Cyril MacPhee

Cape Breton

Cyril MacPhee’s professional music career began when he was 18 years old. Growing up just outside of St. Peter’s in a musical family, the young musician was immersed in Cape Breton ceilidhs and heavily influenced by his father’s Scottish and Irish fiddling, Country and Bluegrass music, and Folk singers like Stan Rogers. His musical influences are extremely varied, from the Beatles to Harry Hibbs, and this shows through in his songwriting and musical style.

He released three albums with the popular power-folk group Brakin’ Tradition before embarking on a career as a solo artist. This singer, songwriter and skilled guitarist has since released two solo albums, 1998's ECMA-nominated “When I Say I Do” and “Back on Track” (2001). Most of his music has a country-folk sound much like that of Gordon Lightfoot while there is pop element to other songs. MacPhee has versatility in his music that is a truly unique blend of folk, country and Celtic music.

Cyril is one of this year's Artists in Residence and he will also be performing with a reunited Brakin' Tradition.