Caledonia is the Latin name given by the Romans to the land in today's Scotland north of their province of Britannia, beyond the frontier of their empire. The etymology of the name is probably from a P-Celtic source. Its modern usage is as a romantic or poetic name for Scotland as a whole.

Original usage[link]

The original use of the name, by Tacitus, Ptolemy, Lucan and Pliny the Elder, referred to the area (or parts of the area) also known as Pictavia or Pictland north of Hadrian's Wall in today's Scotland.^[1] The name may be related to that of a large central Pictish tribe, the Caledonii, one amongst several in the area and perhaps the dominant tribe, which would explain the binomial Caledonia/Caledonii.

According to Historia Brittonum the site of the seventh battle of the mythical Arthur was a forest in what is now Scotland, called Coit Celidon in early Welsh.^[2] Traces of such mythology have endured until today in Midlothian: near the town centre of Edinburgh stands an old volcanic mountain called Arthur's Seat.

The north-west ridge of Schiehallion

There are other hypotheses regarding the origin of Caledonia (and Scotia). According to Moffat (2005) the name derives from caled, the P-Celtic word for "hard". This suggests the original meaning may have been "the hard (or rocky) land" although it is possible it meant "the land of the hard men".^[3] Keay and Keay (1994) state that the word is "apparently pre-Celtic".^[4]

The name of the Caledonians can be found in toponymy, such as Dùn Chailleann, the Scottish Gaelic word for the town of Dunkeld meaning "fort of the Caledonii", and possibly in that of the mountain Sìdh Chailleann, the "fairy hill of the Caledonians".^{[dubious – discuss]}

Location[link]

The exact location of what the Romans called Caledonia in the early stages of Britannia is uncertain, and the boundaries are unlikely to have been fixed until the building of Hadrian's Wall. From then onwards Caledonia stood to the north of the wall, and to the south was the Roman province of Britannia (now known as the countries of England and Wales).^[5] During the brief Roman military incursions into central and northern Scotland,^[6] the Scottish Lowlands were indeed absorbed into the province of Britannia, and the name was also used by the Romans, prior to their conquest of the southern and central parts of the island, to refer to the whole island of Great Britain. Once the Romans had built a second wall further to the north (the Antonine Wall) and their garrisons advanced north likewise, the developing Roman-Britons south of the wall had trade relations with the Picts north of the wall, as testified by archaeological evidence, much of it available at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Modern usage[link]

The modern use of "Caledonia" in English and Scots is either as a historical description of northern Britain during the Roman era or as a romantic or poetic name for Scotland as a whole.^[4][7] An example is the song "Caledonia", a folk ballad written by Dougie MacLean, published in 1979 on the album of the same name and covered by various other artists since, including Amy Macdonald.^[8][9]

The name has also been widely used commercially, by such organisations as British Caledonian and Caledonian MacBrayne, whilst the overnight train service from London to Scottish destinations is known as the Caledonian Sleeper.

Ptolemy's account also referred to the Caledonia Silva, an idea still recalled in the modern expression "Caledonian Forest", although the woods are much reduced in size since Roman times.^[10]

Some scholars point out that the name "Scotland" is ultimately derived from Scotia, a Latin term first used for Ireland (also called Hibernia by the Romans) and later for Scotland, the Scoti peoples having originated in Ireland and resettled in Scotland.^[11] Another, post-conquest, Roman name for the island of Great Britain was Albion, which is cognate with the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland: Alba.

See also[link]

• Scotland during the Roman Empire
• Hadrian's Wall
• Battle of Mons Graupius
• New Caledonia

References[link]

•  Haverfield, Francis J (1911). "Caledonia". In Chisholm, Hugh. Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 
• Hanson, William S (2003). "The Roman Presence: Brief Interludes". In Edwards, Kevin J; Ralston, Ian B M. Scotland After the Ice Age: Environment, Archaeology and History, 8000 BC — AD 1000. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 0-7486-1736-1. 
• Keay, John; Keay, Julia (1994). Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-255082-2. 
• Moffat, Alistair (2005). Before Scotland: The Story of Scotland Before History. London: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-05133-X. 
• Smout, T C; MacDonald, Alan R; Watson, Fiona (2007). A History of the Native Woodlands of Scotland, 1500-1920. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 978-0-7486-3294-7. 

