WILLIAM Hutton got into the music industry quite by accident.
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Going to university in Glasgow, one of Hutton's peers played a prank on him before a community concert.
"Someone put my name down on the list of performers as a joke because I couldn't sing or play a note," he said.
"So I got myself a guitar and I taught myself a few tunes."
Hutton has not stopped performing since.
In 1976 he founded Celtic act, Claymore, which reformed when he migrated to Australia in 1984.
Melbourne-based Claymore offers traditional Scottish and Irish music with modern self-penned Celtic rock.
As Claymore's outrageous frontman, Hutton said over the years the band had gained and lost members, all bringing something unique.
"It's been stable for the past seven or eight years," Hutton said.
Through a diverse mix of sounds featuring guitar, mandolin, fiddle, military snare, the highland bagpipes and even a didgeridoo, Claymore has long been one of Australia's most popular festival acts.
Claymore will headline the Celtic Spectacular Concert at the Old Beechworth Gaol on Friday night.
Hutton said the Beechworth Celtic Festival event was always a highlight.
"We love it," Hutton said.
"It's such a beautiful town and unique location - a phenomenal location - which makes us feel like we've transported back in time."
Claymore has performed at Festival Interceltique in France, the largest Celtic festival in the world.
Hutton said more than 800,000 people were drawn to that festival each year.
"But it is no more or less fun than playing at Beechworth," he said.
It will be joined by Caledonian Castaways and Sasta.