Ian Mairs began playing the guitar when he was fifteen. He became interested in old timey and bluegrass and in his mid-twenties he teamed up with his brothers, Rob and Alan to form Old Hickory. With Robert Stevenson on double bass and then Alan's wife Louise on bass, they played gigs from Shetland to Brighton; produced two LPs on their own label; and appeared on TV several times. They had a number of regular gigs, including a seven and a half year run at the Star Club in Glasgow where they put on concerts with visiting American bands. These included Bob Paisley and the Southern Grass, Del McCoury and his Dixie Pals and High Country. When Old Hickory folded Ian joined his brother Rob and two other banjo players (Alison Loudon and Robert McGilvary) to form Banjo Cocktail. Their repetoire consisted mostly of classic banjo tunes. This band lasted for over a year and then Ian started up The Moonshiners with Jimmy Moon and Tom Connel. He has recently released a CD of twelve self-penned songs. It's on the Sour Mash label and it's called The Mermaid.