The Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell, Bill Smith, Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne first met in 1955 when they attended The Edinburgh College of Art. In 1962 Bill, Roy and another friend, Ron Cockburn, formed the "Corrie Folk Trio". Their first performance was given at the Waverley Bar, in St Mary's Street, Edinburgh. At this time Ronnie Browne was not a member, but a few weeks later Ron Cockburn left, leaving the group short for an engagement they had accepted at the Edinburgh Festival.

Roy suggested that Ronnie be asked to join to make up the numbers, and, with the Irish singer Paddie Bell, they became known as the "Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell". Their first performance at the tiny Tryst Coffee House on the High Street attracted only eight people, but by the end of the Festival they had a full house at every performance!