A MEMORIAL concert is being held to remember Clackmannanshire man Ian Small, known as Smally, at Alloa Town Hall.

Tam Cassidy had been toying with the idea of arranging something as a tribute to his friend, who passed away at 37 from Huntington's Disease, for quite some time.

With the 10th anniversary of his death approaching, the 47-year-old decided it would be fitting to organise a night of dancing and music – just as Ian loved.

As well as being an ode to a man described as a "genuinely nice guy and a gifted musician", all profits will go to The Scottish Huntington’s Association (SHA).

Tam said: "Huntington's disease claimed Ian's life but even in the grips of such a terrible disease his unique character and determination shone through. We don't want him to be forgotten. 

"It would also be good to contribute to the battle against the disease in the hope that a cure can eventually be found and to ease the pain and suffering for victims and their families.

"Leading up to his death we all felt a bit useless. I tried to take him out a couple of times, but I was ill-equipped to cope with what was happening to Ian, which feels a bit selfish, but I couldn’t take what I was seeing happen to him. 

"After his death I’ve always thought we should have a celebration of his life and who he was – an amazing, funny, talented guy."

Tam, who played in the popular Alloa 90s band Coloured Dreams with Ian, is well underway with the planning for the event.

He has credited support received – from the likes of SHA, Ian's childhood friend Tony Smith, Craig Holden and Craig Stewart – and would welcome anyone else who would like to get involved.

The aim is to celebrate Ian, raise awareness of and money in aid of Huntington's Disease, allow people to have a wonderful night and create a permanent legacy.

In addition, there is hope that a music festival will be held in Clacks every year following the Ian Small Memorial Concert.

There is also the desire to set up an organisation in his name – The Ian Small Memorial Trust – that holds funds or resources for young musicians in the county that can't afford equipment, to pay for rehearsal time or space.

Tam would like people to get involved to raise awareness of the condition in Ian's name, but also to help contribute to the music scene in the area.

He said: "Alloa has always punched above its weight with musicians and still does today, which I see with the young bands coming up now.

"So it's just a way to turn a negative into a positive, have a massive party and create a long-lasting legacy that we can all be proud of."

The memorial concert is being held on June 10, 2017 and everyone will be welcome to head along for drinks, food and good laughs, even if they didn't know Ian.

Tam – who is originally from Alloa and now lives in Dunblane – and friends will bring The One Night Stand Band which will be the main entertainment, with more to be announced in due course.

In the meantime, people are being asked to remember Ian through the dedicated Facebook page 'The Ian Small Memorial Concert'.

Tam said: "People can contact us with memories through the Facebook page and further information will be available as the planning of the event is progressed. 

"We remembered how he wheeled an actual piano from Sauchie to his house in Alloa. Within a couple of weeks we was playing hits like Boomtown Rats, Don’t like Sundays and Bohemian Rhapsody. Not one lesson, just pure talent."

To help with the event send Tam a private message via the Facebook page, email him at tamcassidy@icloud.com and keep an eye on the social media site for announcements.