Where you been hiding this guy
Hello there,
Being of Scottish descent, I was a long time fan of the wonderful Scottish band Runrig. However, when I moved to Dubai 10 years ago, the lead singer had left to take up politics and I kinda lost touch with the band.
However, while on the internet I learned that the sneaky buggers hired a Canadian called Bruce Guthro and carried on with the band. Not only that but from the music I’ve heard, they are better than ever. All I know is that Bruce Guthro is from Cape Breton, from the vids on YouTube, he’s a great singer and has exactly the right presence for the band.
Any of you guys know of him? Bill?
Cheers,
Ian
Runrig
Oh I am very familiar with Guthro - not personally but with his work. And I’ve covered his song “Falling” for years. He’s a terrific singer and a darn fine songwriter.
I think I even mentioned him in one of the previous incarnations of this forum in a discussion with Mac about the use of non-consistent timing in recording - years ago.
Thanks Bill,
I’ve been listening to his work with Runrig all day. The songs and the sheer heart in them are stunning. If you get a chance, grab the latest Runrig cd and listen to ‘Ocean Road’ and ‘In Scandinavia’, the latter is incredibly moving.
I bought the album on mp3 download AND I’ve ordered the original CD from the Band’s website.
Nice export from Canada to Scotland 
Cheers,
Ian
Eyup!
Canada does seem to have a fine musical heritage. Many many fine musicians hail from there.
Steve
Hi Gents:
I know Bruce well…
He is a “Caper” … (OR
I believe he is from those parts)
as many fine musicians (from Eastern Canada) come from those parts. Bruce struggled for years trying to get known and make his mark in the local music scene. You “Jump-Start” your career by moving to Greater Halifax… then onward from here…
BUT I don’t know if the name Guthro is …
They (“Capers”) come from British and Irish decent…
They were mainly coal miners and steel mill workers that settled those parts when coal was first discovered, under the ground.
way-back-when… In fact Nova Scotia has a long connection to coal and gold mining for centuries… The steel production that came from Cape Breton went into steel rails for the railroad industry around the world. The coal production mainly went into the “Coke” production as the coal is too soft for much of anything else.
I don’t pretend to know all the history that connects the people’s heritage…
Sorry…
However, the names represent people’s of British, Welsh, Scotage, and Irish decent.
They didn’t necessarily all get along well together but they knew how to mine and make steel…
and make their music…
The names and the history of their music has survived…
and will continue to live on…
To get know in the music business most Capers have to leave the families and traditions behind and move to other parts of the world…
Most Capers are known for their fiddle making-and-playing and song writing abilities…
Bill…
Thanks Bill,
You’re a mine of information. With that kind of background Bruce ought to fit right in to the Scottish music scene, and that’s what he’s managed to do. Believe me, you have to be good for the Scots audience to accept a “foreigner” into a Band they call the Heart of Scotland. But he’s certainly won the locals over and the Band are sounding better than ever, and they’ve been around for 34 years.
(of course they would never have accepted an Englishman)
Around '86-'87 a couple of Runrig guys were busking in Oslo, guitar & bagpipe. I got to talk to them, I think one of them was called Rory McDonald. Nice people. I think I still have a vinyl album stashed around here somewhere…
Hi Again:
The Scots are most critical of the music that is acceptable to them…
Good for them…
Bruce should fit-in quite well with that stage.
I often wondered what may have happened to him.
It’s like he dropped off the edge of the earth as far as the local music scene goes here for him…
Of course, if you happen to be in-and-around the Day-to-Day local music scene anyone would have known where he went…
The list of Top-Class Local and East Coast Musicians are as long as your arm…
The only thing is many of them don’t address the real business of music-making…
They are too content to play night-after-night and forget about the day-to-day promotion and visibility of making music.
I think the term for them is…
“Hamburger Musicians”… as long as they have enough money to buy something to eat…
they are satisfied…
The actual performance of music making represents about 30-35% of the business… Maybe, a little less… than that…
I hope my reply is not overly cynical…
Bill…