Chris Stout

Chris Stout is a member of the thrilling seven-piece Shetland band, FIDDLERS' BID, currently one of the hottest musical exports, who have recorded three albums for Greentrax. Chris also performs regularly as a duo with Catriona McKay and is a fine solo performer. Chris is well known for his work with the Chris Stout Band and Salso Celtica - and his solo album "First O' The Darkenin" received three nominations for awards in 2004. It was also used for the music track on a recent BBC production on the World Island Games held in Shetland in 2005.

Chris grew up in Fair Isle until he was 7 years old where he caught his first glimpse of the fiddle when he was only 3! It was being played by friend Ewan Thomson who was 7 years old at the time but has subsequently made the art of violin making his career. Chris now play two of his instruments, a fiddle and viola.

He took the opportunity to play classical music at school and played traditional music at home with his father who plays the accordion. He took Chris to play at the Accordion and Fiddle clubs which was his introduction to travelling round the halls in Shetland and gave him his first performance experience.

Chris moved schools in 1990 and became friendly with other young musicians who were mainly fiddle players. This group of youngsters were given the name "Fiddlers' Bid". They enjoyed frequent afternoon sessions, possibly in place of classes such as maths or English with their teacher Willie Hunter. Countless concert experiences at coffee evenings and such like came rolling in.

Having acquired the title "Young Fiddler of the Year" for his traditional fiddling, he also became Shetland's "Young Musician of the Year" for performing a classical repertoire. He moved to Glasgow at the age of 16 to study at the Douglas Academy of Music. After a spell there, he completed two degree's at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, graduating in 1999.


See also Fiddlers' Bid