Growing up in one of the greatest cross roads of music, some of his earliest memories come from under his parent's feet in any one of the various pubs or taverns in New York City where traditional music was being played. At the age of six, when he started to play the fiddle, his influences were already numerous and notably from family experiences. Being from a Scots/American background Ian’s roots are deeply anchored in musical traditions from both sides of the Atlantic: from The Isle of Bute in Scotland to the Tennessee Smokey Mountains in America and From Nova Scotia in Canada to Eastern Texas, these ancestral paths are the core of his inspiration and directly reflected in his personal style of fiddling.

Nominated on the European World Music Charts Ian McCamy has enjoyed a wide success: two solo albums in four years, a long list of festival concerts throughout Switzerland, France and Belgium, radio and T.V. appearences, countless concerts in clubs and cultural centers, and a growing following of fans. Both the albums have had numerous rave reviews: Three Bravos by Trad Magazine, Excellent record by France inter radio, Three stars by Spain's Diaros de noticias, Recommended by Dirty Linen Magazine in the USA and selected by Liberation in France.

One of the most important Friendships Ian has formed on his way has been with Robert Crumb the mythic underground comic artist. Over the years Robert has greatly inspired Ian’s fiddle playing through his extensive knowledge, musicianship and vast collection of old records. His musical collaboration with Robert has resulted in three recordings together, on “World Musette” by the Primif du Future, on the CD in the Robert Crumb Handbook with the Ian McCamy Quartette and the recent album with McCamy's Melody Sheiks on Arhoolie Records. Robert has magnificantly illustrated three solo albums, an honor shared by few.

The journey continues, today as Ian is still looking to the musical traditions lived by his ancestors, researching the groove, sound and history of the tunes played by the great fiddlers and musicians recorded in the 1920’s. Keep your eyes out for his Melody Sheiks playing tunes off the latest album “There's More Pretty Girls Then One ”.

Ian McCamy and his Melody Sheiks is on Arhoolie records - The Celtic Reelers on: Frémeaux & Associés records. Available in all record stores