Marian Burns & The McSweeney Brothers Irish Band

Marian Burns Vocals and Fiddle with one of NZ's leading Irish Bands!

The McSweeney Brothers Irish Band have been performing with Marian since they formed in 1995.
Eddie McIntyre Guitar and Vocalist, Alastair Dougal on bass and Mike Abbott on drums.

Biography
Fiddling her way across the world at 100 miles an hour, from the top of the Eiffel Tower to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with the Blarney Castle and the Grand Ole Opry in between, Marian Burns has been taking the world by storm with her exuberance and passion for music.

This dynamic New Zealand artist is racking up awards faster than her version of the Orange Blossom Special (and that’s bloody fast, mate!), taking home New Zealand’s prestigious “Benny Award” at the 2012 Variety Artists Awards, Australia’s “Best Fiddler as a Soloist” at the 2013 Golden Fiddle Awards and presented with the “Life Time Achievement Award” upon celebrating 40 years of playing the violin.

Quickly becoming one of New Zealand’s iconic entertainers, she fittingly toured with the “Highway of Legends” and has shared the stage with the likes of Ricky Skaggs, Dr. John, Beccy Cole, Michael Fix, The Chieftains and The Topp Twins while performing at music festivals such as WOMAD (NZ) and Tamworth (AUS) and playing to audiences numbering over 100,000 at “Coca Cola’s Christmas in the Park”.

Her most recent release, “The Paris Sessions”, was recorded in France with renowned producer Jean Alain Roussel (Sting, Cat Stevens) and has already been awarded Australia’s “Best Album by Fiddler as a Soloist”. Living and breathing the music running through her veins since she first picked up a violin at the age of 6, Marian’s unstoppable energy and joy sweeps you up in her path. Her electric live performance that she is famous for will take you on a foot-stomping, hand-clapping musical ride and leave you trying to catch your breath.

2013 “Best Fiddler as a Soloist” – Golden Fiddle Awards Australia
2013 “Best CD by a Solo Fiddler” for “The Paris Sessions
Golden Fiddle Awards Australia
2012 “Benny Award” Winner – Variety Artist Club of New Zealand
2012 “A.P.R.A. Uke Can Do It” Songwriting Competition – came 2nd
for my “The Worm Life For Me” song.
2010 “Life Time Achievement Award” at the Golden Fiddle Awards.
2010 Finalist in the Golden Fiddle Awards Three Nominations:
Best Fiddle Album – “Just Fiddlin’ Around”
Best Fiddle Teacher at the Golden Fiddle
Best Composition
2009 “The Agnew Excellence Award” by the Varity Artist Club of N.Z.
2009 “Top Musician of the Year” – by the Variety Artist Club of N.Z.
2009 “Top Female Artist” by the Kiwi Pro Am – NCMA Organisation
2004 “Scroll of Honour” Awarded by the Variety Artist Club of N.Z.
2000 “Sing a Song TVNZ” Winning Entry in National Competition
Maggie’s Garden Show Theme performed by Marina View
School Children
1997 “Showcase” Semi Finalist and Winner of the Public Vote on TVNZ
1993 “NZ Country Music Entertainer of the Year” – Overall Winner
1993 “Auckland Country Music Awards Winner”
Overall Winner,
Senior Group Winner, with Jeannine Beatie, David Reid, Pat Olsen
Instrumentalist,
Group Winner,
Best Entertainer Award, and
Overall Runner- up with the Group. (as above)
1986 Associate of Trinity College of London – Violin A.T.C.L
1986 Diploma of Teaching at Auckland College of Education