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Anglia Scotia et Hibernia - 1628 map of the region by Mercator and Hondius

Dougie MacLean OBE (born 27 September 1954 in Dunblane)^[1] is a Scottish singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Described by Allmusic as "one of Scotland's premier singer-songwriters",^[2] MacLean's most famous pieces include "The Gael", from his 1990 album The Search, which was adapted by Trevor Jones as the main theme to The Last of the Mohicans (1992); and "Caledonia", from his first album. The latter has been covered by numerous popular singers and groups, and called Scotland's "unofficial national anthem".^[3]

His career started with a traditional band, The Tannahill Weavers, in 1976. In the early 1980s, he was briefly part of Silly Wizard. His solo career started in 1981 and since then he has recorded numerous albums. He plays multiple instruments, including guitar, violin, mandola, viola, bouzouki, banjo and bass as well as being a singer and composer.^[4]

In 2011, MacLean was invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).^[5]

Discography[link]

• Caledonia (1979)
• Snaigow (1980)
• On A Wing And A Prayer (1981)
• Craigie Dhu (1982)
• Butterstone (1983)
• Fiddle (1984)
• Singing Land (1985)
• Real Estate (1988)
• Whitewash (1990)
• The Search (1990)
• Indigenous (1991)
• Sunset Song (1994)
• Marching Mystery (1994)
• The Dougie MacLean Collection (1995)
• Tribute (1996)
• Riof (1997)
• Perthshire Amber (2000)
• Dougie MacLean Live (2000)
• Who am I (2002)
• Inside The Thunder (2006)
• The Essential Dougie MacLean (2007)
• Muir of Gormack (2007)
• Resolution (2010)

References[link]

1. ^ http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/dougie_maclean
2. ^ Harris, Craig. "Dougie MacLean: Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dougie-maclean-p820/biography. Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
3. ^ "Review: Dougie MacLean at Bruce Festival". The Courier. 20 August 2010. http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Living/Music/article/4087/review-dougie-maclean-at-bruce-festival.html. Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
4. ^ Emblen, Frank (02/23/1986). New Jersey Guide. "The New York Times". Accessed on August 14, 2007.
5. ^ "'Caledonia' folk writer receives OBE". BBC. 31 December 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-12094777. Retrieved 4 February 2011. 

External links[link]

• Dougie MacLean's Official Site
• Official Dougie MacLean Online Store

This Scottish biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This article on a singer-songwriter is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Frankie Miller (born Francis John Miller, 2 November 1949, Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland) is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter,^[1] who had his biggest success in the 1970s. Miller was raised at Colvend Street, Glasgow with his parents, Cathy and Frank, and elder sisters Letty and Anne. Miller attended Sacred Heart Primary school.^[2] He was an altar boy in Sacred Heart Chapel. He also played football for the school team and Harmony Row Boys Club, his love of football probably inherited from his maternal grandfather Archie Kyle who was one of the first Catholic football players signed to Glasgow Rangers FC.

Miller wrote for and performed with many recording artists and is best known for his album Full House, the single "Darlin’ " and his duet on "Still in Love with You", with Phil Lynott. In an article published in Rolling Stone magazine in 1978 Bob Seger remarked that Miller "was a huge influence" on him.

Career[link]

Early days[link]

He first became aware of rock and R&B through his mother’s record collection. She had a fondness for Ray Charles while his sisters introduced him to Little Richard and Elvis Presley. He identified instinctively with Little Richard’s flamboyant aggression, once saying "The music was alive, exciting, I loved it. I realised later that I could get my own aggression out through music. R&B and Soul Music, I just knew was what I really loved". He started writing songs at the age of nine after being given a guitar by his parents and wrote "I Can't Change It" when he was twelve years old, this song was later recorded by Ray Charles. Whilst still at school Miller began singing with The Deljacks, West Farm Cottage and then a soul outfit called Sock It To 'Em JB which featured good friend Jimmy Dewar

1964-1972[link]

Miller began singing professionally as a teenager with a Glasgow band called The Stoics.^[3] In mid 1971, he moved to London to further his career.^[4] In 1971, he joined forces with the guitarist Robin Trower, who had just left Procol Harum and was looking to put together a new band. Miller introduced fellow Glaswegian bassist and vocalist James Dewar to Trower and the three of them, along with ex Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker, formed Jude in July 1971, but despite significant coverage in the British music press, they broke up in April 1972 without recording an album.^[4] The Miller and Trower composition "I Can't Wait Much Longer" later appeared on Trower's first solo album Twice Removed from Yesterday.

