Pius MacIsaac
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Pius MacIsaac

Band Pop Singer/Songwriter

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"Pius MacIsaac Releases Music From The Heart at Red Shoe Party"

Celtic guitarist Pius MacIsaac released his inaugural recording on Sunday afternoon at a packed release party at Mabou's Red Shoe Pub. For decades, Pius and his guitar have been part of Cape Breton's musical landscape, but this release of Music from the Heart marks his first collection of compositions. The recording primarily features MacIsaac's own compositions peppered with traditional pieces, and is further enriched with the presence of a number of friends.

Joining Pius on Music from the Heart are fellow Celtic guitarist Patrick Gillis, pianist-flautist Heather Richards, vocalist Jeannie Beks, pianist Mac Morin and fiddler Ian MacDougall.

MacIsaac's compositions touch just about everything that touches him. Whether it is a person, a place, an event, all are transformed into the language through which he best expresses himself, his music. The collection of marches and jigs and reels is a celebration of friendship.

In her biography for the recording, stepdancer Mary Janet MacDonald writes, "Pius MacIsaac is one of the kindest and gentlest souls in the world. His music, which is his passion, has been shared selflessly with a multitude of people over the years. The CD, Music from the Heart, is a dream come true for Pius. Many of his talented friends have come together to make this dream a reality."

It is not surprising that Pius's friends would come to his assistance in recording Music from the Heart, or that they would pack the Red Shoe on Sunday to share this magic moment with him, musicians, friends and fans. For years, Pius MacIsaac has been there for others. In childhood, born with a defective hip and leg, he spent long periods in the IWK Children's Hospital. Later, when he began to perform publicly, he began hosting annual benefits to raise money for the Children's Hospital, recruiting the kindness of his friends as part of the show. And anywhere where a benefit for someone in need is being held, Pius is among the first to offer his talent.

MacIsaac's recording is also a demonstration of the community-minded spirit of InRich, the Inverness-Richmond County community investment company. While many investment organizations have shied away from investing in musicians, InRich has a record of going forward, seeing them as entrepreneurs. It was Perry Chandler and the board of InRich that felt that fronting the money for Pius's recording would be a sound investment in one of the region's most marketable products, its music and culture.

People traveled from as far off as Alberta to share Pius's day in the sun with him, and throughout the coming summer Pius and guitar, as well as copies of Music from the Heart, will continue to be part of the Cape Breton summer landscape.

-Frank MacDonald March 26, 2003 - Inverness Oran


Discography

"Music From The Heart" -2003 Independent release

"The Greatest Gift"- 2005 Independent release

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Bio

Pius MacIsaac , an artist hailing from Mabou, Cape Breton, is a regular performer at the local festivals and parish hall dances that intrigue so many of the island's visitors. A gifted composer, Pius has written several tunes which he performs on his violin and mandolin as well as his guitar. He is a sought-after artist in Cape Breton and can be seen accompanying many of the island's top fiddlers with his driving, percussive guitar rhythms.

Full Biography:
Pius MacIsaac an artist hailing from Mabou, Cape Breton, is a man who shares his love of music graciously with his fans and inspires all who believe that faith and dedication can allow for triumph over adversity.

Pius was born into a large family. His twin brother was a healthy and thriving newborn, but the doctor warned Pius' parents that he probably would not live. Overcoming the odds and perhaps exhibiting a will and tenacity that would serve him well for the rest of his life, Pius did indeed survive, though he had to endure numerous hip and leg surgeries to correct medical problems.

Pius grew up knowing that he had a right to pursue his dream. And his dream was to become a musician.

It was natural for Pius as a young boy to be inspired by the music of local Cape Breton players. Pius' first goal was to learn how to play the guitar. He was rebuffed by a school music teacher who told him the musical instruments were meant for students deemed more capable. He wasn't even allowed to touch a guitar.

Undaunted and supported by a community that celebrates creativity, diversity and a widespread appreciation of the arts, he was given guitar at age 13, and began chording to his father's fiddling. Three decades later he is still playing. Now a gifted composer, Pius has written several tunes which he performs on his violin and mandolin as well as his guitar. He is a sought-after artist in Cape Breton and can be seen accompanying many of the island's top fiddlers with his driving, percussive guitar rhythms, most often with his nephew Ian MacDougall.

Regularly seen performing as an accompanist at the parish hall dances that intrigue so many of the island's visitors, Pius also has played as a
solo artist at numerous concerts such as the Broad Cove Scottish Concert, where he performed with his peers Dave MacIsaac, Gordie Sampson, Scott Macmillian, and Brian Doyle during the "Guitar Summit" segment. Pius captivates and immediately wins over admirers who are in awe of his uncommon ability.

In 2003, Pius was able to realise another dream when his first recording "Music From the Heart" was released. Acclaimed and supported by radio airplay, "Music from the Heart" garnered Pius a following of a larger fan base and he accepted performance opportunities away from his native Cape Breton Island. He has played as far west as Alberta and as far east as St. John's Newfoundland, where his East Coast Music Association performance at the 2004 conference won "best showcase". In 2005 Pius recorded his second album "The Greatest Gift" and he continues to share his special gift with an ever-growing audience.

Long Biography: