re allowed to go on the beach, or in national parks, as long as you keep a good distance.

“However, I wasn’t coping very well in the beginning as we had a long line of shows lined up, plus seminars about mental health and suicide prevention that we really wanted to talk and perform at.

“It felt like we’d lost all purpose,

“This week though it’s all changed for us as we’ve been commissioned by grandparents to write songs as presents for their grandkids.

“We’re working with autistic teenagers and help them write songs by getting them to put down their feelings and make them into lyrics,

“Outside the atmosphere is still very tentative though, and people give you the eye if they think you’re coming too close to them. Australia took action quite quickly so the new cases are levelling off.

“We are planting more seeds in our garden to create our own food and collaborating online with artists around the world.

“That includes Cumbernauld boy Martin Aelred - , who ironically lived in Adelaide till he was five!’’

Jim doesn’t have to look very far for someone to make music with at the best of times - as his wife, Belfast-born Alex is also in the band!

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