1972-1974[link]

Later in 1972, Miller signed a solo recording contract with Chrysalis Records, and recorded his first LP Once in a Blue Moon,^[5] with record producer Dave Robinson. The album was an early example of pub rock, and featured backing by the pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz.^[4] Miller received consistently good reviews, although his singles and albums were not chart hits, Chrysalis continued to invest in his talent. In 1974 Miller sang "Still in Love with You",^[6] as a duet with Phil Lynott; the song appeared on the Thin Lizzy album, Nightlife. Miller's second album High Life, was written and produced by Allen Toussaint and recorded in Atlanta, Georgia during 1974.^[7] Although two album tracks, "Shoorah Shoorah" and "Play Something Sweet", subsequently provided hits for Betty Wright and Three Dog Night respectively, the album was not a commercial success.^[4]

1975-1978[link]

Miller's next album The Rock (1975) was recorded in San Francisco using the producer Elliot Mazer, who had co-produced Harvest for Neil Young. The next album Full House (1977),^[8] was produced by Chris Thomas. The lead off track "Be Good To Yourself" became Miller's first UK Top 40 hit, peaking at #27 in the UK Singles Chart during June that year.^[4] In 1978 Miller hit the UK Top 10 with the song "Darlin’ ", which peaked at #6 on 14 October 1978.^[4] "Darlin’ " also made the Billboard "Bubbling Under" chart in the US, peaking at #103. The next single penned by Miller "When I'm Away From You" rose to #42 in UK, but failed to chart in US.^[4] A few years later, the song became a US Country #1 hit for The Bellamy Brothers.

Song writing and further recognition[link]

After the release of Standing on the Edge, which was produced by Barry Beckett, recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, in Alabama and released on Capitol Records, Miller concentrated on songwriting.^[4] The Bellamy Brothers follow up, co-written with Miller, titled "Forget About Me", peaked at #5 in the US country chart. Miller's songs have earned him many songwriting awards and have been covered by artistes such as Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Rod Stewart, The Bellamy Brothers, Kim Carnes, Waylon Jennings, Bob Seger, Bonnie Tyler, Roy Orbison, Etta James, Joe Cocker, Joe Walsh and The Eagles.

Chart success and Clint Black[link]

After a long absence from the charts, Miller scored a hit in his native Scotland with the track "Caledonia" (1992) written by fellow Scotsman, Dougie MacLean. The same year he also co-wrote the award-winning song, "Burn One Down", with Clint Black, which reached #4 in the US chart.

Film music and acting[link]

During 1979 Miller wrote the opening and closing songs on the film A Sense of Freedom, as well as performing on them. He diversified into acting. During 1979 Miller starred in Peter McDougall's TV film, Just a Boys' Game, directed by John Mackenzie.^[4] Further to this success he was offered further acting roles but declined, in order to focus on songwriting.

In 1983 Miller sang the closing track, "Blue Skies Forever", on the Tom Cruise movie All The Right Moves. "Danger Danger" penned by Miller features in the 1985 movie "Thunder Alley" performed by Leif Garrett. In 1986 Miller wrote and sang the opening and closing songs in Act of Vengeance, which starred Charles Bronson, and his song "It's All Coming Down Tonight" sung by Joan Jett and Michael J. Fox, appeared on the 1987 film Light of Day. "I'd Lie To You For Your Love" written by Miller and Jeff Barry, and performed by Sally Kellerman, appeared in the You Can't Hurry Love film in 1988. "The Boys & The Girls Are Doing It", sung by Vital Signs and written by Miller and Barry, appeared in the 1989 film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Miller wrote and performed "Where Do The Guilty Go" for the film Ad Fundum in 1993. Miller's version of "Danger Danger" appeared in the 2002 film, Super Sucker.

Miller's song "I Can't Change It" was on the UK TV drama series Cracker and Life on Mars plus the accompanying soundtrack album. "Guilty Of The Crime", which Miller wrote with the late Jerry Lynn Williams, featured on the television show RoboCop: The Series, and was later recorded by The Eagles on their album Long Road Out Of Eden. "Sending Me Angels" penned by Miller and Jerry Lynn Williams appeared several times in an episode of The Defenders, in which Jim Belushi closes the show performing the song on a grand piano.

"After All (I Live My Life)", which was co-written by Miller/Doris and performed by Miller , appears as the closing song in the Johnny Depp movie, The Rum Diary (2011).

