Buddy MacMaster, described as the ‘Dean of Cape Breton Fiddling’ died last night at home in western Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He was 89.
Born in Timmins, Ontario where his father had worked in the gold mines, the Gaelic-speaking family returned to their native Cape Breton when Buddy, born Hugh Allan, was 4.
He was payed for playing a square dance at 14 but he spent 45 years working for the Canadian National Railway, developing his amazing style and skill in his off-hours.
Credited with bringing the Cape Breton style of fiddling to the world, Buddy MacMaster was a regular on two Nova Scotia CBC TV shows. His recording career began in his retirement at 65.
Honoured with both the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada, Buddy MacMaster earned several honorary doctorate degrees and music industry awards.
The Folk Alliance International gave MacMaster its Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year. It puts him in the company of artists such as Woodie Guthrie, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and fellow Canadian, singer-songwriter Stan Rogers.
His neice, Natalie MacMaster followed in his footsteps. “I’m very proud to say that Buddy MacMaster is my uncle. He gives credibility to what I do and I’m glad I can carry that MacMaster name because he has created such a good name.”
Natalie MacMaster is currently touring eastern Canada and the US
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny2beJky_KM
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