Bruce Burnside

Says Burnside "In the last thirty-five plus years of professional playing, I have had the good fortune to work with many famous musician. They have all made an impact on my composing and performing."

Working with and meeting people like Vassar Clements and Jethro Burns back in the 1970s energized his love for music. For the past 25 years he has been a member of the Blue Canvas Orchestra at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. Other than playing all of the banjo and mandolin family of instruments, one of Bruce's passions is studying the evolution and playing techniques of fretted instruments.

Currently, Bruce Burnside is one of a very few classic banjo players performing American compositions of the 19th century. Holding degrees in English and Education, Bruce is the Artistic Director of the non-profit organization Forgotten Wisdom, which specializes in school residencies teaching history, science, and organizational skills through music.

Bruce Burnside is also a speaker for the Wisconsin Humanities Council, performs with the Lost Nation String Band as he has for 25 years, leads The Bruce Burnside Quartet (guitar, cello, bodhran) which has enough diversity to become a mandolin quartet, banjo orchestra, Irish band and vehicle for all types of original songs and tunes he writes, and tours with two of his own stage shows; "Unsung Stories of the Civil War" and "Traveling Show Tonight," a history of opera houses in the Midwest.

"Bruce Burnside is obviously a soulful musician and songwriter, and his musicianship on this CD (Peas on the Butterknife). The recording quality is wonderful..." Johnny Baier, FIGA, Sept/Oct. 1997.

"There is an elegant simplicity to Burnside's music and lyrics. They are a delight to the ear and mind, a refreshingly forthright statement of deep emotional content." Rick Olivo, Ashland Daily Press, April 9, 2004.

Three Stag to an Oak The CD title comes from an ancient Celtic saying describing the passage of time. Many of the original songs and instrumentals have Celtic instruments (bodhran, whistle, bagpipes) and feature some of the best musicians in the Midwest. There are also songs and tunes about the passage of time. The songs tell stories of emigrating to America, building a home, raising children, getting away from the rat race and, finally, a lullaby for people of any age. The instrumentals span a variety of emotions with each one containing a different combination of acoustic musical instruments. Many years in the making, this is a statement of compassion for life. CD Price: $14.97

The Bullfrog Banjaree A musical storybook complete with a large cast of character voices and musicians, The Bullfrog Banjaree intoduces the listener to the Rana brothers, Webb and Sleekie, as they organize a new event for the annual bullfrog dance. For their open stage idea, to be held after the May Fly gorge before the belly roll, we hear a wide variety of musical presentations from the lounge sound of Big Bug Eyes and the Strong Legs to the back woods picking of the Murky Bottom Ramblers. All the song lyrics are full of scientific information of amphibian life. When the dance tunes are played our ears are treated to the rare sounds of banjeaurines and mando-cellos playing a wing dance, a waltz, a hornpipe and finally the All-Night Croak Out Grand March. Included in the plot are love, danger, and lessons for all of us about respecting others. Winner of the Children's Music Web Award 2004 for Best Spoken Word recording for Younger Children (5 to 10 years). CD Price: $14.97

Unsung Stories of the Civil War With almost fifty musicians on this recording, these original songs are a very accurate representation of the sounds of music of the 1860s. The regimental horn band is using original period horns. All the banjos are gut strung. The melodium, fiddle, cello, piano bodhran and bones all date back to that period. The songs are all about true events and each one is a history lesson in itself, bringing the personal situations of then into focus with the realities of today. In additiona to being entertaining, this work is also being used extensively by teachers in their classrooms. CD Price: $14.97

Peas on the Butterknife Full of instrumental variety, this 60 minute CD is half studio sessions and half live recordings from concerts at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. Almost entirely original compositions, the selections include 1879 banjo solo of "Home Sweet Home," a mandolin ensemble playing "Game Show Calypso," the heartfelt "Winter's Serenade" of cello and guitar, presenting a wide spectrum of sounds. The favorite "Mr. lincoln Done Freed Us" is featured here with nylon string banjo and a seven-member choir. Marimba, banjeaurine, mando-cello, mandola, penny whistle and bodhran are also included on other selections. CD Price: $14.97