Post by Joe on Jun 10, 2006 21:33:33 GMT -5
Allister John MacGillivray was born and raised in the old coal-mining town of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. His musical career began very early; Allister performed in a boy choir as well as singing regularly with a travelling variety show.
In the 1960's, Allister was becoming known for his guitar and songwriting skills. In 1968 he was discovered by The Melindra Sisters from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).
Following graduation from St. F.X U. in Antigonish, he toured with John Allan Cameron and they appeared on The Grand Ole Opry in 1970. In the mid-70's Allister joined the group Ryan's Fancy. They toured Ireland and Canada for over six years.
Later Allister accompanied Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy in their tour of America and TV specials.
Allister concentrated on songwriting and composing in the 1980. Among the dozens of songs written, the most popular are "Song For The Mira", "Away From The Roll Of The Sea", "Song For Peace", "Here's To Song", and "Songs Of Home". His songs were perfomed and recorded by countless artists, most notably Anne Murray, Frank Patterson, Phil Coulter, John McDermott, The Barra MacNeils and others.
Allister is also an accomplished author; with assistance from his wife, Beverly, he compiled and published the following books:
"The Cape Breton Fiddler", "A Cape Breton Ceilidh", "The Cape Breton Song Collection", "The Nova Scotia Song Collection", and "The Men of the Deeps ~ The Continuing Saga".
His most recent years have seen Allister research and direct a series of short films on the Cape Breton style of traditional Scottish fiddle playing. Also he has arranged choral pieces of his works.
In 1997, Allister was awarded Honorary Doctorate of Letters from The University College of Cape Breton.
Today Allister and Beverly could be seen accompanying The Cottars, as his two children Ciarán and Fiona comprise one-half of the group.
In the 1960's, Allister was becoming known for his guitar and songwriting skills. In 1968 he was discovered by The Melindra Sisters from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).
Following graduation from St. F.X U. in Antigonish, he toured with John Allan Cameron and they appeared on The Grand Ole Opry in 1970. In the mid-70's Allister joined the group Ryan's Fancy. They toured Ireland and Canada for over six years.
Later Allister accompanied Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy in their tour of America and TV specials.
Allister concentrated on songwriting and composing in the 1980. Among the dozens of songs written, the most popular are "Song For The Mira", "Away From The Roll Of The Sea", "Song For Peace", "Here's To Song", and "Songs Of Home". His songs were perfomed and recorded by countless artists, most notably Anne Murray, Frank Patterson, Phil Coulter, John McDermott, The Barra MacNeils and others.
Allister is also an accomplished author; with assistance from his wife, Beverly, he compiled and published the following books:
"The Cape Breton Fiddler", "A Cape Breton Ceilidh", "The Cape Breton Song Collection", "The Nova Scotia Song Collection", and "The Men of the Deeps ~ The Continuing Saga".
His most recent years have seen Allister research and direct a series of short films on the Cape Breton style of traditional Scottish fiddle playing. Also he has arranged choral pieces of his works.
In 1997, Allister was awarded Honorary Doctorate of Letters from The University College of Cape Breton.
Today Allister and Beverly could be seen accompanying The Cottars, as his two children Ciarán and Fiona comprise one-half of the group.
I have just gotten a recording of John McDermott and he has on it Song For the Mira. I love it. I have now heard two of Allister's songs and I can't wait to hear more. I am going to have to invest in quite a few CD's. I would like to get a whole collection of his music. Besides the artists listed, does anyone know who else has sung any of Allister's songs? Thanks for your help! 
....its been a long day of working,. at least thats my excues 
