Biography (Courtesy of Jensen Music International Agency site, 2005)

Factual.

Archie Fisher, born 23.10.39 Glasgow, Scotland ...
The only son in a family of seven
Now lives in the Scottish Borderlands
Has presented Radio Scotland's weekly 'Travelling Folk' programme since 1983

Historical and contemporary musical background.

His father John, was the source of a mixed bag of music ranging from opera through music hall (vaudeville) and traditional songs. His mother Marion, is a native Gaelic speaker from Vatersay in the Outer Hebrides and has a strong subliminal influence on the lyrical quality of his work. He first became interested in folk music through the Skiffle era of the late 1950's under the influences of performers such as Lonnie Donegan and Johnny Duncan. Later the recording of the Weavers at Carnegie Hall had a profound effect on his approach to music and his political outlook.

During the TV folk boom of the 1960s and 70s he appeared regularly with his younger sister Ray in magazine programmes and the BBC Hootenanny series. He was based in Edinburgh at the time in the contemporary company of musicians such as Robin Williamson, Clive Palmer and Mike Heron who formed the original Incredible String Band and was an early guitar colleague of Bert Jansch.

His first album was recorded in 1968 with the fiddle and mandolin of John McKinnon and whistle player John Doonan. During the mid 70s he former a long term partnership with Dundee musician Allan Barty, which was later grafted on to the revived pairing of Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy. As well as performing as a backing musician and arranger for the Maken and Clancy duo, he also produced a series of albums with his heroes, while at home he also got involved in record production with the dynamic Scottish band Silly Wizard. During the 1980s he turned his attention to freelance radio production and originated several series of documentary programmes with his local Borders station Radio Tweed.

His return to the recording studio in the mid 80s was due to what he describes as his most creative songwriting period, which coincided with a series of North American tours in partnership with Garnet Rogers. Garnet produced the albums on his own Snowgoose label the last of which, "Sunsets I've Galloped Into" was later leased and reissued by Red House Records.

He is currently working on two new albums for the Red House Label. He has now revived his solo career with a programme of Canadian and American tours, two of which involved pairing up with John Renbourn and Bert Jansch in a series of concerts. He continues to anchor the flagship Radio Scotland Folk and Celtic Music show 'Travelling Folk' and has recently taken on commissions to write songs for other international solo performers and bands. The Californian band The Waybacks have just recorded his sequel to his much covered (notably by Stan Rogers) Witch of the Westmorlands ballad.

He also continues his ongoing passion of good horsemanship and has recently been re-bitten by the mandolin bug.