Roddy Hart
Encyclopedia
Roddy Hart is a Scottish
singer–songwriter
from Glasgow
. He tours both solo acoustic, and with his band The Lonesome Fire.
indie label Adorno Records, the demos subsequently sold out, and led to an inivitation to open for Kris Kristofferson
. Hart then began recording his debut studio album Bookmarks in the winter of 2005, with members of Scottish band the Trashcan Sinatras. The record was released in 2006 on Vertical Records
and 2007 on U.S. label Compass Records
, and featured guest performances from Kris Kristofferson
and Eddi Reader
on the tracks "My Greatest Success" and "Home".
Following the release of "Bookmarks", Hart toured and played shows with a number of artists, including Rosanne Cash
, Ray LaMontagne
, Deacon Blue
, Jeff Beck
, Ray Davies
, Glen Campbell
, John Prine
, Teddy Thompson
, Fran Healy
and others.
In 2009, Hart was invited to participate in Homecoming Scotland by writing new melodies for poems by Scotland's national poet Robert Burns
. Initially performing "On A Bank Of Flowers" and "No Churchman Am I" at the Brig O'Doon in Ayr in January 2009, Hart was then asked to take part in the Homecoming celebrations in New York in April 2009. This in turn led to an invitation to perform the Burns poem "Nature's Law" for the Queen at the Scottish Parliament on July 4, 2009, to mark its 10-year anniversary.
In November 2009, Hart released his second studio album Sign Language on Vertical Records
, which was the first to feature his band The Lonesome Fire. "Send A Message" was the first single to be released from the album in 2009, with the follow-up single "Take Me Home" released in 2010. The album was named album of the year by Scottish journalist Billy Sloan, and "Send A Message" was named one of the Scottish News Of The World
's singles of the year. Also in early 2010, Hart produced Hello! I’m Tommy Reilly – the second album by the winner of T4’s Orange unsignedAct, Tommy Reilly
.
In September 2010, Hart released his third studio album Road Of Bones on limited edition vinyl, which featured 10 new tracks, including the single "Boxes". The album was then released on all formats in July 2011 by Vertical Records
.
As part of Glasgow's Celtic Connections
in January 2011, Hart curated Forever Young: A 70th Birthday Tribute To Bob Dylan. The concert featured Rosanne Cash
, Josh Rouse
, Thea Gilmore
, Gemma Hayes
, James Grant
, Tim O'Brien
, Kris Drever
, Rab Noakes
, Laura Cantrell
, Eddi Reader
and Tommy Reilly
, with Hart and his band The Lonesome Fire performing and acting as house band for the evening. Highlights of the concert were broadcast on BBC Radio 2, and the gig was filmed by Sky Arts and broadcast in April 2011.
In April 2011 Hart announced that he would be releasing The Dylan EP with Irish singer/songwriter Gemma Hayes
, featuring four new recordings of Bob Dylan songs. The EP was released on 6 June 2011 on Vertical Records
, and featured the lead track "Most Of The Time".
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
singer–songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
from Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. He tours both solo acoustic, and with his band The Lonesome Fire.
Music career
After graduating from University with a first-class law degree, Hart put together his 2004 demo album Home Tapes in 4 days on an 8-track recording machine. Released as a limited edition pressing through small GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
indie label Adorno Records, the demos subsequently sold out, and led to an inivitation to open for Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
. Hart then began recording his debut studio album Bookmarks in the winter of 2005, with members of Scottish band the Trashcan Sinatras. The record was released in 2006 on Vertical Records
Vertical Records
Vertical Records is an independent record label founded by Capercaillie member Donald Shaw in 2000, based in Glasgow, Scotland. The label has predominantly focused on celtic and roots music, with releases from Michael McGoldrick , Shooglenifty , Harem Scarem , Karan Casey ,...
and 2007 on U.S. label Compass Records
Compass Records
Compass Records is a Nashville-based independent record label founded in 1995 by musicians Garry West and Alison Brown. Currently home to nearly 100 folk, bluegrass, Celtic, jazz, and new acoustic artists, the label releases about 20 records a year...