Illness and recovery[link]

Miller suffered a brain haemorrhage in New York on 25 August 1994, while writing material for a new band he and Joe Walsh of The Eagles had formed with Nicky Hopkins and Ian Wallace. Miller spent five months in a coma, after which he went through rehabilitation. The BBC Television documentary Stubborn Kinda Fella (1999), featured Miller and his battle to recover. In this documentary, Rod Stewart stated that Miller "was the only white singer to have brought a tear to his eye." In 1998, Miller's collaboration with Will Jennings, "The Sun Goes Up the Sun Comes Down", was performed by Bonnie Tyler, Paul Carrack and Jools Holland at a charity concert for the disabled held in Edinburgh.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Once in a Blue Moon (January 1973)
• High Life (January 1974)
• The Rock (September 1975)
• Full House (June 1977)
• Double Trouble (April 1978)
• Falling In Love (January 1979) (issued in the US as A Perfect Fit) - UK #54
• Easy Money (July 1980)
• Standing on the Edge (June 1982)
• Dancing in the Rain (April 1986)
• The Very Best of Frankie Miller (March 1994)
• BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (April 1994)
• Long Way Home (2006)^[4][9]
• Frankie Miller That's Who (boxset) (May 2011)

Chart singles[link]

• "Be Good To Yourself" (May 1977) - UK #27
• "Darlin’ " (October 1978) - UK #6
• "When I'm Away from You" (January 1979) - UK #42
• "Caledonia" (March 1992) - UK #45^[9]

References[link]

Bibliography[link]

• Encyclopedia of Rock. Hardy, Phil and Laing, Dave. Schirmer Books (1988). ISBN 0-02-919562-4

External links[link]

• "Frankie Miller". FrankieMiller.net. http://www.frankiemiller.net. Retrieved 2009-02-25. 
• Diamond Dog. "Frankie Miller". Glasgow-Barrowland.net. http://www.glasgow-barrowland.com/stories/frankie_miller.html. Retrieved 2009-02-25. 
• First Foot. "Frankie Miller". FirstFoot.com. http://www.firstfoot.com/good%20scottish%20pop/frankiemiller.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-25. ^{[dead link]}
• Steve Huey. "Frankie Miller". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p199564. Retrieved 2009-02-25. 

Paolo Nutini
Paolo Nutini performing in 2009.
Background information
Birth name	Paolo Giovanni Nutini
Born	(1987-01-09) 9 January 1987 (age 25)
Origin	Paisley, Scotland
Genres	Pop rock, Blue eyed soul, folk, blues, Easy Listening,
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Atlantic
Website	paolonutini.com

Paolo Giovanni Nutini (born 9 January 1987^[1]) is a Scottish singer, songwriter and musician from Paisley.

Paolo Nutini's debut album, These Streets, was released by Atlantic Records in the United Kingdom in July 2006 and included the singles "Last Request", "Jenny Don't Be Hasty", "Rewind" and "New Shoes". "Last Request", the most successful, reached number five on the UK Singles Chart. The album peaked at number three on the UK Album Chart and was certified 4× platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).^[2] It has been in the album charts for a record-breaking 196 weeks.

In May 2009 Nutini released his second album, Sunny Side Up, which debuted at number one in the UK and has produced four singles; "Candy", "Coming Up Easy", "Pencil Full of Lead" and "10/10". It has so far been certified 4x platinum by the BPI.^[2] On 19 February 2010, it scooped "Best International Album" at the 2010 Meteor Awards.

Life and career[link]

Early life and breakthrough (1987–2006)[link]

Nutini's father is of Italian descent, from Barga, Tuscany, although both his parents are third-generation Scottish.

Paolo Nutini was expecting to follow his father into the family fish and chip shop business. He was first encouraged to sing by his music-loving grandfather, Jackie, and a teacher at his school, St Andrews Academy, who recognised his talent. He left school to work as a roadie and to sell t-shirts for Speedway. He spent three years learning the music business and performing live. He later worked as a studio hand at Glasgow's Park Lane Studio.

His big chance came when he attended a concert staged by 102.5 Clyde 1 for David Sneddon's return to his home town of Paisley at the beginning of 2003. Sneddon was delayed, and as the winner of an impromptu pop quiz, Nutini was given the chance to perform a couple of songs on stage during the wait. The favourable reaction of the crowd impressed another member of the audience, Brendan Moon, who offered to become his manager. Brendan and his business partner Mike Bawden continue to manage Paolo. Only 17, Nutini moved to London and performed regularly at The Bedford pub in Balham. Other radio and live appearances followed, including two live acoustic spots on Radio London, The Hard Rock Cafe, and support slots for The Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse and KT Tunstall.

