MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016: Calum Ross

Congratulations to Calum Ross who have been nominated in Gaelic singer of the Year sponsored by Macmeanmna in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. Vote now!

We asked Calum Ross of Calum Ross the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
Born in Glasgow to parents from the North end of Skye Calum was always surrounded in Gaelic and Gaelic culture.
He enjoyed singing at school, and after completing his national service in 1956 , he joined Govan Gaelic Choir for the Royal National Mòd in Largs. He eventually became particularly interested in traditional Gaelic songs and began to sing solo and became well known on the ceilidh circuit. At this time he had a number of lessons from the late famous Kenneth MacRae. The late Sheelah Nicoll, and Seònag MacLeod helped him greatly towards his mòd success.
Calum is one of a handful of people who have won the gold medal, the traditional gold medal, the Oban and Lorne medal and the Nova Scotia medal at the Royal National Mòd.
Calum did release an EP after winning the gold medal in Dunoon in1968, but it wasn't until the ripe old age of 81 that he released his debut CD "Mu Dheireadh Thall" (At Long Last) in 2015.
Calum is well known amongst all Gaelic singers and has been tutor to many in what is now known as the Royal Conservatoire, since 2000.
He enjoys working with the up and coming musicians who come through the Consrvatoire, and is only too willing to pass on any pearls of wisdom as a senior ambassador of Gaelic.
Calum still sings regularly on the ceilidh circuit as well as with Govan Gaelic Choir despite choral singing being his least favourite pastime! He prefers “the tune, rather than accompanying parts”.
Calum also enjoyed playing the pipes, was taught by Pipe Major Peter MacLeod and played in the Boys’Brigade, T A and Clan Macrae pipe bands. He is still a member of the Glasgow Highland Club.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Calum has been singing Gaelic, and playing the pipes, for decades now and has a particular interest in traditional Gaelic singing. He has a deep belief in the tradition of telling stories through song that may be lost otherwise.
Continually learning songs and singing regularly at events helps keep Calum active. Furthermore, working with the young musicians coming through the RCS helps keep him young at heart!
Calum is proud of all the students he has helped develop into the talented musicians they are now and feels that through passing on the Gaelic song tradition he is helping keep Gaelic tradition and song alive.

Any particular career highlights?
For most Gaelic singers the highlight is winning at the Mòd, but Calum has also been on tour, with Gaelic supergroup Na h-Oganaich to the Outer Isles, to Canada with the Knightswood Juvenile Pipe Band and to Cape Breton with the late Joan MacKenzie, the late Flora MacNeil and Kenna Campbell.
Releasing his CD Mu Dheireadh Thall at the age of 81 is definitely Calum's most recent career highlight.

What are your plans for the future?
At 82 a world tour looks unlikely but just to continue singing and inspiring others to do the same and maybe another CD…
…could maybe call it "About Time Two"!

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Dundee’s Caird Hall call the Caird Hall box office on (01382) 434940 or buy online.