Newsletter        4 December 2008

Contact details
Tel. 01342 716975
or email:
info_at_acousticsussex_dot_org_dot_uk

REMINDER   Tuesday 9 December, Chequer Mead Theatre
DOUGIE MacLEAN
plus support: JANE TAYLOR

Pre-show meals available by reservation - telephone the Cuisine Studio on 01342 324860

Dougie MacLean

Dougie’s ‘Caledonia’ hit the headlines last month when it launched the Homecoming ‘Scotland 2009’ TV advertising campaign. Sir Sean Connery, Lulu, Brian Cox and Amy MacDonald are just a few of the Scottish stars appearing in the new advert encouraging Scotland’s people to take part in next year’s celebrations. First Minister Alex Salmond said:   “Caledonia is a song that resonates with Scots the world over. For those far away it is a reminder of strong bonds, full of the promise of return.”

Jane Taylor

Tuesday
9 December
DOUGIE MacLEAN
at Chequer Mead
East Grinstead
www.chequermead.org.uk
Support:
Jane Taylor

PLEASE BOOK NOW FOR THE LAST REMAINING SEATS

£14.50 (£ 11 conc)    8pm
Box Office 01342 302000
Tickets may also be available at Hobgoblin in Crawley and Bullfrog in East Grinstead

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Click here for News Release and biography (PDF)

What they say…
Dougie MacLean is one of Scotland's most successful, respected and popular musicians. A pre-eminent singer-songwriter, fine guitarist and fiddle player, he is regarded as one of the country's greatest musical treasures.

Labelled a "Scottish James Taylor" by some and "world music with deep Scottish roots" by others" MacLean is renowned for the uniqueness of his haunting and emotion-filled songs, which have been covered by a host of artists. Caledonia, in particular, has become one of Scotland's most popular contemporary songs. His music has been used in Hollywood films such as Last of the Mohicans, TV Drama (eg. BBC's A Mug's Game) and he has been the subject of three BBC TV music-documentaries.

Born in Perthshire in 1954, MacLean grew up in the countryside, surrounded by his family's love of music - his mother played mandolin, his father fiddle. Still in his 20s, MacLean joined the Tannahill Weavers and toured extensively in the UK and Europe playing fiddle, mandolin and sharing vocals. He later spent a period with respected Scottish band Silly Wizard, touring with them in the USA, Holland and Germany.

In 1983, with his wife, artist Jennifer MacLean, he launched his own record label, Dunkeld Records, in the beautiful Tay Valley in Perthsire. From here, MacLean tours the world with his unique blend of lyrical, 'roots based' song-writing and instrumental composition. In recent years, the 10 day Dougie MacLean 'Perthshire Amber' festival has become a major event in the Scottish calendar.

MacLean has performed several times before at East Grinstead's Chequer Mead - most recently in December 2005.

"He has a knack for turning the experiences of his own life into something universally understood, as well as a gift for bestowing each with jut the right melody."  The Scotsman

"Strong yet subtle, hauntingly evocative yet contemporary in feel, this music demands listening to over and over again."

Time Out

"If Dougie MacLean has only written Caledonia, he would still have earned a place in Scottish musical culture."

 Dirty Linen

What we say…
A rare visitor to England these days, Dougie always says yes to a date at East Grinstead’s Chequer Mead if his diary permits – and we love to see him. Catch this show before he heads off for a month-long tour of Australia! A guaranteed wonderful evening of great songs, movingly sung and beautifully played.

Dougie is joined by from Bristol-based singer Jane Taylor (with cellist Beth Porter). Jane has performed before in the Acoustic Sussex programme and is returning tonight by popular demand.

Don’t forget that as well as our own shows, the Acoustic Sussex website has a Regional Gig Guide and links to venues and clubs in the South East that offer folk, roots and acoustic music – and our MySpace site contains over 500 links to a variety of other MySpace ‘friends’ sites, including musicians, venues, magazines and lots more.

Regional Gig Guide

For your future diaries...

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Other dates in the Acoustic Sussex programme include:

Ø    20 January – SINGER SONGWRITER SHOWCASE
with Anais Mitchell, Andy Whittle, Sadie Jemmett

Ø    9 February - “CELEBRATION OF THE GUITAR”
with Gordon Giltrap, Alan Prosser, Jon Gomm, Duncan McKenzie

Ø    23 February – Martin Harley Band

Ø    23 March – Mark Erelli

Ø    1 April – Eliza Carthy

Ø    13 April – Bridget St John + Michael Chapman  (NEW)

Ø    4 May – Karine Polwart

Ø    21 May – Cara Dillon

Ø    19 June – Show of Hands NOW BOOKING – tickets selling fast – Box Office 01342 302000

More information on all up-and-coming artists can be found on our website: www.acousticsussex.org.uk. You can also find us on MySpace (with samples from some of the artists appearing) at: www.myspace.com/acoustic_sussex. If you know anyone who you think may enjoy our events, please forward this email to them.

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