Johnny Cunningham

The fire and passion of traditional Scottish fiddling is reflected in the lightning-fast playing of Johnny Cunningham. A founding member of Silly Wizard, Cunningham was instrumental in spreading interest in modern, tradition-rooted Celtic music. His albums as a soloist and as a member of Relativity and Nightnoise have extended those traditions. Traditional music, however, is only one side of Cunningham's repertoire. The producer of albums for contemporary singer/songwriters including Fred Small, Brooks Williams and Bill Morrissey, Cunningham recorded two albums with the alternative rock band the Raindogs, and has performed in concerts with Hall & Oates. His more recent projects range from a tour and ensuing live album, Celtic Fiddle Festival, with Irish fiddler Kevin Burke and fiddler Christian LeMaitre of Brittany, to composing the soundtrack for an adult-oriented version of J.M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy, performed by the New York-based Mabou Mines Theater Company. In addition, Cunningham recently collaborated with novelist Thomas Moore (Care of the Soul) on a double-CD seasonal recording, The Soul of Christmas. The oldest of three children, Cunningham played harmonica at the age of five in the Grand Lee Old Age Pensioner Harmonica Band. Although he tried his hand at accordion and piano, he found his natural musical voice when a grandmother presented him a fiddle shortly before his eighth birthday. Leaving school and home at the age of 14, he spent several years living in rundown apartments in Edinburgh. A turning point came when he met Gordon Jones and Bob Thomas, musicians who managed the Triangle Folk Club. Moving into their communal apartment, without bathrooms or heat, Cunningham joined them in forming a band, Silly Wizard. After playing several local gigs, the...