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Eddi Reader

Eddi Reader - Singer/Songwriter

Eddi was a member of Fairground Attraction. She was born in Glasgow and was a Brownie and a Guide.

"Singing is a great opportunity for human beings to talk to one another without using words. It's a very healing occupation for both parties."

Scotland and being Scottish...
Career...
Guiding...
Being a woman...
What's important to her...

On being Scottish...

How would you describe Scotland in five words?

Bonny, passionate, safe, creative, lucky

Where do you always try to take visitors to?

Hogmany - at my Mothers "hoose" because it's the best fun ever.

What recent event in Scottish history did you enjoy watching?

I LOVED watching the Rhona Martin curling team from Scotland win their Olympic medals. I was so proud.

Career…

Who is the nicest celebrity you have met?

I met a load of them and only a couple were rude… not naming names but as far as famous and nice I've met well theres Lulu, Barbara Dickson or Tilda Swinton or Princess Diana AND Camilla, Alison Moyet, Jools Hollond, All of them were very lovely.

What has been the most exciting or memorable experience of your career so far?

I sung for my country at the opening of Scottish Parliament I was very proud and glad to have been asked to do that.

What would your still love to do?

Teach children to sing.

If you could sing a duet with anyone who has ever lived - who would it have been?

I would love to have sung with Elvis!

Guiding…

Did Guiding teach you any values that are still valuable to you today?

In the Guides I was in love with all the games and the songs we sung…. In heavily segregated Glasgow during the 70's when I was growing up we had two separate Guides and Brownie clubs

Me, being Catholic by birth, should have been going to the Catholic Girl Guides, but I was in the Protestant club because my very, very best friend, Carolline Nicholson was Protestant and was in the Protestant Brownies, and I went along with her. It felt fantastic, daring and exotic.

One of the main things I think it taught me, inadvertently, was how ridiculous segregation was.

What is your fondest Guiding memory?

Being really proud of my uniform and wanting it to be spick and span… and feeling a part of something special.

What was the biggest challenge you had in Guiding?

I suppose learning the Promise… I kept stumbling and I was so nervous about having to read it out loud. The games thrilled me.

What was your favourite Interest Badge and do you remember what you had to do to get it?

I can't remember that I got any badges but I remember the little gold clover pin and how it became the most precious thing I owned.

Being a woman…

Which woman did you look up to when you were younger?

Oh I have to think about that one, we didn't have a lot of outside the home or street influences my world was a small one but busy, and FULL of strong busy women. Aunties, grannies, neighbours, We had a black and white TV until I was in my teens so I was attracted to characters from stories like the princess in the TV program Singing Ringing Tree.

Mary Poppins was A MASSIVE INFLUENCE on me… I wanted to sing and fly with umbrellas right up until I was at least 35. I've managed part of that. I tried jumping from the thirteenth step one day when I was ten and bumped my head so badly I was out cold for a few minutes. Haven't tried that again.

What advice would you give to any girls who want to become a singer?

I would say to them to sing with love in their heart and passion in their blood for the feeling behind the words and melody that they are choosing to sing. NEVER try and sing something you hate it will always sound bad… and always share your passion with someone who might listen.

Singing is a great opportunity for human beings to talk to one another without using words. It's a very healing occupation for both parties.

What do you wish you had known when you were younger that you know now?

That I had nothing to be shy about and that I was gifted in many ways that needed nurturing. I felt so clumsy and ugly and stupid for most of my childhood because I was tall and thin and green as the new grass with hair that was a fright.

If you had to choose a song that represents you or your attitude to life - what would it be?

Theres a few, Wonderful World is a great one. And hard to beat.

What's important to her...

If you won a million pounds to give to a charity or non-profit organisation - which one would it be?

Well my mum runs an Age Concern café so I would have to give some to her and Childline or childrens charities would be close to my heart.

If you were deserted on a desert island and only allowed three albums - which ones would they be?

Couldn't I just have a tape machine and a guitar? I would make my own music…
Otherwise…. Ella Fitzgerald complete recordings, any album by THE TRASHCAN SINATRAS and Elvis complete recordings… but I would get bored…. And need Edith Piaf or some Super Furry Animals or Louis Armstrong or the Cocteau twins ….or …or….

If you had to live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Paris … RIGHT in the 14th quarter… cant explain how glorious it is. Especially at Christmas time… OR New York.

When was the last time you couldn't stop laughing?

When my 13 year old boy told me a joke:
Why did the skeleton burp?
Because he didn't have the guts to fart

Tell us a good memory from your school days…

I was away wi' the school at Inverclyde for a week in 1973/4 Kenny Dalglish was training wi' the Scotland squad and all us girls swooned big time when he waved hello … they were aw jealous when he patted my head.

To find out more about Eddie please see eddiereader.co.uk

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