When Nutini was young he was a member of PACE Youth Theatre

[edit] These Streets and mainstream breakthrough (2006–2009)

Nutini performing in September 2006.

Throughout 2006 Nutini played a number of sold-out concerts in the UK and performed at a wide variety of venues worldwide, including King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow, a TV appearance on Later with Jools Holland, Carnegie Hall in New York, The Montreux Jazz Festival, The Wireless Festival, Oxegen and T in the Park. He supported the Rolling Stones in Vienna and was invited to appear with them again at the Don Valley Stadium in August 2006. He was also booked to appear at the V Festival and The Austin City Limits Music Festival, Texas later in 2006, with a European tour in the autumn. In May 2006, he also played at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Dundee.

On Hogmanay 2006, Nutini appeared on BBC Scotland's Hogmanay Live celebrations, after the official celebrations in Princes Street Gardens were cancelled at short notice due to abysmal weather. He performed several songs in the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle for the TV audience with little or no rehearsal. On Wednesday 11 April 2007, Nutini performed in a concert that was streamed live via MSN Music.

Nutini performed at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2007 on the famous Pyramid Stage on the second day of the event. Nutini also performed at the UK leg of Live Earth at Wembley Stadium on 7 July 2007, with his set including a cover of "What A Wonderful World", a classic pop tune by Bob Thiele, George David Weiss, and George Douglas. He performed the following day at T in the Park, in Scotland.^[3] He performed at the Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert on 10 December 2007, an event that drew enormous international attention as it was the first full live concert performance by Led Zeppelin in 27 years. Scottish independent TV company Volt MediaFix made a one-off documentary of Nutini's US tour. The programme, for the BBC, was scheduled for broadcast on BBC2, on Thursday 7 June throughout Scotland and on Sky channel 990 throughout the rest of the UK.

Nutini's songs have infiltrated American TV shows as well. "Last Request" featured at the end of the Scrubs episode "My Words of Wisdom" from Season 6, the first-ever episode of "Gavin and Stacey," and the One Tree Hill Season-4 episode "The Birth and Death of the Day." "Million Faces" could be heard at the end of the Grey's Anatomy episode "Testing 1–2–3" from Season 3 and is on the Volume 3 Soundtrack. "Rewind" was played at the end of CSI: Miami Season-5 episode "Broken Home." "Jenny, Don't Be Hasty" was also featured on another member of the CSI franchise when it played on CSI: NY's Season-3-finale, "Snow Day". "New Shoes" featured in The Jane Austen Book Club and in a TV ad for Puma AG during summer 2008. On 24 July 2007, Nutini was awarded The Golden St. Christopher medal by the city of Barga in Italy, the highest honour the city can give, to celebrate his extraordinary contributions to Barga and its people.^[4] On 17 September, Nutini performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno performing "Last Request". In September 2007, Nutini recorded a short radio show with imeem.com where he listed his top 10 favourite tracks and the reasons behind his choices.^[5] In October 2007, Nutini performed for the annual Voodoo Fest held in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2008, Nutini's music was featured in a movie adaptation of Irvine Welsh's best-selling novel Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance. On New Year's Eve 2008–09, Nutini performed at the Hogmanay street parties in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland, becoming the first act to play both locations on the same day for the event. In The View's 2009 album Which Bitch?, he is featured singing on the song "Covers."

[edit] Sunny Side Up and continued musical success (2009–present)

On 1 June 2009, Nutini released his second studio album Sunny Side Up, which debuted at number one. The first single from the album "Candy" was released on 25 May. In July, he appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, performing "Coming Up Easy". This was released as the second single to the album on 10 August and it debuted at number 62 in the UK Singles Chart on 16 August 2009.^[6] On 10 September 2009, Nutini performed "Coming Up Easy" on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. The third single from the album was "Pencil Full of Lead".

