"Scots talent is set to wow America", The Sunday Post, July 27 2009
Posted: Wednesday 5 August 2009
The Highland Heartbeat television programme is a unique mix of traditional and contemporary Scottish music performed by some of the country's most talented up-and-coming musicians.
Now a stage version of the show is set to hit the road in America in September, and it's warming up with a run in Inverness before crossing the Atlantic.
The show is a far cry from the old white Heather Club style and features Scottish music ranging from Rabbie Burns to The Proclaimers and KT Tunstall.
It's all the brainchild of Gaelic singer-songwriter Fiona Kennedy and her sister Morven - both daughters of Scottish entertainer Calum.
The pair created the show in an attempt to give young Scots a chance to perform contemporary songs to American audiences.
And for the new theatre show they've drafted in a talented group of performers.
One of those is Jillian Isbister (20), a leisure centre clerical assistant from Shetland, who had never been abroad before taking part in Highland Heartbeat.
She said, "I was involved in the TV special earlier in the year and we had to do some interviews in America. I was a bit worried because my Shetland accent is so thick, but it seemed to go well! I'm a huge country music fan so I can't wait to tour the southern states.
"It's been a steep learning curve for me. Playing the music comes quite natural to me, but I find the stage movements difficult to learn! Obviously the show will appeal to people with an interest in Scottish music, there's something in there for everybody."
Joining Jillian is Ross Davidson (21) from Aberdeen. As well as singing and playing the guitar in the show, he has also landed a lucritive modelling contract with fashion label Armani - and is taking the prospect of legions of adoring female fans while on tour in his stride.
"I'm actually looking forward to that" he laughed. "But I'm really looking forward to hearing what people think of the show. It's really varied and we all have to be quite versatile.
"It'll be great to see more of America. When I was younger I really wanted to be American so I'm looking forward to spending time there! Hopefully we'll get a chance to go to Las Vegas."
Among the other performers are Frances McCann (20) from Bishopbriggs in Glasgow, Maureen McMullan (27) from Coatbridge and Darren MacLean from the Isle of Skye.
The successful TV show was shot on location around Scotland and narrated by Scots movie star Brian Cox.
Fiona, who joins the young stars on stage for various performances, said, "Our singers have gone through an intensive auditioning process and it is a joy to see such fantastically gifted young signers perform in Highland Heartbeat.
"The fact that they're from all four corners of Scotland wasn't planned at all, but it does emphasise the fact that our country is brimming with talent - something we should shout more about. They each bring something special to this unique show and it si a thrill for me to sing with them.
"It is also fantastic that Highland Heartbeat gives them the world stage to perform on. We are incredibly excited about the reception we're receiving in America."