Meerkats play starring role in city musician’s song dedicated to them

THEY are among the most well-known animals in the world – mainly thanks to their role selling cheap car insurance.

Now one city musician is hoping his song dedicated to meerkats will help him realise his dream of writing a hit record.

Professional bass player and songwriter Chris Agnew has spent years touring the UK both as a session musician and a performer in his own right.

He enlisted the help of 20 friends last week to record a video for his latest project – a song dedicated to the distinctive, loveable animals – at Portobello beach.

They donned special meerkat masks and hastily learned a dance routine to go with the quirky tune.

Chris is keeping the lyrics to his song under wraps until it’s released – so there’s no telling what Aleksandr will make of it.

The 36-year-old, who lives near Easter Road, said: “I’ve played with so many serious musicians, and I thought it might be fun to do something else.

“People would maybe say it’s not the most credible thing I’ve done, but that’s not what it’s about.

“We’ve got a wee dance to go with it and I’m looking forward to seeing the results.”

The musician, who has played at Glastonbury and T in the Park, will release the song in the next few weeks in tandem with the video.

“Meerkats are popular just now and I think it’s a catchy pop song,” said the father-of-one, who is the son of Nazareth member Pete Agnew.

“There’s a few I’ve got just now like that, it’s a bit different to what I’ve done in the past.

“I suppose it’s a bit like the Macarena except for meerkats.”

City musician Norval Barclay, 41, was one of those who attended.

He said: “Chris is a great, hard-working guy and I hope this pays off for him. The day itself was great fun and wearing the mask posed a few challenges none of us had thought of. Even people who were walking past wanted to get involved.”