The album received a mixed critical reception. Allmusic's Thom Jurek noted the move away from the sound of the debut album: "Nutini has taken huge chunks of America's (and Scotland's) pop and folk pasts and reshaped them in his own image," going on to describe it as "wise beyond this songwriter's years".^[7] Andy Gill of The Independent commented on Nutini's progress since his debut, saying the album "sees the singer making giant strides in several directions", and going on to say "don't be surprised if, come December, this is one of the year's biggest-selling albums."^[8] Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph was also positive, stating "his joyous second album organically blends soul, country, folk and the brash, horny energy of ragtime swing."^[9]

Some reviewers were less impressed. It was described by The Guardian's Caroline Sullivan as "not bad", with opening track "10/10" described as "jaunty enough to make you retch".^[10] Graeme Thompson of The Observer saw the album as an attempt by Nutini at "rebranding himself as a mongrel hybrid of John Martyn, Otis Redding and Bob Marley".^[11]

The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart with sales of over 60,000 copies, fighting off strong competition from Love & War, the debut album of fellow male solo artist Daniel Merriweather. The album performed similarly well on the Irish Albums Chart, debuting at number two behind Eminem's new album before rising to the top of the charts the week after.

The album has been one of the best UK album sales of the year. On the UK Albums Chart on the Week of Monday 19 Oct, the album move from number 31 to number 5, making the album sell more than The Saturdays' second album.^[12] On 3 January 2010 Sunny Side Up topped the UK Album Charts for a second time, making the album the first Number one album in the United Kingdom of 2010 and the decade.^{[13][14][15][16][17]}

On 19 February 2010, Colin Farrell presented Nutini with "Best International Album" for Sunny Side Up at the 2010 Meteor Awards.^[18]

Paolo Nutini embarked on a world tour with his Sunny Side Up album. The band consisted of, in addition to Paolo: Donny Little-Guitars, Vocals Seamus Simon-Drums Michael McDaid-Bass, Keyboard Dave Nelson-Guitars, Keyboard, Vocals, Percussion Gavin Fitzjohn-Trumpet, Saxophone Ben Edwards - trumpet & flugelhorn, and Tom Pinder - trombone & sousaphone. The brass section are collectively known as the "Horns of Thunder" (a name formed by Paolo himself)

Legacy[link]

Recording history[link]

Paolo Nutini performing in 2008.

Nutini made his first demo which saw him signed to Atlantic Records in May 2005, shortly after his 18th birthday. He released his first single "These Streets" as a free download in May 2006; this was then followed by his next single "Last Request" which was released on 4 July 2006 and charted at number 5 in the official UK charts. In the video for "Last Request", Nutini plays the part of a robber – though this is not revealed until the end. Nutini's third single, "Jenny Don't Be Hasty", was released on 25 September 2006 and got to number 20 on the UK Singles Chart. "Rewind" was Nutini's fourth single. It was released on 4 December 2006, and reached number 27 in the UK.

His debut album These Streets, produced by Ken Nelson (who has also worked with Coldplay and Gomez), was released on 17 July 2006 and immediately entered the UK album charts at number three. Many of the songs on the album, including "Last Request" and "Rewind", were inspired by a turbulent relationship with his girlfriend Teri Brogan, and "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" is a true story about encounters with an older woman. These Streets, as Paolo himself puts it on his official website, he states, "The album is a little glimpse of some of the experiences I have been through in the last three years". In late 2007 he covered Labi Siffre's "It Must Be Love" for BBC Radio 1's Radio 1 Established 1967 album.

His self-produced second album Sunny Side Up was released on 1 June 2009.^[19]

As of February 2011, Paolo Nutini was in the studio working on new material.^[20]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• These Streets (2006)
• Sunny Side Up (2009)

Awards and nominations[link]

External links[link]

• Official Paolo Nutini website
• "Singer Paulo Nutini headlined the Hogmanay bash..." eveningtimes.co.uk,^[29] 1–1–09.

References[link]

Amy Macdonald
Amy Macdonald at Rix FM Festival in Stockholm
Background information
Birth name	Amy Macdonald
Born	(1987-08-25) 25 August 1987 (age 24)
Origin	Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Genres	Rock, Soft rock, Folk rock, Indie folk
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, musician
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, keyboard
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Vertigo, Mercury, Melodramatic Records
Website	www.amymacdonald.co.uk

Amy Macdonald (born 25 August 1987 in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire) is a Scottish recording artist. Macdonald rose to fame in 2007 with her debut album, This Is the Life (2007) and its fourth single, "This Is the Life". The single charted at number one in six different countries worldwide, and charted inside the top ten in another eleven countries worldwide.

