BBC ALBA celebrates the Bard in Nashville

Performing in Nashville for BBC ALBA’s special Robert Burns tribute concert – the McCarter Twins, Beth Neilsen Chapman, Suzy Bogguss, Laura McGhee, Mary Ann Kennedy and Cathy Ann MacPhee.

BBC ALBA will be marking the Bard’s birthday with a special Robert Burns tribute concert from Nashville, Tennessee on Burns Night, Wednesday 25 January.

Hosted by esteemed presenter and musician, Mary Ann Kennedy, ‘Rabbie agus Caileagan Nashville – Burns and the Nashville Lassies’ will bring viewers exclusive performances from popular country and Gaelic singers, as the nation celebrates the 253rd birthday of the great life and works of Robert Burns.

Filmed at the iconic Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, USA, this specially staged concert for BBC ALBA celebrates the songs and poetry of Rabbie Burns with a mix of traditional melodies and especially composed pieces bringing Burns’ poetry and songs to a new audience with a unique blend of Gaelic, Country and Bluegrass styles and influences.

From the Isle of Barra, Cathy Ann MacPhee one of Scotland’s best loved Traditional Gaelic singers reveals her love of country music when she performs ‘Green Grow The Rushes O’ (‘Chan eil ach Cùram air gach Làimh’) and ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ (‘Aon Phòg Ghràidh’) in Gaelic.

Backed by top Nashville session musicians and using new arrangements by the artists and musical director Phil Ferns from Scotland, Nashville stars, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Suzy Bogguss also give their country take on Burns classics like ‘Ye Banks and Braes’ and ‘Westlin Winds’. Beth Nielsen Chapman was especially touched by Burns’ sensitive lyrics on ‘The Highland Widow’s Lament’ with her own experience of being widowed three years ago.

Burns and the Nashville Lassies will be shown on BBC ALBA on Wednesday 25 January at 9pm and will also be available to view via the BBC iPlayer.

BBC ALBA is available on the following platforms:

• Freeview 8
• Virgin Media 188
• Sky 168
• Freesat 110
• Live on BBC iPlayer

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