Carl Peterson

Robert Murdoch

Patrick Regan

Scottish Festival Celeidh will be Friday, August 19th at 7:00 PM on the Foxburg Green and it's Pass the Hat.

On Friday an open air Ceilidh (Scottish Song fest and entertainment) will be held on the lawn outside Lincoln Hall in Foxburg. Headlining the Ceilidh and Saturday's music events is the Master of Ceremonies Scottish performer Carl Peterson and the Tartan Tenor Robert Murdoch.

Carl Peterson is known as -- "One man. One guitar. One incredible concert."
A performance by Carl Peterson, whether for a few thousand people or for a few dozen, is best described as a warm, everyone-involved, familiar evening-at-home experience. And home is where Carl Peterson was first introduced to music and song. He learned the traditional songs of Scotland, Ireland, and England, as well as contemporary music of the times, from family and friends alike. After learning to play guitar and banjo, Carl added American folk songs and storytelling to his repertoire, and took it all from Scotland to Canada, then later to America, via radio and television.

Robert Murdoch grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania listening to Scottish music. His father, Tom Murdoch, left Motherwell, Scotland in 1923 and, after settling in Pittsburgh, became renowned as Pittsburgh's Scottish Tenor. When Tom passed away in 1975 his son Bob, who was a tenor soloist in Pittsburgh area churches, continued as Pittsburgh's Scottish Tenor. At the urging of friends Bob sought to do a CD of well-known Scottish music. Through the advice, help and production of the well-known international entertainer, Carl Peterson and Carl's recording company, Darach Recordings, this CD came to fuition. The title of the CD bears the name of one of the best-known and well loved pieces by Robert Burns. Since Bob is the National Chairman for Tartan Day in the United States the title "the Tartan Tenor" was natural. In addition to his national activities for Tartan Day, Bob has been a long time member of Clan Donald. In 2000 he was elected a Fellow in the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and is a member of the Caledonian Foundation of USA, Inc., the Robert Burns Scottish Club of Erie, PA, the St. Andrews Society of Pittsburgh, the Scottish Heritage Society of North Central West Virginia and the Scottish-American Military Society.

Solo Piper for the Ceilidh is the exciting and entertaining piper Patrick Regan. With 30 years of professional piping under his kilt, Patrick draws from his seemingly limitless repertoire to captivate audiences from first-time listeners to those well-versed in the art of bagpiping. Selections often include American music and hymns in addition to tradition Scottish and Irish airs, reels, jigs and piobaireachd (classical bagpipe music). Attired in full regalia, Patrick transports his audiences from concert hall or classroom to the highlands of wild, wonderful Scotland in performances that range from ceremonial occasions and formal recitals to country fairs and folk festivals. As an entertainer, Patrick combines quick Irish wit, dry English humor, well-grounded knowledge of British history and information about the bagpipe with musical selections specifically for each presentation. From "Amazing Grace" and "Scotland the Brave" to "This Old Man" and "The Yellow Rose of Texas", Patrick's musical versatility and virtuosity combined with his showmanship and genuine love of performing are guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of even the most serious Scotsman. Mr. Regan will also, on Saturday, judge the solo piper competition which has just become a sanctioned event.

More information will be available soon.