New sound and songs mark duo’s 15 years
continued as Emily won the USA Songwriting Competition in 2005, Scots Singer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2008 & 2014 and two nominations in the 2012 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (Folksinger of the Year & Best Traditional Track).
McClennan’s musical heritage is an eclectic mix of playing in surf, ceilidh, bluegrass and pipe bands making him the versatile performer he is today. Alongside Emily’s solo career he works with Australian singer and bouzouki player James Fagan in their duo ‘The James Brothers’ performing ‘colonial roots music’ from Australasia.
Under Emily’s name the couple have released seven studio albums. The most recent of which was ‘Songs For Christmas’. Emily’s original song ‘Find Hope’ was selected for the official BBC Radio 2 December playlist.
Over the years Smith and McClennan have worked with many musical greats including Barbara Dickson, Richard Thompson, Jerry Douglas, Eddi Reader and Beth Nielsen Chapman. TV appearances include BBC Four’s Transatlantic Sessions, BBC One’s Songs of Praise and BBC Scotland’s Hogmanay Live.
Live radio sessions include BBC Radio 2s Bob Harris show, Good Morning Sunday, The Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio Scotland’s Janice Forsyth Show, Take the Floor and Travelling Folk.
Tickets can be bought by visiting www.culturestirling.org/events/.