Alex Hodgson (born 12 August 1961) is a Scottish folk singer/songwriter signed to the record label

Greentrax Recordings Greentrax Recordings are a Scottish record label that specialises in Scottish traditional music. History The label was founded in 1986 by former police inspector Ian Green, who played the bagpipes and was responsible for arranging folk music ...

. In his early professional career, Alex was the drummer and lead vocalist of The Last Resort alongside working as a technician at Edinburgh City Art Centre and then

Preston Lodge High School Preston Lodge High School is a six-year non-denominational school located in Prestonpans, Scotland. It serves students from Prestonpans, Port Seton, Longniddry and the surrounding areas. Primary Schools A student goes to Preston Lodge High S ...

however began to focus on his solo career after his first album launch with

'Jeelie Jars and Coalie Backies' in July, 2010. His second album 'The Brig Tae Nae Where', was met with positive reviews by the Scottish Folk scene and several tracks were used for local historical exhibitions. Notably including 'The

Battle of Pinkie Cleugh The Battle of Pinkie, also known as the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh ( , ), took place on 10 September 1547 on the banks of the River Esk near Musselburgh, Scotland. The last pitched battle between Scotland and England before the Union of the Cro ...

exhibition in Musselburgh Museum, Scots Language Centre and on the album 'The Music & Song of

Great Tapestry of Scotland The Great Tapestry of Scotland is one of the world's largest community arts projects, hand stitched by 1,000 people from across Scotland. It is made up of 160 linen panels and 300 miles of wool – enough to stretch the entire length of Scotland ...

' which also featured The Proclaimers, The Battlefield Band, Gordon Gunn and Alastair Mcdonald. Alex has also been featured on the Album 'A Tribute in Music and Song to

John Bellany John Bellany (18 June 1942 – 28 August 2013) was a Scottish painter. Early life Bellany was born in Port Seton. His father and grandfather were fishermen in Port Seton and Eyemouth near Edinburgh. During the early 1960s, he studied at ...

(Scottish artist) with his song titled 'The Reel John Bellany' alongside

The Corries The Corries were a Scottish folk group that emerged from the Scottish folk revival of the early 1960s. The group was a trio from their formation until 1966 when founder Bill Smith left the band but Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne continued ...

, Davy Steele,

Aly Bain Aly Bain MBE (born 15 May 1946) is a Scottish fiddler who learned his instrument from the old-time master Tom Anderson. The former First Minister of Scotland Jack McConnell called Bain a "Scottish icon." Career Bain was born in the town of Le ...

and Phil Cunningham. Born and raised in his hometown of Prestonpans, Alex was brought up in the same town that was made famous by the Jacobite battlefield of the Battle of Prestonpans and was surrounded by countless other historical sites in

East Lothian East Lothian (; sco, East Lowden; gd, Lodainn an Ear) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, as well as a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area. The county was called Haddingtonshire until 1921. In 1975, the histo ...

. Using the rich history of his surroundings as inspiration, he has, through his song writing, tried to spread his interest in the Scottish history of his home. As a two-time winner of 'Burnsong', an international songwriting competition held to celebrate the works of Robert Burns, Alex has played in the Scottish Parliament Building, at

Balmoral Castle Balmoral Castle () is a large estate house in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and a residence of the British royal family. It is near the village of Crathie, west of Ballater and west of Aberdeen. The estate and its original castle were bought ...

for

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. She was queen ...

at her annual Ghillie's Ball and has travelled the world celebrating his Scottish heritage through song.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hodgson, Alex 1961 births Living people Scottish folk singers Scottish singer-songwriters