b. 21 January 1956, Rutherglen, Glasgow, Scotland. Singer-songwriter Bruce began an early career singing in folk clubs with his brother Fraser (b. Andrew Fraser Bruce, 13 January 1947, Fulham, London, England). They recorded three albums together before Ian gradually moved into solo work, although he continued to hold down his day job as a draughtsman at Yarrow Shipbuilders. A brief sojourn with a band called Scotland Yard, which included Marilyn Middleton Pollock and Sandy Stanage, resulted in Wishing For Friday, which was never released. Bruce’s first real acceptance as a songwriter came with the release, on his own label, of 1988’s Too Far From She, with special interest being shown in the title track. He was signed to Fellside Records for 1990’s Blodwen’s Dream, the label’s first CD release. This album contained Graham Miles’ excellent ‘My Eldorado’, a song about faded hopes and dreams, and the equally fine self-penned title track. Despite throat surgery and being dropped by Fellside following the release of 1992’s Out Of Office, Bruce went from strength to strength on his mid-90s recordings Free Agent and The Naked Truth. In addition to solo work, Bruce has performed with fellow songwriter Ian Walker, the group Blue Rooster with Dez Walters (formerly of Country Dawn), and Ian Murray. He also performed and recorded with Paul Hutchinson and Paul Sartin as the Ian Bruce Breeze Band. In the late 90s Bruce recorded the all Scottish folk album Hodden Grey for Greentrax Records, and participated in the multi-volume Robert Burns recording project instigated by Dr. Fred Freeman and Linn Records.