Archive for the ‘News’ Category

I had the privilege of presenting alongside Skye legendary gaelic singer, Arthur Cormack, ’Best Music Video Award’ at this year’s Film G Award’s on Friday night.

Congratulations to nominee’s and finalists in the category, and a special congratulations to Dòmhnall Eòghainn Macfhionghain for his award winning video ‘Manadh’

You can watch the full line up of awards and winners from http://www.filmg.co.uk/en/winners

Just home after another fantastic two week tour of Kazakhstan. The ‘Kazakh Ceilidh Commando’s’ venture out East each year to help raise money for local charities and orphanages through special events, concerts, and Burn’s Suppers.

This was my 9th year and was no different to previous mad adventures, with lots of amazing experiences, and catching up with friends we have made over the years.

We spent a week in the city of Atyrau and then over to Aktau, with huge thanks going to Graham, Dave, Colin, Stuart, Kev, Ray and many many more for giving us such a laugh.

Looking forward to next year already, and you will be glad to know my mankini is already washed, dried, and ready for it’s next Kazakh adventure.

A huge thank you to everyone at Brit Chambers of Commerce, Shanghai, and to the Shanghai Scot’s who looked after us and gave us a terrific trip to this incredible city. The gigs were great fun and such a pleasure to bump into two old primary school pals that I hadn’t seen in nearly

18 years! Amazing!

Ewen (Herring) Henderson did his best to confuse me before delivering Robbie Burns’ famous “Selkirk Grace” by filling my head full of nonsense lines and changing words before I had to deliver. Thankfully the four short lines didn’t leave me at the crucial moment, and to the sponsor “Famous Grouse”  I give thanks.

I didn’t thank you the next day however…

Hopefully see you all again next year for more of the same.

Happy New Year to you all.

I hope 2013 is a fantastic year for you, your loved ones, and for all the new adventures and people you/we have yet to meet.

It was fantastic to once more bring in the bells live on BBC ALBA’s hogmanay show live from Achnagairn House, Kiltarlity, and once the camera’s stopped rolling, and the words “that’s a wrap!” rang out, let me tell you, what a party we had. Although the stories cannot be printed,  I’m sure in time over a wee dram they may start to leak out.

A huge personal thank you to Donna Murchison, and all at the BBC who trusted me once more to be this year’s Musical Director. A huge honour and a delight to work with such a great crew and pool of musicians.

Thank you all for your continued support, and I look forward to sharing a dram, tune, and plenty of craic with you throughout 2013.

Bliadhna Mhath Ùr

We, (Manran) were over the moon to pick up the first ever Creative Scotland, and Daily Record Award for Traditional Arts, Scots and Gaelic.

It was an incredible night in Glasgow’s famous, Kelvin Grove Art Museum, where over 400 invited guests were given a meal to feed a horse, and distinguished guests presented with awards ranging from Films-Music-Acting.

It was a real honour to be amongst so many inspirational and inspiring people.

Thank you very much to everyone once more who voted for us through to the final, and to the panel of judges that picked us as the winners.

We are delighted to announce that we have been selected as finalists in this year’s Creative Scotland Awards for the “Traditional Arts, Scots and Gaelic” Award. The awards, in association with Creative Scotland and the Daily Record, are a great chance to celebrate and the reflect on the Year of Creative Scotland as it draws to a close and we are honoured to have been nominated for an award. We’re also looking forward to an opportunity to get the glad-rags on for another great night like we had at the Trad Music Awards in Perth last year where we picked up “Album of the Year” and Norrie won “Gaelic Singer of the Year”.

Hey folks.

Here at Mànran HQ we are over the moon that our Celtic Connection Showcase gig at the Oran Mor has SOLD OUT!

Thank you very much to all who have purchased tickets, we can’t wait to see you all there.

Yeehaa

Gary x

I am delighted to announce ‘Lochaber Gold’ will be revisited this year at the Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, as part of the World famous Celtic Connection Festival.

This was the show that I put together for Blas 2011 to mark Lochaber High’s 50th year celebrations which gained 5* reviews across the festival.

I am also delighted to announce Celtic legend ‘John Hartson’ will be a special guest speaker at the show, while Hugh Dan Maclennan once more tries holding the reigns on this 16 piece musical monster, alongside many more ‘special’ guests.

Pipe Major Duncan Nicholson who is involved in the show has also roped in his troops (Strathclyde Police Pipe Band) to help open and close the show.

Doors are 7.30pm on Friday 20th January, and tickets can be purchased from the Celtic Connection box office.

Hope to see you there

Happy New Year folks.

What a brilliant night we had on Skye bringing in the ‘New Year’ live on BBC ALBA. A huge thank you to all at the BBC for looking after us so well, and to to all the musicians that performed fantastically.

To all the wonderful people that constantly follow me, and keep in touch with all my going on’s, I also thank you, and wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

Let’s hope we share a dram together very soon.

Best wishes

Gary x

I am very excited to announce that I have been confirmed to be the BBC ALBA Hogmanay Show Musical Director this year. The programme will be broadcasted live from the Duisdale Hall in Sleat, Isle of Skye, and hosted by John Carmichael, and Kirsteen MacDonald. The other acts confirmed are ex Runrig singer, Donnie Munro, Julie Fowlis band, Arthur Cormack, Christine Primrose, Ingrid Henderson, Ross Martin, and many many more.

You can bring in the bells with us, and catch all the action live from the Isle of Skye, on Sky Channel 168, or on freeview BBC ALBA from 11.30pm.
Happy New Year x