When I heard that Kevin McKidd would be the Grand Marshal this year at the Tartan Day Parade, I decided I had to head to New York City for the occasion. I figured, if nothing else, it would be a great opportunity to see Kevin display his Scottish pride and enjoy a great day of events. After meeting a KMKO friend (“cogromit”) for lunch, I decided to head down to the parade location and find a good spot to await the festivities. In the meantime, another friend of mine had decided to wander back down to 44th Street. Upon arriving there, she discovered Kevin out and about and she promptly sent me a text message to let me know. I headed down there as fast as I could and right away saw Kevin in his kilt standing outside the entrance of the Algonquin hotel with his parents and the first section of the parade setting up.
I immediately went up to him when he was available and said hello, telling him my name, etc.. He said “Oh yeah!”, gave me a big hug, and asked us if we were having a good time. We chatted briefly and I told him we would be at the after party later on, so Kevin said “Then I will see you later”. Someone started to tell him to get in his spot in line so we took a picture really quickly (thanks to my quick thinking friend cogromit) and he was on his way as the parade started to march.
After we bid farewell to Kevin, we went farther down 6th avenue close to the double decker bus they park at the end of the street, where the Grand Marshal and VIPs in the first section sit and watch the rest of the parade. Kevin was in the middle watching it with his parents. It was fun to watch how he interacted with everyone as they acknowledged him while marching by. The bagpipers were especially cool to see, and there was everything from dancers, to vikings to Scottie dogs and Westies in sweaters marching by. The parade itself lasted only about 30min to 45 min. Then the bus transported the VIPs off to another destination (I believe to headquarters) and we wandered on to a side street where they were still playing music and dancing. A lot of vikings were hanging around so we got pictures with some of them, and watched the dancers perform before making our way down to Penn Station area
where the after party was being held. When we got there the host greeted us and told us that the Grand Marshal had just arrived and to have a great time.
The area where the stage was is pretty small but there was a great crowd there. After the Rogues started playing a few songs Nelson, the lead singer for The Rogues, started talking about Kevin and mentioned the Speyside Sessions album Kevin released in June for charity. Then they introduced Kevin and everyone gave him a big Scottish welcome as he jumped on stage. I have to say it was really touching to hear him sing “These are my Mountains” live. I wasn't expecting him to play anything recorded on
Speyside Sessions so that was a real treat to hear. The audience sang along to it as well which made it even more special. Then they performed a few covers that included“Wish you were here” by Pink Floyd, “You Can't Always Get What You Want” by Rolling Stones and, the most fun in my opinion, “500 Miles” by The Proclaimers which had everyone in the pub singing along and dancing in a huge ruckus. One woman after that asked me if Kevin was McSteamy or McDreamy? I simply said “He's a McKidd”!
Kevin also played along with The Rogues on some of their own music. It was cool to see him play more traditional music. If Kevin was exhausted it didn't show because he had so much energy onstage it was unreal. In between sets I handed him my Speyside Sessions CDs to sign which he graciously did. He was friendly as ever and he took pictures with anyone that wanted them on his way backstage, including friends of mine. From my observation, everyone really loved Kevin's performances with The Rogues, and there were even people asking me where they can get the videos I recorded. I referred them to KMKO.
I can't really say enough how generous Kevin is to even take the time out for fans on such a hectic day.
Kevin is very warm, gracious and kind and you could tell even in the brief time we met him how much he appreciates his fans. After thinking we would just spend the day seeing Kevin march in a parade it turned out to be an amazing day of not only seeing him but meeting him and watching him perform as well. I personally would like to thank Kevin for the great time this weekend and also let him know that all my NYC friends said he is welcome back anytime.
Maya
(MarryMeOwen) aka KMKO roving NYC reporter
I immediately went up to him when he was available and said hello, telling him my name, etc.. He said “Oh yeah!”, gave me a big hug, and asked us if we were having a good time. We chatted briefly and I told him we would be at the after party later on, so Kevin said “Then I will see you later”. Someone started to tell him to get in his spot in line so we took a picture really quickly (thanks to my quick thinking friend cogromit) and he was on his way as the parade started to march.
After we bid farewell to Kevin, we went farther down 6th avenue close to the double decker bus they park at the end of the street, where the Grand Marshal and VIPs in the first section sit and watch the rest of the parade. Kevin was in the middle watching it with his parents. It was fun to watch how he interacted with everyone as they acknowledged him while marching by. The bagpipers were especially cool to see, and there was everything from dancers, to vikings to Scottie dogs and Westies in sweaters marching by. The parade itself lasted only about 30min to 45 min. Then the bus transported the VIPs off to another destination (I believe to headquarters) and we wandered on to a side street where they were still playing music and dancing. A lot of vikings were hanging around so we got pictures with some of them, and watched the dancers perform before making our way down to Penn Station area
where the after party was being held. When we got there the host greeted us and told us that the Grand Marshal had just arrived and to have a great time.
The area where the stage was is pretty small but there was a great crowd there. After the Rogues started playing a few songs Nelson, the lead singer for The Rogues, started talking about Kevin and mentioned the Speyside Sessions album Kevin released in June for charity. Then they introduced Kevin and everyone gave him a big Scottish welcome as he jumped on stage. I have to say it was really touching to hear him sing “These are my Mountains” live. I wasn't expecting him to play anything recorded on
Speyside Sessions so that was a real treat to hear. The audience sang along to it as well which made it even more special. Then they performed a few covers that included“Wish you were here” by Pink Floyd, “You Can't Always Get What You Want” by Rolling Stones and, the most fun in my opinion, “500 Miles” by The Proclaimers which had everyone in the pub singing along and dancing in a huge ruckus. One woman after that asked me if Kevin was McSteamy or McDreamy? I simply said “He's a McKidd”!
Kevin also played along with The Rogues on some of their own music. It was cool to see him play more traditional music. If Kevin was exhausted it didn't show because he had so much energy onstage it was unreal. In between sets I handed him my Speyside Sessions CDs to sign which he graciously did. He was friendly as ever and he took pictures with anyone that wanted them on his way backstage, including friends of mine. From my observation, everyone really loved Kevin's performances with The Rogues, and there were even people asking me where they can get the videos I recorded. I referred them to KMKO.
I can't really say enough how generous Kevin is to even take the time out for fans on such a hectic day.
Kevin is very warm, gracious and kind and you could tell even in the brief time we met him how much he appreciates his fans. After thinking we would just spend the day seeing Kevin march in a parade it turned out to be an amazing day of not only seeing him but meeting him and watching him perform as well. I personally would like to thank Kevin for the great time this weekend and also let him know that all my NYC friends said he is welcome back anytime.
Maya
(MarryMeOwen) aka KMKO roving NYC reporter
