Alex Beaton

voice.

At many events, Beaton not only serves as a key entertainer, but as the event emcee. Beaton is known for his powerful stage presence and sense of humor. He frequently interacts and jokes with audiences while performing and in-between songs. One of his albums, "Daft Ditties", is composed entirely of comedic songs. Beaton is also known for his keen knowledge of Scotland's history.

Beaton has released 19 albums on CD and one DVD musical travelogue of Scotland that pulls together three titles that were previously released on VHS tape. Along with his concert appearances, Beaton usually hosts one or two trips to Scotland per year where he serves as the host and tour guide. In 2008 there will be one tour and it will include an evening performance at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. That tour has sold out, and a waiting list has been started for 2009. Beaton is also planning a tour to Ireland in 2009.

Biography

. He launched his solo career in New York in 1968. During the 1970s, he re-directed his career toward writing and performing American country music. He had songs of that genre that won the International American Song Festival Awards in 1974.Tager, Miles. [http://www.mountaintimes.com/mtweekly/2004/0708/beaton.php3] "Top act: Alex Beaton to showcase Scottish folk heritage in series of appearances." Accessed 2007-07-22.]

Since the early 1980s, Beaton has focused on folk music that is primarily Scottish in origin or subject, although his repertoire includes songs in the folk music genre that are not purely Scottish (Stan Rogers music for example). Featured on his recordings are artists such as Eric Rigler and Alasdair Fraser.

Little is known about his personal life other than he is a cancer survivor and, after spending more than three decades in the Los Angeles area, he currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee where he is very happy and feels at home.

Discography

Beaton is the founder and president of his own record label—Glenfinnan Music Ltd. He has released 19 albums under this label (all titles are available on CD).

Filmography

*"Alex Beaton's Scotland, A Musical Travelogue of Scotland in Three Films" (GR DVD 101), includes three films previously released on VHS tape:
**"Going Home" (1989) — "Alex's "Going Home", magically transports you - in this stunning musical and video production - to such historic and majestic locales as Glencoe, Culloden, Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, Glenfinnan, Bannockburn and the Isle of Skye" (from DVD jacket).
**"I Belong to Glasgow" (1990) — "Let Alex personally lead you on an enchanted stroll through his beloved birthplace in "I Belong to Glasgow". Share in the humor, the songs, and the history. Take a trip down the river Clyde and see Glasgow from its industrious past through its rich and colorful present" (from DVD jacket).
**"On The Castle Trail" (1994) — "...travel back in time as Alex takes you on a mysterious exploration of Scotland's rich history. With castles as guideposts, "On The Castle Trail" is a magic carpet ride of sheer exhilaration. You'll visit the picturesque ruins of Caerlaverock and the forbidding strongholds of Hermitage and Dunstaffnage. See the remarkable fairytale retreats of Glamis and Eilean Donan; and the dramatic clifftop fortress of Dunnottar and the world-famous Edinburgh Castle. You'll came face-to-face with knights in shining armor and warring clan chiefs. Let your imagination run wild!" (from DVD jacket).

Guitar

Beaton uses a Tony Rice model guitar made by the Santa Cruz Guitar Company, located in Santa Cruz, California. That model is based on Tony Rice's D-28 (circa 1930s), formerly owned by Clarence White.

Interesting Facts

*Beaton's full name is Alexander William MacLeod Beaton.
*His daughters, Alessandra (Ali) and Catriona (Catie), perform on his "Kidding Around" album.
*Beaton also plays the harmonica.
*Beaton sometimes refers to himself as "Alec" during live shows.
*In times of whimsy, Beaton has been known to perform "On the Commode Again," a humorous take on Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again."
*Beaton regularly (every August) hosts one or two tours on a 10-day trip to his beloved homeland. It sells out quickly and is so popular that several of his tour group members have signed up to go more than once.

References

External links

* [http://www.alexbeaton.com/ Alex Beaton's Website]
* [http://www.gmhg.org/ Grandfather Mountain Highland Games]
* [http://www.kyscottishweekend.org/ Kentucky Scottish Weekend]
* [http://www.santacruzguitar.com/ Santa Cruz Guitar Company]
* [http://www.smhg.org/ Stone Mountain Highland Games]
* [http://www.seaside-games.com/ Seaside Highland Games]