Glenn Graham recently released his third CD, entitled "Step Outside," his most eclectic to date. His previous 2 albums contained the traditional fiddle tunes he listened to while growing up in Judique, on the West Coast of Cape Breton. Fiddle music on that side of the island is as much a part of the people as the air they breath.

Glenn has decided to put a modern touch on this album and he succeeds with it. This CD title is appropriate in more ways than one. You need to put this CD on outside so you can crank the volume up for dancing. As well, Glenn steps outside the traditional borders on several tracks.

It's refreshing to hear the young players play the older tunes with the accompaniment of other talented young players of other instruments. Some of the other musicians on this CD include Patrick Gillis on guitar, Matthew Foulds on drums/percussion, Mac Morin on piano, Gordie Sampson on guitar and Joel Chiasson on piano.

Glenn's sister Amy is also prominently featured on this CD for the first time, singing and stepdancing. The two siblings perform some of their own compositions, both of them singing and Glenn on fiddle. These are songs that have garnered airplay on East Coast radio. I'd like to hear Amy put out a CD of her own. Her voice has the ability to cross between pop/rock and traditional.

Glenn's family tree consists of over 44 musicians (violinists, pianists, dancers, pipers, Gaelic singers, and composers). He certainly comes by his talent through his "genepool" and naturally and he pays tribute to his influences on this CD, either playing in their style or playing their tunes.

We hear the influence of such fiddlers as Kinnon Beaton & John Morris Rankin on "Strathspeys and Reels No. 1" and fiddler Donald Angus Beaton on "Strathspeys and Reels No. 2."

To bring the music to a perhaps new audience, he's branching out into a more modern style while still sticking to his roots. And he's received acclaim for doing so. An example is the traditional tune "Little Donald's Wife" which has been turned into a club-dance mix, with a funky chorus! And when he's not recording or performing, Glenn is also an instructor of fiddle/dance at home and abroad.

Glenn's been breathing the music since birth and it didn't take him long to bring his talent to a stage. He was singing in concerts at age 7, started playing the fiddle at age 10, was playing the fiddle at dances at 15, released his first CD when he was 22, released his second at 24 and his third at 26. And he's also got a degree in Political Science from St. Francis Xavier University. He's showcased at 2 East Coast Music Awards and received a couple of ECMA nominations. All of this accomplished before he's 30. And he shows no sign of slowing down. Keep your ears open for more of Glenn's work in the future!