Irvine’s Shoes Bros have returned with a brand new Abba-themed festive single and accompanying video. The musical duo, consisting of Reverend Willie Boyd and Reverend Neil Urquhart, known as Benny and Bjorn respectively, have been joined by Reverend Ruth Kennedy and Alison Muir, who take on the roles of Agnetha and Frida. The Shoes Bros have a long history of collaborative projects in Irvine, aimed at breaking down barriers, building bridges, and fostering community spirit, especially during the Christmas season.
This year, the Shoes Bros have released their latest single, ‘Dance! Everybody Dance!’, which is now available on popular music streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. The accompanying short movie can be viewed on the ‘The Shoes Brothers Dance’ Facebook page and the ‘Fullonart’ YouTube Channel, in addition to other media channels.
What sets this particular project apart is the involvement of pupils from various schools in North Ayrshire. Students from Saltcoats’ St Matthew’s Academy and Irvine’s Loudoun Montgomery Primary School, along with attendees at Crossing Together’s Cafe and St John Ogilvie’s Chapel Mass, have enthusiastically joined the dance. The aim is to spread light, laughter, love, and lift the spirits of many through this joyous song and film.
Reverend Ruth Kennedy expressed her delight at being part of the project and emphasized the value of using multimedia to connect with people and generate interest in the good news of Jesus Christ. She also highlighted the local and international attention this project will attract, making it an exciting endeavor rooted in Irvine’s community.
Alison Muir, from ‘Crossing Together,’ a new Irvine church, expressed her enthusiasm for participating in this year’s Shoes Brothers project alongside their Roman Catholic neighbors at St John Ogilvy’s chapel. Muir found it easy to channel her inner ‘Abba’ and found great encouragement in seeing others from the area join in the dance.
Father Boyd took a lighthearted perspective, acknowledging that their legacy might be remembered more for their Christmas antics than their sermons or pastoral work. Nevertheless, he is happy with that outcome, as people often inquire about his partner-in-crime, Reverend Urquhart, and their annual hijinks.
Reverend Urquhart highlighted the consistent creativity and success of the Shoes Bros’ projects each year. He credited the accomplishments to the exceptional talents of Alan Campbell, who wrote and produced the song, and Stuart Forsyth, who produced the film. Additionally, he expressed gratitude for the willingness of individuals and groups to join in the project, as it truly captures the spirit of Christmas.
The return of the Shoes Bros with their Abba-themed single and video is yet another triumph of the true Christmas spirit. Their dedication to fostering community, breaking barriers, and spreading joy through their musical collaborations continues to captivate hearts and bring people together. With the involvement of pupils from across North Ayrshire, this year’s project promises to amplify the impact and celebrate the unity and festive cheer that Christmas brings.
