Over the years, it would be fair to say that my influences have been many..
Almost everyone I come into musical contact with influences me in some way.
As a child or youth I guess:
Jimmy Shand, Edinburgh Police Pipe Band, ELP, Rick Wakeman, Owen Murray, Planxty, The Bothy Band, JSD Band, Finbar Furey, Archie, Ray and Cilla Fisher, Kieran Hanrahan, my brother Johnny Cunningham, Larry Adler, Stefan Grapelli, Papa John Creach....... and on the list goes! I continue to be be inspired and influenced by loads of great musicians today.. young and old...
Tis a wonderful world we live in!
THE MUSIC I'LL POST HERE WILL BE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD ACCESS TO IN THE PAST.
HAPPY LISTENING!!
FOR A MORE FORMAL BIO, VISIT MY OFFICIAL WEBSITE: WWW.PHILCUNNINGHAM.COM
I've been playing the box for almost 43 years now, I joined Silly Wizard in 1976, went on to form Relativity with brother Johnny and Michael and Triona O'Domnhaill of Bothy Band fame, I've been playing with Shetland fiddler Aly Bain for 20 years next year.. work in TV as a music director and occasional presenter, write music for film and TV, also have my own TV production company. I present radio shows, had my own series on BBC Scotland..."Cunningham and Company". I have had great fun over the years as a record producer and have had the pleasure of working with and producing some of the best in the business.. Dolores Keane, Altan, Cherish the Ladies, Wolfstone, Connie Dover and so on!
Over the years as MD for BBC, I have been lucky to play with people like James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Rosanne Cash, David Essex, Eddi Reader, Midge Ure, Mary Black, Frances Black,to name but a few, as well as working with some of Scotlands most amazing and talented performers.
I love all kinds of music, I'm really excited about what's been happening on the scottish front over the last few years, there are some amazing talents out there.
I'm dog daft.. you can see Crombie in the slide show.. he's the boss of the house and life revolves around his Royal Behindness at the moment.
I love sea kayaking, clay pigeon shooting and drinking Famous Grouse and Ginger Ale.(If you're askin"!)
I'm working on putting together my new solo album.. the last one was in 1989! Where does the time go?
I'm also working slowly toward having all my music available on my website.. slow progress though!
I have countless unexplored musical avenues to go down, have made a promise to myself to follow these paths before they are closed!
Another current ambition is to lead a healthier life.. and lose around 30 pounds weight.
I may even go to a gym and try to develop a bum!
I consider myself a really lucky guy, I have some wonderful friends and surely one of the best jobs in the planet. I'm truly grateful for the happy times I've had with some truly lovely people. I look forward to the rest of my life and to meeting the people not yet met!
Hi Phil, Congratulations to you and Aly on your degrees, what an honour, well deserved. I had forgotten about your pigtail in the early days, was reminded by the clip on tv! :) Have had my tickets for Aberdeen for ages, hope you are well, see you in Septemeber.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Hello Big Man ged !!!! Soon be the tour and i,ll be there !!!! Ivor cannae get anybody else !!!! Dinnae worry we,ll Rock !!!! Mind the batteries !!!! Bye ged xxxxxx
RT Burns has a benefit concert at the beautiful Auditorium, Oran Mor Glasgow on the 28th July. Please help us spread the word about this very special night, tickets at £35 including buffet, can be bought here:
Beneficiaries include the Burns Heritage Park Museum under the National Trust of Scotland and Yorkhill Hospice, Glasgow.
Performers include. Chris Tait, Gari Glaysher, The Trybe,Mike Ogletree, Kevin Walsh, The Skunnered, Elidih Grant, Paul Stirling Taylor, Keith James King, with more guests to follow. Appearance by Bill Little of Scot Films UK.
Ahoy there Mister Cunningham, hoots, toots and hullo! We're lookin for a shup's mascot on the Fital Spark and we wondered if ye'd gie us a len' o' yer wee dug. Aye, I mean the wan in the picture o' ye. He looks like a right dacent-like kind o' a wee dug that wud look chust sublime runnin' aboot the deck o' the smertest boat in the tred! What dae ye say? Is it a deal? We'll can pick him up next time yee're in Tarbert same's us.
Thanks very much for your comentary Phil. I'am very well and registred un new record. Wen visit Spain, tell me. nino-sanchez@terra.es Greetings and best whishes for you. Nino Sánchez, folksinger & songwriter.
