The 2007 release of Alex Beaton's The Songs of Robert Burns CD is the latest offering from North America's most popular and beloved Scottish folksinger. Alex's impressive musical career spans four decades and includes the creation of Glenfinnan Music, which offers a collection of nineteen albums dedicated to traditional Scottish music and a triple feature DVD, Alex Beaton's Scotland: A Musical Travelogue of Scotland. Everywhere Alex performs, this quintessential entertainer delights audiences with his rich baritone voice, virtuoso guitar playing and engaging stage presence. Alex's talent is showcased by a body of music ranging from ballads such as "The Loch Tay Boat Song," to rousing anthems like "Flower of Scotland," to his classic children's favorite "Coulter's Candy."
During a performance, Alex may share some fascinating bit of Scottish history to bring the music to life, or he may sarcastically acknowledge the audience's obvious appreciation of good music as they burst out in laughter when he sings a selection from his album Daft Ditties. His quick wit and passion for his audiences have endeared him to both young and old alike.
Alex is acknowledged by many of the Scottish and Celtic musicians performing at the various Scottish gatherings as the person responsible for introducing traditional music to the festivals.
"Alex is not only gracious enough to share his stage with other performers at the Scottish festivals," says Dudley Brian Smith of Smithfield Fair, a Celtic group from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, "he is the reason we get to be at the festivals. He is the trailblazer."
Already a successful entertainer in the 1970s, Alex recognized a desire among American audiences for traditional Celtic music. He knew that the natural outlet for his music was the Highland Games that take place nearly every weekend of the year all across the continent. After organizing Glenfinnan Music, he began focusing on establishing a market for the traditional singer in a venue long dominated by heavy athletics, pipers, and pipe bands. Now, due in large part to Alex's efforts, the folksinger is there along with the athlete and the piper.
Alex's musical talents, awareness of Scottish history, and his ability to connect with his audience combine to create the Alex Beaton experience rather than just a concert.
"If you get the opportunity to attend one of my performances around the country, please come by and say hello. I would love to meet you in person."
Whether you make it to a concert or not, you can, as he likes to say, "take him home with you" by picking up some of his many CDs or DVDs.
"With a fine voice and a professionalism that is exemplary, Alex Beaton's charismatic presence has been a major force in bringing high quality entertainment to the Highland Games in America".
"Over many years of performing at Scottish festivals throughout North America, I've shared hundreds of stages with Alex. He never fails to connect with his listeners, or to deliver what they came for. He shares his passion for music of the Scottish heartland with a fine blend of soulful performance and lighthearted exchange. Whether he's singing a poignant love song or driving the crowd wild with the fun of a rowdy version of "Scotland the Brave", Alex sets the standard.
-Alasdair Fraser - Master Scottish fiddler
***
If the big man himself weren't holding me at gunpoint right now, I'd say the same things...
Big Alex is one of my greatest friends and mentors. I've been lucky enough to have a career on the pipes beyond any piper's wildest dreams, and I credit Alex for giving me a start and instilling mandatory skills needed by a professional musician: stage legs, "one take" in the studio, showmanship, a gift of the gab, and shameless self-promotion to hawk one's product from the stage. Only success can follow!
-Eric Rigler of Bad Haggis - "The Most Recorded Bagpiper of all Time"
(Uilleann pipes soloist for "Braveheart", "Titanic", "Austin Powers", amongst many others).
Big Alex is one of my greatest friends and mentors. I've been lucky enough to have a career on the pipes beyond any piper's wildest dreams, and I credit Alex for giving me a start and instilling mandatory skills needed by a professional musician: stage legs, "one take" in the studio, showmanship, a gift of the gab, and shameless self-promotion to hawk one's product from the stage. Only success can follow!
-Eric Rigler of Bad Haggis - "The Most Recorded Bagpiper of all Time"
(Uilleann pipes soloist for "Braveheart", "Titanic", "Austin Powers", amongst many others).
***
"One of my earliest inspirations and introductions to Scottish music in America. He is truly a great entertainer and balladeer. At highland games and festivals, Alex is a pioneer and, he laid the groundwork for all of the rest of us to follow."
-Kirk McLeod - 7Nations
***
Alex Beaton is the soul of quality Scottish music. One can't talk about Scottish music without his name at the top of the list. Every musician playing Highland Games in North America owes a debt of gratitude to Alex because he started what has become a tradition of Scottish music performances at North American Highland Games. There are no music performances like this at games in Scotland. He has served as a catalyst to advance the traditions of Scottish Highland Games and events to include Scottish music; it's proved to be essential for attracting more and more people to both the events and to the traditions, as well as advancing a general interest in music.
-Dudley-Brian Smith of Smithfield Fair