The success of the single achieved Macdonald success in the American music market, where she was a guest on shows such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in 2008, where she performed two singles from the album, leading her album, This Is the Life to reach ninety-two on the Billboard 200. In the European Union, This Is the Life reached number one in six European countries, including the United Kingdom, Denmark and the main European album charts. This is the Life has sold three million copies worldwide.

"Don't Tell Me That It's Over" was released in March 2010 as the lead off single from Macdonald's second studio album, A Curious Thing which was released on March 8, 2010.^[1] Five singles have since been released from A Curious Thing. The album's lead single, "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" was released worldwide on March 1, 2010 and this was followed by the release of a second single "Spark" on May 10, 2010. Further singles were released, with the third being "This Pretty Face" which was successful in European countries such as Germany, where MacDonald holds a strong fanbase. A further two singles were released, "Love Love" and "Your Time Will Come" which were both released in late 2010. Worldwide, A Curious Thing, the album has sold 1,000,000 copies worldwide.

Macdonald's third album, Life in a Beautiful Light, is to be released on 11 June 2012.^[2]

Early life[link]

Macdonald attended Bishopbriggs High School.^[3] She is a self-taught musician,^[4] playing her father's guitar after being inspired by Travis at the T in the Park Festival in 2000, where she heard Travis' song "Turn" and wanted to play it herself.^[5] She started playing in pubs and coffee houses around Glasgow at 15,^[6] including the Brunswick Cellars on Sauchiehall Street.^[7]

Career[link]

Breakthrough[link]

Amy Macdonald on stage at T On The Fringe After Party at The Caves, Edinburgh.

Macdonald sent a demo CD in response to an advertisement placed in the NME^[6] by a new production company set up by songwriters Pete Wilkinson and Sarah Erasmus.^[8]

In an interview with HitQuarters, Wilkinson said he was "literally aghast" at her songwriting abilities when first he heard Macdonald play the songs "This is the Life" and "Mr Rock n Roll".

I said, “Amy, who wrote those songs?” And she said, “I did.” I said, “No, you didn't,” giggling, hoping she really did. She said, “I bloody well did!” I told her she was extraordinarily talented, and the moment she sang those songs I remembered her voice and the hooks, which out of 500 [demos submitted] was a very good sign.

—Pete Wilkinson, ^[8]

Wilkinson then spent around eight or nine months recording demos with Amy at his home studio with a view to securing a record deal for his new client. In 2007, Macdonald signed a contract with Vertigo.

Macdonald received her first major press coverage when she questioned whether the 2007 winner of The X Factor, Leon Jackson, was suffering from tonsillitis, referring to it as "lazyitis". Macdonald had tonsillitis at the same time but still performed at Glasgow and at the BBC's Hogmanay Live show the same night.^[9]

[edit] This Is the Life (2007–2009)

Amy Macdonald, 2009

In 2007, Macdonald released her debut album, titled This Is the Life. The album sold 3 million copies, and reached #1 in the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Denmark.^[10][11] The first single from the album, "Poison Prince", was only a limited release. The second single, "Mr. Rock and Roll", became Macdonald's first top 40 song charting at #12 in the United Kingdom. However the third single, "L.A.", missed the top 40 at #48, but managed #5 in the Scottish singles chart.

The fourth and most successful single, "This Is the Life", charted at #28 in the UK, but was #1 in five other European countries. The single was awarded Platinum in Germany and Belgium and Gold in Spain and Switzerland. The fifth single, "Run", gave Macdonald her second lowest chart position in the UK at #75. However, "Run" charted at #36 in Germany. The sixth and final single was the re-release of "Poison Prince", but charted at #148 in the UK, Macdonald's lowest chart position.

The album's track "Youth of Today" was chosen as the first single featured on Bebo/iTunes' "Free Single of the Week" program.^[12]

She appeared as a musical performing guest on British and foreign shows including The Album Chart Show, Loose Women, Friday Night Project, Taratata (France), and This Morning. She won the best newcomer award at the Silver Clef Awards.^[13]

[edit] A Curious Thing (2010–2011)

Macdonald outside the 02 Academy in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2010