, and featured guest performances from Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
and Eddi Reader
Eddi Reader
Eddi Reader MBE is a Scottish singer-songwriter, known both for her work with Fairground Attraction and for an enduring solo career. She is the recipient of three BRIT Awards and has topped both the album and singles charts...
on the tracks "My Greatest Success" and "Home".
Following the release of "Bookmarks", Hart toured and played shows with a number of artists, including Rosanne Cash
Rosanne Cash
Rosanne Cash is an American singer-songwriter and author. She is the eldest daughter of the late country music singer Johnny Cash and his first wife, Vivian Liberto Cash Distin....
, Ray LaMontagne
Ray LaMontagne
Raymond "Ray" Charles Jack LaMontagne is a Grammy-award winning American singer-songwriter. LaMontagne has released four studio albums, Trouble, Till the Sun Turns Black, Gossip in the Grain and God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise. He was born in New Hampshire and was inspired to create music after...
, Deacon Blue
Deacon Blue
Deacon Blue are a Scottish pop band formed in Glasgow during 1985. Their name was taken from the title of the Steely Dan song "Deacon Blues". The band consists of vocalist Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh, keyboard player James Prime and drummer Dougie Vipond....
, Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
, Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
, Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
, John Prine
John Prine
John Prine is an American country/folk singer-songwriter. He has been active as a recording artist and live performer since the early 1970s.-Biography:...
, Teddy Thompson
Teddy Thompson
Teddy Thompson is a British folk and rock musician. He is the son of folk-rock musicians Richard and Linda Thompson and brother of singer Kamila Thompson...
, Fran Healy
Fran Healy
Fran Healy may refer to:*Francis Healy, the lead singer and songwriter of the band Travis*Francis Healy , former baseball player*Fran Healy , former baseball player and former television announcer for the New York Mets....
and others.
In 2009, Hart was invited to participate in Homecoming Scotland by writing new melodies for poems by Scotland's national poet Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
. Initially performing "On A Bank Of Flowers" and "No Churchman Am I" at the Brig O'Doon in Ayr in January 2009, Hart was then asked to take part in the Homecoming celebrations in New York in April 2009. This in turn led to an invitation to perform the Burns poem "Nature's Law" for the Queen at the Scottish Parliament on July 4, 2009, to mark its 10-year anniversary.
In November 2009, Hart released his second studio album Sign Language on Vertical Records
Vertical Records
Vertical Records is an independent record label founded by Capercaillie member Donald Shaw in 2000, based in Glasgow, Scotland. The label has predominantly focused on celtic and roots music, with releases from Michael McGoldrick , Shooglenifty , Harem Scarem , Karan Casey ,...
, which was the first to feature his band The Lonesome Fire. "Send A Message" was the first single to be released from the album in 2009, with the follow-up single "Take Me Home" released in 2010. The album was named album of the year by Scottish journalist Billy Sloan, and "Send A Message" was named one of the Scottish News Of The World
News of the World
The News of the World was a national red top newspaper published in the United Kingdom from 1843 to 2011. It was at one time the biggest selling English language newspaper in the world, and at closure still had one of the highest English language circulations...
's singles of the year. Also in early 2010, Hart produced Hello! I’m Tommy Reilly – the second album by the winner of T4’s Orange unsignedAct, Tommy Reilly
Tommy Reilly
Thomas Rundle Reilly MBE was a Canadian classical harmonica player. He began studying violin at eight and began playing harmonica at aged eleven as a member of his father's band...
.
In September 2010, Hart released his third studio album Road Of Bones on limited edition vinyl, which featured 10 new tracks, including the single "Boxes". The album was then released on all formats in July 2011 by Vertical Records
Vertical Records
Vertical Records is an independent record label founded by Capercaillie member Donald Shaw in 2000, based in Glasgow, Scotland. The label has predominantly focused on celtic and roots music, with releases from Michael McGoldrick , Shooglenifty , Harem Scarem , Karan Casey ,...
.
As part of Glasgow's Celtic Connections
Celtic Connections
The Celtic Connections festival started in 1994 in Glasgow, Scotland, and has since been held every January. Featuring over 300 concerts, ceilidhs, talks, free events, late night sessions and workshops, the festival focuses on the roots of traditional Scottish music and also features international...
in January 2011, Hart curated Forever Young: A 70th Birthday Tribute To Bob Dylan. The concert featured Rosanne Cash
Rosanne Cash
Rosanne Cash is an American singer-songwriter and author. She is the eldest daughter of the late country music singer Johnny Cash and his first wife, Vivian Liberto Cash Distin....
