Big Island Trio Biography (2022)

 

 

The BiG Island Trio is a Folk/Roots/Traditional/Celtic group based out of Halifax Nova Scotia. They provide a high energy, audience-centered performance certain to make you move. Starting out performing in the local pub scene in 2015, the group focused primarily on bringing to life the songs from their youth. Songs which became the foundation material of their early years.     

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Gary Foley (Vocals and Acoustic Guitar), a native of Newfoundland, grew up listening to family and friends playing traditional music primarily in his family’s kitchen. The notion of music and culture in the context of the kitchen largley influenced The BiG Island Trio's first studio album "Songs From The Kitchen" released in 2017. The material from this album is also showcased through a YouTube Series of the same title. 

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Both Steve McNeil (Upright Bass/Backing Vocals) and Brad Reid (Fiddle, Accordian/Backing Vocals), growing up on mainland Nova Scotia, were greatly influenced by their extended family in the Celtic Music Scene. Both hold Bachelor of Music Degrees from St. Francis Xavier University. Their versatility as musicians is evident in their playing styles. They too have performed  extensively in other musical formats throughout Nova Scotia including Steve's group The Fine Tuners and Brad's Trad show "Jigs Start Here".

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Since 2015, the group has performed throughout Nova Scotia, most notably taking part in events like the Halifax Celtic Festival and appearing on CTV's Christmas Daddies Telethon three years running. Now in 2020,, The BIG Island Trio is promoting their second studio album "Sail Away", which was produced by Rawlin's Cross founding member Dave Panting. While maintaining the roots of their focus, this album is comprised of 10  original songs inspired by the traditional style of music they perform. The first single "Sail Away" is now available at store.cdbaby.com 

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Website: www.bigislandtrio.com

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVpsMzQLHTI

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Facebook: @bigislandtrio

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Twitter: big_islandtrio

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