BBC ALBA will be marking the Bard’s birthday with a special Robert Burns tribute concert from Nashville, Tennessee, featuring Cathy Ann MacPhee from the Isle of Barra, one of Scotland’s best loved Traditional Gaelic singers.

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.

Tayside born fiddle player and singer Laura McGhee, who’s taking America by storm, joined the bill performing her own versions of songs like ‘McPherson’s Farewell’ and ‘To The Weavers Gin Ye Go’ as well as adding superb fiddle accompaniment to the other songs. The backing vocals for the concert are provided by Bluegrass singers The McCarter Twins who have previously performed with Dolly Parton.

Produced by Demus Productions for BBC ALBA, ‘Rabbie agus Caileagan Nashville – Burns and the Nashville Lassies’ will be broadcast on Burns Night, Wednesday 25th January 2012 at 9pm and repeated on Thursday 26th January 2012 at 10.30pm. The programme will also be available to view via the BBC iPlayer.

Source: BBC ALBA