, Josh Rouse
Josh Rouse
Josh Rouse is an American folk/roots pop singer-songwriter.-Biography:Born in the small town of Paxton, Nebraska, he moved to various places in the Midwest during his childhood due to his father's military career...
, Thea Gilmore
Thea Gilmore
Thea Eve Gilmore is a British female singer-songwriter. She began her career working in a recording studio, where she was discovered by her now long-time collaborator, producer and sometime co-songwriter Nigel Stonier, whom she married in October 2005.-Career:Gilmore was born in Oxford to Irish...
, Gemma Hayes
Gemma Hayes
Gemma Claire Hayes is an Irish singer-songwriter and member of The Cake Sale.-Early life:...
, James Grant
James Grant
James Grant may refer to:*James Grant , American author, journalist, and publisher of Grant's Interest Rate Observer*James Grant , California painter and sculptor...
, Tim O'Brien
Tim O'Brien
Tim O'Brien may refer to:* Tim O'Brien , American author* Timothy O'Brien , Irish professor* Timothy L...
, Kris Drever
Kris Drever
Kris Drever is a Scottish contemporary folk musician and songwriter, who came to prominence in 2006 with the release of his debut solo album, Black Water...
, Rab Noakes
Rab Noakes
Rab Noakes is a Scottish singer-songwriter.-Biography:He has performed with Lindisfarne, who recorded his songs "Turn a Deaf Ear" on their first album, Nicely Out of Tune, and "Together Forever" on their second, Fog on the Tyne...
, Laura Cantrell
Laura Cantrell
Laura Cantrell is a country singer-songwriter and DJ from Nashville, Tennessee. She used to present a weekly country and old-time music radio show on WFMU in New Jersey called The Radio Thrift Shop...
, Eddi Reader
Eddi Reader
Eddi Reader MBE is a Scottish singer-songwriter, known both for her work with Fairground Attraction and for an enduring solo career. She is the recipient of three BRIT Awards and has topped both the album and singles charts...
and Tommy Reilly
Tommy Reilly
Thomas Rundle Reilly MBE was a Canadian classical harmonica player. He began studying violin at eight and began playing harmonica at aged eleven as a member of his father's band...
, with Hart and his band The Lonesome Fire performing and acting as house band for the evening. Highlights of the concert were broadcast on BBC Radio 2, and the gig was filmed by Sky Arts and broadcast in April 2011.
In April 2011 Hart announced that he would be releasing The Dylan EP with Irish singer/songwriter Gemma Hayes
Gemma Hayes
Gemma Claire Hayes is an Irish singer-songwriter and member of The Cake Sale.-Early life:...
, featuring four new recordings of Bob Dylan songs. The EP was released on 6 June 2011 on Vertical Records
Vertical Records
Vertical Records is an independent record label founded by Capercaillie member Donald Shaw in 2000, based in Glasgow, Scotland. The label has predominantly focused on celtic and roots music, with releases from Michael McGoldrick , Shooglenifty , Harem Scarem , Karan Casey ,...
, and featured the lead track "Most Of The Time".
Radio Presenting
Hart is a regular guest presenter on BBC Radio Scotland's Iain Anderson Show, and has also guest presented The Tom Morton Show.Band Members
- Roddy Hart - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano
- Scott Clark - bass
- Scott Mackay - drums
- John Martin - electric guitar, vocals
- Geoff Martyn - piano, hammond organ, wurlitzer, vocals
- Gordon Turner - electric guitar, vocals
Singles
- "Send A Message" (2009, Vertical Records)
- "Take Me Home" (2010, Vertical Records)
- "Boxes" (2011, Vertical Records)
Albums
- "Home Tapes" (demos - 2004, Adorno)
- "Bookmarks" (2006/2007, Vertical Records/Compass Records)
- "Sign Language" (2009, Vertical Records)
- "Road Of Bones" (Vinyl - 2010, Odd Art; other formats - 2011, Vertical Records)
- "The Dylan EP" (2011, Vertical Records)