BUDDY MACDONALD
Buddy's career as a singer, song-writer, entertainer, began thirty years ago. Born and brought up on the Northern Shores of Cape Breton Island, he was exposed at an early age, to the singing and story telling of some of the great Celtic singers of his native Island. Much of his song-writing is still influenced by this style he was so familiar with as a young boy. Over the years he has travelled and entertained audiences throughout Canada, the United States, Germany, Scotland and the Scandinavian countries, performing as a solo act and in different combinations with other musicians from Cape Breton. He has performed on stage with many of Eastern Canada's traditional artists such as Natalie MacMaster, Howie Mac Donald, Ashley MacIssac, Dave MacIssac, John Allan Cameron and more. Since Celtic Colours International Festival began ten years ago, Buddy has been the host of the late night Festival Club, and has performed over various parts of the Island with Scotland's Dougie MacLean,Archie Fisher, Irelands Tommy Makem, Michael Black, and hosts of other artists from all over the world of music.
Buddy's songs, along with his own recordings, have been performed and recorded by artists throughout the country. His material has been recorded by such artists as John Allan Cameron, McGinty, Dave Gunning, theatrical casts of the Summertime Revue, cast of the Toronto production "Needfire", which played for months to sold out crowds in Toronto, Canada. Buddy continues to tour and chase audiences to wherever they will sit down and listen. Whether in a small country hall, pub, festival or concert theatre, his love of writing, singing and entertaining comes across to bridge the gap between performer and listener. You will find yourself singing along, clapping along and feeling very glad you came.
RACHEL DAVIS
Rachel is a vibrant young player who was born and raised in Baddeck,Cape Breton. Rachel began playing fiddle at the age of 12, learning first from her grandfather, Clarence Long. then studying with Karen Beaton for four years. Most recently, Rachel has studied fiddle with Kyle MacNeil through her studies at Cape Breton University where she is working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in Celtic Studies.
As well as playing fiddle, Rachel has studied Cape Breton stepdancing, Bodhran and Gaelic singing at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts.
Along with her mentors, Rachel credits the Cape Breton Fiddler?s Association and the playing of the late John Morris Rankin with helping her develop as a fiddler.
This is Rachel's third year as a featured performer in the Celtic Colours International Festival. During the 2007 Celtic Colours
Festival, Rachel was presented with the Tic Butler Memorial Award for
outstanding contribution to the Cape Breton culture.
For the past four years, Rachel has been a regular performer at the Baddeck Gathering Ceilidh and The Normaway Inn in Margaree, CB. as well as playing many venues on and off Cape Breton Island. Rachel can also be found playing many venues with Cape Breton's singer/songwriter Buddy MacDonald.
Through appearances at Festivals, concerts and square dances, Rachel has earned a reputation as a talented and respected young Cape Bretonfiddler.
