"one of the UK's most gifted and versatile musicians in any genre"

THE GUARDIAN

​Celebrating 30 years of inspired music, JOHN McCUSKER has released ‘A Best Of’ album featuring tracks from his solo records and TV & Film Soundtracks. He’s also published a book of his tunes ‘The Collection’ featuring 100 original compositions along with a new album featuring some of the finest traditional musicians that John has worked with over the last 30 years.

 

Previously, a wonderfully evocative set of compositions titled ‘Hello, Goodbye’ was composed while John was on a world tour with Mark Knopfler & featured an all-star cast of handpicked musicians, John’s first solo album in thirteen years, the first on his new record label Under One Sky Records and the first recorded in his state of the art studio, built over 2 years in a bothy dating from 1779. Designed by legendary record producer and studio designer Calum Malcolm, the new studio is a winning combination of the traditional and the new, much like John’s music itself!

 

Born in Bellshill, near Glasgow, John began playing whistle and fiddle as a child and joined the legendary folk outfit Battlefield Band aged 17. During his 11 years with the band, he also released his first two solo recordings, 1995’s self-titled debut and 2000’s Yella Hoose. His most recent albums include Under One Sky and the reissues of Yella Hoose and Goodnight Ginger.

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John has long been renowned for his skill at transcending musical boundaries: striving to keep his music fresh and exciting, never leaving the past behind but always embracing new sonic adventures. As a live and studio guest he has shared stages with David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Paul Weller, Paolo Nutini, Teenage Fanclub, The Proclaimers, Graham Coxon, Ocean Colour Scene,  Idlewild, Eddi Reader, Julie Fowlis, Vicente Amigo, Nolwenn Leroy … Since 2008, he has been a member of Mark Knopfler's band, playing arenas around the world including a double bill with Bob Dylan at The Hollywood Bowl & 20 nights at the Royal Albert Hall.

 

An expanding portfolio as a producer features debut albums by Kris Drever and Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble. He’s also manned the controls for top folk chanteuses Eddi Reader, Kate Rusby,  Heidi Talbot, Eliza Carthy and Linda Thompson. Film and TV work includes soundtracks for the movie Heartlands (2002) and 16 Years of Alcohol (2003), Billy Connolly’s World Tour of New Zealand (2004), Jennifer Saunders BBC sitcom Jam and Jerusalem (2008) & Starlings sitcom for Sky TV (2012).

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John was awarded the coveted BBC Radio 2 Musician of the Year in 2003 and also The Spirit of Scotland Award for music in 1999 and again in 2009. 2016 saw John receive the Good Tradition Award and perform with his band at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards at The Royal Albert Hall. In 2019 John received the Outstanding Music Performance at The Scottish Culture Awards.

 

The John McCusker Trio will be appearing at St Mary's Church, Broughty Ferry on Friday 5th September and will feature outstanding multi instrumentalists Sam Kelly & Toby Shaer.​