Macdonald began writing songs for her second album in spring 2009, in a brief break from her touring commitments. For the first time she began poring through her old notebooks, looking at song ideas, unlike her debut which consists mainly of songs that she wrote straight away.^[14] Many of the tracks were inspired by real-life personalities or events from her everyday life. Contrary to some reports, she did not write "Spark" for murdered toddler James Bulger after watching a TV programme on his murder.^[15] "What Happiness Means To Me" is dedicated to her footballer fiancé Steve Lovell,^[16] while "An Ordinary Life" is inspired by the "Z-list celebs" she saw flocking around Scots-born Hollywood actor Gerard Butler at a party he held in Glasgow late 2009 to mark the opening of his film Law Abiding Citizen.^[14] There is also a track about Michael Jackson and one dedicated to her late grandparents.^[16] The tracks were recorded at Weller's BlackBarn Studios in Surrey.^[17]

Macdonald started working on her second album in the year of 2009.^[18] She said "Some of the sounds are just amazing and we've managed to persuade one of my favourite artists to whack some stuff down on them, but you'll have to wait and see."^[19] The second album, titled A Curious Thing, was released on 8 March 2010.^[20]

It was preceded by the release of the first single, "Don't Tell Me That It's Over", a week earlier on 1 March 2010. The single was released to UK radio on 11 January. Amy performed the new single on the Simon Mayo Show on BBC Radio 2 on the same day.^[21] "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" has been released to radio in countries like UK, Switzerland, Germany and France.^[22] The album's second single "Spark" was released on May 10, 2010^[23] on digital download format. Macdonald also confirmed that she would tour the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe in 2010.^[24]

The album's third single "This Pretty Face" was released on July 19, 2010. Also, Macdonald confirmed she would embark on a tour, entitled The Love Love Tour. Amy MacDonald is one of a number of artists who appear with Ray Davies in his 2010 album See My Friends. She sings with him on "Dead End Street".

[edit] Life in a Beautiful Light (2011–present)

In May 2011, it was confirmed by the Bournemouth Echo that Amy had already started 'planning to start work on her third album at the end of this year'.^[25] On 13 April 2012, Macdonald's official website confirmed the title of the album was Life in a Beautiful Light, and will be released on 11 June 2012.^[2] One song has been confirmed so far, entitled "Slow it Down", which was first played on the morning of 13 April on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 show, and released on Macdonald's Official YouTube account on 13 April.^[26]

Popularity in the United States[link]

MacDonald has moderate success in the United States music market. She has appeared on several US talk shows such as The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2008), where she performed "Mr. Rock and Roll" and also The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2008) where she performed her hit single, "This Is the Life".^[27]

Her debut album, This is the Life, reached #92 on the US Billboard 200.^[28] The single, "This is the Life" reached #25 on the US Billboard Triple-A Hot 100 singles charts.^[29]

Artistry[link]

Musical style[link]

Reviewers have described Amy as softly spoken but with a booming singing voice.^[30] Her vocal range is contralto.^[31]

Macdonald cites Travis as her biggest influence.^[32] Other influences include The Killers^[33] and the Libertines.^[34]

Personal life[link]

In 2008, Macdonald became engaged to football striker Steve Lovell.^[11][35]

Awards and nominations[link]

Macdonald won Best Newcomer at the 2008 Tartan Clef Awards^[36] and Best Newcomer at the 2008 Silver Clef Awards.^[37] In December 2008 she was voted "Scottish person of the year" by The Daily Record.^[38]

Macdonald performed, along with U2, at the German 2009 Echo Awards, where she won an award in the category "Best International Newcomer".^[39][40] She also won Best International Album and Best International Song at the 2009 Swiss Music Awards.^[41]

In 2010 Macdonald won "best album" for A Curious Thing, at the annual Tartan Clef awards on 20 November in Glasgow.^[42] Also, Macdonald won "best international album Rock/Pop" with A Curious Thing at the Swiss music awards in March 2011.^[43] Furthermore, Macdonald won "best international Rock/Pop Female" at the Echo Awards, beating celebrities such as: Adele, P!nk, Rihanna and Katy Perry.^[44]

Discography[link]

• This Is the Life (2007)
• A Curious Thing (2010)
• Life in a Beautiful Light (2012)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amy Macdonald

• Amy Macdonald Official site
  • Macdonald's pages on: YouTube MySpace Bebo Facebook
• Amy MacDonald video interview at Hydro Connect Festival August 2008
• T In The Park 2007 Interview at STV
• "This Is the Life" Review at Insider Guides
• Amy Macdonald Tour Review
• Interview with manager Pete Wilkinson about Macdonald's discovery and development, HitQuarters June 2009