John Carnie is a Scottish folk guitarist and singer known for his fusion of styles ranging from driving acoustic blues and flatpicking Irish reels to jazzy swing blues and original songs. He combines elements of Scottish, Irish and blues roots music.
His bluesy acoustic guitar style has been compared to Rory Gallagher's playing (RTE Radio 1) whilst his folk playing to that of Dick Gaughan, Tony McManus and Arty McGlynn (Folk Roots Magazine). His "Far from Home" album was described by Scotland on Sunday as "an exposition of fleet-fingered flatpicking". His own songwriting has produced some real gems, from the rocking rocking ballads of "The Rivers and the Loughs" to the to the moving “Breaking the Waves” and "The Waiting Game".
His career includes collaborations on stage and duo gigs with Chicago blues harmonica virtuoso Sugar Blue (ex Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan Band), Richard Thompson, Mississippi blues legend Honeyboy Edwards , Austin Texas harmonica ace Greg Izor, Tony TS McPhee, John James, Gerry Jablonski, Brian Shiels, Cathal McConnell and Phil Cunningham, Spider Mackenzie, Janice Clark and Dave Moir.
Among the Festivals played at either solo or with band include Celtic Connections, Pontardawe Folk Festival, Stonehaven Folk Festival, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, Inverness Folk Festival, Aberdeen Alternative Festival, Arran Folk Festival, Dumfries Folk Festival, Inverness Folk Festival, Skye Music Festival, Aberdeen Jazz Festival, Cork Rocks Festival, Living Tradition Summer School, Feis Rois and Edinburgh Festival.
He is the author of the Scottish Guitar Tutor Book and has written for various publications on folk and blues. He is experienced in leading guitar masterclasses and workshops in a variety of styles. He was the principal guitar instructor at the Living Tradition Summer School and taught at Scottish Culture and Traditions for many years before becoming a board director of the organisation. Early bands included pioneering ceilidh rockers Desperate Danz Band and the acoustic blues trio Off the Tracks with Janice Clark and Spider Mackenzie, who recently reformed for Stonehaven Folk Festival.
Whether singing a traditional Scottish ballad, playing bottleneck acoustic blues, an Irish slip or a Dylan song he fuses ideas and brings out the spirit of tradition and improvisation.
His bluesy acoustic guitar style has been compared to Rory Gallagher's playing (RTE Radio 1) whilst his folk playing to that of Dick Gaughan, Tony McManus and Arty McGlynn (Folk Roots Magazine). His "Far from Home" album was described by Scotland on Sunday as "an exposition of fleet-fingered flatpicking". His own songwriting has produced some real gems, from the rocking rocking ballads of "The Rivers and the Loughs" to the to the moving “Breaking the Waves” and "The Waiting Game".
His career includes collaborations on stage and duo gigs with Chicago blues harmonica virtuoso Sugar Blue (ex Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan Band), Richard Thompson, Mississippi blues legend Honeyboy Edwards , Austin Texas harmonica ace Greg Izor, Tony TS McPhee, John James, Gerry Jablonski, Brian Shiels, Cathal McConnell and Phil Cunningham, Spider Mackenzie, Janice Clark and Dave Moir.
Among the Festivals played at either solo or with band include Celtic Connections, Pontardawe Folk Festival, Stonehaven Folk Festival, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, Inverness Folk Festival, Aberdeen Alternative Festival, Arran Folk Festival, Dumfries Folk Festival, Inverness Folk Festival, Skye Music Festival, Aberdeen Jazz Festival, Cork Rocks Festival, Living Tradition Summer School, Feis Rois and Edinburgh Festival.
He is the author of the Scottish Guitar Tutor Book and has written for various publications on folk and blues. He is experienced in leading guitar masterclasses and workshops in a variety of styles. He was the principal guitar instructor at the Living Tradition Summer School and taught at Scottish Culture and Traditions for many years before becoming a board director of the organisation. Early bands included pioneering ceilidh rockers Desperate Danz Band and the acoustic blues trio Off the Tracks with Janice Clark and Spider Mackenzie, who recently reformed for Stonehaven Folk Festival.
Whether singing a traditional Scottish ballad, playing bottleneck acoustic blues, an Irish slip or a Dylan song he fuses ideas and brings out the spirit of tradition and improvisation.
