This was just forwarded to me:

Scottish master fiddler Johnny Cunningham passed away last evening Dec.15, 2003). He died at home in Trisha's arms from a heart attack
Johnny was 46 years old and had played fiddle since the age of 7. He
was known for his lightning-fast reels and hauntingly beautiful Scottish airs. He also delighted audiences worldwide with his wry humor and stories.

Born in Portobello, Scotland in 1957, Johnny was a founding member of
Silly Wizard, the group that spearheaded the Scots side of the Celtic
revival in the 70's and 80's. He had toured with his brother, Phil
Cunningham, both as a duo and with the Celtic "supergroup" Relativity,
which also featured Micheal O'Domhnaill and Triona Ni Dhomhnaill of TheBothy Band.

Johnny not only enjoyed a succcessful career as a solo performer but was greatly in demand as an award-winning record producer. Among other
ventures, he toured with contemporary singer-songwriter and author Bill Morrissey, and crossed over into the world of rock & roll, appearing with Hall & Oates. His own alternative band, Raindogs, made two successful CD's for Atlantic/Atco Records, and toured with artists such as Bob Dylan, Don Henley, and Warren Zevon. Collaborations also included projects with Cherish the Ladies and Solas, and led to four CD's and three National American Independent Music Awards (NAIRD) for Best Album.

After completing a four-year stint with the international Windham
Hill/BMG act Nightnoise, Johnny started working with the acclaimed New
York-based theater company Mabou Mines on their theatrical production of "Peter & Wendy." He composed the music and lyrics for this adaptation of J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan," which enjoyed numerous sold out engagements.

The response by audience and critics alike was overwhelmingly positive. Already the winner of two OBIE Awards, "Peter & Wendy" moved to Berkeley, CA, in 1999 for a run at the renowned Berkeley Repertory Theater, and later to the Dublin Theatre Festival. The soundtrack album from this innovative production was released in 1997.

Johnny devoted the summer of 1997 to a collaboration with Thomas Moore, best-selling author of "Care Of The Soul." The result was a double CD set, "The Soul Of Christmas," released by Tommy Boy/Upaya. Through the heart of Celtic culture and Moore's writings, "The Soul of Christmas" explores a spiritual interpretation of traditional Christmas music and thought. A live concert version of this celebration was filmed for a PBS television special which aired throughout the 1997 holiday season.

In Fall 1997, Johnny toured throughout Scotland, Ireland, England and
Wales with The Celtic Fiddle Festival, joined by fellow fiddlers Kevin
Burke (Ireland) and Christian Le maitre (Brittany). This tour was
recorded and produced by Johnny for the Green Linnet label, and released
in February 1998.

A collaboration with Seamus Egan, (Solas), Jeanne Butler Colin Dunn,
(Riverdance) and Harvey Goldsmith/Radio CIty Music Hall Enterprises, led to Johnny writing the text and lyrics for the show "Dancing on Dangerous Ground." Johnny then worked with producer-director Renee McCormick on a documentary feature entitled "A Life Outside Convention," about women who decide not to be mothers. Johnny drew from Jazz and other American musical traditions for its soundtrack.

Since Nov. 1, 2003, Johnny had been touring with Irish singer Susan
McKeown and guitarist Aidan Brennan on the third edition of the Winter
Talisman Tour. The show had been recorded and released on Sheila-na-Gig Music/Caledonian Musicworks in 2001.

Funeral plans for Johnny are still being finalized.

For more information, please see
<www.johnnycunningham.com>.


Brían