He’s a self-described “street kid” from the Bronx who bailed on college and big city life for a cold-water cabin in Virginia in the 1970s. His mission? To soak up the passion that was dramatically upending his parent’s life plan for him – authentic Appalachian mountain music – at the feet of its legendary pioneers, old masters who are now long gone.
Today, Bruce Molsky is one of the most revered “multi-hyphenated career” ambassadors for America’s old-time mountain music. For decades, he’s been a globetrotting performer, ethnomusicologist and educator, a recording artist with an expansive discography including seven solo albums, well over a dozen collaborations and two Grammy-nominations. He’s also the classic “musician’s musician” – a man who’s received high praise from diverse fans and collaborators like Linda Ronstadt, Mark Knopfler, Celtic giants Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine, jazzer Bill Frisell and dobro master Jerry Douglas, a true country gentleman by way of the Big Apple aptly dubbed “the Rembrandt of Appalachian fiddlers” by virtuoso violinist and sometimes bandmate Darol Anger.
Molsky digs deep to transport audiences to another time and place, with his authentic feel for and the unearthing of almost-forgotten rarities from the Southern Appalachian songbook. Molsky seduces audiences with a combination of rhythmic and melodic virtuosity and relaxed conversational wit – a uniquely humanistic, downhome approach that can make Carnegie Hall feel like a front porch or intimate jam session.
In addition to his many live performances as a solo and with Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, Bruce will be kept away from his home in Beacon, New York, by his work as a Visiting Scholar at the old American Roots Music Program at the Boston’s Berklee College of Music, and through fiddling workshops and summer music camps he conducts for devotees here and abroad.
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Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Stirling? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!This exhibition at the Tolbooth Stirling compiles different forms of artwork – including photography, collage, and illustrations – created by autistic people to communicate their experiences.
READ MOREThe Tolbooth and Tiny Changes are proud to announce Sing the Greys – A Celebration of Frightened Rabbit on Friday 6th & Saturday 7th December!
READ MOREIan Lynch, a founding member of Dublin experimental folk group Lankum, explores submerged leylines of music and song. Catch him at the Tolbooth Stirling on 10th December!
READ MOREChris Helme is set to bring a collection of brand new material to audiences for the first time in a decade, as he tours his much-anticipated forthcoming album, World of my Own.
READ MOREOne of Scotland's most celebrated folk singer-songwriters, Siobhan Miller embarks on her first-ever full band tour this November and December and plays The Tolbooth on 14th December!
READ MOREBC Camplight, considered one of indie music’s most forward-thinking artists, plays The Tolbooth Stirling on 18th December!
READ MOREEnjoy a screening of Frank Capra's 1946 classic feel-good movie 'It's a Wonderful Life' at the Tolbooth Stirling on Friday 20th December!
READ MOREFrom one of the most exciting emerging new stars in the UK's live stand-up scene, 1994 is Edinburgh native Connor Burns third solo hour, don't miss him live at the Tolbooth Stirling!
READ MOREHannah Read and Michael Starkey have fast become one of the most sought-after fiddle-banjo duos on the UK acoustic music scene, don't miss them live The Tolbooth Stirling in February!
READ MORETwo-time Grammy nominated Kim Richey is a storyteller with a voice so pure, arresting and honest, it literally aches with life’s truths and you can catch her at the Tolbooth on 11th February!
READ MOREIn ‘Endurance’, Sean Conway takes audiences on the journey, from miserable school portrait photographer, to world record holder!
READ MOREDarren Kiely brings his folk-infused pop sound to the Tolbooth on Friday 28th February as part of the 'never been here before' tour!
READ MOREMulti award winning Accordionist and Vocalist Brandon McPhee returns to the Tolbooth Stirling on Tuesday 4th March!
READ MOREThe John Martyn Project, an ongoing homage to a truly pioneering and unique musical soul, come to The Tolbooth, Stirling on Thursday 6th March!
READ MOREDon't miss a double bill of two shows in one night, from cult multi-award winning musical-comedians Jonny & The Baptists at the Tolbooth Stirling on 14th March!
READ MOREMike McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle are on tour again in 2025, bringing you their own blend of top -class folk songs, tunes and charming bonhomie to the Tolbooth on 18th March.
READ MORE4.0 is Gary Faulds fourth tour, come and join him for a night of interactive stand-up madness at the Tolbooth Stirling in March!
READ MOREBroken Chanter returns to the Tolbooth Stirling on 5th April for what will be a special night of music!
READ MOREWith over 100M views online see Stuart Mitchell, the longest running panellist from BBC Scotland's 'Breaking The News', live at Stirling's Tolbooth in his first national tour!
READ MOREJoin Peggy Seeger at the Tolbooth on 14th May as she embarks on her last ever concert tour alongside her sons, Neill and Calum MacColl, in celebration of her 90th Birthday!
READ MORECODA are the only proper four-piece Zep tribute band in Europe that looks and sounds as close to the real thing as possible. Catch them when they play the Tolbooth Stirling in August 2025!
READ MOREReady to showcase your talent? Then come along to the monthly Open Mic night At Slanj-A-Va!
READ MOREGet ready to rock with The Mini Guns as they take the stage at The Riverside Inn, Callander!
READ MOREGet ready to rock with The Mini Guns as they take the stage at Slanj-A-Va, Stirling!
READ MOREGlasgow-based folk pop quartet Tide Lines are thrilled to announce their Homeward Bound Tour, their biggest Scottish headline tour to date, will stop at Stirling's Albert Halls on December 6th!
READ MOREThe Tolbooth and Tiny Changes are proud to announce Sing the Greys – A Celebration of Frightened Rabbit on Friday 6th & Saturday 7th December!
READ MOREA welcome return of the show that celebrates three Icons of Rock n Roll Music Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, & Elvis Presley.
READ MOREDunblane Cathedral Handbell Ensembles present their annual Carols and Carillons Christmas Concert in Dunblane Cathedral on Sunday 8th December!
READ MOREStirling City Choir returns to Church of the Holy Rude on Sunday 8th December for their annual Christmas Concert.
READ MOREStirling Orchestra is delighted to be performing a fantastic winter programme at The Albert Halls on Sunday 8th December!
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