Johnny Cunningham

by Craig Harris
 
The fire and passion of traditional Scottish fiddling is reflected in the lightning-fast playing of Johnny Cunningham. A founding member of Silly Wizard, Cunningham was instrumental in spreading interest in modern, tradition-rooted Celtic music. His albums as a soloist and as a member of Relativity and Nightnoise have extended those traditions. Traditional music, however, is only one side of Cunninghams repertoire. The producer of albums for contemporary singer/songwriters including Fred Small, Brooks Williams and Bill Morrissey, Cunningham recorded two albums with the alternative rock band the Raindogs, and has performed in concerts with Hall & Oates. His more recent projects range from a tour and ensuing live album, Celtic Fiddle Festival, with Irish fiddler Kevin Burke and fiddler Christian LeMaitre of Brittany, to composing the soundtrack for an adult-oriented version of J.M. Barries Peter and Wendy, performed by the New York-based Mabou Mines Theater Company. In addition, Cunningham recently collaborated with novelist Thomas Moore (Care of the Soul) on a double-CD seasonal recording, The Soul of Christmas.
 
The oldest of three children, Cunningham played harmonica at the age of five in the Grand Lee Old Age Pensioner Harmonica Band. Although he tried his hand at accordion and piano, he found his natural musical voice when a grandmother presented him a fiddle shortly before his eighth birthday. Leaving school and home at the age of 14, he spent several years living in rundown apartments in Edinburgh. A turning point came when he met Gordon Jones and Bob Thomas, musicians who managed the Triangle Folk Club. Moving into their communal apartment, without bathrooms or heat, Cunningham joined them in forming a band, Silly Wizard. After playing several local gigs, the band accepted an extended engagement in Liverpool, England, writing music and performing in plays at the Everyman Theater. Returning to Scotland, the group added Cunninghams younger brother, Phil, on accordion, as well as traditional singer Madeline Taylor. Although they recorded an album for Transatlantic Records, the album has never been released.
 
After releasing a self-titled album in 1972, Silly Wizard went through personnel changes, with Taylor being replaced by Andy Stewart and bassist Martin Hadden of the recently disbanded group Puddocks Well. Following the recording of Silly Wizards second album, Caledonias Hardy Sons, Bob Thomas left the band, and the group continued as a five-piece unit. Silly Wizards first tour of the United States included a pivotal appearance at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Cunningham emigrated to America shortly afterwards in 1980. Although his place in Silly Wizard was filled temporarily by fiddler Dougie McLean, he played on their last recording, A Glint of Silver, in 1986, and joined them for their farewell tour two years later.
 
Cunningham continued to work periodically with his brother; in addition to recording an album as a duo, Against the Storm, they joined with siblings Triona NiDomhnaill and Michael ODomhnaill of the Bothy Band to form Relativity in the early 1980s. Cunningham also worked with NiDomhnaill and ODomhnaill in the new age Celtic band Relativity. Sadly, Cunningham died of a heart attack in December 2003. He was 46.