Alex has co written 11 of the songs on McKenZie's brand new album, "2 for the Road"
Alex has written an article about The Tennesse Three in the current issue (December/January) of Country Music and Dance in Scotland Magazine, read it in his blog opposite along with his report on the U-TV Festival in the Octover/November issue
Alex's latest single is Ice Road Truckers, written with McKenZie and featuring lead vocals by George Hamilton IV. Featured on the cover of the April 2009 edition of Country Music and Dance in Scotland Magazine
Anne Buchan, Champion Line Dance choreographer's line dance to Ice Road Truckers
Approaching retiral from practice as a Chartered Accountant in a busy Glasgow city-centre firm Alex Birnie turned his attention to his first love....music. And for reasons which even he can't understand he felt drawn to a genre sadly neglected in the UK, namely American 'country' music.His first sortie into this area was an album entitled ROADS & ROSES featuring COUNTRY ROAD on which he wrote all 12 tracks including one co-write with lead singer BOB LAING . This was very well received and attracted impressive air-play.During an interview on Radio Tay's 'It's Country' hosted by country music presenter Ken Macleod the subject of country gospel music was discussed and this prompted Alex to write his next album for former VANGEL gospel singer JIMMY SCOTT. The album entitled BREAD UPON THE WATER , again comprising 12 tracks written by Alex, was an outstanding success , with BLESSED TIMES, WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE, ONE BY ONE and A THOUSAND CATTLE making the NCM Eoropean Country Gospel Charts at Nos.2,3,5&6 respectively. As a result JIMMY SCOTT became support act for GEORGE HAMILTON IV's Scottish Tour in 2005 and appeared with him at the prestigious Americana Festival in Newark later that year. Jimmy also accompanied George on his 50th Anniversary Tour of the UK in 2006 and subsequently made Radio Mike Awards 2007 Folk Male Artist- UK & Eire. A chance meeting with AUDREY KELLY who was performing at a gig in July 2005, and who shared Alex's passion for country music , lead to the next album. Alex wrote and Audrey recorded a single , SOMETHING FUNNY GOIN' ON [later to become the title track to Audrey's debut album] and this went straight to No1 in the Independent British Country Charts in December 2005. This was closely followed in February 2006 by THIS MAY BE LIFE which made No3 and resulted in Audrey having 2 of the top 10 tracks in the Independent British Country Charts in the same week. A remarkeable achievement to say the least. Two further tracks from the album, IF THAT'S SO WRONG and GIVE ME ONE GOOD REASON also charted at No3 and this, together with Audrey's incredible vocal talent and her ability to captivate an audience has established her as one of the UK'S finest country artists. In 2006 she accompanied GEORGE HAMILTON IV on his ten day 50th Anniversary Tour and the following year became Radio Mike Awards 2007 Country Female Artist- UK & Eire. Recently she appeared with Sydney Devine at the Glasgow Pavilion Theatre and received a standing ovation from the partisan audience who look forward to future performances.
In 2008 Alex teamed up with London -based country duo McKENZIE [ ZOE CARYL & KENNY PLENDERLEITH ] whose next album 2 FOR THE ROAD has just been released on hte Little Shalako label. Alex has co-written 11 of the 14 tracks including ICE ROAD TRUCKERS featuring GEORGE HAMILTON IV on lead vocal. A tribute to the men who face the perils of the ice roads in the Northwest Territories of Canada, it was felt appropriate that George , who for many years had his own TV show in Canada, be invited to perform on the album, which he duly did.The legendry pedal steel guitarist BJ COLE also features on the album.
In recent times, Alex has also worked with several of the UK's leading country artists, including CHILLI GOLD [ who has just completed the 'Four Ladies of Country ' tour with BILLIE JO SPEARS, STELLA PARTON and ELAINE BOYLE] JACKIE STORRAR and TOM LAVERTY from Ireland, who has included Alex's song LIVIN' IN THE FAST LANE on his latest album STARS. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks so much for becoming our friend, we really appreciate the support! We hope you check out the tunes we have up, we'll be uploading a couple more songs and videos over the next few days, so keep checking back! :) Thanks again and have a wonderful rest of the week! :)
Hi Alex, Good to hear from you and welcome to Myspace! Hope all is well. I'm just back from my travels...no computer for 6 weeks...arghhhh! Please drop by and have a listen to my new single "Caledonia". All the best Jackie:-)
Alex has written an article about The Tennesse Three in the current issue (December/January) of Country Music and Dance in Scotland Magazine, read it in his blog opposite along with his report on the U-TV Festival in the Octover/November issue
Alex's latest single is Ice Road Truckers, written with McKenZie and featuring lead vocals by George Hamilton IV. Featured on the cover of the April 2009 edition of Country Music and Dance in Scotland Magazine
Anne Buchan, Champion Line Dance choreographer's line dance to Ice Road Truckers
