Dec 12, 2011

On Muirhead’s Music with Fergus Muirhead his special guest is Ross Ainslie who is one of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians and composers, highly sought after on the Scottish contemporary folk scene for his skill on pipes, whistles and cittern.

Born in Perthshire in 1983, Ross’s interest in music was instilled at an early age when he first picked up a chanter at the age of 8. He became a member of the Perth and District Pipe Band before his first piping tutor, Norrie Sinclair, recognised his potential to play at the highest level and encouraged him to join the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band.

The most recent chapter of Ross’s career has seen him explore the synergies between Indian and Scottish musical traditions. Ross joined India Alba in 2006 which is a unique ensemble comprising two Indian classical musicians and two Scottish trad artists.

In a career with many highlights so far, Ross continually pushes new musical boundaries and takes on fresh challenges. Exciting projects on the horizon include the release of Treacherous Orchestra’s debut record, as well as an album of his own, showcasing many of his own compositions.

Muirhead’s Music, Monday 12 December 7.00-8.00pm. Repeat Tuesday 13 December at 12 noon.

Nov 2, 2011

Piper Fred Morrison starts his winter Scottish Tour soon and before that he visits the Celtic Music Radio studio to be a guest on Muirhead’s Music with Fergus Muirhead on Monday 7 November at 7.00pm

Fred will be talking about his impending tour and what he has been up to creatively and also playing a few of his favourite tunes and songs.

Fred’s tour dates and venues are: Thursday 10 November - Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh; Friday 11 November - Aros Centre, Portree, Isle of Skye; Saturday 12 November – Bogbain Farm, Inverness; Friday 16 December - Longniddry Parish Church, Longniddry, East Lothian; Saturday 17 December - The Tin Hut, Gartly near Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Muirhead’s Music with Fergus Muirhead, Monday 7 November 7.00pm. Repeat Tuesday 8 November 12 noon and Catch Up anytime.

The results of  The World Pipe Band Championship 2011 are as follows:

1st (World Champions!) Field Marshall Montgomery (North of Ireland)

2nd place Simon Fraser University (Canada)

3rd place Scottish Power (Scotland)

4th place Inveraray and District (Scotland)

5th place St Laurence O’Toole (Eire)

Congratulations to the winners and all who took part.

Aug 1, 2011

Piping Live! 2011 starts on Monday 8 August until Sunday 14 August. The week sees Glasgow become the heart of the Piping world with events happening around the clock.

Celtic Music Radio will be ‘live’ from the Piping Live! festival club every weeknight from 10.00pm meeting musicians and visitors alike with live sessions from the stage of the main hall in the Piping Centre.

Join us from Monday 8 August at 10.00pm with Danny Matheson until 1.00am with live music in the Main Hall with MC Fergus Muirhead.

Aug 22, 2010

Fergus Muirhead has an exclusive interview with Alan Reid who recently left The Battlefield Band. Listen in from 7pm on Monday and 12 noon on Tuesday.

Alan will be telling Fergus of his musical plans for the future.

Alan Reid joined the Battlefield Band a few months after it’s inception in 1969. The ‘Batties’ have been pre-eminent in Scottish traditional music for over 30 years, have toured all over the world and made almost 30 recordings.

Alan has been at the ‘engine room’ of the band, his keyboards underpinning the bagpipes and the fiddle. He was the first to use keyboards as an integral
part of a traditional folk band and his and Battlefield Band’s influence can be heard in many of today’s younger generation of Celtic musicians.In 1998 his first solo album ‘The Sunlit Eye’ featuring new songs and tunes was released followed by his song and tune book ‘Martyrs, Rogues and Worthies’ in 2001.

Alan’s songs have been a feature of the band’s repertoire since the early 80′sand are noted for their story telling element, lyricism and strong melody.

He has brought out an new album with Rob, “The Rise and Fall o’ Charlie” for which he wrote five songs, and was an Album of the Week on Celtic Music Radio.  He is also currently working on an album with Rob on the life of John Paul Jones the Scots born sailor for which Alan has written all the material. This album will be released in 2011.